James Chapter 3 — Commentary on Verse 18

    Peacemakerswhosowinpeaceraiseaharvestofrighteousness.[Andthefruitofrighteousnessis sown in peace of them that make peace, KJV.]

    These words are the conclusion of the whole discourse, suggesting the happiness of those who have the wisdom just described. The words have been expounded in different ways. Some people explain them as meaning that peace-loving people sow a seed that afterwards will yield sheaves of comfort in their hearts—as if by their attempts at peace they sowed the seeds of the everlasting reward that they will afterwards receive in heaven. Others explain these words as meaning that though these people bear many evils with a great deal of modesty and sweetness, they do not stop sowing the seed of righteousness. Which explanation is to be preferred? I think they may be combined; their sowing implies expectation of the reward, and their sowing thefruitof righteousness [KJV] shows the quality of their endeavors, which will appear as we explain the terms more fully.

    Peacemakers. Christ says the same: “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9). This implies not the successful outcome but the endeavor, for the notion of “making” in Bible phraseology means the bent of the soul—“he who does [or makes] what is right” (1 John 3:7), and “he who does [or makes] what is sinful” (1 John 3:8), showing the full inclination of the soul. So to “make peace” is to have strong and heartfelt desires for it.

    Who sow. This implies either that they care about holiness—they have sown it—or the sureness of the reward of grace. It is not like water spilt on the ground but like seed cast into the ground. You do not lose your labor, but rather these efforts will yield an increase: see Isaiah 32:17. Or, lastly, it implies their non-enjoyment of the reward for the present; they do not reap but sow now; the harvestofrighteousness is not realized so soon. It is common in Scripture to use the language of sowing and plowing for any consequences that do not follow immediately.

    Inpeace. The meaning is either “in a peace-loving way” (but that seems to be expressed in the last clause [in the KJV, thatmakepeace], or else “with much spiritual tranquillity and peace in their souls in the present.” Compare Hebrews 12:11. Righteousness or sanctification brings peace with it.

    Aharvestofrighteousness. This expression is used elsewhere—for example, “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:11); “fruit unto holiness” (Romans 6:22, KJV); and “discipline … later on … produces a harvest of righteousness” (Hebrews 12:11). In short, the harvestofrighteousness is either the harvest that comes from righteousness—namely eternal life, which is the reward that God has promised for sanctification—or else it means sanctification itself, which is called “fruit” in Scripture in many respects:

    (1)      In respect of the root, Christ (John 15:5, 16).

    (2)      Because this is the free offspring of the Spirit in us, whereas sins are a servile drudgery. That is why the apostle uses such different expressions: “the acts of the sinful nature” (Galatians 5:19), but “the fruit of the Spirit” (verse 22).

    (3)      Because of the growth, as fruits gradually come to maturity and ripeness (compare Philippians 1:11).

    (4)      Because of its excellent and happy reward. It will be fruit, not an empty and dry tree; compare Romans 6:22 (KJV).

    (5)      In respect to the delay of this reward—it will be fruit, though now it is seed.

    Those who combine care for righteousness with their attempts at making peace will have a multiple blessing and increased grace with peace in the present and will reap the crop of it all hereafter.

    Notes on Verse 18

    Note1. Whatever we do in this life is seed; what we sow, we reap. (This metaphor is used of all moral actions, whether good or evil.) See how Scripture follows this metaphor both regarding sin (see Galatians 6:8; Job 4:8; Hosea 8:7)—the crop may take a long time coming, but it will be according to the seed: “He who sows wickedness reaps trouble” (Proverbs 22:8)—and regarding duty or good actions (“Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love,” Hosea 10:12)—that is, try to do good works and you will find God to be propitious. Such deeds are the way, not the cause. God shows mercy accordingto works, though not for works. In particular this is applied to loving giving: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly” (2 Corinthians 9:6). So also with penitent tears: “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy” (Psalm 126:5).

    There is an intimate connection between our efforts and the Lord’s rewards.

    (1)      Let this make us take care with our actions. They are seed; they fall on the ground, not to be lost, but to grow up again. We may taste the fruits of them long after they are committed; be sure you sow good seeds. To help you, think how the ground must be prepared (Hosea 10:12). If you want to reap mercy, plow up your fallow ground (see Jeremiah 4:3-4). The heart is like waste ground until it is prepared by breaking.

    (2)      Note the season: it is seed-time. Eternity depends on this moment. Take heed of sowing to the worldly nature; when others have their arms full of sheaves, you will be empty-handed. The foolish virgins made a great to-do when their lamps were empty.

    (3)      Note the ground of hope to God’s children: their works are not lost; they are seed that will spring up again. “Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again” (Ecclesiastes 11:1). Think: whatever you do to God or for God is seed. The wicked regard it as lost, but you will find it again; you do not lose by serving God (see Malachi 3:4).

    (4)      This is a comfort to us. Here we are miserable. In our seed-time we are usually in tears; we must look forward to the harvest: “Light is shed upon the righteous” (Psalm 97:11). It is buried out of sight, but it will spring up again. The corn must first die in the ground; you cannot sow and reap in a day.

    Note2. Caring about righteousness brings peace. All good actions cause serenity in the mind. The kingdom of grace yields “inexpressible … joy” (1 Peter 1:8), even if it does not bring inexpressible glory. Joy enters into us before we enter into our Master’s joy. First we get the morning star, then the sun. If there are songs in your pilgrimage, you will have hallelujahs in your heavenly country.

    Note3. It is the duty of God’s children to sowinpeace. The oil of grace and the oil of gladness go well together. So that you do not lose the comfort of grace, live socially with God and sweetly with men.

    (1)      Socially with God. Maintain a constant and intimate communion between you and heaven, so that your fellowship may indeed be “with the Father and with his Son” (1 John 1:3). Neglecting God makes the conscience restless and clamorous: “Submit to God and be at peace with him” (Job 22:21).

    (2)      Sweetly with men. There is a holy amiableness, as well as a strict righteousness. “Jesus grew in … favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52). Athanasius was adamant and a magnet—having neither a loose easiness, nor an uncivil austerity. Do this and you will increase in comfort and grace; couple a sweet goodness with a severe righteousness.

    Note4. Peacemakers. True lovers of peace are and must be also lovers of righteousness. Peace without righteousness is just sordid compliance; righteousness without peace is just rough austerity.

    Note5. Righteous peacemaking is blessed with grace here and glory hereafter. This verse is a promise as well as an instruction. This is our comfort against all the difficulties and inconveniences that holy efforts at peace meet with in the world. Your reward is with God, and you have a pledge of it in your own souls. While conflict lessens grace in other people, you grow and thrive; and you shall reap in glory.