Charles Ellicott Commentary James 3:17

"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy." — James 3:17 (ASV)

But the wisdom that is from above . . .—In contrast, in sweetest contrast to all this repulsive foulness and riot, the true wisdom from above is first pure, chaste as the Lamb of God, the Word made flesh (John 1:14), then peaceful, gentle, and compliant—easy to be won, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, not double-minded (non duplex), nor hypocritical. Compare with this beautiful description Saint Paul’s list of the fruits of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (Galatians 5:22), and his discourse on Love (1 Corinthians 13).

Truly this wisdom cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof; Happy is the man that findeth her. (Read Job 28:14-19, and Proverbs 3:13-18.)