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James 3 · a question people ask

"Who is wise and understanding among you?" (3:13). How does the chapter say wisdom is seen?

In the text

The verse goes on: "Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom." (3:13). The chapter goes on: "For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed." (3:16). "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." (3:17).

The verses

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.”
James 3:13 · World English Bible
“For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
James 3:16-17 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of James 3

James 3: Out of the same mouth

The tongue is "a little member" (3:5), set beside the bits in a horse’s mouth and a ship’s "very small rudder" (3:4). And bitter in "fresh and bitter water" (3:11) and in "bitter jealousy" (3:14) is one Greek word, found in the New Testament in these two verses only.

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Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions