Wisdom Wednesday: The Character of Wisdom 1
Submitted by Debbie’s Dad
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:17-18 NASB 95)
In chapter 1 of James’ epistle, he says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (v.5) (NKJV), cautioning to ask in unwavering faith. In chapter 3, he returns to the subject of wisdom and make a sharp distinction between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of man.
In chapter 3, James asks, “Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom?” (v.13)
He describes characteristics of wisdom that comes from God in verses 13-18. His list of 8 attributes are identified below. These attributes are the characteristics of the attitude, speech and actions if a wise believer. (All definitions for the Greek words are from Strong’s Greek & Hebrew Dictionary)
- Pure (hagios); properly clean, i.e. (figurative) innocent, modest, perfect – chaste, clean, “pure..”
- Peace-loving (eirēnikos); 1) relating to peace,2) peaceable, pacific, loving peace, 3) bring peace with it, peaceful, salutary
- Considerate from (epi) and (eiko); appropriate, i.e. (by implication) mild – gentle, moderation, patient.
- Submissive from (eu) and (peitho); good for persuasion, i.e. (intransitive) compliant – easy to be intreated.
- Full of mercy (eleos) compassion (human or divine, especially active); (+ tender) mercy
- (Full of) good fruit (karpos) – figurative fruit.{Referring to spiritual fruit- See Galatians 5:22-23
- Impartial (diakrino); properly un-distinguished, i.e. (active) impartial – without partiality.
- Sincere (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of (hupokrinomai); undissembled, i.e. sincere – without dissimulation (hypocrisy), unfeigned.
This is a good checklist for self-evaluation of our own behavior – and a checklist to ask God to enable us to exhibit this kind of Christlike wisdom.