yes! the wisdom from above exists first before all things pure, then next peaceable, reasonable, easily persuades, filled with mercy and profitable fruit, impartial and real.*
There is so much in this verse so let's begin with defining that wisdom comes in Christ, "in whom exists hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments."* Wisdom comes from above, down came Christ who became for us wisdom from above.* How we begin to get wisdom is important and there is a difference between that of the old covenant and of the new. In the new God doesn't give us a spirit of fear but of power, agape love, and a sound mind.* In the old fear was the beginning of wisdom and understanding, as the Law had power through the fear of punishment, but in the new we are born from above and are given "a Spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing him."* Jesus is the final authority and source of all wisdom and understanding, in which we receive revelation in the knowledge of Him.* Our "faith doesn't exist in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."* Now, having concluded wisdom is in Christ let us consider wisdom from above and how it exists.
wisdom from above exists first, before all things, pure...*
Wisdom from above exists firstly pure. This word for pure speaks of consecration, set apart, of being holy and blameless. To be blameless is "observing in reverence the purity of your life."* It is our reasonable service to enter into this consecration, thus the true fruit of righteousness leads us into sanctification. Sanctified in truth we become pure like Christ. Paul writes we are to be blameless and innocent like Christ, who was hated and despised by men though he was without blame or sin, this is how we are to shine as a light in a dark world.* I post to social media and often I get nasty comments from a certain atheist group, but my surprise is how Christians respond to them. Jesus did not say insult those who insult me, attack those who attack me, hate those who hate me, no, wisdom from above is pure saying agape love your enemies, love those who persecute you, be pure and blameless, a light unto the world.
There is so much in this verse so let's begin with defining that wisdom comes in Christ, "in whom exists hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments."* Wisdom comes from above, down came Christ who became for us wisdom from above.* How we begin to get wisdom is important and there is a difference between that of the old covenant and of the new. In the new God doesn't give us a spirit of fear but of power, agape love, and a sound mind.* In the old fear was the beginning of wisdom and understanding, as the Law had power through the fear of punishment, but in the new we are born from above and are given "a Spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing him."* Jesus is the final authority and source of all wisdom and understanding, in which we receive revelation in the knowledge of Him.* Our "faith doesn't exist in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."* Now, having concluded wisdom is in Christ let us consider wisdom from above and how it exists.
wisdom from above exists first, before all things, pure...*
Wisdom from above exists firstly pure. This word for pure speaks of consecration, set apart, of being holy and blameless. To be blameless is "observing in reverence the purity of your life."* It is our reasonable service to enter into this consecration, thus the true fruit of righteousness leads us into sanctification. Sanctified in truth we become pure like Christ. Paul writes we are to be blameless and innocent like Christ, who was hated and despised by men though he was without blame or sin, this is how we are to shine as a light in a dark world.* I post to social media and often I get nasty comments from a certain atheist group, but my surprise is how Christians respond to them. Jesus did not say insult those who insult me, attack those who attack me, hate those who hate me, no, wisdom from above is pure saying agape love your enemies, love those who persecute you, be pure and blameless, a light unto the world.
