James 3:17. True Wisdom is From God

True (God’s) Wisdom, James 3:17

1. Wisdom is Pure “is first pure”

Pure (hagnos) means freedom from defilements, contaminants, or impurities (e.g., Jesus is hagnos, 1 John 3:3, And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Hagnos describes wisdom that is morally undefiled and not corrupted by any form of evil in this fallen world.

2. Wisdom is Peaceable “then peaceable”

Peaceable (eirenikos from eirene = peace) characterized or promoting a state of wholeness and well-being, that is, loving and promoting peace.

3. Wisdom is Patience “Gentle”

Gentle (epieikes from epí = upon, intensifies meaning + eikós = fair, equitable) is a Greek word that is difficult to translate. says it means "pertaining to being gracious and forbearing." The idea would be to be sensitive to other's needs and patient with them.

4. Wisdom is Pliable “easy to be entreated”

This speaks of being submissive to authority, respectful of those over them especially to God.

5. Wisdom is Passionate and Productive “full of mercy and good fruits”

Hiebert says full of mercy and good fruits is "the only double characteristic in the list, stands in direct contrast to "every vile deed" in James 3:16. (Ibid)

Heavenly wisdom is full of mercy like our Heavenly Father

Luke 6:36, Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

6. Wisdom is Principled “without partiality”

Unwavering (impartial) (adiakritos from a = without + diakrino = to separate, distinguish, judge) means making no partial distinctions, impartial. Not tending to cause divisions or factions within a group. Friberg--"(1) as being without uncertainty unwavering, unshakable (2) without making distinctions impartial, free from prejudice (God's wisdom does not treat one person a certain way and someone else another away)."

7. Wisdom is Plain “without hypocrisy”

Without hypocrisy--(It is sincere; free of pretense) (anuopkritos from a = without + hupokrinomai = to pretend from hupó = under, indicating secrecy + krino = to judge) is literally without play acting, without playing the part or without hypocrisy. Anupokritos describes that which is unhypocritical, genuine (faith, love and wisdom in Scripture) and without show or pretense (pretense = a claim made or implied and especially one not supported by fact). In Greek hypocrite means “one who wears a mask,” an actor.