Section 3:13–18
The wisdom of God is quite different from the wisdom of the devil
This section has three paragraphs. First, in 3:13 James introduced the topic of wisdom. Then he continued with two paragraphs. In each paragraph he discussed one type of wisdom. The first type he discussed (in 3:14–16) is the false wisdom that does not come from God. The second type he discussed (in 3:17–18) is the true wisdom that does come from God.
Some other possible headings for this section are:
True Wisdom Comes from God (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
Two Kinds of Wisdom (New International Version (2011 Revision))
Paragraph 3:13
This verse introduces the topic of spiritual wisdom by challenging people who claim to be wise. James said that their claim must be tested.
See the General Comment on 3:13a–c at the end of 3:13c for ways to reorder this verse.
3:13a
Who is wise and understanding among you?: This is a rhetorical question. James used this rhetorical question to focus on a specific group of people and to address them. He addressed those who thought that they were wise and understanding. For example:
Who among you thinks/says that he is wise and understanding?
Some ways to translate this rhetorical question are:
• As a rhetorical question. For example:
Are there those among you who are truly wise and understanding? (New Century Version)
-or-
Do any of you have wisdom and insight? (God’s Word)
• As a conditional clause. For example:
If you are wise and understand God’s ways (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
• As a statement. For example:
Anyone who thinks he is wise and understanding
-or-
Regarding those who think that they are wise and understanding
-or-
Now I want to talk to those of you who think/claim that you are wise and understanding.
Translate this rhetorical question in a way that is natural in your language.
is wise and understanding: The two Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wise and understanding are a doublet. This means that these two words mean almost the same thing. In some languages, both words can be translated by one emphatic word or phrase. For example:
truly wise
is wise: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wise here describes a person who lives in a way that agrees with what God wants. Wisdom in the Bible is concerned with choosing between right and wrong actions.
Some other ways to translate this word are:
has wisdom
-or-
thinking is good
-or-
makes good/godly choices
understanding: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as understanding here describes a person who knows what is right and what is wrong.
Some other ways to translate this word are:
has insight
-or-
is perceptive
3:13b
Let him show it: The clause Let him show it is a command. The pronoun him refers to the person in 3:13a who is wise and understanding. The verb show here means “prove to everyone” or “demonstrate.” The pronoun it refers to the claim to be wise in 3:13a. So this clause means:
He must show/prove to others that he is wise and understanding
Another way to translate this clause is:
He must do what is wise and understanding, then people will know/see it in him.
Your translation of this clause must correspond with the way you translated “Who is…” in 3:13a. For example:
13aDo any of you have wisdom…? 13bShow this… (God’s Word)
-or-
13aIf you are wise…, 13bprove it… (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))
-or-
13aAre there those among you who are truly wise…? 13bThen they should show it (New Century Version)
-or-
13aA person who thinks that he is wise 13bmust prove that he has wisdom.
by his good conduct: The phrase by his good conduct is the means by which a person shows that he is wise. The phrase good conduct refers to the person’s good behavior or good conduct. (The King James Version says “out of a good conversation.” When the King James Version was translated, the word “conversation” meant “behavior.”)
Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
by his good life (New International Version (2011 Revision))
-or-
by living right (New Century Version)
-or-
with/through his good behavior
-or-
in his good works
3:13c
by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom: There are several ways to connect this phrase to the rest of the verse:
(a) Make it a more specific restatement of the phrase “by his good conduct” (in 3:13b). For example:
13bYou are to prove it by your good life, 13cby your good deeds performed with humility and wisdom. (Good News Translation)
(b) Make it the second clause that is parallel to “by his good conduct.” For example:
13bThen show it by living right 13cand by being humble and wise in everything you do. (Contemporary English Version)
(c) Make it the object of the verb “show.” For example:
13bhe should show 13chis works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings. (NET Bible) (The NET Bible accurately follows the Greek grammar here by translating “his works” as the object of the verb “show.” However, this solution makes it difficult to naturally connect the phrase “by his good conduct” (3:13b) to the rest of the sentence.)
deeds done in…humility: The clause deeds done in…humility means “good deeds that are done with a humble attitude.” In other words, the deeds are done modestly and not proudly. (It is not clear from the Greek text whether the phrase in the humility that comes from wisdom is to be connected to the word “show” or whether it is to be connected to the word “deeds.” In other words, does it mean that when the man shows the deeds he has done, he is to do it humbly, not proudly? Or does it mean that the deeds he has done must be deeds that are done humbly, not selfishly? The second interpretation makes better sense in the context and is accepted by Berean Standard Bible, Good News Translation, New International Version (2011 Revision), and many commentators.)
deeds: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as deeds is more literally “works” (as in the Revised Standard Version). This word refers to “good deeds.” It refers to good activities that people do out of love for God or for other people. This same word occurs in 2:14c.
the humility that comes from wisdom: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the humility that comes from wisdom is literally “the humility/meekness of wisdom.” This probably means the humility that comes from wisdom (as the Berean Standard Bible translates it). In other words, wisdom is the source from which humility comes.
Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
the gentleness that wisdom brings (NET Bible)
-or-
humility. This humility comes from wisdom
When someone has humility that comes from wisdom, he has both humility and wisdom. So another way to translate this phrase is:
humility and wisdom (Good News Translation) (The Translator’s Handbook (page 122) and Exegetical Summary (page 136) both treat “humility and wisdom” (Good News Translation) as a separate interpretation from “humility that comes from wisdom.” However it is not certain whether the Good News Translation (and similar Contemporary English Version) really interpret the meaning of the genitive differently or have simply chosen to translate it differently.)
humility: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as humility refers to a submissive and teachable attitude. This attitude is expressed by a person being gentle or mild rather than being harsh or ready to fight.
Some other ways to translate this word are:
meekness (English Standard Version)
-or-
gentleness (New Century Version)
-or-
being mild
See the note on 1:21c “humbly” which translates the same phrase in Greek.
wisdom: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as wisdom here refers to the ability to know and choose what is right. Use an expression that corresponds to the one you have chosen for “wise” in 3:13a.
General Comment on 3:13a–c
In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of some of the clauses in 3:13a–c. For example:
13aYou who claim to be wise and to perceive things well 13bneed to prove it. In order to prove it, you should behave well. 13cThat is, you should do good without boasting about it. This is the attitude that wise people have.
-or-
13aSome of you think that you are wise and understand what is right and wrong. 13bSo then, behave well. 13cDo good deeds in a gentle/humble way. 13bThis will show/prove that you are wise, 13csince truly wise people are humble.
General Comment on 3:13c
In some languages, it may be necessary to divide this complex clause into several sentences. For example:
13cHe must also show his wisdom by his good deeds. He does these good deeds with a humble attitude. This humility comes from wisdom.
-or-
13cHe must do good and not think he is great or important. That way he will show people that he is wise.
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