In this passage James offers a contrast between two types of wisdom. There is the earthly-demonic wisdom and the heavenly-spiritual wisdom. The earthly wisdom comes out of selfish ambition and is no better than lies or pretensions. The heavenly wisdom comes out of a personal relationship with God and issues in practical social concern for the needy and distressed. James most likely raises this issue as a warning to teachers and church members who promote false teaching. When we promote earthly wisdom we deny Christ.

v13. James addresses the worldly wise and calls on them to set aside words and replace them with deeds. True wisdom will issue in deeds of humility and it is true wisdom that should be exhibited in the fellowship of believers, not the power of secular oratory. The humility that James speaks of may be that of brokenness in the sight of God - unworthiness. Although, given the context, it is more likely gentleness as opposed to pride and boastfulness.

v14. James now contrasts the humble of v13b with those controlled by "envy" and "selfish ambition." This is clearly a party-spirit problem where the party leaders are running their own personal agendas. James' exhortation is, "don't sin against the truth by boasting about your wisdom", GNB. He asks them to at least refrain from describing their selfish party-spirit as a product of God's wisdom.

v15. Wisdom that expresses itself in party-spirit, enmity, offensive pride.... is not a wisdom that comes from God. Such wisdom has a different origin, namely, the devil. It is "earthly", ie. not from above, but rather earthbound, inferior, "bears the stamp of the world", Adamson. It is "unspiritual", ie. sensual, devoid of the Spirit. It is "of the devil", demonic, instigated by Satan.

v16. Those who proclaim this pseudo-wisdom, this non heavenly, unspiritual, ungodly, party-spirited wisdom, achieve no good for the church. Their wisdom does not build up the body of believers, rather it results in "disorder" (anarchy) and "evil practice" (promotes everything that is worthless rather than good).

v17. James now tells us about the wisdom that comes from heaven, in contrast to earthly wisdom. He doesn't actually say what heavenly wisdom is, but rather he describes its results. These results are very similar to Paul's fruit of the Spirit, Gal.5:22-23. It is quite possible that James' "wisdom" is akin to the "Spirit". This is a very Jewish idea. The church needs to submit itself to the wise rule of God through the Spirit of God, a rule whose ideal is peace.

James gives us seven fruits of wisdom: i] Purity - undefiled in the sight of God and therefore, free from jealousy and strife; ii] peacemaking; iii] gentle; iv] non-combative - yields to persuasion; v] merciful; vi] impartial - "not given to party spirit" NASB; vii] sincere - "without show or pretence", Mayor.

v18. Those who apply true wisdom, and as a result, honour God in their life, receive "peace" as their reward. They share in a congregation which affirms and edifies the membership. A blessing indeed.

James writes to a divided church. In our passage for study he sets out to attack those who proclaim a self-styled wisdom, while affirming those who proclaim a wisdom that comes from God. He seeks to expose those who, in the name of wisdom, of truthful speaking, practice envy and selfish ambition. At the same time he underlines the criteria that will enable us to discern the genuine teacher - those possessing true wisdom, those who are of the Spirit, the genuine Spirit-gifted minister of the Word.

i] Counterfeit ministry is harsh and self-centred. Such teachers may be enthusiastic, but they disturb the unity of the church.

ii] A false ministry adopts and applies secular ("not of God", "sensual") ideas and systems which are "of the devil".

iii] Such ministry results in "disorder" and is therefore worthless.

i] Genuine ministry is humble and sincere.

ii] The character of the genuine teacher is marked by seven (wise/spiritual) qualities.

iii] The product of a Spirit-gifted ministry is "peace".

For Jesus, the political and religious options of first century Judaism were polarized between the passivity of the Essenes and the activism of the Zealots. The middle ground consisted of a socially conformed and conservative hierarchy of Sadducees and Pharisees. In the face of this fraudulent worldly wisdom, Christ brought the wise rule of God. Rather than a rule of power, Christ brought a rule of purity and goodness; he offered the reign of peace.

The political and religious structures of our society cry out for the wise rule of God, of peace found in the harvest of righteousness.

James' notion of "wisdom" applies to our personal lives, the church, and society. Consider the application of this passage to each.