the wisdom from above exists first before all things pure, then next peaceable... and fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by the one making peace.*
Reasonable is from two words "well" and "persuade," it is good for persuasion, i.e. (intransitively) compliant, ready to obey -- easy to be intreated which means to ask (a person) earnestly; beseech; implore; beg, to ask earnestly for. Paul writes, "I appeal to you brothers through the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, consecrated, acceptable to God, this is your reasonable service."* We are earnestly persuaded to enter this reasonable service. As we learn to rule over sin, it is under Grace, through God's mercies, not condemnation of sin, not insult, not judgement, not consequentialism, not living to the letter of the law, but what is a reasonable, "well persuaded" truth in agape love. The strengthening or building up of the body is accomplished in faith that is active or energized in agape love.* Think about this, how is faith energized through agape love? agape love energizes faith in divine persuasion. Or said another way we accept truth or are easily persuaded of truth, when it has energy through agape love
Gentle answers turn away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger.*
Wisdom from above exists peaceable. In peace is how the gospel is prepared and how righteousness is sown, the fruit being developed in peace, the things of faith, quietness, assurance, confidence, rest, trust...* Peaceable means peace-loving, pertaining to peace; peaceable, disposed to peace. "Peacemakers are the sons of God, Jesus said. Thus the sons of God sow righteousness, or prepare the gospel in peace. Paul writes, "having put on your feet, with preparation, the gospel of peace."5 In other words the gospel is delivered, prepared, in peace. If the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace And a peace maker is one who puts forth the fruit of righteousness And the gospel is delivered in peace Then a peace maker sows the seeds of righteousness, the gospel, in peace. The gospel is the seed of righteousness sown by peacemakers or the good news sown in peace produces fruit of righteousness."1 Peace is an outcome of training from above, though at times it might seem painful, it builds up and "in time it yields peaceful fruit of righteousness to those trained through it."*
the wisdom from above exists... reasonable...*
that your gentleness be known to all people, the Lord is near.*
The word for reasonable also means suitable; fair, reasonable; gentle. This word is often translated as gentle as gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit thus we know the Lord is near in gentleness. Like agape love our willingness to be reasonable and gentle should be known to all people. Some teach absolute authority that doesn't allow understanding and reasoning as if this is wisdom from God, but God says comes reason with him.* This is not being disrespectful of authority as some teach but allows for persuasion of truth. The nature of truth is that it is like a light placed on a lamp stand for all to see, it is not revealed in secret rooms to a few but is revealed to any in Christ, who is wisdom from above. Truth is self evident, and doesn't need anyone to defend it.* Truth is proclaimed in love, it is prepared in peace, sown in peace, as the gospel, thus those who sow the gospel are peacemakers. Lovers of truth who allow for questioning of truth, or reasoning, understand the parable of sowing in which we find understanding is how the fruit multiples thus faith is increased through truth in love, by divine persuasion.
Not overbearing, not striking, but gentle, not disposed to fight, not covetous.*
Leadership is by example thus many scriptures are in context of leadership being an example. Leadership of the world lords over others, it domineers, it is not humble but strikes and attacks, insults, as it "tears down others" coveting power and authority to rule over men. This is not the way of Christ. Wisdom from above says the greatest in the kingdom of God is a servant of all. We can think of leadership like a shepherd, he is an oversear, which means to watch over, to look upon, inspect, oversee, look after, care for. He cares and would give his life for the sheep. Like a priest in the old temple leadership is a place of service to the people and it is a greater consecration to God, without inheritance in the land as it doesn't seek personal gain, and it is not domineering, lording over others, it is gentle, peaceable, full of mercy, being examples o the flock.
By contrast the fruit of the Spirit exists agape love, joy, peace, long- suffering, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, accordingly so great existing no law.*
Notice the end of this verse is usually translated "there is no law against such things," but I believe the correct meaning speaks of fulfillment of the Law. It is the reason God's mercy triumphed, and why Jesus came to condemn not man but the sinful nature of sin in man. He gave us the power to become children of God, thus the Law which is spiritual is accomplished or fulfilled in us who are Spiritual. Through transformation the mind is renewed to walk in Spirit, putting off the old man and his desires producing fruit of the Spirit, thus fulfilling the Law. Under grace we will rule over sin, thus our renewal is taking place under grace, and in grace righteousness reigns through Jesus Christ. Or said another way the fruit of righteousness sown in peace, in the things of faith primarily trust and rest, leads us into sanctification. This is the concept that under grace we will rule over sin. The wisdom which comes down from above, the God of Light, is for our growth in that we are becoming like Jesus, thus anything we ask in his name, we become.
Harsh words are not gentle and peaceable, they stir up anger, and those who live this way abound in sin. "Angry men stir up strife, and men of wrath abound in transgressions."* Think about this, the wisdom from above is how God is toward us, loving, merciful, gracious, kind, faithful, and long- suffering he is toward us. This word for long- suffering means patience specifically patient enduring of evil. This is how God is with us he endured sin so that we would be saved. "Cruel is wrath, like a flood is anger..."* If we say God has prolong wrath and anger then what do we say about God? well, you say he is God, we are not, he can do whatever he wants. If someone believes God says you do this while He does the opposite then this person has created a god in his own image. We see how doctrines of men are created. God is not hypocritical, he acts toward us in the very way he exists and this wisdom from above exists agape love, joy, peace, long- suffering, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Therefore if we exist in Him then we should reflect his image being the same way toward others.
