Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Who (Tiv). Rhetorical interrogative like Luke 11:11. Common in Paul and characteristic of the diatribe. James here returns to the standpoint of verse James 3:1 about many teachers. Speech and wisdom are both liable to abuse (I Corinthians 1:5, I Corinthians 1:17; 2:1-3:20).
Wise and understanding (sofov kai episthmwn). Sofov is used for the practical teacher (verse James 3:1), episthmwn (old word from epistamai, here only in N.T.) for an expert, a skilled and scientific person with a tone of superiority. In Deuteronomy 1:13, Deuteronomy 1:15; Deuteronomy 4:6, the two terms are practically synonyms.
Let him shew (deicatw). First aorist active imperative of deiknumi, old verb to show. As about faith in James 2:18. Emphatic position of this verb.
By his good life (ek thv kalhv anastrofhv). For this literary Koin‚ word from anastrefomai (walk, conduct) see Galatians 1:13. Actions speak louder than words even in the case of the professional wise man. Cf. I Peter 1:15.
In meekness of wisdom (en prauthti sofiav). As in James 1:21 of the listener, so here of the teacher. Cf. Matthew 5:5; Matthew 11:29 and 9:9 of King Messiah quoted in Matthew 21:5. Startling combination.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing James 3:13:
James 3:1
James 3:1
James 5:13
1 Peter 1:15
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.