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Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) |
INTRODUCTION
THIS is called by EUSEBIUS ([Ecclesiastical History, 2.23], about the year 330 A.D). the first of the Catholic Epistles, that is, the Epistles intended for general circulation, as distinguished from Paul's Epistles, which were addressed to particular churches or individuals. In the oldest manuscripts of the New Testament extant, they stand before the Epistles of Paul. Of them, two only are mentioned by EUSEBIUS as universally acknowledged (Homologoumena), namely, the First Epistle of Peter, and the First Epistle of John. All, however, are found in every existing manuscript of the whole New Testament.
It is not to be wondered at that Epistles not addressed to particular churches (and particularly one like that of James, addressed to the Israelite believers scattered abroad) should be for a time less known. The first mention of James' Epistle by name occurs early in the third century, in ORIGEN [Commentary on John 1:19, 4.306], who was born about 185, and died A.D. 254. CLEMENT OF ROME ([First Epistle to the Corinthians, 10]; compare @Jas 2:21,23; [First Epistle to the Corinthians, 11]; compare @Jas 2:25 Heb 11:31) quotes it. So also HERMAS [Shepherd] quotes @Jas 4:7. IRENÆUS [Against Heresies, 4.16.2] is thought to refer to @Jas 2:23. CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA commented on it, according to CASSIODORUS. EPHREM THE SYRIAN [Against the Greeks, 3.51] quotes @Jas 5:1. An especially strong proof of its authenticity is afforded by its forming part of the old Syriac version, which contains no other of the disputed books (Antilegomena, [EUSEBIUS, Ecclesiastical History, 3.25]), except the Epistle to the Hebrews. None of the Latin fathers before the fourth century quote it; but soon after the Council of Nicea it was admitted as canonical both by the East and West churches, and specified as such in the Councils of Hippo and Carthage (397 A.D.). This is just what we might expect; a writing known only partially at first, when subsequently it obtained a wider circulation, and the proofs were better known of its having been recognized in apostolic churches, having in them men endowed with the discernment of spirits, which qualified them for discriminating between inspired and uninspired writings, was universally accepted. Though doubted for a time, at last the disputed books (James, Second Peter, Second and Third John, Jude, and Revelation) were universally and undoubtingly accepted, so that no argument for the Old Testament Apocrypha can be drawn from their case: as to it the Jewish Church had no doubt; it was known not to be inspired.
LUTHER'S objection to it ("an Epistle of straw, and destitute of an evangelic character") was due to his mistaken idea that it (@Jas 2:14-26) opposes the doctrine of justification by faith, and not by works, taught by Paul. But the two apostles, while looking at justification from distinct standpoints, perfectly harmonize and mutually complement the definitions of one another. Faith precedes love and the works of love; but without them it is dead. Paul regards faith in the justification of the sinner before God; James, in the justification of the believer evidently before men. The error which James meets was the Jewish notion that their possession and knowledge of the law of God would justify them, even though they disobeyed it (compare @Jas 1:22 with @Ro 2:17-25). @Jas 1:3 4:1,12 seem plainly to allude to @Ro 5:3 6:13 7:23 14:4. Also the tenor of @Jas 2:14-26 on "justification," seems to allude to Paul's teaching, so as to correct false Jewish notions of a different kind from those which he combatted, though not unnoticed by him also (@Ro 2:17, &c.).
Paul (@Ga 2:9) arranges the names "James, Cephas, John," in the order in which their Epistles stand. James who wrote this Epistle (according to most ancient writers) is called (@Ga 1:19), "the Lord's brother." He was son of Alpheus or Cleopas (@Lu 24:13-18) and Mary, sister of the Virgin Mary. Compare @Mr 15:40 with @Joh 19:25, which seems to identify the mother of James the Less with the wife of Cleopas, not with the Virgin Mary, Cleopas' wife's sister. Cleopas is the Hebrew, Alpheus the Greek mode of writing the same name. Many, however, as HEGESIPPUS [EUSEBIUS, Ecclesiastical History, 23.1], distinguish the Lord's brother from the son of Alpheus. But the Gospel according to the Hebrews, quoted by JEROME, represents James, the Lord's brother, as present at the institution of the Eucharist, and therefore identical with the apostle James. So the Apocryphal Gospel of James. In Acts, James who is put foremost in Jerusalem after the death of James, the son of Zebedee, is not distinguished from James, the son of Alpheus. He is not mentioned as one of the Lord's brethren in @Ac 1:14; but as one of the "apostles" (@Ga 1:19). He is called "the Less" (literally, "the little," @Mr 15:40), to distinguish him from James, the son of Zebedee. ALFORD considers James, the brother of the Lord, the author of the Epistle, to have been the eldest of the sons of Joseph and Mary, after Jesus (compare @Mt 13:55), and that James the son of Alpheus is distinguished from him by the latter being called "the Less," (that is, junior). His arguments against the Lord's brother, the bishop of Jerusalem, being the apostle, are: (1) The Lord's brethren did not believe on Jesus at a time when the apostles had been already called (@Joh 7:3,5), therefore none of the Lord's brethren could be among the apostles (but it does not follow from @Joh 7:3 that no one of them believed). (2) The apostles' commission was to preach the Gospel everywhere, not to be bishops in a particular locality (but it is unlikely that one not an apostle should be bishop of Jerusalem, to whom even apostles yield deference, @Ac 15:13,19 Ga 1:19 2:9,12. The Saviour's last command to the apostles collectively to preach the Gospel everywhere, is not inconsistent with each having a particular sphere of labor in which he should be a missionary bishop, as Peter is said to have been at Antioch).
He was surnamed "the Just." It needed peculiar wisdom so to preach the Gospel as not to disparage the law. As bishop of Jerusalem writing to the twelve tribes, he sets forth the Gospel in its aspect of relation to the law, which the Jews so reverenced. As Paul's Epistles are a commentary on the doctrines flowing from the death and resurrection of Christ, so James's Epistle has a close connection with His teaching during His life on earth, especially His Sermon on the Mount. In both, the law is represented as fulfilled in love: the very language is palpably similar (compare @Jas 1:2 with @Mt 5:12; @Jas 1:4 with @Mt 5:48; @Jas 1:5 5:15 with @Mt 7:7-11; @Jas 2:13 with @Mt 5:7 6:14,15; @Jas 2:10 with @Mt 5:19; @Jas 4:4 with @Mt 6:24; @Jas 4:11 with @Mt 7:1,2; @Jas 5:2 with @Mt 6:19). The whole spirit of this Epistle breathes the same Gospel-righteousness which the Sermon on the Mount inculcates as the highest realization of the law. James's own character as "the Just," or legally righteous, disposed him to this coincidence (compare @Jas 1:20 2:10 3:18 with @Mt 5:20). It also fitted him for presiding over a Church still zealous for the law (@Ac 21:18-24 @Ga 2:12). If any could win the Jews to the Gospel, he was most likely who presented a pattern of Old Testament righteousness, combined with evangelical faith (compare also @Jas 2:8 with @Mt 5:44,48). Practice, not profession, is the test of obedience (compare @Jas 2:17 4:17 with @Mt 7:2-23). Sins of the tongue, however lightly regarded by the world, are an offense against the law of love (compare @Jas 1:26 3:2-18 with @Mt 5:22; also any swearing, @Jas 5:12; compare @Mt 5:33-37).
