‘Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom.'
These words take us back to James 3:1 and to what is required of the ‘perfect' Teacher, and also to James 1:17-19 in considering God's good giving and perfect gifts from above. Note the contrast in James 3:13-14 between the wise one who reveals the truth through his good life (James 3:13), and the one who as a result of bitter jealousy, selfish ambition and self-assertiveness, lies against the truth (James 3:14). For those whose wisdom is from above (James 3:15; James 3:17 compare James 1:5; James 1:18) are wise and understanding. They reveal the fruit of their lives in wise humility and gentleness, living ‘good lives', that is, lives that reveal goodness in their behaviour (kales anastrophes). For the effect of such good lives see 1 Peter 2:12. They ‘take thought for what is noble in the sight of all' (Romans 12:17; compare 2 Corinthians 8:21).
‘Meekness of wisdom.' This is probably a Hebraism signifying ‘wise meekness', or meekness that arises out of wisdom. The word for meekness occurs in non-Biblical literature to describe a horse that someone has broken and has trained to submit to a bridle. It is ‘meek' or ‘broken in'. But meekness here is not weakness (compare Matthew 5:5; Matthew 11:29). It is subjection to the Master and therefore the opposite of arrogance, of discord, of thrusting oneself forward, and of a desire to lord it over others. It is seeing the truth about oneself. It is being ‘meek and lowly in heart', gentle, self-controlled, considerate, humble, peaceable, aware of spiritual inadequacy (dependent on the Holy Spirit Who gives wisdom from above), and thoughtful for the needs of others (Matthew 11:29). They are ‘eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace' (Ephesians 4:3). It was John Calvin who said that there were three requirements for a preacher, humility, humility and humility. It is the people who recognise this and live by it who will reveal the wisdom of God.
Note that as ever in James it results in ‘works'. Those who are wise and understanding finally reveal it in their actions and their activities.