James 3:15-16 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.            In contrast to the wisdom that is evident in those who love Christ—He who came down from above (cf. John 1:1, 14; 8:23), there is the wisdom that is “earthly, natural, demonic” (Gr. epigeios, psuchi...

James 3:13-14 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.Those who think themselves wise might expect to be recognized for their intellect, wealth, or fame. Yet James speaks of wisdom in theological terms—wisdo...

James 3:13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.            James begins this section by asking his readers to discern who is wise and understanding among them. Although he may have had teachers in view (3:1), he was no doubt asking the question for everyone to consider. True also today, those considered wise in James’ day...

James 3:13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.            In both the Old and New Testaments there are two kinds of wisdom: God’s wisdom and worldly wisdom (cf. Jas. 3:15). In 3:13, James proposes the next test of true salvation: whether one possesses wisdom and understanding. James, however, is not talking about intelli...

James 3:9-12 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. 11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water pro...

James 3:7-8 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. 8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.In the book of Proverbs, the tongue of the fool babbles (10:8), slanders (10:18), lies (12:19), and boasts arrogantly (18:12). The rest of Scripture speaks of the tongue as wicked, d...

James 3:5b-6 See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.Much of what James writes is a reflection of Jesus’ own words, especially as they relate to the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-...

James 3:3-5 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. 4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a fore...

James 3:1-2 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.            Having just taught on the importance of works as a vindication of one’s saving faith in 2:14-26, James clarifies that words are work...

James 2:25-26 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.            Abraham was called by God and chosen to be the progenitor of the Israelite people. He was justified by faith, his faith was vindicated by his works, and ...

James 2:21-24 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified ...

James 2:19-20 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?            In Judaism, the foundational passage of Scripture recited by all Jews is the great Shema (Hebrew for “hear”). It is a quote from Deuteronomy 6:4 which says, “Hear O Israel, Yahweh our God, Yahweh is on...

James 2:15-18 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. 18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works...

James 2:14-26 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? …Faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself… A man is justified by works and not by faith alone… For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.Some see a contradiction between the theology of Paul and James. Whereas Paul said, “A man ...

Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”            Whereas the beatitudes from vv. 3-6 speak of the Christian’s vertical posture before God, vv. 8-12 speak of the Christian’s horizontal posture toward his fellow man. Christians have a different standard for how they treat others in comparison to non-Christians. Mercy, for instance, is typically for the weak, illustrat...