What is "Good?"

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. ¹⁴But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. ¹⁵Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. ¹⁶For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. ¹⁷But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. ¹⁸And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.(James 3)

I continue to approach the Book of Jame with an open mind (;  

As you know, I have already commented on the first twelve verse of James 3, at the beginning of this adventure, speaking first of Jame’s analogy of the tongue.  One point where James and I can fully agree.  

In his discussion on the tongue he points out the dangers of such a small muscular organ of the body.  

In many ways the tongue is the cause of unwise and not-good expression. Which causes other, to have the need, to balance the words spoken; with the actions taken by the person who speaks. 

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. 

My first inclination, this morning, was to ask: What is “good?”  Which led to another question about the biblical meaning of “wisdom.”

So what is good?  And what is wisdom? (what does it mean to be wise?)  Two issues that James names without explanation.  

The truth is, what is “Good” can — and is — often a source of debate.

Who can say what is good or not good?   

Many disagree on the definition of good. What is good for one; is not-so-good to another.  Which can lead to the conversation of what is right and what is wrong.

Example:  Not long ago I was having this, cautious, debate with a young woman who was not so critical of our present national leader.  It was clear that what I felt was not-so-good, she assessed as just fine. 

This particular conversation had mostly to do with our, so-called, President’s common evaluation of women and the way he speaks to and treats them.  A subject that, to me, is appalling and totally unacceptable.  

Her feeling was that it was just normal.  Perfectly okay with her.

So what is good?

According to my handy theological dictionary good, in the Greek language when used as an adjective, means “excellent,” “quality.”

In the Hebrew understanding, God is pure good.  God does good.  “We are shown what is good by the revelation of God’s will in the law…..Those who do good are good; but whether that is possible without God’s help is debatable.”    

“Goodness is “a quality or moral excellence —  the fruits of the Spirit.” (p.3) 

“Good is kind, excellent, useful, orderly, genuine.” (p.1320)

According to Matthew 19, Only God is good .

¹⁷And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.’

So when James tells us to: Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. 

He is telling his listeners to live with kindness, orderliness and in genuine ways.  He is talking about the things God, through Jesus, has taught us.  

As always, this is just one person’s interpretation of what might be understood from reading Jame’s words.

Tomorrow I will tackle wisdom.