EARTHLY WISDOM - JAMES 3:15-16

Verses 15-16: This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.

You can almost hear James saying “this ‘so called’ wisdom.” And rightly so, for it is a clear-cut contrast to God’s wisdom—it does not come from above, it is not heavenly wisdom, it is not good nor is it perfect. James had previously declared this:

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (James 1:17)

To further describe how divergent this wisdom is from God’s wisdom, James says that it is earthly, which means that it is based solely upon human viewpoint. The Germans have a word for it, the zeitgeist or spirit of the age.1 It is described by Lenski as “the cheap wisdom of worldly men who do not even know what spiritual, heavenly wisdom is”2 (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:14). Much of the wisdom and learning of this age has been developed deliberately extracting and ignoring any evidence of God’s divine perspectives for mankind. It is wisdom derived from the "world of men who are living alienated and apart from God.”3

Next he states this wisdom is natural, as opposed to supernatural. The Greek word refers to that which is physical or sensual. Vine states that in this passage it relates “perhaps more especially to the mind, a wisdom in accordance with, or springing from, the corrupt desires and affections.”4 Jude wrote about those who will mock God, “following after their own ungodly lusts...worldly minded, devoid of the Spirit” (Jude 18-19).

This thought pattern that craves to satisfy the senses is what drives those who believe that Christianity needs a ‘face lift’ in order to appeal to those who do not believe: the “Try Jesus” movement; the prosperity gospel scheme; the ‘feel good about myself’ sermons; the excessive promotion of entertainment. Just because the intention is good (reaching the lost) does not always justify the means to attain that ‘noble’ objective. The old adage remains true: a Godly thing done by the wrong method is wrong. But a Godly thing done by God’s standards is the correct method. Paul discussed this in his epistle to the Philippians:

 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. (Philippians 1:15–17)

Also, James says that this wisdom is demonic—that it is the product of demonic influence. The apostle Paul prophesied concerning this:

But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons. (1 Timothy 4:1)

This type of wisdom rejects sound doctrine—the wisdom from above. Instead it is the wisdom of those who have been seduced by the doctrines of demons and spread false teachings among the churches.

Disorder and Evil

Wherever this type of wisdom which produces jealousy and selfish ambition, James declares that there will be disorder. The word has many shades of meaning including disturbance, confusion, tumult and anarchy.5 This would be disastrous for any local congregation, family or business. Without orderliness in the local church there can be no consistent teaching or learning of doctrine, but only disruption and discord.

In contrast, the apostle Paul declared that the Christian church be “diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). It is true that all Christians share an invisible unity in the Body of Christ by faith in Jesus Christ, which crosses over all Christian denominations. But it is vitally important that there be a visible, demonstrable evidence of this unity. We should have a united front in our message to the culture we live in. But, alas, it is not so. Much of the disorder is a result of jealousy and selfish ambitions—envious of what another congregation has or does and/or an inordinate motivation of self-promotion.

But this wisdom also brings about every evil thing. Breaking this phrase down, we discover its precise meaning. The word ‘evil’ means wicked, foul, corrupt.6 But Vincent points out that this is “an inadequate rendering, because it fails to bring out the particular phase of evil which is dominant in the word: worthlessness, good-for-nothingness.”7 

And the word ‘thing’ brings out the full sense of the phrase. The root meaning of the Greek word (prágma) is that of undertaking an activity. The idea here is not that every evil thing just happens, as if by chance. But that those who are motivated by their jealousy and selfish ambition are actively undertaking corruption by their poisonous tongues.

---

[1] Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: for the English reader. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 4.61.

[2] Lenski, R.C.H. (2001). Commentary on the New Testament. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 10.617.

[3] Trench, Richard (1975). Synonyms of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, p.218.

[4] Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2.427.

[5] Vine, 2.122.

[6] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). AMG Publishers, G5337.

[7] Vincent, M. R. (1887). Word Studies in the New Testament. Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1.754.

 

 © 2023 David M. Rossi

RESURRECTION & THE ROLLING STONE

There is an old saying: A rolling stone gathers no moss. It is attributed to Pubilius Syrus, a Syrian born author who lived in Rome (85-43 B.C.). A couple of interpretations to the meaning of the phrase have been suggested: a description of a person who moves around a lot making them free of responsibility; and  someone who moves around a lot, who does not put down roots or form attachments.1

In 1948, country singer-songwriter Leon Payne recorded Lost Highway2 developing the rolling stone concept in the lyrics:

I'm a rolling stone, all alone and lost

For a life of sin, I have paid the cost...

And now I'm lost, too late to pray

Lord, I've paid the cost on the lost highway.