The absence of the apostolic benediction in this Epistle is probably due to its being addressed, not merely to the believing, but also indirectly to unbelieving, Israelites. To the former he commends humility, patience, and prayer; to the latter he addresses awful warnings (@Jas 5:7-11 4:9 5:1-6).
James was martyred at the Passover. This Epistle was probably written just before it. The destruction of Jerusalem foretold in it (@Jas 5:1, &c.), ensued a year after his martyrdom, A.D. 69. HEGESIPPUS (quoted in EUSEBIUS [Ecclesiastical History, 2.23]) narrates that he was set on a pinnacle of the temple by the scribes and Pharisees, who begged him to restrain the people who were in large numbers embracing Christianity. "Tell us," said they in the presence of the people gathered at the feast, "which is the door of Jesus?" James replied with a loud voice, "Why ask ye me concerning Jesus the Son of man? He sitteth at the right hand of power, and will come again on the clouds of heaven." Many thereupon cried, Hosanna to the Son of David. But James was cast down headlong by the Pharisees; and praying, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do," he was stoned and beaten to death with a fuller's club. The Jews, we know from Acts, were exasperated at Paul's rescue from their hands, and therefore determined to wreak their vengeance on James. The publication of his Epistle to the dispersed Israelites, to whom it was probably carried by those who came up to the periodical feasts, made him obnoxious to them, especially to the higher classes, because it foretold the woes soon about to fall on them and their country. Their taunting question, "Which is the door of Jesus?" (that is, by what door will He come when He returns?), alludes to his prophecy, "the coming of the Lord draweth nigh . . . behold the Judge standeth before the door" (@Jas 5:8,9). @Heb 13:7 probably refers to the martyrdom of James, who had been so long bishop over the Jewish Christians at Jerusalem, "Remember them which have (rather, 'had') the rule (spiritually) over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God; whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation."
His inspiration as an apostle is expressly referred to in @Ac 15:19,28, "My sentence is," &c.: "It seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us," &c. His episcopal authority is implied in the deference paid to him by Peter and Paul (@Ac 12:17 21:18 Ga 1:19 2:9). The Lord had appeared specially to him after the resurrection (@1Co 15:7). Peter in his First Epistle (universally from the first received as canonical) tacitly confirms the inspiration of James's Epistle, by incorporating with his own inspired writings no less than ten passages from James. The "apostle of the circumcision," Peter, and the first bishop of Jerusalem, would naturally have much in common. Compare @Jas 1:1 with @1Pe 1:1; @Jas 1:2 with @1Pe 1:6 4:12,13; @Jas 1:11 with @1Pe 1:24; @Jas 1:18 with @1Pe 1:3; @Jas 2:7 with @1Pe 4:14; @Jas 3:13 with @1Pe 2:12; @Jas 4:1 with @1Pe 2:11; @Jas 4:6 with @1Pe 5:5,6; @Jas 4:7 with @1Pe 5:6,9; @Jas 4:10 with @1Pe 5:6; @Jas 5:20 with @1Pe 4:6. Its being written in the purest Greek shows it was intended not only for the Jews at Jerusalem, but also for the Hellenistic, that is, Greek-speaking, Jews.
The style is close, curt, and sententious, gnome following after gnome. A Hebraic character pervades the Epistle, as appears in the occasional poetic parallelisms (@Jas 3:1-12). Compare "assembly": Greek, "synagogue," @Jas 2:2, Margin. The images are analogical arguments, combining at once logic and poetry. Eloquence and persuasiveness are prominent characteristics.
The similarity to Matthew, the most Hebrew of the Gospels, is just what we might expect from the bishop of Jerusalem writing to Israelites. In it the higher spirit of Christianity is seen putting the Jewish law in its proper place. The law is enforced in its everlasting spirit, not in the letter for which the Jews were so zealous. The doctrines of grace, the distinguishing features of Paul's teaching to the Hellenists and Gentiles, are less prominent as being already taught by that apostle. James complements Paul's teaching, and shows to the Jewish Christians who still kept the legal ordinances down to the fall of Jerusalem, the spiritual principle of the law, namely, love manifested in obedience. To sketch "the perfect man" continuing in the Gospel law of liberty, is his theme.
CHAPTER 1
@Jas 1:1-27. INSCRIPTION: EXHORTATION ON HEARING, SPEAKING, AND WRATH.
The last subject is discussed in @Jas 3:13-4:17.
1. James--an apostle of the circumcision, with Peter and John, James
in Jerusalem, Palestine, and Syria; Peter in Babylon and the East; John
in Ephesus and Asia Minor. Peter addresses the dispersed
Jews of Pontus, Galatia, and Cappadocia; James, the
Israelites of the twelve tribes scattered abroad.
servant of God--not that he was not an apostle; for Paul, an
apostle, also calls himself so; but as addressing the Israelites
generally, including even indirectly the unbelieving, he in humility
omits the title "apostle"; so Paul in writing to the Hebrews; similarly
Jude, an apostle, in his General Epistle.
Jesus Christ--not mentioned again save in @Jas 2:1; not at all
in his speeches (@Ac 15:14,15 21:20,21), lest his introducing the
name of Jesus oftener should seem to arise from vanity, as being "the
Lord's brother" [BENGEL]. His teaching being practical, rather than
doctrinal, required less frequent mention of Christ's name.
scattered abroad--literally "which are in the dispersion." The
dispersion of the Israelites, and their connection with Jerusalem as a
center of religion, was a divinely ordered means of propagating
Christianity. The pilgrim troops of the law became caravans of the
Gospel [WORDSWORTH].
greeting--found in no other Christian letter, but in James and the
Jerusalem Synod's Epistle to the Gentile churches; an undesigned
coincidence and mark or genuineness. In the original Greek (chairein) for "greeting," there is a connection with the "joy" to
which they are exhorted amidst their existing distresses from poverty
and consequent oppression. Compare @Ro 15:26, which alludes to their
poverty.
2. My brethren--a phrase often found in James, marking community of
nation and of faith.
all joy--cause for the highest joy [GROTIUS]. Nothing but joy
[PISCATOR]. Count all "divers temptations" to be each matter of
joy [BENGEL].
fall into--unexpectedly, so as to be encompassed by them (so the
original Greek).
temptations--not in the limited sense of allurements to sin, but
trials or distresses of any kind which test and purify the Christian
character. Compare "tempt," that is, try, @Ge 22:1. Some of those to
whom James writes were "sick," or otherwise "afflicted" (@Jas 5:13).
Every possible trial to the child of God is a masterpiece of strategy of
the Captain of his salvation for his good.
3. the trying--the testing or proving of your faith, namely,
by "divers temptations." Compare @Ro 5:3, tribulation worketh
patience, and patience experience (in the original dokime, akin
to dokimion, "trying," here; there it is experience: here the
"trying" or testing, whence experience flows).
patience--The original implies more; persevering endurance and
continuance (compare @Lu 8:15).
