Henry Krabbendam - James - World Evangelical Alliance

country, marked by rebellion and turbulence. In 1 Corinthians 14:33 it is
contrasted with “peace,” in John 5:29; Romans 9:11; 2 Corinthians 5:10 with
goodness, and in John 3:20; 5:29 with truth. In John 3:20; 5:29 is linked with
praxis, and in Titus 2:8 with speech (Cheung, 145). In Luke 21:9 it is paired
with (the tumults and commotion of) war, which is introduced in James 4:1. It
destroys mutual confidence and support, demolishes peace and unity, and
breeds pandemonium and warfare (Keddie, 120).
Second, bitter envy and selfish ambition are the “parents” and breeding
ground for all sorts of base, evil, worthless activities, all kinds of vile practices
(See John 3:20; 5:29; Rom. 9:11; 2 Cor. 5:10; Tit. 2:8). This concept
designates evil in the sense of being “good-for-nothing.” That is, it is without
any possible edification. No true gain will ever come from it. Self-seeking,
self-serving, and self-gratifying teachers, their followers, and their emulators
have a lot on their conscience! James’ terminology of “every kind of practice”
is all-inclusive. It may mean all kinds of depraved thoughts, words or
actions (John 3:20; 5:29; Rom. 9:11; 2 Cor. 5:10; Tit. 3:3), including immoral
lawsuits (Johnson, 273). The closest parallel in Paul is found in Romans 1:28-
32, where God ultimately gives the suppressors of the truth over to a debased
mind as the source of untold depravity. Disorder and evil practice constitute
the very warp and woof of a life governed by such mind. Interrelations fray,
unity goes by the board, and a never ending stream of moral filth manifests
itself everywhere. It is hardly a coincidence that Scripture calls envy rottenness
of the bones (Prov. 11:17). It turns the practitioner into a corpse that
smells up the universe with its putrefaction. It started with Cain and has never
been absent from mankind since (Jude 11).
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c. Blueprint of Victory (3:17-18)
(17) But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable,
gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial
and without hypocrisy. (18) And a harvest of righteousness
is sown in peace by those who make peace.
(1) Explanation of Victory (3:17a)
The victory is won in the Christian life, (only) when it enjoys God’s gifts that
without exception come from above (Jam. 1:17). 305 That is why the wisdom
305 In this context Cheung, 150-152, 159, with reference to Deuteronomy 4:6 and James 1:20-
22, once again argues for the intimate association, be it not total identification, of genuine
wisdom with the God-given Torah as its “locus,” its “source,” as well as its “consummate
embodiment.” Wisdom, which is essential to gain perfection, is not only a requirement for,
but also, as in this context, the result of the study of the Torah. As such it consists of right-