James, Session 8: The Meekness of Wisdom

Read the passage: James 3:13-18 (ESV, Bible Gateway)

Read James 3:13-18

In v13 James mentions meekness. When you think of someone being ‘meek’ what sort of person do you picture?
- How would you define meekness? Is it the same as ‘weakness’?
To help understand what the Bible means by meekness, look at some other occasions this same word is used (sometimes it is translated as gentleness): 1 Corinthians 4:21 and 2 Timothy 2:25 (= gentleness); 2 Corinthians 10:1; Galatians 5:23, 6:1; Ephesians 4:2; and James 1:21.
- How do these verses give insight on what is meant by ‘meekness’?
Considering v13, how do the issues James raises link to what has gone before?
- What does it mean to be wise and understanding? (Look at Job 28:28 for some help!)
- How might we assess how we are doing at growing in wisdom and understanding?
Why does James say our good conduct/good works should be done in the ‘meekness of wisdom’? What’s the alternative to doing them in meekness?
- Why might thinking about/talking about/doing good works lead to the opposite of doing them in meekness?
Why does true wisdom produce meekness?
How is Jesus our example when it comes to meekness flowing out of wisdom?
In v14-15, James contrasts true wisdom, and the meekness it produces, with another kind of wisdom.
- What does this other sort of ‘wisdom’ produce?
- What is its source and nature?
- How might jealousy and selfish ambition motivate someone’s conduct (even when that conduct appears to be good works)?
Look at v16. Why do jealousy and selfish ambition lead to disorder and vile practice?
- In particular, how might they be linked to discord or relational breakdown (issues that James begins to pick up on in v17 and chapter 4)?
In v17 James describes a wisdom that is from above. How does this link to what he has said previously in James 1:5 and James 1:17?
- How might a person whose life is marked by this ‘from above’ wisdom deal with:
  - disagreements?
  - failure or inconsistency in others?
  - people with differing degrees of social capital (like wealth, influence, academic level)?
- Think of a recent disagreement you had… would the meekness of wisdom have changed the way you responded?
Considering v18, James has described how true wisdom produces peaceableness in those who have it. What does it mean to ‘sow in peace’, or ‘make peace’?
- How does righteousness grow out of peacemaking?

Recap & Reflect

Take time alone to reflect on this passage. Let the Spirit guide you in examining your own heart. Pray to see the areas where you struggle with jealousy and bitterness. Lay these situations at the Lord’s feet. Ask for and receive forgiveness. Go on to seek the wisdom from above and consider how an approach marked by meekness and wisdom might differ from your approach until now.

Leader’s notes

The notes are here to help you lead a group and answer tough questions. The idea isn’t to read the “right” answer out after each question, but rather to give you support or a helpful nudge in guiding your discussion in the right direction. Feel free to use them as best suits your group.

In v13 James mentions meekness. When you think of someone being ‘meek’ what sort of person do you picture?
- How would you define meekness? Is it the same as ‘weakness’?
  It is not the same as weakness! It has been described as ‘strength under control’.

Considering v13, how do the issues James raises link to what has gone before?
He has already addressed the subject of wisdom (1:5-6), of meekness (1:21) and of good works (2:14ff). Now he combines them.
- What does it mean to be wise and understanding? (Look at Job 28:28 for some help!)
  In the immediate context of this passage, and the wider context of the rest of James and the New Testament as a whole, to be wise and understanding is to be someone who lives in the light of Christ, the gospel and eternity. It is to have your life more shaped by a heavenly/eternal/Christ-centred mindset than an earthly one of jealousy, envy and selfish ambition. It is to be more shaped by the truth of Christ, than the deceitful of darkness. In addition, Job 28:28 tells us that to be wise is to fear God, and to have understanding is to turn away from evil. That is a neat summary of the above!
Why does James say our good conduct/good works should be done in the ‘meekness of wisdom’? What’s the alternative to doing them in meekness?
- Why might thinking about/talking about/doing good works lead to the opposite of doing them in meekness?
  If we think we are saved by good works, or if we compare ourselves to other favourably based on our good works, or are critical of others because of their lack of them, it will breed pride in our hearts, not humility – the pharisee praying beside the tax collector is a case study in this.

How is Jesus our example when it comes to meekness flowing out of wisdom?
Jesus was meek – lowly and humble of heart, and yet strong. He was perfect in his attitudes and moral responses, without giving in to the fear of man.
In v14-15, James contrasts true wisdom, and the meekness it produces, with another kind of wisdom.
- What does this other sort of ‘wisdom’ produce?
  jealousy and selfish ambition
- What is its source and nature?
  earthly, unspiritual, demonic

Considering v18, James has described how true wisdom produces peaceableness in those who have it. What does it mean to ‘sow in peace’, or ‘make peace’?
By the words we use, or the tone or body language we adopt, we can either inflame situations/disagreements or bring peace. By choosing to ignore insults, or by recognising our reputation does not matter as much as we think it does, we can sow peace in conflictual situations. By saying sorry, or not bringing up past hurts we can sow peace.
- How does righteousness grow out of peacemaking?
  As before, James is talking of the righteousness of a good/upright/righteous life lived according to God’s ways (not our legal standing of righteousness in Christ)

Download the complete study: Bible study on James (PDF)