James 3:18 kjv
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
James 3:18 nkjv
Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
James 3:18 niv
Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
James 3:18 esv
And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
James 3:18 nlt
And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
James 3 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 11:18 | "The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a true reward." | Sowing righteousness leads to true reward. |
| Prov 11:30 | "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise." | Righteousness yields life. |
| Phil 1:11 | "...filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God." | Righteousness as fruit through Christ. |
| Heb 12:11 | "...it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." | Discipline yields righteousness and peace. |
| Amos 5:24 | "But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!" | Justice and righteousness. |
| 2 Cor 9:10 | "Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness." | God provides for sowing righteousness. |
| Hos 10:12 | "Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love..." | Call to sow righteousness and reap love. |
| Matt 5:9 | "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." | Blessing on peacemakers. |
| Rom 12:18 | "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." | Imperative to live in peace. |
| Rom 14:19 | "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." | Actively pursue peace and edification. |
| Heb 12:14 | "Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy..." | Diligence in seeking peace and holiness. |
| Eph 2:14 | "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one..." | Christ is our peace, uniting. |
| Col 1:20 | "...and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross." | Christ makes peace through His blood. |
| Isa 32:17 | "The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever." | Righteousness directly produces peace. |
| Psa 85:10 | "Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other." | Righteousness and peace are intimately linked. |
| Gal 6:7-8 | "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows... one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." | Principle of sowing and reaping applies to Spirit. |
| Prov 22:8 | "Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity..." | Sowing injustice brings calamity. |
| 2 Cor 9:6 | "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." | Generous sowing brings generous reaping. |
| Psa 34:14 | "Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." | Actively seeking and pursuing peace. |
| Zech 8:16 | "These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; 17 do not think evil in your hearts against your neighbor, and do not love perjury. I hate all these things," declares the Lord. | Principles fostering peace within community. |
| James 3:17 | "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." | Wisdom from above characteristics. |
| Col 3:15 | "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace." | Peace ruling in believers' hearts. |
James 3 verses
James 3 18 Meaning
James 3:18 declares that the righteous character and actions cultivated by heavenly wisdom are not developed in conflict but are actively established and grown through peaceful means, particularly by individuals who earnestly pursue and promote peace. It highlights a vital connection between divine wisdom, righteous living, and the fruit of true peace.
James 3 18 Context
James 3:18 serves as the climactic conclusion to James' discourse on two contrasting types of wisdom. Following his stark warnings against the destructive power of the tongue (vv. 1-12) and the exposition of "earthly, unspiritual, demonic" wisdom that breeds envy, selfish ambition, disorder, and every evil practice (vv. 13-16), James introduces and extols "wisdom from above" (vv. 17). This divine wisdom is characterized by purity, peacefulness, considerateness, submissiveness, mercy, good fruits, impartiality, and sincerity. Verse 18 then encapsulates the ultimate outcome and the agents of this heavenly wisdom: it leads to a harvest of righteous living, which is established and fostered in an atmosphere of peace, specifically by those who are true peacemakers. The immediate context clarifies that righteousness is not achieved through strife or contention but through tranquil and harmonious engagement, counteracting the divisiveness of worldly wisdom.
James 3 18 Word analysis
- And (δὲ, de): Connects this verse directly to the preceding discussion about heavenly wisdom in James 3:17. It marks a consequence or conclusion.
- the fruit (ὁ καρπὸς, ho karpos): Refers to the outcome, result, or produce. In biblical context, it signifies character or deeds (e.g., fruit of the Spirit, fruit of repentance). Here, it means the tangible manifestations and beneficial effects of righteousness.
- of righteousness (δικαιοσύνης, dikaiosynēs): Refers to a state of being right with God and the corresponding right conduct, uprightness, and conformity to God's standard. It implies ethical integrity and just behavior. This righteousness is not self-derived but springs from God's imparted wisdom.
- is sown (σπείρεται, speiretai): A passive verb, meaning "is scattered," "is planted." This signifies that the "fruit of righteousness" itself, or the conditions necessary for its growth, are planted like seeds. It implies a process of cultivation rather than an instant production.
- in peace (ἐν εἰρήνῃ, en eirēnē): This phrase can be interpreted in two ways: (1) the manner in which the fruit is sown – peacefully, without contention; or (2) the environment where the fruit flourishes – within a peaceful setting. "Eirene" (peace) implies shalom, a state of wholeness, harmony, and well-being, not just absence of conflict. It is the antithesis of the "disorder and every evil practice" mentioned earlier.
- by those who make peace (τοῖς ποιοῦσιν εἰρήνην, tois poiousin eirēnēn): Literally "to those making peace." The dative case often denotes either benefit ("for those who make peace") or the agent/instrument ("by those who make peace"). Given the context of active peacemaking, the latter interpretation as the agents is widely accepted by scholars. These are individuals who are actively engaged in reconciliation, conflict resolution, and fostering harmony. They are not merely passive but are architects of peace.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "the fruit of righteousness": Emphasizes the ethical outcome or the virtuous life lived out. This "fruit" is the natural consequence of applying divine wisdom. It is not an abstract concept but visible behavior and character that reflect God's justice and integrity.
- "is sown in peace": Implies that authentic righteous living cannot thrive in an environment of discord or hostility. Righteous acts that produce positive outcomes must be initiated and carried out in a spirit of peace and non-contention. It speaks to the methodology—righteousness requires peaceful engagement to grow.
- "by those who make peace": Identifies the key individuals. It suggests that those who embody divine wisdom will naturally become peacemakers. They are the cultivators of righteousness. This also underscores reciprocity: those who make peace cultivate the conditions for righteousness to flourish, and their very peacemaking is a righteous act itself, bearing fruit.
James 3 18 Bonus section
The active role of "peacemakers" (τοῖς ποιοῦσιν εἰρήνην) connects powerfully with Jesus' Beatitude in Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." This suggests that adopting divine wisdom not only brings forth righteousness but aligns one's character and actions with the very nature of God, who is the ultimate source and reconciler of peace. Furthermore, the agricultural metaphor of "sowing" implies a process that takes time and effort; righteous conduct and peace are not spontaneous but are cultivated deliberately. This verse acts as a strong polemic against any form of religious zeal that would justify strife, division, or unrighteous methods in the name of God, asserting that true godliness inherently aligns with peace and productive righteousness.
James 3 18 Commentary
James 3:18 encapsulates a profound truth about spiritual formation and ethical living. It states that righteous character and actions, the tangible expression of heavenly wisdom, cannot genuinely flourish or be established in a contentious or chaotic environment. Instead, this "fruit of righteousness" is purposefully "sown," or planted, within a state of "peace." This peace (eirēnē, wholeness and harmony) signifies both the tranquil manner in which righteous living is developed and the peaceful atmosphere in which it thrives. Crucially, the verse specifies who is responsible for this vital cultivation: "those who make peace." These "peacemakers" are not merely passive recipients of peace but active agents who diligently pursue reconciliation, resolve conflicts, and foster harmonious relationships. They understand that true justice and integrity (righteousness) cannot be achieved through strife but must be patiently cultivated through peaceful means. This verse calls believers to active, Christ-like peacemaking, for it is through their efforts that the seed of righteousness yields a lasting harvest of shalom in the world.
- Example: When church members disagree, earthly wisdom might lead to factions and arguments. Heavenly wisdom, applied by peacemakers, will seek reconciliation and understanding in peace, resulting in the "fruit of righteousness" (mutual respect, restored fellowship) being sown and grown.
- Example: Instead of demanding justice aggressively, a Christian embodying this wisdom will advocate for fairness through humble dialogue and prayerful action, "sowing righteousness in peace."