Ministry of Grace Church

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who are making peace.

Truth to Learn

Those who teach with earthly wisdom reap a harvest of contention and discord. Those who humbly teach through the Spirit of God reap a harvest of peaceful righteousness.

Behind the Words

“Fruit” is from the Greek word karpos, It refers to the fruit or produce of trees and other plants. Metaphorically, it refers to the results produced from any action or deed.

The word translated “righteousness” is dikaiosunē, which is a form of dikaios, meaning “righteous” or “just.” The sunē ending makes this an abstraction and thus refers to the characteristic of being righteous or just.

“Sown” is translated from the verb speirō, meaning “to scatter seed” or “to sow.”

The Greek word poieō is translated here as “making.” It means, “to make” or “to do,” indicating action that is either completed or on-going. It is expressed here as a present participle, which places emphasis on the continuing nature of the action.

“Peace” is translated from the Greek word eirēnē. In a civil or political application it refers to the opposite of war and dissention. In a personal application, it refers to harmony and tranquility.

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse, James told us that heavenly wisdom makes peace and is full of good fruit. He now picks up on that idea, showing that the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace.

The result of proper teaching from God’s word is that it bears much fruit. It is the fruit of righteousness which is sown peaceably by godly teachers of the Word, not by selfish, contentious teachers who create strife. The effective preaching and teaching of God’s word is done with conviction (sometimes fervent conviction), but it is not done to produce strife. It is done to produce peace, peace within each heart that is submitted to God and to His Word, and peace within the body of Christ.

When Christ told his disciples that he was going away, He told them that He would send a helper (the Holy Spirit) to teach them. He also said the helper would give them peace.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:26, 27)

Proper teaching of the Word of God is only accomplished through the Spirit of God. Its end result is to produce peace. Improper teaching of the Word of God, teaching with earthly wisdom from a self-serving attitude, does not produce peace. It produces confusion and every evil thing, as James has just taught us. And, the final result of this type of teaching is conflict and self-serving attitudes among the people.

In the next chapter of this letter, James will talk about just such conflicts and fighting within the church. He will explain why these things come about and how to resolve all these issues. I’ll give you a hint: resolution involves humbling ourselves before Almighty God.

Application

Do you desire to teach the Word to others? If so, study hard and prepare diligently, seek the Spirit fervently, then deliver humbly as a fellow sinner saved by the grace of God! Remember, when you teach God’s Word, you do it for Him.