Jam 3:13-14 | JFB | STEP | 13. Who —(Compare ). All wish to appear "wise": few are so. show —"by works," and not merely by profession, referring to . out of a good conversation his works —by general "good conduct" manifested in particular "works." "Wisdom" and "knowledge," without these being "shown," are as dead as faith would be without works [ALFORD ]. with meekness of wisdom —with the meekness inseparable from true "wisdom."

James 3:13-14

13. Who—(Compare Ps 34:12, 13). All wish to appear "wise": few are so.

show—"by works," and not merely by profession, referring to Jas 2:18.

out of a good conversation his works—by general "good conduct" manifested in particular "works." "Wisdom" and "knowledge," without these being "shown," are as dead as faith would be without works [ALFORD].

with meekness of wisdom—with the meekness inseparable from true "wisdom."

14. if ye have—as is the case (this is implied in the Greek indicative).

bitter— Eph 4:31, "bitterness."

envying—rather, "emulation," or literally, "zeal": kindly, generous emulation, or zeal, is not condemned, but that which is "bitter" [BENGEL].

strife—rather, "rivalry."

in your hearts—from which flow your words and deeds, as from a fountain.

glory not, and lie not against the truth—To boast of your wisdom is virtually a lying against the truth (the gospel), while your lives belie your glorying. Jas 3:15; Jas 1:18, "The word of truth." Ro 2:17, 23, speaks similarly of the same contentious Jewish Christians.