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James 3:17a
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable.”
Demonic, earthly/worldly, and unspiritual wisdom rejects humility and, being rooted in bitter jealousy and selfish ambition, results in disorder and every vile practice (James 3:14–16). Having told us those truths about ungodly wisdom, the Apostle James in today’s passage begins to list the things that characterize godly wisdom, which he calls “wisdom from above.” James tells us in 3:17a that this “wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable.”
Purity heads the list of those things that define godly wisdom, and as one modern commentator notes, the other qualities of godly wisdom given in verse 17—peacefulness, gentleness, reasonableness, mercifulness, fruitfulness, impartiality, and sincerity—are really just expressions of the fundamental purity of the wisdom that is sourced in God and His revelation. Purity relates to that which is innocent and free from all moral fault or blame. Godly wisdom, then, has no taint of sinful impurity.
Matthew Henry gives us a good explanation of the purity that characterizes the wisdom from above. He comments that for wisdom to be pure means that it is “without mixture of maxims or aims that would debase it: and it is free from iniquity and defilements, not allowing of any known sin, but studious of holiness both in heart and life.” John Calvin stresses that purity means that wisdom is free from hypocrisy. The truth that godly wisdom is free from mixed motives takes us back to James 1:5, where we saw that God’s giving generously to all without reproach means that He does not give with divided motives but intends only good in the distribution of His gifts. Since true wisdom comes from God, it makes sense that it would be as devoted to the good as He is.
The wisdom from above, James 3:17a tells us, is also peaceable. This recalls texts such as Proverbs 3:17, which in referring to wisdom says that “all her paths are peace.” Godly wisdom is not unnecessarily contentious. It is concerned for the truth, but it does not stir up strife. It looks for solutions grounded in what is true that bring wholeness, not division. Henry writes, “Those who are truly wise do what they can to preserve peace, that it may not be broken; and to make peace, that where it is lost it may be restored. In kingdoms, in families, in churches, in all societies, and in all interviews and transactions, heavenly wisdom makes men peaceable.”
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
In our day of rapid communication and instant feedback, it can be difficult to make peace a priority. We can easily allow our passions to become inflamed, and that is at odds with the peaceableness of true wisdom. If we would be truly wise, we should always be looking to restore peace to our relationships and to maintain that peace without compromising on essential truths of the faith.
For further study
- 1 Kings 5:12
- Proverbs 3:1–2
- Matthew 5:8
- 1 Thess. 5:12–13
The bible in a year
- Isaiah 27–28
- Ephesians 5