By this the agape love of God was brought to light in us, that God sent the one his only son into the world so that we are alive through Him.*
Faith has a root word meaning to be persuaded.* Unlike the old covenant the new covenant is about God persuading us in His love in which by his grace through faith we are saved and are being perfected. Faith is to be persuaded, so the energy of love helps us to be persuaded of truth. Harsh words, wrath, judgement, these things create anger, and bitterness which chokes out the fruit of righteousness which is sown and grown in peace. We come to Christ as we consider his words, thus we have revelation and come to know and believe he is the Holy One from God and his words are eternal Life.* A part of our growth is that we find it reasonable, in which we consider it logical, the mind being renewed in truth, found in the teachings of baptism to present the old man dead, and the new man living to God.
Paul writes that we are a new creation but exist in an earthly tent, a mortal body, so that it is overwhelmed, swallowed up, gulp down by Life.* It is an amazing concept, God leaves us in this weakness for a purpose. We see a great promise of God who has adopted us, made us his children, who doesn't leave us as orphans, he is working out all things for our good, producing life in us. Of course if we were perfected here on earth would we have mercy, sympathy, and compassion for the weak? But more important is that we are becoming something new, he is doing a new thing in us, this body of death is being swallowed up in Life.
Wisdom from above is filled with mercy. Jesus came in the will of the Father, wisdom from above. Jesus said, "go away, yes! be taught what exists, I desire mercy and not sacrifice, for I did not come to call the pious but sinners."* In the concept of the new covenant, established in the blood of Christ, we see that God's mercy triumphed his judgement, yes, God desires mercy not sacrifice. God did not judge us but had mercy on us, because he so loved the world he sent his son, thus his mercy triumphed. Mercy means pity; the moral quality of feeling compassion and especially of showing kindness toward a brother in need. Wisdom from above doesn't desire sacrifice and serving above mercy, compassion, and agape love for one another. Agape love is the most excellent way, above all other gifts, as Jesus said it is most important gift defining how the world should see us, in that we have agape love for one another.
This word for profitable means good, profitable, generous, upright, virtuous.* All things might be lawful, but not all things are beneficial thus wisdom from above is good and profitable. We receive revelation of scripture as we have knowledge of the Son thus we know from personal experience in regards to our own growth, of how God's wisdom is profitable to us. Being rooted and grounded in agape love, we are being perfected in love, built up in faith. God is impartial, free from prejudice, real, genuine, not hypocritical thus we know the wisdom of God from that of men. Wisdom from above exists first pure then peaceable, open to reason, gentle, full of mercy and it is good, and profitable toward us. Wisdom from above exists impartial, as distinguishing not one child from another, as a loving heavenly Father would.
Overwhelmed
For the love of Christ compels us, judging this, that one died above all as a result all have died and dying for all so that the one living might no longer live to himself but for the one who died above them and was awakened.*
the love of Christ compels us...*
Paul writes he would rather go on to heaven to be with Christ and experience complete perfection but he stays for our benefit. We thank Paul for being put through such trials as to receive revelation in Christ as such greatly benefits us. In this purpose we find God's grace is sufficient as his power, through His Spirit, is perfecting us in our weakness. In this tent we groan and are burdened because it is God's will, not that we be unclothed but that we put clothed in the new, the Kingly garments, being renewed in Life. This is his workmanship, and he is the one who has chosen and prepared us beforehand, for this very purpose, thus it is our reasonable service.* It is agape love energizing, as the fruit of righteousness leads us into sanctification, which outcome is Life. We love you so much, Jesus.*
But the wisdom from above exists... filled with mercy...*
Wisdom from above is filled with mercy. Jesus came in the will of the Father, wisdom from above. Jesus said, "go away, yes! be taught what exists, I desire mercy and not sacrifice, for I did not come to call the pious but sinners."* In the concept of the new covenant, established in the blood of Christ, we see that God's mercy triumphed his judgement, yes, God desires mercy not sacrifice. God did not judge us but had mercy on us, because he so loved the world he sent his son, thus his mercy triumphed. Mercy means pity; the moral quality of feeling compassion and especially of showing kindness toward a brother in need. Wisdom from above doesn't desire sacrifice and serving above mercy, compassion, and agape love for one another. Agape love is the most excellent way, above all other gifts, as Jesus said it is most important gift defining how the world should see us, in that we have agape love for one another.
wisdom from above exists... profitable fruit, impartial and real.*