Untitled Sermon (8)

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of

wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the

truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where

jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above

is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a

harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James opens the book with Wisdom and all other tests that James is talking about for the rest of thebok is about

this wisdom

Who among you?

James asks people who think that they have special understanding and insight in spiritual matters, in effect, to

step forward so that he can analyze the legitimacy of their claim.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter of James B. True Wisdom Brings Peace (3:13–4:3)

For James assesses these people’s claim to wisdom not in theological terms—how much doctrine do they know,

how many Greek verbs can they parse—but in practical terms: Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done

in the humility that comes from wisdom.

What is wisdom?

application of knowledge”

various aspects of wisdom.

cah 6:9 ESV

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Psalm 111:10 ESV

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His

praise endures forever!

Proverbs 3:7 ESV

7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

Micah 6:9 ESV

9 The voice of the LORD cries to the city— and it is sound wisdom to fear your name: “Hear of the rod and of

him who appointed it!

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter of James B. True Wisdom Brings Peace (3:13–4:3)

we remember, begins with the fear of the Lord (Prov. 1:7), enables us to discern what is “right and just” (Prov.

2:9), and leads us to “walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous” (Prov. 2:20).

Deuteronomy 4:5–6 ESV

5 See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do them in the

land that you are entering to take possession of it. 6 Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and

your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great

nation is a wise and understanding people.’

Matthew 7:24 ESV

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on

the rock.

Hosea 14:9 ESV

9 Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of

the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.

"Get wisdom," it is referring to that practical knowledge of how to attain true and lasting happiness. It begins

with the fear of the Lord and consists in humbly hearing and doing God's will perceived both in Scripture and in

the unique circumstances of the moment. Such wisdom is essential because the person who has it finds life and

joy, but the person who doesn't finds death and misery.

Where does it come from

Isaiah 11:2 ESV

2 And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel

and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.

Ephesians 1:17 ESV

2 Corinthians 11:13–15 ESV

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation

in the knowledge of him,

Colossians 1:9 ESV

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the

knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

1 Corinthians 1:18–25 ESV

18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of

God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will

thwart.” 20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God

made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through

wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand

signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to

Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1 Corinthians 1:30 ESV

30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and

sanctification and redemption,

Our union with Christ enable us to receive wisdom

wise in that the wisdom is divine in nature and origin (opp. ἄσοφος)

Eph 5:15

. (Opp. μωρός)

1 Cor 3:18ab

. W. ἐπιστήμων (Philo, Migr. Abr. 58) Js 3:13; B 6:10. σοφὸς εἰς τὸ ἀγαθόν (opp. ἀκέραιος εἰς τὸ κακόν)

Ro 16:19

. Jesus intends to send out προφήτας καὶ σοφοὺς κ. γραμματεῖς

Mt 23:34

.

Deuteronomy 4:6 ESV

6 Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who,

when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’

Wisdom Books

Proverbs

Eccelsiastes

Job

Common thread -

Matthew 7:22–23 ESV

On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Eph 3:10

wisdom says that the money you have belongs to God so use it in a way that you can bring him glory.

Give more example of Heavenly wisdom vs earhtly wisdom

Look at how the wisdom of the world have crept into the church… psychology and perspectives on

marriage/....etc

spouses, raising kids.

There is a constant tension between the wisdom of the world and wisdom from above in our lives and in how

we think.

(

1 Corinthians 1:18–31 ESV

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

).

It is foolishness

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. ἐπιστήμων

to being knowledgeable in a way that makes one effectual in the exercise of such knowledge, expert, learned,

understanding (w. σοφός, as Dt 1:13; 4:6; Da 5:11; Philo, Migr. Abr. 58) Js 3:13 the expert in σοφία will be

verified by quality of performance;

Knowledge - Facts , Information, Memory, Scholars - A House is on Fire

Understanding - Meaning, Principles, Reasons, Teachers - My house is on Fire

Wisdom - What to do next, Application, Action, Practitioner - Do something about my house being on fire

meekness of wisdom

inseperable concepts - meekness and wsdom

Meekness/humility go hand in hand with wisdom

2 cor 11:

The most extreme form of jealousy that causes one to respond.

Jealously is often hidden but bitter jealousy is evident in the interactions with one another.

Bitterness - a symbolical of affliction and misery

Acts 8:23 ESV

For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.”

Acts 8:23

,

Hebrews 12:15 ESV

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;

Heb 12:15

Numbers 5:27 ESV

And when he has made her drink the water, then, if she has defiled herself and has broken faith with her husband, the water that brings the curse shall enter into her and cause bitter pain, and her womb shall swell, and her thigh shall fall away, and the woman shall become a curse among her people.

