“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
is first pure,
James lists eight characteristics of divine viewpoint in verses 17 and 18. The first is “pure.” It is first logically. This is the starting point of […]
Archive for November, 2000
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
then
The word “then” means thereafter. After God gives purity of wisdom, He then adds further qualities of divine wisdom. The qualities that follow “pure” show what wisdom free […]
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
gentle,
“Gentle” means forbearance, moderation, reasonable. It comes from two words: unto and fitting or seemly. This person is equitable, fair or moderate. He forebears other people and does […]
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
willing to yield,
The only time the New Testament uses the Greek word for “willing to yield” is here. This one Greek word is made up of two Greek […]
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
full of mercy
“Mercy” is the outward manifestation of compassion. A merciful person is someone who shows compassion, pity, or clemency. A person who exercises mercy empathizes with the […]
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
and good fruits,
“Fruit” is something produced by inherent energy of a living organism. In biblical terms, fruit is the visible expression of God’s power that works in us […]
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
without partiality
“Without partiality” denotes not to be parted, not prejudiced, impartial. The word consists of a negative plus the word partiality. This is a person who without partiality […]
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
and without hypocrisy
The words “without hypocrisy” comprise a negative and the word to judge; this person does not judge.
Greek theater used this word for judging behind a mask […]
“Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
We best understand this difficult verse in the light of verse sixteen that sets forth the thesis that envy and self-seeking bring confusion and every evil work. Bad seed produces bad fruit. Verse 17 shows the value of divine wisdom. In verse […]
“Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
is sown in peace
The farmer that sows seed is the farmer that reaps a harvest. The seed is divine viewpoint [God’s wisdom]. It is not the fruit we sow but the seed of the wisdom of God’s peace we sow that […]