Background of the Passage Both Scripture and ancient philosophers placed a premium on wisdom, which, broadly defined, is not simply a matter of possessing factual knowledge but of properly and effectively applying truth to everyday life. The Hebrews especially understood that true wisdom is not intellectual, but behavioral. Thus the biggest fool was one who knew truth and failed to apply it. To the Jews, wisdom was skill in living righteously. In 3:13, James makes a transition from discussing teachers
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