Albert Barnes Commentary James 3:13

"Who is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom." — James 3:13 (ASV)

Who is a wise man, and endued with knowledge among you? This is spoken with reference to the work of public teaching. The apostle's meaning is that if there were such persons among them, they should be selected for that office.

The characteristics stated here as necessary qualifications are wisdom and knowledge. It would seem that reliance had previously been placed chiefly on characteristics connected with ready elocution, or the mere faculty of speaking. The apostle had stated the dangers that would follow if reliance were placed on that alone, and he now says that something more is necessary: the main qualifications for the office are wisdom and knowledge.

No mere power of speaking, however eloquent it might be, was a sufficient qualification. The primary things to be sought for that office were wisdom and knowledge, and those who were endowed with these things should be selected as public instructors.

Let him shew out of a good conversation. From a correct and consistent life and conduct. On the meaning of the word conversation, see Barnes on Philippians 1:27.

The meaning here is that there should be an upright life, and that this should be the basis in forming the judgment when appointing persons to fill stations of importance, and especially in the office of teaching in the church.

His works. His acts of uprightness and piety. He should be a man of a holy life.

With meekness of wisdom. With a wise and prudent gentleness of life; not in a noisy, arrogant, and boastful manner. True wisdom is always meek, mild, and gentle; and that is the wisdom that is necessary if men would become public teachers. It is remarkable that the truly wise man is always characterized by a calm spirit, a mild and placid demeanor, and by a gentle, though firm, expression of his sentiments. A noisy, boisterous, and stormy declaimer we never select as a safe counselor. He may accomplish much in his way by his bold eloquence of manner, but we do not put him in places where we need far-reaching thought, or where we expect the exercise of profound philosophical views. In an eminent degree, the ministry of the gospel should be characterized by a calm, gentle, and thoughtful wisdom—a wisdom that shines in all the actions of the life.