Num 5:27

Here he uses it metaphorically to describe the worst sort of jealousy, that which is harsh, sharp, cutting, and

destructive, having no concern for the feelings or welfare of those who are its objects.Those whose lives are

based on and motivated by human, ungodly wisdom are inevitably self-centered, living in a world in which their

own personal ideas, desires, and standards are the measure of everything. Whatever and whoever serves those

ends is considered good and friendly; whatever and whoever threatens those ends is considered bad and an

enemy. Those who are engulfed in self-serving worldly wisdom resent anyone or anything that comes between

them and their own objectives. - JMac

not Jealous. Jealous because of wealth, or status or. The issue is that hte desire is placed onthe worng thisn.

Even good desires can end up in jealousy - Spiritual Jealousy - Ministry opportunities, promience in the church,

leadership roles (example)…etc

Selfish ambition - directed towards self

rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy from the works of he flesh.

Slefish amobition is always about slef an not abour God.

Give examples of selfish ambition.

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

The problem with selfish ambition is that it is contrary to the exapmle that Christ had shown.

Paul goes down a few verses and says

Philippians 2:5–7 ESV

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did

not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being

born in the likeness of men.

People who are wise in their own eyes are generally arrogant about it, which would be expected, because an

elevated self-view is based on pride. - J MAc

“In your hearts” - this later on leads to strife in the next chapter

boast and be false to the truth

Everything stems from the heart - in salvation God givs us a new heart, which is why we need to look at sin as a

heart issue

Matthew 15:19 ESV

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.

Talk about dealing with the heart and not the symptom

Boast

- to boast of one’s achievements over and against someone or something else

This is typicall of what the world around us encourages us to do , about us being the best and wanting to

achieve what the best is for us.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Chapter 3

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. Jam 3:15; Jam 1:18, “The word of truth.” Ro 2:17, 23, speaks

similarly of the same contentious Jewish Christians.

IN the Greco - Roman world they did not have the concept of humility, In fact this concept of humility wasquite foregin to them since their culture always empasised pride and boastfulness simliar to the culture theat we live in.

quite foregin to them since their culture always empasised pride and boastfulness simliar to the culture theat we

live in.

James 1:9 ESV

Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation,

James 1:9 ESV

 ESV

9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation,

James 3:5 ESV

5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a

small fire!

James 4:16 ESV

16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

James 1:21 ESV

21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word,

which is able to save your souls.

Be false to the truth

You see, worldy wisdom is not only foolish but is is false and a lie,

Emphasis the serious ness of false vs truth

Help the congregation see the importance of this .

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Chapter 3

through “the Spirit of truth,” Jn 15:26.

and ungodly - Jmac

It is widom that is made by men who are finite in tier understanding and capabilities.

done in his time of exixtence is gone to the moon in comparision with wisdom from God who created all the

unverse.

Humans wisdom cannot think beyond the planet earth and tis limitations.

19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

Proverbs 15:33 ESV

33 The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

Job 12:13 ESV

13 “With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding.

21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in

their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and

exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping

things.

11 the LORD—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter of James B. True Wisdom Brings Peace (3:13–4:3)

The word “earthly” has as its opposite “heaven” (see esp. John 3:12; 1 Cor. 15:40; 2 Cor. 5:1; Phil. 2:10). The

word does not always have a negative connotation, sometimes simply denoting that which is typical of, and

belongs to, the earthly sphere (e.g., John 3:12; 1 Cor. 15:40; 2 Cor. 5:1; Phil. 2:10). But when used in the sense

of thinking or behavior, “earthly” has a negative nuance, suggesting a narrow perspective that fails to consider

God’s realm and will (cf. Phil. 3:19): “earthbound” is a good rendering.

Unspiritual or Natural

- Characterised by the created, finite and fallen world.

Total Depravity - - It is finite in its understanding and is tainted by sin in it’s every action and thought. Wisdom

by those who are dead is dead.

1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to

understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a

mirror.

One who is unmoved by the word of God

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter of James B. True Wisdom

It has to do with that part of man “where human feeling and human reason reign supreme

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Demon, Demoniac

proceeding from, or resembling, a demon, demoniacal

2 Corinthians 3:11–15 ESV

For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory. Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts.

