Exploring the Scripture
Today’s scripture passage explores two kinds of wisdom. “[E]arthly, unspiritual, devilish” wisdom leads to “bitter envy, selfish ambition…disorder, and wickedness of every kind” (vv. 15–16). Gentle understanding “wisdom from above” leads to selflessness, peace, and righteousness (v.17).
James’ God is deeply anchored in the Hebrew Bible, but much of James’ writing parallels Jesus’ teachings in Matthew. Thus, James bridges Old Testament Wisdom writings and the gospels. True wisdom is not merely common sense but a gift from God that produces good fruits: purity, peace, and gentleness, rather than bitterness. Good fruits yield mercy, inclusion, and integrity in place of pride and favoritism; and God’s righteous truth instead of falsehood.
Reiterating earlier themes, teachers must present God’s wisdom, not earthly, prideful wisdom (3:13–14). By implication, such wisdom helps a teacher curb the tongue, avoid arrogance, and share God’s truth. Wisdom leads to works of righteousness and condemns partiality and hypocrisy (v. 17). Together, these verses reinforce the message of integrity between faith and works, discipleship and belief.
Chapter 4 identifies wisdom as discerning and obeying God’s will through our human mind, heart, spirit, and deed. Opposing God’s will by seeking one’s pleasure results in inner turmoil and relationships full of conflict. The solution to such strife is letting go of one’s cravings to allow the gift of wisdom to unite you with God’s will.
The ancient Greek and Aramaic languages contained a verb tense no longer used in modern languages, called “the middle voice.” The middle voice was halfway between active and passive voices in which the subject and object taking part cooperatively in the verb’s action. An example in English might go like this:
Active voice: Ruben counsels Andrew.
Passive voice: Andrew is counseled by Ruben.
Middle voice: Ruben and Andrew take counsel together.
Humans resist submission to God’s will in our struggle for individualism and control. We think only about “I will it” (I take the active role), or “God wills me” (I take the passive role). In the middle voice, God’s will and humans’ will cooperate to bring about good. Neither cancels the other. Human petitions made in the middle voice are aligned with God’s best desires.
This passage closes with a beautiful promise: “Draw near to God, and [God] will draw near to you” (v. 8). Does God wait for us to make the first approach? Or does God move first, prompting us to turn to God? It can be argued either way, but perhaps it is a cooperative effort between God and us.
God is approachable, a distinguishing mark of Christianity. No longer was God confined to the Holy of Holies, unapproachable except by the High Priest on the annual Day of Atonement. In Jesus, the barriers between God and humans dissolved. Jesus was Emmanuel, “God-with-Us,” and faith in Jesus coupled with humility of spirit allowed followers the unsurpassed privilege of approaching God directly, without an intermediary. More importantly, James affirmed that God is constantly moving toward humanity, yearning to meet us more than halfway.
Project Zion Podcast
Hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith consider how this week's scripture connects to our lives today.
Central Ideas
- Those who seek God’s wisdom instead of worldly wisdom display selflessness, peace, and righteousness.
- God’s wisdom curbs the tongue, condemns favoritism, and reinforces the integrity of faith and works.
- Conflict and strife are the fruits of seeking one’s pleasure instead of God’s will.
- God is approachable, constantly moving toward humanity as we seek God.
Questions to Consider
- Where have you witnessed good and gentle works born of wisdom?
- How might our yearning for pleasure be the source of conflict? How might nationalistic cravings lead to international conflicts?
- How does the idea of a “middle voice” change the way you understand prayer? Spiritual gifts? Priesthood calls?
- When did you actively seek God and experience the resulting closeness God promised? When has God actively initiated closeness with you?