Albert Barnes Commentary James 3:18

"And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace." — James 3:18 (ASV)

And the fruit of righteousness. This refers to what the righteousness mentioned here produces, or what is the effect of true religion. The meaning is that righteousness or true religion produces certain results in life, like the effects of seed sown in good ground. Righteousness or true religion as certainly produces such effects as seed that is sown produces a harvest.

Is sown in peace. It is scattered over the world in a peaceful manner. That is, it is not done amidst contentions, and brawls, and strifes. The farmer sows his seed in peace. The fields are not sown amidst the tumults of a mob or the excitements of a battle or a camp.

Nothing is more calm, peaceful, quiet, and composed than the farmer as he walks with measured tread over his fields, scattering his seed. So it is in sowing the seed of the kingdom, in preparing for the great harvest of righteousness in the world. It is done by people of peace; it is done in peaceful scenes and with a peaceful spirit. It is not done in the tumult of war or amidst the hoarse brawling of a mob. In a pure and holy life, in the peaceful scenes of the sanctuary and the Sabbath, by noiseless and unobtrusive labourers, the seed is scattered over the world, and the result is seen in an abundant harvest, producing peace and order.

Of them that make peace. This refers to those who desire to produce peace or who are of a peaceful temper and disposition. They are engaged everywhere in scattering these blessed seeds of peace, contentment, and order; and the result will be a glorious harvest for themselves and for humankind—a harvest rich and abundant on earth and in heaven.

The whole effect of religion, therefore, is to produce peace. It is all peace—peace in its origin and in its results; in the heart of the individual, and in society; on earth, and in heaven.

The idea with which the apostle began this chapter seems to have been that only such persons should be admitted to the office of public teachers.

From that, the discussion naturally turned to the effect of religion in general. The apostle states that in the ministry and out of it; in the heart of the individual and on society at large; here and hereafter, the effect of religion is to produce peace.

Its nature is peaceful as it exists in the heart and as it is developed in the world. Wherever and however it is manifested, it is like seed sown not amid the storms of war and the contentions of battle, but in the fields of quiet husbandry, producing in rich abundance a harvest of peace.

In its origin and in all its results, it is productive only of contentment, sincerity, goodness, and peace.

Happy is he who has this religion in his heart; happy is he who with a liberal hand scatters its blessings broadcast over the world!