In James 3:13 the author of this epistle exhorts his readers in a positive manner, but in verse-14 he exhorts with a negative twist, warning his readers against envy (KJV; jealousy in most other translations), and strife (KJV; but selfish ambition and rivalry in many other translations). The Revised Version translates the word into faction, which is a party spirit, like Republicans and Democrats in politics. A faction is a group of people who share a common opinion, which is different from the other folks who are not in their group, and this is expressed in strife (KJV) and selfish ambition or rivalry (NASB, Vulgate). It is as though James had Moses in mind at this point in his argument: “Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse” (Deuteronomy 11:26), a blessing for obedience to the Lord and a curse for disobedience (Deuteronomy 11:27-28), and the blessings and curses can be found in Deuteronomy 28.
James told his readers to consider the man among them who is wise and endued with understanding. He advised them to let that man show them the truth through his wise and meek behavior (James 3:13). James wasn’t speaking of an anonymous wise man, as though his readers needed to search for him among themselves. James was referring to their duly ordained leaders who were given the responsibility to “shepherd the flock of God, exercising oversight… not under compulsion but voluntarily… not for sordid gain, but with eagerness… not lording it over” the flock but being their examples (1Peter 5:1-3). They knew full well to whom James referred.
On the other hand, if they harbored bitter jealousy (G2205) and strife (G2052) in their hearts, James warned them not to boast of themselves or their goals to the injury of the truth (James 3:14). James wasn’t speaking of being jealous over their brethren with a godly jealousy (cp. 2Corinthians 11:2). The word jealous (G2205) could be either good or evil. The word in the first century AD didn’t have the exclusively negative meaning it has today. Therefore, James put with it bitter (G4089) to describe the evil desire within. The Greek word translated bitter (G4089) carries with it a venomous meaning infecting others through the air[1] the false teacher created. It was an **air** of hostility involving mean spirited quarrels with sharp language and tone, used in an effort to convert others to one’s side or party.
Nevertheless, factious strife is never the work of the Spirit of the Lord (James 3:15). It isn’t the kind of wisdom that the Lord desires for his people. Rather, such is the sort of wisdom that arises from men, whose ways (or traditions) pervert or nullify the word of God (Mark 7:9-13). In fact, this sort of jealousy and strife leaves nothing but chaos in the wake of each of its evil deeds (James 3:16).
True wisdom that is from the Lord is first pure (true), then peaceful (G1516), but what does James mean by peaceful? Paul describes the qualifications of an overseer in 1Timothy 3:2-7. In verse-3 he says he should not be a brawler (G269). This Greek word is made up of two other words ‘a’ (G1), which is a negative particle, and mache (G3263), which is used elsewhere for fights (2Corinthians 7:5; James 4:1) and strife (2Timothy 2:23; Titus 3:9). So **no** strife or **no** fights would be peaceful the opposite of fighting and striving. In other words the wisdom from above allows the truth to have its way without arguing and debating issues. The Lord will use the truth to draw folks to him. Those who are rebellious won’t be affected by his Spirit. This kind of wisdom is expressed more through example than words. It is expressed in patient obedience, waiting for repentance and ready to forgive the penitent, full of good fruits that are sincere and impartial (James 3:17).
Finally, James concludes by saying “the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:18). That is, through the sincere and peaceful example of the obedient church leader, the seeds of peace are sown in the hearts of others. One cannot sow peace through debate, because God has established from the beginning that kind produces kind. Striving produces nothing but chaos and factions, but the Spirit of God creates unity, order and peace.
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[1] See an earlier study of mine in the Apocalypse: The Seventh Bowl and the Air.
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