Matthew Poole and continuators on James 3:18

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace .

Either the Fruit we bring forth, which is Righteousness itself, Luke 3.8, 9. Rom. 6.22. Phil. 1.11. or the Fruit we reap, which is the Reward of Righteousness, viz. eternal Life.

Metonymically here put for the heavenly Wisdom, before described, whereof it is the inseparable Companion, or the Effect, Iob 28.28.

Either Righteousness, as the good Fruit, is wrought or exercised, Hos. 10.12. (as Wickedness is said to be sown when it is acted, Iob 4.8.) or it relates to the Reward, which is the Fruit, of which Righteousness is the Seed, Psalm 97.11. and then it implies, either the sureness of that Reward, that it is as certain as Harvest after Seed-time, or the non-enjoyment of it▪ for the present; as they that sow their Seed, receive [illegible: 1 letter]ot the Crop till long after.

Either in a mild, peaceable, amicable way, or in Peace, is as much as with Peace, viz. spiritual Peace and Comfort of Conscience.

That follow after, and are studious of Peace; and so the Words may have a two-fold sense, either▪ 1. [illegible: 1 letter]he meaning is, That they that exercise Righteousness must do it in a sweet and peaceable way; in particular, Men may reprehend others, so they do it with Moderation and Gentleness, not as Executioners, to torment them, but as Physicians, to Heal them. As on the other side, they that are most peaceably disposed, yet must not make Peace, without sowing Righteousness with it, which includes just Reprehension whereby Righteousness is promoted: Or, 2ly▪ that they who sow Righteousness in Peace, i. e. joyn Righteousness with their Endeavours after Peace, shall reap the Reward, not only in Comfort here, but in Glory hereafter.