What does wisdom
look like?
Einstein? Bill Gates?
long-bearded sage on mountaintop?
silent patriarch who closes a noisy debate with a single word?
13
Who is wise and understanding among you?
Let them show it by their good life , deeds done in the humility
James 3:13 (NIV) (p.1/4)
14
But if you harbor bitter envy and ambition in your hearts, boast about it or deny the truth .
15
Such “wisdom” does not earthly , unspiritual, demonic .
James 3:14-15 (NIV) (p.2/4)
17
But the wisdom that comes from heaven pure ; then peace -loving, considerate , submissive , mercy and good fruit , impartial and sincere .
18
Peacemakers who sow in peace harvest of righteousness.
James 3:17-18 (NIV) (p.4/4)
Who is wise and understanding among you?
James 3:13 (NIV)
Ju On
wise :
ancient Gr: mastery of skill
practical , not theoreticalcan be taught / learned
but true wisdom gift of gods
Plato: know being , self
understanding (ἐπιστήμων):
put [self, mind] standing upon
consider, investigate
do you believe yourself to be wise?
Not many of you should become teachers ,
because you know that teach will be judged more strictly .
James 3:1 (NIV)
Savoie, France. Thomas Tixtaaz
pride ch1: listeners of Word
but not doers
1:26 consider self religious
ch2: envy the rich
ch3: believe self teacher
ch4: conflict
believe self wise ?
Let them show it by their good life , deeds done in the humility
James 3:13 (NIV)
Ju On
show: not show **wisdom
look at me, so wise!
but: show your deeds
good life (καλῆς ἀναστροφῆς):
not life of luxury
but life of virtue : noble
out of everyday life
humility (ἐν πραΰτητι): gentle , mild
tame, friendly
meek : strength used to accommodate the weak
show, out of your life of virtue, your deeds in wisdom’s humility
As I gain wisdom, gentle in deeds , or proud in words ?
But if you harbor bitter envy and ambition in your hearts, boast about it or deny the truth .
James 3:14 (NIV)
Janko Ferlič
even the wise may have this
envy: seek, **zeal , jealousy
not: want what others have
but: passionate desire over
e.g., cleansing of temple
bitter: Heb12:15 **root
selfish ambition (ἐριθεία): day-labourer
debase self for gainnot just selfishness ,
but misplaced priorities :
exchange higher things
for base profit
boast: see as **superior
if you think this is wisdom ,
you’ve believed in a lie :
Such “wisdom” does not earthly , unspiritual , demonic .
16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition , disorder and every evil practice .
James 3:15-16 (NIV)
Ukraine. Paul Itkin
the source :
earthly: of **earth (vs heaven)unspiritual: **psyche , life
common with animals
of nature , instinct
demonic: of **demons the consequence :
disorder: **instability
evil practise: **deeds
Have I confused
passion and ambition with wisdom ?
But the wisdom that comes from heaven pure ; then peace -loving, considerate , submissive ,
James 3:17 (NIV)
Iceland. Davide Cantelli
comes from above :
not virtues to chase after
but recognise God’s gift
8 attributes in 4 couplets
pure: **holy , set apart
what does wisdom have to do with holiness ?
peace-loving : peaceful
shalom: right, whole **relationship w/God, w/others
considerate (ἐπιεικής): meek
kind, clemency, compassion
of judge / king / in power
lenience to letter of law
to uphold spirit of law
submissive (εὐπειθής): easily persuaded
But the wisdom that comes from heaven pure; then *peace -loving, , submissive , mercy and good fruit , impartial and sincere .
James 3:17 (NIV)
Iceland. Davide Cantelli
what is abundant in wisdom
mercy :
emotion of compassion, sympathymanifest as action :
withholding due punishment
and/or extending aid
(Lk10:37) good Samaritan
good fruit : worksimpartial (ἀδιάκριτος): w/o:
separation, distinction, prejudice
wavering , ambiguitycf 1:6 ask God w/o doubting
(but not 2:1 favouritism)
sincere (ἀνυπόκριτος): w/o:
e.g., responding w/wisdom to ungodly words
e.g., FIL jokes at others’ expense
wants us to laugh along
JJ: “that’s not funny”, “crazy talk”
⇒ respond w/ compassion
worth from Creator, not bc push down others
“God, give me wisdom how to respond”
If any of you lacks wisdom , ask God , generously to all fault , given to you.
James 1:5 (NIV)
© 2010 @bigbirdz, CC-BY 2.0
wisdom attainable ?
4 do not have because do not ask
Peacemakers who sow in peace harvest of righteousness.
James 3:18 (NIV)
Ju On
a fruit of righteousness
in peace is sown
by those who do peace
e.g., TWU custodian Al+wife
Do I recognise peace -makers, meek , and merciful ?
who do I know who is peaceable?
that is true wisdom