4. Let endurance have a perfect work (taken out of the previous
"worketh patience" or endurance), that is, have its full effect, by showing the most perfect degree of endurance, namely, "joy in bearing
the cross" [MENOCHIUS], and enduring to the end (@Mt 10:22)
[CALVIN].
ye may be perfect--fully developed in all the attributes of a Christian
character. For this there is required "joy" [BENGEL], as part of the
"perfect work" of probation. The work of God in a man is the man. If
God's teachings by patience have had a perfect work in you, you are
perfect [ALFORD].
entire--that which has all
its parts complete, wanting no integral part; @1Th 5:23, "your
whole (literally, 'entire') spirit, soul, and body"; as "perfect"
implies without a blemish in its parts.
5. English Version omits "But," which the Greek has, and
which is important. "But (as this perfect entireness wanting nothing is no easy attainment) if any," &c.
lack--rather, as the Greek word is repeated after James's manner,
from @Jas 1:4, "wanting nothing," translate, "If any of you
want wisdom," namely, the wisdom whereby ye may "count it all joy
when ye fall into divers temptations," and "let patience have her
perfect work." This "wisdom" is shown in its effects in detail,
@Jas 3:7. The highest wisdom, which governs patience alike in poverty
and riches, is described in @Jas 1:9,10.
ask--(@Jas 4:2).
liberally--So the Greek is rendered by English Version. It
is rendered with simplicity, @Ro 12:8. God gives without adding
aught which may take off from the graciousness of the gift
[ALFORD]. God
requires the same "simplicity" in His children ("eye . . . single,"
@Mt 6:22, literally, "simple").
upbraideth not--an illustration of God's giving simply. He gives
to the humble suppliant without upbraiding him with his past sin and
ingratitude, or his future abuse of God's goodness. The Jews pray, "Let
me not have need of the gifts of men, whose gifts are few, but their
upbraidings manifold; but give me out of Thy large and full hand."
Compare Solomon's prayer for "wisdom," and God's gift above what he
asked, though God foresaw his future abuse of His goodness would deserve
very differently. James has before his eye the Sermon on the Mount
(see my Introduction). God hears every true
prayer and grants either the thing asked, or else something better than
it; as a good physician consults for his patient's good better by
denying something which the latter asks not for his good, than by
conceding a temporary gratification to his hurt.
6. ask in faith--that is, the persuasion that God can and will give.
James begins and ends with faith. In the middle of the Epistle he
removes the hindrances to faith and shows its true character
[BENGEL].
wavering--between belief and unbelief. Compare the case of the
Israelites, who seemed to partly believe in God's power, but leaned more
to unbelief by "limiting" it. On the other hand, compare
@Ac 10:20 Ro 4:20 ("staggered not . . . through unbelief,"
literally, as here, "wavered not"); @1Ti 2:8.
like a wave of the sea--@Isa 57:20 Eph 4:14, where the same
Greek word occurs for "tossed to and fro," as is here translated,
"driven with the wind."
driven with the wind--from without.
tossed--from within, by its own instability
[BENGEL]. At one time
cast on the shore of faith and hope, at another rolled back into the
abyss of unbelief; at one time raised to the height of worldly pride, at
another tossed in the sands of despair and affliction [WIESINGER].
7. For--resumed from "For" in @Jas 1:6.
that man--such a wavering self-deceiver.
think--Real faith is something more than a mere thinking or
surmise.
anything--namely, of the things that he prays for: he does receive
many things from God, food, raiment, &c., but these are the general
gifts of His providence: of the things specially granted in answer to
prayer, the waverer shall not receive "anything," much less wisdom.
8. double-minded--literally, "double-souled," the one soul directed towards God, the other to something else. The Greek favors ALFORD'S translation, "He (the waverer, @Jas 1:6) is a man double-minded, unstable," &c.; or better, BEZA'S. The words in this @Jas 1:8 are in apposition with "that man," @Jas 1:7; thus the "us," which is not in the original, will not need to be supplied, "A man double-minded, unstable in all his ways!" The word for "double-minded" is found here and in @Jas 4:8, for the first time in Greek literature. It is not a hypocrite that is meant, but a fickle, "wavering" man, as the context shows. It is opposed to the single eye (@Mt 6:22).
9, 10. Translate, "But let the brother," &c. that is, the best remedy against double-mindedness is that Christian simplicity of spirit whereby the "brother," low in outward circumstances, may "rejoice" (answering to @Jas 1:2) "in that he is exalted," namely, by being accounted a son and heir of God, his very sufferings being a pledge of his coming glory and crown (@Jas 1:12), and the rich may rejoice "in that he is made low," by being stripped of his goods for Christ's sake [MENOCHIUS]; or in that he is made, by sanctified trials, lowly in spirit, which is true matter for rejoicing [GOMARUS]. The design of the Epistle is to reduce all things to an equable footing (@Jas 2:1 5:13). The "low," rather than the "rich," is here called "the brother" [BENGEL].
10. So far as one is merely "rich" in worldly goods, "he shall pass away"; in so far as his predominant character is that of a "brother," he "abideth for ever" (@1Jo 2:17). This view meets all ALFORD'S objections to regarding "the rich" here as a "brother" at all. To avoid making the rich a brother, he translates, "But the rich glories in his humiliation," namely, in that which is really his debasement (his rich state, @Php 3:19), just as the low is told to rejoice in what is really his exaltation (his lowly state).
11. Taken from @Isa 40:6-8.
heat--rather, "the hot wind" from the (east or) south, which scorches
vegetation (@Lu 12:55). The "burning heat" of the sun is not at its
rising, but rather at noon; whereas the scorching Kadim wind is
often at sunrise (@Jon 4:8) [MIDDLETON,
The Doctrine of the Greek Article]. @Mt 20:12 uses the Greek word for "heat." @Isa 40:7, "bloweth upon it,"
seems to answer
to "the hot wind" here.
grace of the fashion--that is of the external appearance.
in his ways--referring to the burdensome extent of the rich man's
devices [BENGEL]. Compare "his ways," that is, his course of life,
@Jas 1:8.
12. Blessed--Compare the beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount
(@Mt 5:4,10,11).
endureth temptation--not the "falling into divers temptations"
(@Jas 1:2) is the matter for "joy," but the enduring of
temptation "unto the end." Compare @Job 5:17.
when he is tried--literally, "when he has become tested" or "approved,"
when he has passed through the "trying" (@Jas 1:3), his "faith"
having finally gained the victory.
the crown--not in allusion to the crown or garland given to winners
in the games; for this, though a natural allusion for Paul in writing to
the heathen, among whom such games existed, would be less appropriate
for James in addressing the Jewish Christians, who regarded Gentile
usages with aversion.
of life--"life" constitutes the crown, literally, the life, the
only true life, the highest and eternal life. The crown implies a
kingdom (@Ps 21:3).
the Lord--not found in the best manuscripts and versions. The
believer's heart fills up the omission, without the name needing to be
mentioned. The "faithful One who promised" (@Heb 10:23).
to them that love him--In @2Ti 4:8, "the crown of
righteousness to them that love His appearing." Love produces patient
endurance: none attest their love more than they who suffer for
Him.
