"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” James 3:13
===
There are question marks about the writer of this epistle. James the Just is thought to have been an older step brother of Jesus. He would lead a Christian church in Jerusalem and was thought to have been martyred in 62. This epistle was possibly written by him in 62, just prior to his death.
Had it been written by a brother of Christ, it is worth considering the motivation of the writer having openly despised Jesus before crucifixion. According to historians of the day, James was martyred defending Jesus, having been asked by Temple leaders to denounce Jesus. Some connect the death of James with the destruction of the Temple in 69, but the issue was not that clear cut. The temple was destroyed after Nero failed to properly put down a rebellion in France. Imagine James speaking to Children, and families of Jesus after the crucifixion, and then being visited on. That is key to this verse, and epistle.
Here, James writes of two kinds of Wisdom.
"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deedsdone in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness."
No comments:
Post a Comment