James 3:13–18

Verse 9–13. By it we bless God, and so forth Such different effects from the same cause, as of blessing God, and cursing men, created to the likeness of God, seem contrary to the ordinary course of nature; for a fountain from the same source doth not send forth both sweet and bitter streams.—Who is a wise man, and endued with knowledge among you? and so forth This seems to be connected with the admonition given at the beginning of the chapter, be not many masters; let none pretend to this but who have wisdom and knowledge, which also may be known by their prudent and mild conversation.

Verse 14–16. But if you have bitter zeal. He hints at that bitter, false zeal, which many teachers among the Jews, even after their conversion, were apt to retain against the converted Gentiles, pretending with lies, and against the truth of the Scriptures, that they are not to be made partakers of the blessings brought to all nations by the Messias.—Glory not, boast not in this pretended wisdom, which descendeth not from above, from God, but which is earthly, sensual, diabolical, from an evil spirit, which foments these jealousies and divisions; and where there are such emulations and divisions, there is nothing but inconstancy, and all kind of evils. Witham.

Verse 14–16. But if you have bitter zeal. He hints at that bitter, false zeal, which many teachers among the Jews, even after their conversion, were apt to retain against the converted Gentiles, pretending with lies, and against the truth of the Scriptures, that they are not to be made partakers of the blessings brought to all nations by the Messias.—Glory not, boast not in this pretended wisdom, which descendeth not from above, from God, but which is earthly, sensual, diabolical, from an evil spirit, which foments these jealousies and divisions; and where there are such emulations and divisions, there is nothing but inconstancy, and all kind of evils. Witham.

Verse 14–16. But if you have bitter zeal. He hints at that bitter, false zeal, which many teachers among the Jews, even after their conversion, were apt to retain against the converted Gentiles, pretending with lies, and against the truth of the Scriptures, that they are not to be made partakers of the blessings brought to all nations by the Messias.—Glory not, boast not in this pretended wisdom, which descendeth not from above, from God, but which is earthly, sensual, diabolical, from an evil spirit, which foments these jealousies and divisions; and where there are such emulations and divisions, there is nothing but inconstancy, and all kind of evils. Witham.

Verse 17–18. But the true wisdom, which is from above, … is chaste, and pure, peaceable, modest, free from such divisions, tractable, easy to be persuaded [6] of the truths foretold in the Scriptures, and so forth Now the fruit and effect of such justice, piety, and sanctity, is sown in peace, with peaceable dispositions, in those who with sincerity seek true peace, and who hereby shall gain the reward of an eternal peace and happiness. Witham.—Saint Paul gives a similar character of charity. 1 Cor. chapter 13. “Charity is patient, is kind, … is not ambitious, seeketh not her own, is not provoked to anger, thinketh no evil, … believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”—Easy to be persuaded. A good lesson for those devotees, who are not few in number, who are so obstinate and so wedded to their own opinions and ways, as to be unwilling to be controlled, even by those whom God has placed over them, for the direction of their souls. A.—Without judging. That is, it does not condemn a neighbour upon light grounds, or think evil of him. It puts the best construction upon every thing he says or does, and never intrudes itself into the concerns of others. Calmet.—“Judge not, and you shall not be judged,” says the Saviour of our souls; “condemn not, and you shall not be condemned.” Saint Luke, 6:37. “No,” says the holy apostle, (1 Corinthians 4:5) “judge not before the time until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the heart.”

Verse 17–18. But the true wisdom, which is from above, … is chaste, and pure, peaceable, modest, free from such divisions, tractable, easy to be persuaded [6] of the truths foretold in the Scriptures, and so forth Now the fruit and effect of such justice, piety, and sanctity, is sown in peace, with peaceable dispositions, in those who with sincerity seek true peace, and who hereby shall gain the reward of an eternal peace and happiness. Witham.—Saint Paul gives a similar character of charity. 1 Cor. chapter 13. “Charity is patient, is kind, … is not ambitious, seeketh not her own, is not provoked to anger, thinketh no evil, … believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”—Easy to be persuaded. A good lesson for those devotees, who are not few in number, who are so obstinate and so wedded to their own opinions and ways, as to be unwilling to be controlled, even by those whom God has placed over them, for the direction of their souls. A.—Without judging. That is, it does not condemn a neighbour upon light grounds, or think evil of him. It puts the best construction upon every thing he says or does, and never intrudes itself into the concerns of others. Calmet.—“Judge not, and you shall not be judged,” says the Saviour of our souls; “condemn not, and you shall not be condemned.” Saint Luke, 6:37. “No,” says the holy apostle, (1 Corinthians 4:5) “judge not before the time until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the heart.”