13. when . . . tempted--tried by solicitation to evil. Heretofore
the "temptation" meant was that of probation by afflictions. Let no
one fancy that God lays upon him an inevitable necessity of sinning. God
does not send trials on you in order to make you worse, but to make you
better (@Jas 1:16,17). Therefore do not sink under the pressure of
evils (@1Co 10:13).
of God--by agency proceeding from God. The Greek is not
"tempted by," but, "from," implying indirect agency.
cannot be tempted with evil, &c.--"Neither do any of our sins tempt
God to entice us to worse things, nor does He tempt any
of His own accord" (literally, "of Himself"; compare the antithesis,
@Jas 1:18, "Of His own will He begat us" to holiness, so far is
He from tempting us of His own will)
[BENGEL]. God is said in
@Ge 22:1 to have "tempted Abraham"; but there the tempting meant
is that of trying or proving, not that of seducement.
ALFORD
translates according to the ordinary sense of the Greek, "God is
unversed in evil." But as this gives a less likely sense,
English Version probably gives the true sense; for ecclesiastical
Greek often uses words in new senses, as the exigencies of the new
truths to be taught required.
14. Every man, when tempted, is so through being drawn away of (again
here, as in @Jas 1:13, the Greek for "of" expresses the actual
source, rather than the agent of temptation) his own lust. The
cause of sin is in ourselves. Even Satan's suggestions do not endanger
us before they are made our own. Each one has his own peculiar (so the Greek) lust, arising from his own temperament and habit.
Lust flows from the original birth-sin in man, inherited from Adam.
drawn away--the beginning step in temptation: drawn away from
truth and virtue.
enticed--literally, "taken with a bait," as fish are. The
further progress: the man allowing himself (as the
Greek middle voice implies) to be enticed to evil
[BENGEL]. "Lust" is here personified as the harlot that allures
the man.
15. The guilty union is committed by the will embracing the temptress. "Lust," the harlot, then, "brings forth sin," namely, of that kind to which the temptation inclines. Then the particular sin (so the Greek implies), "when it is completed, brings forth death," with which it was all along pregnant [ALFORD]. This "death" stands in striking contrast to the "crown of life" (@Jas 1:12) which "patience" or endurance ends in, when it has its "perfect work" (@Jas 1:4). He who will fight Satan with Satan's own weapons, must not wonder if he finds himself overmatched. Nip sin in the bud of lust.
16. Do not err in attributing to God temptation to evil; nay (as he proceeds to show), "every good," all that is good on earth, comes from God.
17. gift . . . gift--not the same words in Greek: the first,
the act of giving, or the gift in its initiatory stage; the
second, the thing given, the boon, when perfected. As the "good gift"
stands in contrast to "sin" in its initiatory stage (@Jas 1:15), so
the "perfect boon" is in contrast to "sin when it is finished," bringing
forth death (@2Pe 1:3).
from above--(Compare @Jas 3:15).
Father of lights--Creator of the lights in heaven (compare
@Job 38:28
[ALFORD]; @Ge 4:20,21 Heb 12:9). This accords with the
reference to the changes in the light of the heavenly bodies alluded to
in the end of the verse. Also, Father of the spiritual lights in the
kingdom of grace and glory [BENGEL]. These were typified by the
supernatural lights on the breastplate of the high priest, the Urim. As
"God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all" (@1Jo 1:5), He
cannot in any way be the Author of sin (@Jas 1:13), which is
darkness (@Joh 3:19).
no variableness . . . shadow of turning--(@Mal 3:6). None of the
alternations of light and shadow which the physical "lights" undergo,
and which even the spiritual lights are liable to, as compared with God.
"Shadow of turning," literally, the dark "shadow-mark" cast from one
of the heavenly bodies, arising from its "turning" or revolution, for
example, when the moon is eclipsed by the shadow of the earth, and the
sun by the body of the moon.
BENGEL makes a climax, "no variation--not
even the shadow of a turning"; the former denoting a change in the
understanding; the latter, in the will.
18. (@Joh 1:13). The believer's regeneration is the highest
example of nothing but good proceeding from God.
Of his own will--Of his own good pleasure (which shows that it is
God's essential nature to do good, not evil), not induced by any
external cause.
begat he us--spiritually: a once-for-all accomplished act
(@1Pe 1:3,23). In contrast to "lust when it hath conceived,
bringeth forth sin, and sin . . . death" (@Jas 1:15).
Life follows naturally in connection with light (@Jas 1:17).
word of truth--the Gospel. The objective mean, as faith is the
appropriating mean of regeneration by the Holy Spirit as the efficient
agent.
a kind of first-fruits--Christ is, in respect to the resurrection,
"the first-fruits" (@1Co 15:20,23): believers, in respect to
regeneration, are, as it were, first-fruits (image from the
consecration of the first-born of man, cattle, and fruits to God;
familiar to the Jews addressed), that is, they are the first of God's
regenerated creatures, and the pledge of the ultimate regeneration of
the creation, @Ro 8:19,23, where also the Spirit, the divine agent
of the believer's regeneration, is termed "the first-fruits," that is,
the earnest that the regeneration now begun in the soul, shall at last
extend to the body too, and to the lower parts of creation. Of all God's
visible creatures, believers are the noblest part, and like the legal
"first-fruits," sanctify the rest; for this reason they are much tried
now.
19. Wherefore--as your evil is of yourselves, but your good from
God. However, the oldest manuscripts and versions read thus:
"YE KNOW IT
(so @Eph 5:5 Heb 12:17), my beloved brethren; BUT (consequently) let
every man be swift to hear," that is, docile in receiving "the word of
truth" (@Jas 1:18,21). The true method of hearing is treated in
@Jas 1:21-27, and @Jas 2:1-26.
slow to speak--(@Pr 10:19 17:27,28 Ec 5:2). A good way of escaping
one kind of temptation arising from ourselves (@Jas 1:13). Slow to
speak authoritatively as a master or teacher of others (compare
@Jas 3:1): a common Jewish fault: slow also to speak such hasty things
of God, as in @Jas 1:13. Two ears are given to us, the rabbis observe,
but only one tongue: the ears are open and exposed, whereas the tongue
is walled in behind the teeth.
slow to wrath--(@Jas 3:13,14 4:5). Slow in becoming heated by
debate: another Jewish fault (@Ro 2:8), to which much speaking tends.
TITTMANN thinks not so much "wrath" is meant, as an indignant
feeling of fretfulness under the calamities to which the whole of
human life is exposed; this accords with the "divers temptations" in
@Jas 1:2. Hastiness of temper hinders hearing God's word; so Naaman,
@2Ki 5:11 Lu 4:28.
20. Man's angry zeal in debating, as if jealous for the honor of God's righteousness, is far from working that which is really righteousness in God's sight. True "righteousness is sown in peace," not in wrath (@Jas 3:18). The oldest and the received reading is "worketh," produceth not. best reading means "worketh," that is, practiceth not:
21. lay apart--"once for all" (so the Greek): as a filthy garment.
