James Expounds on Faith Volume 36

 Heavenly Godly Wisdom vs  Earthly Devilish Wisdom Part 1

James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. KJV

The Apostle James now turns from his discourse about the speech/tongue of the man who would declare the truth of the Gospel and of the entire Word of God (James 3:1) to where that man receives his wisdom from above or below. James begins with these words, "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom." (James 3:13) (KJV). In the question asked at the beginning of this verse, the Apostle James uses the little English phrase first 'is a wise man' which is translated by the Greek word sophos meaning clear and wise in a most general application, that is, discerning and exercising good judgement in practical matters. Next the Apsotle used the little English phrase 'endued with knowledge' which is translated by the Greek word epistēmōn (used the one time only in the New Testament) meaning intelligent, that is, possessing sound knowledge and exercising good judgement and being able to reason to a high degree. The Apostle James next declares to these Jewish converts to Christ Jesus our Lord then and to all of us who belong to Him today and from every single era and generation that the men who are to venture into the teaching of the Word of God must not just be intelligent 🧠 having sound knowledge and be discerning and able to reason, but he must show out of a good (valuable and virtuous) conversation these traits in reality. The English word 'conversation' used here is translated by the Greek word anastrophē meaning behavior or conduct, that is, the manner of acting or controlling one's self. In other words, the Apostle James earlier just went through a very long discourse of how vile and volatile the tongue 😝 of man can be unless it is yielded to the control of God the Holy Spirit, so now he declares that the man who would be a teacher of the Word of God must not only yield to God his tongue 😝 but also all of his behavior and conduct that it would be a life or more properly a lifestyle that is pleasing to God not only in public view, but also in private, for the Apostle James surely here is drawing on the words written by the Apostle Peter that read, "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:13-16) (KJV). This the Apostle James says must be done with 'meekness of wisdom' and the English word 'meekness' is translated by the Greek word prautēs which means mildness, that is, (by implication) humility: - meekness. In other words, it is as it is written for us by the Psalmist with these words, "The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way." (Psalms 25:9) (KJV).

Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say of James 3:13, "Who is a wise man. Meaning, not in things natural and civil, or merely moral, but in things spiritual: and he is a wise man, who is both wise to do good, and wise unto salvation; who has learned to know his own ignorance, folly, and stupidity; for the first lesson in the school of spiritual wisdom is for a man to know that he is a fool: and he is a wise man who considers his latter end, thinks of a future state, and what will become of him in another world; and who builds his faith and hope of eternal salvation on the sure and only foundation, the rock Christ Jesus; and who takes up a profession of religion upon principles of grace, and with views to the glory of God, and, upon mature deliberation, reckoning the cost, and what he must expect to meet with; and which he holds fast, without wavering, and yet does not depend upon it; and who walks circumspectly, and with wisdom, towards them that are without; and who observes both providences and promises, for the encouragement of his faith; and keeps looking to the mark for the prize, preferring heavenly things to earthly ones. And endued with knowledge amongst you? as he is, who is endued with the knowledge of himself; of the impurity of his nature, and the plague of his heart; and of his impotency and inability to do any thing that is spiritually good of himself; and of the imperfection and insufficiency of his righteousness to justify him before God; and of his lost state and condition by nature, how deserving of the wrath of God, and obnoxious to the curses of the law; and how miserable he must be without the grace of God and righteousness of Christ: and who is also endued with the knowledge of Christ, so as to see a fulness, suitableness, and ability in Him as a Saviour; so as to love Him, approve of Him, as such, and trust in Him; which knowledge is always practical and soul humbling; and the least degree of it saving; and though it is imperfect, it is growing, and will at last come to perfection: now such a man is a Gnostic, in the best sense; for this question is put with a view to the Gnostics of those times, who valued themselves upon their knowledge, and despised practical religion and godliness: hence it follows, let him show out of a good conversation his works, with meekness of wisdom; such an one ought to perform good works, and he will perform them; and it is right in him to show them forth, that they may be a means of others glorifying God upon the sight of them; and that they may be evidences of the truth of faith in themselves to others; and that they may be for the imitation of others; and that they may put to silence, and stop the mouths of false accusers, and adorn the Gospel, and recommend religion: and these should be shown forth 'out of a good conversation'; not in a single act or two, but in a series and course of living; which may be said to be good, when it is ordered aright, according to the word of God, and is honest among the Gentiles, and upright and holy; and is as becomes the Gospel of Christ, and is worthy of the calling of God to grace and glory; and when it is influenced by the grace of God: and the works shown out of it, and in it, are done in faith, from love in the strength of Christ, and are directed to the glory of God: and all this should be 'with meekness of wisdom'; in a wise and humble manner, without trusting to, and depending upon, such works for justification and salvation; and without glorying in them, and boasting of them; acknowledging the deficiency and imperfection of them, and his own weakness in the performance of them; and ascribing them to the power and grace of God, by the assistance of which they are performed."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…