James 3:13

James 3:13 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
• New International Version (NIV)Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.

Context of James 3:13

11A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it? 12Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a vine produce figs? Neither can a salt water spring produce fresh water. Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings. 14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth. 15Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, natural, demonic.

James 3:13 word by word

Τίς σοφὸς καὶ ἐπιστήμων ἐν ὑμῖν; δειξάτω ἐκ τῆς καλῆς ἀναστροφῆς τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ ἐν πραΰτητι σοφίας.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Whoτίςtis · which?G5101
• a wise manσοφόςsophos · wiseG4680
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• endued with knowledgeἐπιστήμωνepistēmōn · knowingG1990
• amongἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• youσύsu · youG4771
• let him shewδεικνύωdeiknuō · to showG1166
• out ofἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• a goodκαλόςkalos · goodG2570
• conversationἀναστροφήanastrophē · behaviourG391
• hisαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• worksἔργονergon · workG2041
• meeknessπραΰτηςprautēs · gentlenessG4240
• of wisdomσοφίαsophia · wisdomG4678

Cross-references for James 3:13

• James 3:1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly.
• Psalms 107:43Whoever is wise, let him take note of these things! Let them consider the Lord’s acts of loyal love!
• Ecclesiastes 8:1Who is a wise person? Who knows the solution to a problem? A person’s wisdom brightens his appearance, and softens his harsh countenance.
• Jeremiah 9:12I said, “Who is wise enough to understand why this has happened? Who has a word from the Lord that can explain it? Why does the land lie in ruins? Why is it as scorched as a desert through which no one travels?”
• Matthew 7:24“Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them is like a wise man who built his house on rock.
• 1 Corinthians 6:5I say this to your shame! Is there no one among you wise enough to settle disputes between fellow Christians?
• Galatians 6:4Let each one examine his own work. Then he can take pride in himself and not compare himself with someone else.
• 2 Chronicles 2:12Huram also said, “Worthy of praise is the Lord God of Israel, who made the sky and the earth! He has given David a wise son who has discernment and insight and will build a temple for the Lord, as well as a royal palace for himself.
• Job 28:28And he said to mankind, ‘The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
• Isaiah 11:3He will take delight in obeying the Lord. He will not judge by mere appearances, or make decisions on the basis of hearsay.
• Daniel 2:21He changes times and seasons, deposing some kings and establishing others. He gives wisdom to the wise; he imparts knowledge to those with understanding;
• James 2:18But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith without works and I will show you faith by my works.
• Isaiah 60:6Camel caravans will cover your roads, young camels from Midian and Ephah. All the merchants of Sheba will come, bringing gold and incense and singing praises to the Lord.
• 2 Corinthians 8:24Therefore show them openly before the churches the proof of your love and of our pride in you.
• 1 Peter 2:9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
• Philippians 1:27Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ so that – whether I come and see you or whether I remain absent – I should hear that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, by contending side by side for the faith of the gospel,

Commentaries on James 3:13

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13Who is a wise man - One truly religious; who, although he can neither bridle nor tame other men's tongues, can restrain his own. And endued with knowledge - · And qualified to teach others. Let him show - Let him by a holy life and chaste conversation show, through meekness and gentleness, joined to his Divine information, that he is a Christian indeed; his works and his spirit proving that God is in him of a truth; and that, from the fullness of a holy…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13Who is a wise man, and endued with knowledge among you? - This is spoken with reference to the work of public teaching; and the meaning of the apostle is, that if there were such persons among them, they should be selected for that office. The characteristics here stated as necessary qualifications, are wisdom and knowledge. Those, it would seem, on which reliance had been placed, were chiefly those which were connected with a ready elocution, or the mere…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13-18Verses 13-18 These verses show the difference between men's pretending to be wise, and their being really so. He who thinks well, or he who talks well, is not wise in the sense of the Scripture, if he does not live and act well. True wisdom may be know by the meekness of the spirit and temper. Those who live in malice, envy, and contention, live in confusion; and are liable to be provoked and hurried to any evil work. Such wisdom comes not down from…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13Who is wise and understanding among you: The wisdom from God is not only skill of intelligence or a collection of facts (1:5). It is practical insight and spiritual understanding that shows in moral behavior, as described in 3:17–18 (see also Job 28:28; Proverbs 1:2–4; 2:10–15).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. Who--(Compare Psa 34:12, 13). All wish to appear "wise": few are so. show--"by works," and not merely by profession, referring to Jas 2:18. out of a good conversation his works--by general "good conduct" manifested in particular "works." "Wisdom" and "knowledge," without these being "shown," are as dead as faith would be without works [Alford]. with meekness of wisdom--with the meekness inseparable from true "wisdom."Read the comment

Topics related to James 3:13

• Meekness
• Minister, Christian
• Righteousness
• Speaking
• Wisdom
• Works

In the dictionaries

• Wise, Man
• Course
• Governor
• Meekness
• Obey
• Offend
• Ought
• Tame
• Conversation
• good, right, pleasant, better, best, goodness

Commentaries on James 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings