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 (1 Corinthians 1:5, 1 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. 1 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 commentary entries containing this verse:
James 3:1
James 3:1
James 5:13
1 Peter 1:15
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