Compare Joshua's filthy garments, @Zec 3:3,5 Re 7:14. "Filthiness"
is cleansed away by hearing the word (@Joh 15:3).
superfluity of naughtiness--excess (for instance, the
intemperate spirit implied in "wrath," @Jas 1:19,20), which
arises from malice (our natural, evil disposition towards one
another). @1Pe 2:1 has the very same words in the Greek. So
"malice" is the translation, @Eph 4:31 Col 3:8. "Faulty excess"
[BENGEL] is not strong enough. Superfluous excess in speaking is
also reprobated as "coming of evil" (the Greek is akin to the
word for "naughtiness" here) in the Sermon on the Mount
(@Mt 5:37), with which James' Epistle is so connected.
with meekness--in mildness towards one another
[ALFORD], the
opposite to "wrath" (@Jas 1:20): answering to "as new-born babes"
(@1Pe 2:2). Meekness, I think, includes also a childlike,
docile, humble, as well as an uncontentious, spirit
(@Ps 25:9 45:4 Isa 66:2 Mt 5:5 11:28-30 18:3,4; contrast @Ro 2:8).
On "receive," applied to ground receiving seed, compare @Mr 4:20.
Contrast @Ac 17:11 1Th 1:6 with @2Th 2:10.
engrafted word--the Gospel word, whose proper attribute is to be
engrafted by the Holy Spirit, so as to be livingly incorporated with
the believer, as the fruitful shoot is with the wild natural stock on
which it is engrafted. The law came to man only from without, and
admonished him of his duty. The Gospel is engrafted inwardly, and
so fulfils the ultimate design of the law (@De 6:6 11:18 Ps 119:11).
ALFORD translates, "The implanted word," referring to the parable of
the sower (@Mt 13:1-23). I prefer English Version.
able to save--a strong incentive to correct our dulness in hearing
the word: that word which we hear so carelessly, is able
(instrumentally) to save us [CALVIN].
souls--your true selves, for the "body" is now liable to sickness
and death: but the soul being now saved, both soul and body at last
shall be so (@Jas 5:15,20).
22. Qualification of the precept, "Be swift to hear": "Be
ye doers . . . not hearers only"; not merely "Do the
word," but "Be doers" systematically and continually, as if this
was your regular business. James here again refers to the Sermon on the
Mount (@Mt 7:21-29).
deceiving your own selves--by the logical fallacy (the
Greek implies this) that the mere hearing is all that is
needed.
23. For--the logical self-deceit (@Jas 1:22) illustrated.
not a doer--more literally, "a notdoer"
[ALFORD]. The true disciple,
say the rabbis, learns in order that he may do, not in order that he may
merely know or teach.
his natural face--literally, "the countenance of his birth": the face
he was born with. As a man may behold his natural face in a mirror,
so the hearer may perceive his moral visage in God's Word. This
faithful portraiture of man's soul in Scripture, is the strongest proof
of the truth of the latter. In it, too, we see mirrored God's glory, as
well as our natural vileness.
24. beholdeth--more literally, "he contemplated himself and hath
gone his way," that is, no sooner has he contemplated his image than
he is gone his way (@Jas 1:11). "Contemplate" answers to hearing the
word: "goeth his way," to relaxing the attention after hearing--letting
the mind go elsewhere, and the interest of the thing heard pass away:
then forgetfulness follows
[ALFORD] (Compare @Eze 33:31).
"Contemplate" here, and in @Jas 1:23, implies that, though cursory,
yet some knowledge of one's self, at least for the time, is imparted in
hearing the word (@1Co 14:24).
and . . . and--The repetition expresses hastiness
joined with levity [BENGEL].
forgetteth what manner of man he was--in the mirror. Forgetfulness
is no excuse (@Jas 1:25 2Pe 1:9).
25. looketh into--literally, "stoopeth down to take a close look
into." Peers into: stronger than "beholdeth," or "contemplated,"
@Jas 1:24. A blessed curiosity if it be efficacious in
bearing fruit [BENGEL].
perfect law of liberty--the Gospel rule of life, perfect and perfecting
(as shown in the Sermon on the Mount, @Mt 5:48), and making us truly
walk at liberty (@Ps 119:32,
Church of England Prayer Book Version). Christians are to aim at a
higher standard of holiness than was generally understood under the
law. The principle of love takes the place of the letter of the
law, so that by the Spirit they are free from the yoke of sin, and free
to obey by spontaneous instinct (@Jas 2:8,10,12 Joh 8:31-36 15:14,15;
compare @1Co 7:22 Ga 5:1,13 1Pe 2:16). The law is thus
not made void, but fulfilled.
continueth therein--contrasted with "goeth his way," @Jas 1:24,
continues both looking into the mirror of God's word, and doing its
precepts.
doer of the work--rather, "a doer of work"
[ALFORD], an actual worker.
blessed in his deed--rather, "in his doing"; in the very doing
there is blessedness (@Ps 19:11).
26, 27. An example of doing work.
religious . . . religion--The Greek expresses the
external service or exercise of religion, "godliness" being the
internal soul of it. "If any man think himself to be (so the
Greek) religious, that is, observant of the offices of religion, let him know these consist not so much in outward observances, as in
such acts of mercy and humble piety (@Mic 6:7,8) as
visiting the fatherless, &c., and
keeping one's self unspotted from the world" (@Mt 23:23). James
does not mean that these offices are the great essentials, or sum
total of religion; but that, whereas the law service was merely
ceremonial, the very services of the Gospel consist in acts of
mercy and holiness, and it has light for its garment, its very
robe being righteousness
[TRENCH]. The Greek word is only found
in @Ac 26:5, "after the straitest sect of our religion I lived
a Pharisee." @Col 2:18, "worshipping of angels."
bridleth not . . . tongue--Discretion in speech is better than fluency
of speech (compare @Jas 3:2,3). Compare @Ps 39:1. God alone can
enable us to do so. James, in treating of the law, naturally notices
this sin. For they who are free from grosser sins, and even bear the
outward show of sanctity, will often exalt themselves by detracting
others under the pretense of zeal, while their real motive is love of
evil-speaking [CALVIN].
heart--It and the tongue act and react on one another.
27. Pure . . . and undefiled--"Pure" is that love which has in it
no foreign admixture, as self-deceit and hypocrisy. "Undefiled" is
the means of its being "pure" [TITTMANN]. "Pure" expresses the
positive, "undefiled" the negative side of religious service;
just as visiting the fatherless and widow is the active,
keeping himself unspotted from the world, the passive side of
religious duty. This is the nobler shape that our religious exercises
take, instead of the ceremonial offices of the law.
before God and the Father--literally, "before Him who is (our) God
and Father." God is so called to imply that if we would be like our
Father, it is not by fasting, &c., for He does none of these things,
but in being "merciful as our Father is merciful" [CHRYSOSTOM].
visit--in sympathy and kind offices to alleviate their distresses.
the fatherless--whose "Father" is God (@Ps 68:5); peculiarly
helpless.
and--not in the Greek; so close is the connection between active
works of mercy to others, and the maintenance of personal unworldliness
of spirit, word. and deed; no copula therefore is needed. Religion in
its rise interests us about ourselves in its progress, about our
fellow creatures: in its highest stage, about the honor of God.
keep himself--with jealous watchfulness, at the same time praying
and depending on God as alone able to keep us (@Joh 17:15 Jude 1:24).
