Worldly Wisdom (13-16): People often pride themselves as being wise. James addresses this hubris with a question that asks who among his hearers deems himself wise and understanding. He then points out how this ought to be answered, not by self-proclamation (boasting[1]), but by a demonstration of gentleness that springs forth from[2] his good conduct (biblical wisdom). James then directly speaks to those who think they possess wisdom and yet harbor jealousy and selfish ambition in their hearts. Their wisdom is not biblical wisdom.[3] It is worldly (“earthly, natural, demonic”[4]) and leads to disastrous problems.[5] He calls all such people to stop boasting[6] of their “wisdom” and so lying against Scripture, which teaches heavenly wisdom.
Heavenly Wisdom (17-18): But there is heavenly wisdom which comes from God (“wisdom from above”). This wisdom is pure of ill motives like jealousy and ambition. It is peaceable, gentle and reasonable. It is full of mercy, devoid of favoritism or partiality. It is also full of actual observable good deeds[7] that benefit others, devoid of hypocrisy.[8] Those with biblical wisdom are humble peacemakers,[9] whose lives manifest the evidence (“fruit”) of righteousness.
[1] This is best rendered as “boast” (ESV, NKJV). James shows the utter contradiction of saying you possess wisdom when you maintain in your heart evil vices contrary to biblical wisdom.
[2] “By his good behavior” is more exactly “out of…,” where his good conduct is the source of “his deeds.”
[3] James uses “truth” to refer to Scripture (1:18; 5:19). This fits the context here: this is biblical wisdom.
[4] All three point to godlessness: earthly vs. heavenly, natural vs. spiritual, and demonic vs. divine.
[5] James calls this “disorder and every evil thing.” The church is to be rid of all such things (1 Cor. 14:33 [LEB: “disorder”]; 2 Cor. 12:20 [ESV, LEB: “disorder”]). The saved are to be rid of all such evil (John 3:20; 5:29).
[6] The prohibition in the Greek is mē (μή) with the present imperative, which is to stop an action in progress.
[7] “Fruit” is a metaphor for result or product, a favorite metaphor of Jesus’ (cf. Matt. 3:8; 7:16-20; 21:43).
[8] Example of this hypocrisy is seen in 2:15-16 where only words are said but no real help given to the needy.
[9] Scripture repeatedly calls us to be peacemakers (cf. Matt. 5:9, 23-25; Rom. 12:18; 14:19; Eph. 4:3; 1 Thess. 5:13; 2 Tim. 2:22; Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 3:11). James pointedly calls for humility in 4:6 and 10.