Characteristics of spirits in rebellion to God

The souce of this is the deveil and hence demonic

James 2:19 ESV

You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity

and purity of devotion to Christ. For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or

you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted,

you bear this beautifully.… For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is notsurprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to

apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is notsurprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to

surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to

their deeds. (

2 Cor. 11:3–4

, 13–15) - JMAC

They are succumbing to the schemes of the devil

James 4:7 ESV

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Ephesians 2:2 ESV

2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the

spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—

Disorder

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. ἀκαταστασία

opposition to established authority, disorder, unruliness

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Confound, Confuse, Confusion

akatastasia (ἀκαταστασία, 181), “instability,” (a, negative, kata, “down,” stasis, “a standing

James 1:8 ESV

8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

James in the previous passage talk abou the tongue and in the next passage talk about conflict. What better

instrument to contribute to a conflict than the tongue causing a wildfire and causing disorder

James: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Results of False Wisdom

All the conflicts, crimes, battles, and wars of the world are evidence of the devastation caused by human

wisdom.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter of James B. True Wisdom Brings Peace (3:13–4:3)

Luke uses it to describe the “tumults,” the uprisings and revolutions, that will typify the period preceding the

parousia (Luke 21:9).

Every Vile practice

every Evile, immoral, - anything that can be taken to the extreeme, a

unlimited evil

WISDOM FROM ABOVE

God’s wisdom, it is given from above

Proverbs 15:33 ESV

33 The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

Job 12:13 ESV

13 “With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding.

Ephesians 1:17 ESV

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation

in the knowledge of him,

James 1:5 ESV

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be

given him.

Colossians 1:9 ESV

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the

knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

It is only opssible through a realtionship with Jesus Chrsit

1 Corinthians 1:24 ESV

but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 1:24 ESV

 ESV

24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. ἁγνός

keep the body pure

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Chaste

pure from every fault, immaculate

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Chapter 3

This is put, “first of all,” before “peaceable” because there is an unholy peace with the world which makes no

distinction between clean and unclean. Compare “undefiled” and “unspotted from the world,” Jam 1:27, “purify

… hearts”; 1 Pe 1:22, “purified … souls” (the same Greek). Ministers must not preach before a purifying

change of heart, “Peace,” where there is no peace. Seven (the perfect number) characteristic peculiarities of true

wisdom are enumerated. Purity or sanctity is put first because it has respect both to God and to ourselves; the

six that follow regard our fellow men. Our first concern is to have in ourselves sanctity; our second, to be at

peace with men.

27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Peacable

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. εἰρηνικός

to being conducive to a harmonious relationship, peaceable, peaceful ἄνθρωπος εἰ. 1 Cl 14:5 (Ps 36:37). Of

Christian σοφία Js 3:17.

Matthew 5:9 ESV

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

power under control. The adjective was often used of a wild horse that was broken and made useful to its owner

Fruit of the spirit

James has already tounched upon this Chrachter train earlier thus proving the centrality of wisdom - “Therefore,

putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility (prautēs) receive the word implanted,

which is able to save your souls” (1:21). -

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter of James B. True Wisdom Brings Peace (3:13–4:3)

Christian meekness, or humility, comes from understanding our position as sinful creatures in relationship to the

glorious and majestic God (note James’s elaboration of this point in 4:7). It recognizes how unable we are in

and of ourselves to achieve spiritual fulfillment or to chart our own course in the world. And this humility

before God should then translate into humility toward others (see, e.g., Gal. 6:1; Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12; 2 Tim.

2:25; Tit. 3:2; 1 Pet. 3:2, 16).

Open to reason

Reasonable

James: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Characteristics of True Wisdom

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3).

Full of Mercy

James: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Characteristics of True Wisdom

The believer who is full of mercy evidences his saving faith and transformed life not only by forgiving those

who have wronged him but by reaching out to help them in whatever ways are needed. Like the Good

Samaritan (Luke 10:30–37), he has concern and compassion for anyone he encounters who is suffering or who

needs any kind of support or assistance. He has special concern for fellow believers, for his brothers and sisters

in Christ.

James 2:13 ESV

13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and

you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

Good Fruit

English Standard Version Chapter 2

22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;

James 2:1 ESV

1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.

9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

Sincere

Is not false to the truth

Sown in Peace

Link to the folowing Chapter

LINK ALL THESE GOOD AND BAD THINGS AND LINK THEM TO THE ASPECTS/PASSAGES OF

JAMES’S LETTER

Issue of the church here is double mindedness

English Standard Version Chapter 1

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be

given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is

driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Genuine wisdom is as important as genuine faith