CHAPTER 2
@Jas 2:1-26. THE SIN OF RESPECT OF PERSONS: DEAD, UNWORKING FAITH SAVES NO MAN.
James illustrates "the perfect law of liberty" (@Jas 1:25) in one particular instance of a sin against it, concluding with a reference again to that law (@Jas 2:12,13).
1. brethren--The equality of all Christians as "brethren," forms the
groundwork of the admonition.
the faith of . . . Christ--that is, the Christian faith. James grounds
Christian practice on Christian faith.
the Lord of glory--So @1Co 2:8. As all believers, alike rich
and poor, derive all their glory from their union with Him, "the Lord of
glory," not from external advantages of worldly fortune, the sin in
question is peculiarly inconsistent with His "faith."
BENGEL, making no
ellipsis of "the Lord," explains "glory" as in apposition with Christ
who is THE GLORY (@Lu 2:32); the true Shekinah glory of the temple
(@Ro 9:4). English Version is simpler. The glory of Christ
resting on the poor believer should make him be regarded as highly by
"brethren" as his richer brother; nay, more so, if the poor believer has
more of Christ's spirit than the rich brother.
with respect of persons--literally, "in respectings of persons";
"in" the practice of partial preferences of persons in various ways and
on various occasions.
2, 3. "If there chance to have come" [ALFORD].
assembly--literally, "synagogue"; this, the latest honorable use,
and the only Christian use of the term in the New Testament, occurs
in James's Epistle, the apostle who maintained to the latest possible
moment the bonds between the Jewish synagogue and the Christian Church.
Soon the continued resistance of the truth by the Jews led Christians to
leave the term to them exclusively (@Re 3:9). The "synagogue"
implies a mere assembly or congregation not necessarily united by
any common tie. "Church," a people bound together by mutual ties and
laws, though often it may happen that the members are not assembled
[TRENCH and
VITRINGA]. Partly from James' Hebrew tendencies, partly
from the Jewish Christian churches retaining most of the Jewish forms,
this term "synagogue" is used here instead of the Christian term
"Church" (ecclesia, derived from a root, "called out," implying the
union of its members in spiritual bonds, independent of space, and
called out into separation from the world); an undesigned coincidence
and mark of truth. The people in the Jewish synagogue sat according to
their rank, those of the same trade together. The introduction of this
custom into Jewish Christian places of worship is here reprobated by
James. Christian churches were built like the synagogues, the holy
table in the east end of the former, as the ark was in the latter; the
desk and pulpit were the chief articles of furniture in both
alike. This shows the error of comparing the Church to the temple, and
the ministry to the priesthood; the temple is represented by the whole
body of worshippers; the church building was formed on the model of the
synagogue. See VITRINGA [Synagogue and Temple].
goodly apparel . . . gay clothing--As the
Greek, is the same in both, translate both alike, "gay," or
"splendid clothing."
3. have respect to him, &c.--though ye know not who he is, when
perhaps he may be a heathen. It was the office of the deacons to direct
to a seat the members of the congregation [CLEMENT OF
ROME, Apostolical Constitutions, 2.57, 58].
unto him--not in the best manuscripts. Thus "thou" becomes more
demonstratively emphatic.
there--at a distance from where the good seats are.
here--near the speaker.
under my footstool--not literally so; but on the ground, down by my
footstool. The poor man must either stand, or if he sits, sit in
a degrading position. The speaker has a footstool as well as a good
seat.
4. Are ye not . . . partial--literally, "Have ye not made
distinctions" or "differences" (so as to prefer one to another)? So in
@Jude 1:22.
in yourselves--in your minds, that is, according to your carnal
inclination [GROTIUS].
are become judges of evil thoughts--The Greek words for "judges"
and for "partial," are akin in sound and meaning. A similar translation
ought therefore to be given to both. Thus, either for "judges," &c.
translate, "distinguishers of (that is, according to your) evil
thoughts"; or, do ye not partially judge between men, and are become
evilly-thinking judges (@Mr 7:21)? The "evil thoughts" are in
the judges themselves; as in @Lu 18:6, the Greek, "judge of
injustice," is translated, "unjust judge." ALFORD and
WAHL translate,
"Did ye not doubt" (respecting your faith, which is inconsistent
with the distinctions made by you between rich and poor)? For the
Greek constantly means "doubt" in all the New Testament. So in
@Jas 1:6, "wavering." @Mt 21:21 Ac 10:20 Ro 4:20, "staggered not."
The same play on the same kindred words occurs in the Greek of
@Ro 14:10,23, "judge . . . doubteth." The same blame of being a judge,
when one ought to be an obeyer, of the law is found in @Jas 4:11.
5. Hearken--James brings to trial the self-constituted "judges"
(@Jas 2:4).
poor of this world--The best manuscripts read, "those poor
in respect to the world." In contrast to "the rich in this world"
(@1Ti 6:17). Not of course all the poor; but the poor,
as a class, furnish more believers than the rich as a class. The
rich, if a believer, renounces riches as his portion; the poor, if an
unbeliever, neglects that which is the peculiar advantage of poverty
(@Mt 5:3 1Co 1:26,27,28).
rich in faith--Their riches consist in faith. @Lu 12:21,
"rich toward God." @1Ti 6:18, "rich in good works" (@Re 2:9;
compare @2Co 8:9). Christ's poverty is the source of the believer's
riches.
kingdom . . . promised--(@Lu 12:32 1Co 2:9 2Ti 4:8).
6. The world's judgment of the poor contrasted with God's.
ye--Christians, from whom better things might have been expected;
there is no marvel that men of the world do so.
despised--literally, "dishonored." To dishonor the poor is to
dishonor those whom God honors, and so to invert the order of God
[CALVIN].
rich--as a class.
oppress--literally, "abuse their power against" you.
draw you--Translate, "is it not they (those very persons whom ye
partially prefer, @Jas 2:1-4) that drag you
(namely, with violence)" [ALFORD].
before . . . judgment seats--instituting persecutions for religion,
as well as oppressive lawsuits, against you.
7. "Is it not they that blaspheme?" &c. as in @Jas 2:6
[ALFORD].
Rich heathen must here chiefly be meant; for none others would directly
blaspheme the name of Christ. Only indirectly rich Christians can be
meant, who, by their inconsistency, caused His name
to be blasphemed; so @Eze 36:21,22 Ro 2:24. Besides, there were
few rich Jewish Christians at Jerusalem (@Ro 15:26). They who
dishonor God's name by wilful and habitual sin, "take (or bear) the
Lord's name in vain" (compare @Pr 30:9, with @Ex 20:7).
that worthy name--which is "good before the Lord's saints"
(@Ps 52:9 54:6); which ye pray may be "hallowed"
(@Mt 6:9), and "by which ye are called," literally, "which was
invoked" or, "called upon by you" (compare @Ge 48:16 Isa 4:1,
Margin; @Ac 15:17), so that at your baptism
"into the name" (so the Greek, @Mt 28:19) of
Christ, ye became Christ's people (@1Co 3:23).