This phrase was also employed by blues artist Muddy Waters in his 1950 recording, Rollin’ Stone. The song depicted a young wastrel and his reckless ways—his parents knew from the time of his birth that “he's gonna be a rollin’ stone.”3

It is also believed that the British rock group The Rolling Stones procured their name from this recording—as did the magazine Rolling Stone.4

In 1965, Bob Dylan recorded his #1 hit Like A Rolling Stone. The main figure of the song is portrayed as being destitute, and performed by Dylan “like a sneer twisting the corner of his mouth as he gloated over a hipster’s downfall.”5 Here is a sample of the chorus:

About having to be scrounging for you next meal,

How does it feel?

To be without a home,

To be on your own,

With no direction home,

Like a complete unknown,

Like a Rolling Stone?6

In 1971, the Motown group, the Temptations recorded the song, Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone, concerning a wayward father:

Papa was a rollin’ stone,

Wherever he laid his hat was his home.

And when he died, 

all he left us was alone.7

In literature, J.R.R. Tolkien, the well-known author of the Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings trilogy, characterized the wizard, Gandalf, as a “stone doomed to roll” and that of the merry woodsman, Tom Bombadil, as a “moss-gatherer.”8

 Looking back to Jerusalem, c.33 A.D.

I had always thought of this phrase rolling stone to also mean something in a positive way—that if a person is active and does not lie around idly that they would not gather the dust of disuse and thus be a productive individual in life. It is probably because I equated the positive idea of a rolling stone with that one stone rolled away which had an unquestionably profound impact upon mankind.

Jesus Christ having been crucified just two days before had been laid in a new tomb with a large stone rolled against the entrance way (Matthew 27:60). The chief priests and Pharisees convinced Pilate to set a guard to secure the tomb lest any of Jesus’ disciples should come and steal His body.

Then at dawn of the first day of the week, “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave” (Matthew 28:1). On their way, they pondered “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” (Mark 16:3). But they soon discovered there was no need for them to have wondered:

“And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it.” (Matthew 28:2; cf. Luke 24:2)

What the earthquake had to do with the rolling away of the stone can only be deduced as having occurred as a result of the angel descending from heaven. With the stone rolled away by an angel, the women found the tomb to be empty. And just because Scripture stated that the stone was extremely large (Mark 16:4), it does not suggest that the angel moved the stone to facilitate Jesus’ exit from the tomb. Instead, the stone was rolled away so that Jesus’ disciples could see that He had indeed been resurrected from the dead—He had victory over death.

Just as His birth had been prophesied, His death and resurrection were also foretold by the Psalmist, King David:

For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol;

Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. (Psalm 16:10; cf. Acts 13:32-37)

Jesus also predicted that He would be “raised up” after having been scourged and crucified. He did so first in a figurative manner which confused the Jews:

Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body. So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.” (John 2:19–22)

And then with His disciples, He told them plainly:

“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, and will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and scourge and crucify Him, and on the third day He will be raised up.” (Matthew 20:18–19; cf. Matthew 16:21; 17:23; Luke 18:31-33)

Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ so important to Christianity, as well as to mankind? The apostle Paul establishes why it is essential to our faith:

Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. [Emphasis added] (1 Corinthians 15:12–19)

Mind you, to merely assert that the resurrection is real simply to provide evidence to legitimize Christianity would be intellectual dishonesty. There is sufficient historical evidence to substantiate His resurrection from the dead. Josephus, the Jewish historian wrote:

Those that loved him at the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive again the third day.9

The Biblical writers maintain there were eyewitness accounts. He appeared first to Mary Magdalene (John 20:16) and then to His disciples numerous times after His resurrection:

To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:3)

The apostle Paul stated that "He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time" (1 Corinthians 15:6), and some were still alive 25 years after the event.

And then there is the empty tomb, witnessed by Mary Magdalene, Peter and the other disciples (John 20:1-8).

It should be noted that the stone rolled away is proof of the newness of life for those who trust in Him. A life with direction to an eternal home,  no longer a complete unknown, for Christ knows us:

“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me.” (John 10:14; cf. 10:27)

But if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. (1 Corinthians 8:3; cf. 2 Timothy 2:19)

Just as the Lord Jesus told Martha of Bethany:

 “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25–26)

Do you believe this?

---

[1] https://nmk.world/rolling-stone-gathers-no-moss-origin-meaning-expansion-importance-5252. Retrieved March 2, 2022.

[2] https://www.wideopencountry.com/lost-highway-hank-williams/ Retrieved March 9, 2022.

[3] Copyright © Music Sales Corporation

[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_rolling_stone_gathers_no_moss. Retrieved March 2, 2022.

[5] Gill, Andy (2011). Bob Dylan: Stories Behind the Songs 1962-69, London: Carlton Books, p.114

[6] Copyright © 1965 by Warner Bros. Inc.; renewed 1993 by Special Rider Music

[7] Copyright © 1972 by Stone Diamond Music Corp. (BMI)

[8] Tolkien, J.R.R. (1983). The Return of the King, Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company, p.279.

