The Pulpit Commentary — James — Section 56

Vers. 13-16.-False wisdom. The apostle suggests here that those who aspired too h.1st1ly to become Christian teachers (ver. 1) showed themselves to be se.dly deficient in wisdom. They were unwise at once in their estimate of their own powers, and in their juclgment a.s to the kind of public discussions which would be profitable for the Church. 'l'l,c cause of gospel truth could never be advanced by dogmatic disputations or bitter. personal wrangling. Attend, therefore, says James in ver. 13, to a description first or false wisdom (vers. 14-16), and then of true (vers. 17, 18). Many members of the Churches of "the Dispersion" 9-esired to appear "wise" (ver. 13), but only some were really so. Many might even be "knowing," or "endued with knowledge," who were not wise. "Knowledge and wisdom, far from being one, Have ofttimes no oor.nection." (Cowper.) Knowledge is only a. hewer of wood, while wisdom is the architect and builder. A man may possess a large library, or even amass vast stores of knowledge, and yet be "a motley fooL" Indeed, no fool is so great as a knowing fool. The wise man is be who· can use his knowledge for the largest moral and spiritual good. And the true wisdom is bound up with the life of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Job xxviii. 28; 2 Tim. iii.16). It makes the will of God its rule, and his glory its end. So the man who lives without God should be thought of a.s the impersonation of stupidity, and Satan as the supreme fool of the universe. But, if a man be "wise unto salvation,'' how will his wisdom appear? 1. By "his good life." (Ver. 13.) The quiet even flow of one's daily occupation will furnish an ample sphere for it. Even the heathen philosopher, Seneca., has said, " Wisdom does not show itself so much in precept as in life-in a firmness of mind and a mastery of appetite. It teaches us to do, as well as to talk; and to make our words and actions all of a colour." The weighty' Essays' of Lord Bacon "come home to men's business and bosoms ; " yet their author cannot justly be called " the wisest," if he was in bis own life " the meanest of mankind." 2. By "his works in meekness of wisdom." Character is perceived not only by its subtle aroma, but in connection with individual actions. Wisdom shows itself in acts of holiness. And these acts are done " in meekness," which is one of wisdom's inseparable attributes. True wisdom is mild and calm, patient and self-restraining. And yet a meek spirit is not a mean spirit. The "poor in spirit" are not the poor-spirited. 'l'he "meekness of wisdom" consists with the greatest courage a.nd the most ardent zea.l. An old commentator says, " Moses was very meek in his own cause, but as hot as fire in the cause of God." And the Man Christ Jesus was mild, just because he was strong and brave. There was no fierceness, no fanaticism, no sourness, a.bout him. He is our perfect Pattern of the "meekness of wisdom" (1 Pet. ii. 22, 23; Matt. xxvii. 12-14). 'l'he spirit of strife and wrangling is not the spirit of Christ. James now proceeds to a. statement of principles regarding false or earthly wisdom (vers. 14-10). 1. lTs NATURE. (Ver. 14.) 'l'he spurious wisdom of the "many teachers" carried in it not so much burning zeal as "bitter zeal." Its spirit was factious, arrogant, l:,igoted. Its roots lay in the angry past'iODll of the heart. Its aim was personal victory cu. ru. 1-18.] THE GENEUAL EPISTLE OF JAMES. 51