8. The Greek may be translated, "If, however, ye fulfil,"
&c. that is, as ALFORD, after
ESTIUS, explains, "Still I do not
say, hate the rich (for their oppressions) and drive them from your
assemblies; if you choose to observe the royal law . . . well and good;
but respect of persons is a breach of that law." I think the translation
is, "If in very deed (or 'indeed on the one hand') ye fulfil the
royal law . . . ye do well, but if (on the other hand) ye respect
persons, ye practice sin." The Jewish Christians boasted of, and rested
in, the "law" (@Ac 15:1 21:18-24 Ro 2:17 Ga 2:12). To this the
"indeed" alludes. "(Ye rest in the law): If indeed (then) ye fulfil
it, ye do well; but if," &c.
royal--the law that is king of all laws, being the sum and essence
of the ten commandments. The great King, God, is love; His law is the
royal law of love, and that law, like Himself, reigns supreme. He "is no
respecter of persons"; therefore to respect persons is at variance with
Him and His royal law, which is at once a law of love and of liberty
(@Jas 2:12). The law is the "whole"; "the (particular) Scripture"
(@Le 19:18) quoted is a part. To break a part is to break the whole
(@Jas 2:10).
ye do well--being "blessed in your deed" ("doing," Margin) as a
doer, not a forgetful hearer of the law (@Jas 1:25).
9. Respect of persons violates the command to love all alike "as thyself."
ye commit sin--literally, "ye work sin," @Mt 7:23, to which the
reference here is probably, as in @Jas 1:22. Your works are
sin, whatever boast of the law ye make in words
(see on Jas 2:8).
convinced--Old English for "convicted."
as transgressors--not merely of this or that particular command, but
of the whole absolutely.
10. The best manuscripts read, "Whosoever shall have kept the whole law, and yet shall have offended (literally, 'stumbled'; not so strong as 'fall,' @Ro 11:11) in one (point; here, the respecting of persons), is (hereby) become guilty of all." The law is one seamless garment which is rent if you but rend a part; or a musical harmony which is spoiled if there be one discordant note [TIRINUS]; or a golden chain whose completeness is broken if you break one link [GATAKER]. You thus break the whole law, though not the whole of the law, because you offend against love, which is the fulfilling of the law. If any part of a man be leprous, the whole man is judged to be a leper. God requires perfect, not partial, obedience. We are not to choose out parts of the law to keep, which suit our whim, while we neglect others.
11. He is One who gave the whole law; therefore, they who violate His
will in one point, violate it all [BENGEL]. The law and its Author
alike have a complete unity.
adultery . . . kill--selected as being the most glaring cases of
violation of duty towards one's neighbor.
12. Summing up of the previous reasonings.
speak--referring back to @Jas 1:19,26; the fuller discussion of
the topic is given @Jas 3:5-12.
judged by the law of liberty--(@Jas 1:25); that is, the Gospel
law of love, which is not a law of external constraint, but of internal,
free, instinctive inclination. The law of liberty, through God's
mercy, frees us from the curse of the law, that henceforth we should be
free to love and obey willingly. If we will not in turn practice the law
of love to our neighbor, that law of grace condemns us still more
heavily than the old law, which spake nothing but wrath to him who
offended in the least particular (@Jas 2:13). Compare
@Mt 18:32-35 Joh 12:48 Re 6:16, "Wrath of the (merciful) Lamb."
13. The converse of, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain
mercy" (@Mt 5:7). Translate, "The judgment
(which is coming on all of us) shall be without mercy to him who hath
showed no mercy." It shall be such toward every one as every one shall
have been [BENGEL]. "Mercy" here corresponds to
"love," @Jas 2:8.
mercy rejoiceth against judgment--Mercy, so far from fearing judgment
in the case of its followers, actually glorifieth against it, knowing
that it cannot condemn them. Not that their mercy is the ground of
their acquittal, but the mercy of God in Christ towards them, producing
mercy on their part towards their fellow men, makes them to
triumph over judgment, which all in themselves otherwise deserve.
14. James here, passing from the particular case of "mercy" or "love"
violated by "respect of persons," notwithstanding profession of the
"faith of our Lord Jesus" (@Jas 2:1), combats the Jewish tendency
(transplanted into their Christianity) to substitute a lifeless,
inoperative acquaintance with the letter of the law, for change of heart
to practical holiness, as if justification could be thereby attained
(@Ro 2:3,13,23). It seems hardly likely but that James had seen
Paul's Epistles, considering that he uses the same phrases and examples
(compare @Jas 2:21,23,25, with @Ro 4:3 Heb 11:17,31; and
@Jas 2:14,24, with @Ro 3:28 Ga 2:16). Whether James individually
designed it or not, the Holy Spirit by him combats not Paul, but those
who abuse Paul's doctrine. The teaching of both alike is inspired, and
is therefore to be received without wresting of words; but each has a
different class to deal with; Paul, self-justiciaries; James, Antinomian
advocates of a mere notional faith. Paul urged as strongly as James the
need of works as evidences of faith, especially in the later Epistles,
when many were abusing the doctrine of faith (@Tit 2:14 3:8).
"Believing and doing are blood relatives" [RUTHERFORD].
What doth it profit--literally, "What is the profit?"
though a man say--James' expression is not, "If a man have faith,"
but "if a man say he hath faith"; referring to a mere profession of faith, such as was usually made at baptism. Simon Magus so "believed
and was baptized," and yet had "neither part nor lot in this matter,"
for his "heart," as his words and works evinced, was not right in the
sight of God. ALFORD wrongly denies that "say" is emphatic. The
illustration, @Jas 2:16, proves it is: "If one of you say" to a
naked brother, "Be ye warmed, notwithstanding ye give not those things
needful." The inoperative profession of sympathy answering to the
inoperative profession of faith.
can faith save him--rather, "can such a faith (literally, 'the faith')
save him?"--the faith you pretend to: the empty name of boasted
faith, contrasted with true fruit-producing faith. So that which
self-deceivers claim is called "wisdom," though not true wisdom,
@Jas 3:15. The "him" also in the Greek is emphatic; the
particular man who professes faith without having the works which
evidence its vitality.
15. The Greek is, "But if," &c.: the "But" taking up the
argument against such a one as "said he had faith, and yet had not
works," which are its fruits.
a brother, &c.--a fellow Christian, to whom we are specially
bound to give help, independent of our general obligation to help all
our fellow creatures.
be--The Greek implies, "be found, on your access
to them."
16. The habit of receiving passively sentimental impressions from
sights of woe without carrying them out into active habits only hardens
the heart.
one of you--James brings home the case to his hearers individually.
Depart in peace--as if all their wants were satisfied by the mere
words addressed to them. The same words in the mouth of Christ, whose
faith they said they had, were accompanied by efficient deeds of love.
be . . . warmed--with clothing, instead of being as heretofore "naked"
(@Jas 2:15 Job 31:20).
filled--instead of being "destitute of food" (@Mt 15:37).
what doth it profit--concluding with the same question as at the
beginning, @Jas 2:14. Just retribution:kind professions unaccompanied
with corresponding acts, as they are of no "profit" to the needy object
of them, so are of no profit to the professor himself. So faith
consisting in mere profession is unacceptable to God, the object of
faith, and profitless to the possessor.
