Read verses 13-18.
Begin with an overview of the passage and consider in context of what is being taught in James and then in the Bible as a whole.
Reading through the verses, there is first a question (v. 13), then the answer given as a principle in the form of a command (v.13). After that comes a warning and a command followed by a clear teaching which includes the reason why and the consequences (v. 14-16). Then there is more teaching (v. 16-17) which concludes with a promise in the form of a principle (v. 18).
Whereas in the passage before this, the teaching and warnings were more specifically about teachers of the word and the power of the tongue, here is a more general teaching (which definitely includes how we speak and teach) for all of us who have faith and are called to live our lives according to the wisdom of God.
As we study all of God’s word, we keep in mind that he is continually making known to us who he is and how he works, what he is doing and will do for, and in and through, those he loves and saves by his grace. Acknowledging that first it is God, the Father, by his Holy Spirit, who applies his word to our minds and hearts, showing us our sin and teaching us what he has for us to do in love and obedience to him through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Look at verse 13.
Who is wise and understanding among you?
James by the Holy Spirit asks us a question.
Who is this question directed to?
He says among you. As we have seen throughout our study, in this letter, James is writing to believers. Teaching them about the testing of their faith that they would be corrected, rebuked, and trained in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Like Paul and Peter, as a shepherd under Christ, he is given the desire by the Holy Spirit to present everyone mature in Christ, that all would fully know Christ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and would be firm in the faith (Colossians 1:24-2:5; 2 Peter 3:14-18). Ultimately, this is teaching us about God and how he works towards those he loves, those he is conforming to the image of his Son (Romans 8:28-30).
The question may also be directed to those who are claiming to be believers but are not. This is a test of whether they have true faith. Through this God may be making them wise unto salvation (2 Timothy 3:15) revealing to them their sin that they may be saved.
Why a question?
I confess I get hung up on things at times. This is not just idle curiosity, but I know this can lead me away from what he is teaching in his word if I am not careful. But, by God’s grace, it can lead to a better understanding of God and how he works as he teaches us his Word.
So, I got hung up on this, “Why a question?” Why didn’t James simply make a statement?
It seems to be a method James is using to call believers to consider how we are living out our faith. He does this in 2:14, 4:1, 4:12, and 5:13, 14. Of course, this is not something he just came up with on his own because it is ultimately God who is teaching through what he writes. Since James is writing in the style of the wisdom literature such as Psalms and Proverbs, we can see examples of this in those books as well. Just like if we were to buy a blue car, we tend to notice other blue cars, once I started thinking about this, I started noticing it more in scripture. I was reading Psalm 24 and there it was 😊: Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?
Since God uses his word for teaching and training in righteousness, and for rebuking and correcting believers so that they are thoroughly equipped for every good work, the purpose may be that we are asked the question so that we will ask the question. In this way, we are called to examine our hearts before the Lord as we come to him in his word and to learn from him (2 Corinthians 13:5). Considering what is implied in the question itself and what follows, we are to do that here.
Looking more at what the question. Read verse 13 again.
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct, let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
The phrase wise and understanding is used. What does it mean?
Jesus uses this phrase in Matthew 11:25. He says that God, the Father, has hidden the truth about Christ from the wise and understanding and has revealed it instead to those he chooses, those Jesus refers to as little children. Those considered by the world to be foolish (1 Corinthians 1:27, consider verses 20-31). The wise and understanding Jesus is referring to according to the context are those who have knowledge of God and his law and they understand how they are to live it. However, they are known for weighing themselves and others down with more and more “laws” to be sure they obey the law. They do not see that the law is intended to be lived out in Christ. They are like the Pharisees who Jesus said search the Scriptures because they think that they have life in them, when it is the Scriptures that point to Christ who is life (John 5:40). They know the word of God and follow the outward form of it but have no change in their heart by the work of the Holy Spirit and do not acknowledge Christ as Lord and Savior. But they consider themselves the wise and understanding, boasting that they know God and are obeying him.
As James uses this phrase the implication is that those who are truly the wise and understanding are the ones who have true knowledge of Christ by faith. They are those who are loved by God and chosen in Christ (Ephesians 1:4), the saved who have life by the Holy Spirit according to the will of the Father (John 1:12,13) and are his children (1 John 2:28-3:3). Those who because they are a new creation in Christ, want to know how to live godly lives, are being taught how to live godly lives, and are indeed living godly lives by the work of God in their minds and hearts through his word and by the Holy Spirit. These do the works that God has planned for them, the works that come from faith that is from God, a living faith that is active along with works and is completed by works (Ephesians 2:8-10; James 2:22-24).
These are the blessed that Jesus teaches about in Matthew 5-7, the salty and those that let their light so shine before men that God is glorified, and the ones James is speaking of in chapter 1, verse 12, who remain steadfast and will receive the crown of life. The ones God has brought forth by the word of truth (1:18). The hearers and doers of God’s word (1:25). This is who we are in Christ!
Knowing who God says we are can be an encouragement to us in the faith and at the same time humble us and show us how to apply the truth of God’s word as we live out our faith in obedience to him.
You might find it helpful to go through James, considering what God says, and write down what you see. Even the commands and warnings contain teaching on our identity in Christ and call us to live lives that are consistent with our calling in Christ (James 3:9,10; Ephesians 4:20-24).
Matthew 5-7 is another good digging spot; what Jesus teaches about the blessed and about their obedience to the law of God in him. And then, there is Ephesians; chapter 1 is chock full of “in Christ” references.
Psalm 107:43
Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.