James 3:13-18
3:13 a If you are wise and understand: The wisdom that comes from God (1:5 b) is not mere intellectual skill nor the collection of information, it is practical insight and spiritual understanding which expresses itself in moral uprightness, as described in 3:17-18 c (see also Job 28:28 d; Prov 1:2-4 e; 2:10-15 f).3:14 g The truth is that wisdom cannot be associated with jealousy and selfish ambition. Only in humility can we receive God’s true word (1:18 h, 21 i).
3:15 j The wisdom that is earthly is not part of the good creation; it is the opposite of heavenly wisdom because it excludes God. It is unspiritual because it does not acknowledge or respond to God’s Spirit (1 Cor 2:14 k; Jude 1:19 l). It is demonic since it comes from the devil, the ultimate source of this destructive wisdom (Jas 3:6 m; 4:6 n; 1 Tim 4:1 o).
3:18 p James uses an agricultural image to emphasize the benefits of living by the wisdom from above: Those who plant seeds of peace in relationships will enjoy a luxuriant harvest of righteousness in those relationships (cp. Matt 5:9 q).
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