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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - James 3:13 - 3:13
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Who (Tis). Rhetorical interrogative like Luk 11:11. Common in Paul and characteristic of the diatribe. James here returns to the standpoint of Jam 3:1 about many teachers. Speech and wisdom are both liable to abuse (1Co 1:5, 1Co 1:17; 2:1-3:20).
Wise and understanding (sophos kai epistēmōn). Sophos is used for the practical teacher (Jam 3:1), epistēmōn (old word from epistamai, here only in N.T.) for an expert, a skilled and scientific person with a tone of superiority. In Deu 1:13, Deu 1:15; Deu 4:6, the two terms are practically synonyms.
Let him shew (deixatō). First aorist active imperative of deiknumi, old verb to show. As about faith in Jam 2:18. Emphatic position of this verb.
By his good life (ek tēs kalēs anastrophēs). For this literary Koiné word from anastrephomai (walk, conduct) see Gal 1:13. Actions speak louder than words even in the case of the professional wise man. Cf. 1Pe 1:15.
In meekness of wisdom (en prautēti sophias). As in Jam 1:21 of the listener, so here of the teacher. Cf. Mat 5:5; Mat 11:29 and Zec 9:9 of King Messiah quoted in Mat 21:5. Startling combination.