[9] Josephus, F. (1998). Josephus: The Complete Works [Whiston, W., ed.]. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 18.3.3, p. 576.

 © David M. Rossi 2022

TO THE WISE AND UNDERSTANDING - JAMES 3:13-14

Verses 13-14: Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.

Note: It should be remembered that the entire context of chapter three has its origin in the first verse concerning teachers—James’ cautionary note to those who had begun to teach without being qualified. It is imperative that a teacher of God’s Word should regard James’ instruction of what personal qualities to avoid as well as which to embrace.

However, this has practical application for all believers. For we all may not stand in front of a congregation to teach, but we all have an obligation to be effective witnesses of the gospel and that may well entail teaching. Therefore, all believers must avoid the negative qualities which James illustrates here.

*   *   *   *  *   *   *   *  *   *   *   *  *   *   *   *  *   *   *   *

There are two parts to the question which James begins with here. First, who is wise? W.E. Vine states that this adjective refers to “believers endowed with spiritual and practical wisdom.”1 In other words, a believer who has studied God’s Word and has learned the doctrines of their faith. Now this is excellent! But what if this is merely an academic exercise? All that had been learned would be simply facts and data minus any momentum to apply these truths.

Which brings us naturally to the second part of the question: who understands? The Greek word for understanding [epistḗmōn/ἐπιστήμων] is an adjective describing someone who is full of knowledge. But it infers more than just having knowledge—it means one who is skillful, an expert. An understanding believer is one who has the expertise to put into practice what they have learned and demonstrate it by their good behavior.

This is why James suggests that the underlying deficiency of the stumbling man and the untamed tongue can be attributed to the lack of a good behavior. By behavior he means our conduct or manner of life, specifically, that our actions should be in accord with God’s Word. For some unknown reason the New American Standard Bible translators used the word deeds instead of the correct one: works. By employing the word deeds, it diminishes the continuity of James’ teachings so far on Christian works. In this case the works (actions/deeds) should demonstrate the product of the believers’ saving faith.

The command to believers given, let him show, should be more forceful. A better reading would be: he must exhibit by his good behavior his works. This is in perfect harmony within the context of this chapter. James is urging that the believer should endeavor to be a “perfect man, able to bridle the whole body” (3:2). The exhibition of the perfect man’s good behavior is impossible without the Biblical and practical wisdom from the God’s Word. The apostle Paul refers to this perfect man as the new self that has had a renovation in the spirit and mind:

In reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” (Ephesians 4:22–24)

Finally, the works of our good behavior is to be performed in the gentleness or meekness of wisdom. Lenski fully explains:

It is that lowly attitude of heart which is full of gentleness and mildness towards others, the opposite of arrogant self-assertion and of ruthless domination...it is James who connects wisdom with meekness and thereby shows his depth of insight, which is not merely the fact that wisdom shows itself in conduct by shows itself in the meekness of that conduct.2

Bitter Jealousy and Selfish Ambition

James identifies two opposite characteristics of a good behavior: bitter jealousy—better understood as bitter rivalry—and selfish ambition.  MacArthur states what these traits combined suggest:

Refers to self-seeking that engenders antagonism and factionalism. The Greek word came to describe anyone who entered politics for selfish reasons and sought to achieve his agenda at any cost (i.e., even if that meant trampling on others).3

 James proceeds to state that these qualities may be located “in your heart”, the very core of your being where God’s wisdom ought to be. This seems to be analogous with the question in verse 11[I paraphrase]: can a fountain (heart) produce both fresh and bitter water? By possessing these bitter rivalries and a self-seeking attitude we are not going to be effective witnesses to a lost culture. Therefore, we must heed James’ command: “do not be arrogant.” As derived from the Greek construction, the emphasis is: Stop being arrogant or stop boasting, as in some translations. In defining the word arrogant, Bultmann states that "It brings out strongly the element of comparative superiority expressed in boasting, 'to boast in triumphant comparison with others.'”4

The problem which James is trying to point out is that those who teach and proclaim that they have wisdom—knowledge of divine truth—ought not to be boasting about their wisdom. Boasting about what they know implies that they are exaggerating the truth of the matter. This exposes their error: lying against what is factual constitutes lying against the actual truth—these “petty triumphs are often gained at the expense of truth.”5

---

[1] Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2.679.

[2] Lenski, R.C.H. (2001). Commentary on the New Testament. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 10.615-616.

[3] MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, James 3:14, note.

[4] Bultmann, R. (1964–). κατακαυχάομαι. In Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (G. Kittel, G. W. Bromiley, & G. Friedrich, Eds.). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 3.653.

[5] Oesterley, W.E. (1990). The Expositor’s Greek Testament (Nicoll, W. Robertson, ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 4.455. 

 

© 2023 David M. Rossi