17. faith . . . being alone--ALFORD joins "is dead in itself." So BENGEL, "If the works which living faith produces have no existence, it is a proof that faith itself (literally, 'in respect to itself') has no existence; that is, that what one boasts of as faith, is dead." "Faith" is said to be "dead in itself," because when it has works it is alive, and it is discerned to be so, not in respect to its works, but in respect to itself. English Version, if retained, must not be understood to mean that faith can exist "alone" (that is, severed from works), but thus: Even so presumed faith, if it have not works, is dead, being by itself "alone," that is, severed from works of charity; just as the body would be "dead" if alone, that is, severed from the spirit (@Jas 2:26). So ESTIUS.
18. "But some one will say": so the Greek. This verse
continues the argument from @Jas 2:14,16. One may say he has
faith though he have not works. Suppose one were to say to a naked
brother, "Be warmed," without giving him needful clothing.
"But someone (entertaining views of the need of faith having works
joined to it) will say
(in opposition to the 'say' of the professor)."
show me thy faith without thy works--if thou canst; but thou canst
not SHOW, that is, manifest or evidence thy alleged (@Jas 2:14,
"say") faith without works. "Show" does not mean here to prove to
me, but exhibit to me. Faith is unseen save by God. To show faith to man, works in some form or other are needed: we are justified
judicially by God (@Ro 8:33); meritoriously, by Christ
(@Isa 53:11); mediately, by faith (@Ro 5:1); evidentially, by
works. The question here is not as to the ground on which believers
are justified, but about the demonstration of their faith: so in the
case of Abraham. In @Ge 22:1 it is written, God did tempt Abraham,
that is, put to the test of demonstration the reality of his faith, not
for the satisfaction of God, who already knew it well, but to
demonstrate it before men. The offering of Isaac at that time,
quoted here, @Jas 2:21, formed no part of the ground of his
justification, for he was justified previously on his simply believing
in the promise of spiritual heirs, that is, believers, numerous as the
stars. He was then justified: that justification was showed or
manifested by his offering Isaac forty years after. That work of faith
demonstrated, but did not contribute to his justification. The tree
shows its life by its fruits, but it was alive before either fruits
or even leaves appeared.
19. Thou--emphatic. Thou self-deceiving claimant to faith without
works.
that there is one God--rather, "that God is one": God's existence, however, is also asserted. The fundamental article of the creed of Jews
and Christians alike, and the point of faith on which especially the
former boasted themselves, as distinguishing them from the Gentiles, and
hence adduced by James here.
thou doest well--so far good. But unless thy faith goes farther than
an assent to this truth, "the evil spirits (literally, 'demons': 'devil'
is the term restricted to Satan, their head) believe" so far in
common with thee, "and (so far from being saved by such a faith) shudder
(so the Greek)," @Mt 8:29 Lu 4:34 2Pe 2:4 Jude 1:6 Re 20:10. Their
faith only adds to their torment at the thought of having to meet Him
who is to consign them to their just doom: so thine (@Heb 10:26,27, it
is not the faith of love, but of fear, that hath torment, @1Jo 4:18).
20. wilt thou know--"Vain" men are not willing to know, since
they have no wish to "do" the will of God. James beseeches such a one to
lay aside his perverse unwillingness to know what is palpable to all
who are willing to do.
vain--who deceivest thyself with a delusive hope, resting on an unreal
faith.
without works--The Greek, implies separate from the works
[ALFORD] which ought to flow from it if it were real.
is dead--Some of the best manuscripts read, "is idle," that is,
unavailing to effect what you hope, namely, to save you.
21. Abraham . . . justified by works--evidentially, and
before men (see on Jas 2:18). In
@Jas 2:23, James, like Paul, recognizes the Scripture truth, that it
was his faith that was counted to Abraham for righteousness in his
justification before God.
when he had offered--rather, "when he offered"
[ALFORD], that is,
brought as an offering at the altar; not implying that he actually
offered him.
22. Or, "thou seest."
how--rather, "that." In the two clauses which follow, emphasize
"faith" in the former, and "works" in the latter, to see the sense
[BENGEL].
faith wrought with his works--for it was by faith he offered his
son. Literally, "was working (at the time) with his works."
by works was faith made perfect--not was vivified, but attained
its fully consummated development, and is shown to be real. So
"my strength is made perfect in weakness," that is,
exerts itself most perfectly, shows how great it is
[CAMERON]: so
@1Jo 4:17 Heb 2:10 5:9. The germ really, from the first, contains
in it the full-grown tree, but its perfection is not attained till it is
matured fully. So @Jas 1:4, "Let patience have her perfect work,"
that is, have its full effect by showing the most perfect degree of
endurance, "that ye may be perfect," that is, fully developed in
the exhibition of the Christian character. ALFORD explains,
"Received its realization, was entirely exemplified and filled up." So
Paul, @Php 2:12, "Work out your own salvation": the salvation was
already in germ theirs in their free justification through faith. It
needed to be worked out still to fully developed perfection in
their life.
23. scripture was fulfilled--@Ge 15:6, quoted by Paul, as realized
in Abraham's justification by faith; but by James, as realized
subsequently in Abraham's work of offering Isaac, which, he says,
justified him. Plainly, then, James must mean by works the same
thing as Paul means by faith, only that he speaks of faith at its
manifested development, whereas Paul speaks of it in its germ.
Abraham's offering of Isaac was not a mere act of obedience, but an act
of faith. Isaac was the subject of the promises of God, that in him
Abraham's seed should be called. The same God calls on Abraham to slay
the subject of His own promise, when as yet there was no seed in whom
those predictions could be realized. Hence James' saying that Abraham
was justified by such a work, is equivalent to saying, as Paul does,
that he was justified by faith itself; for it was in fact
faith expressed in action, as in other cases saving faith is
expressed in words. So Paul states as the mean of salvation faith
expressed. The "Scripture" would not be "fulfilled," as James says
it was, but contradicted by any interpretation which makes man's
works justify him before God: for that Scripture makes no mention
of works at all, but says that Abraham's belief was counted to him
for righteousness. God, in the first instance, "justifies the
ungodly" through faith; subsequently the believer is justified
before the world as righteous through faith manifested in words and
works (compare @Mt 25:35-37, "the righteous," @Mt 25:40). The
best authorities read, "But Abraham believed," &c.
and he was called the Friend of God--He was not so called in his
lifetime, though he was so even then from the time of his
justification; but he was called so, being recognized as such by all
on the ground of his works of faith. "He was the friend (in an
active sense), the lover of God, in reference to his works; and
(in a passive sense) loved by God in reference to his justification by
works. Both senses are united in @Joh 15:14,15"
[BENGEL].
24. justified and, not by faith only--that is, by "faith without (separated from: severed from) works," its proper fruits (see on Jas 2:20). Faith to justify must, from the first, include obedience in germ (to be developed subsequently), though the former alone is the ground of justification. The scion must be grafted on the stock that it may live; it must bring forth fruit to prove that it does live.
25. It is clear from the nature of Rahab's act, that it is not quoted
to prove justification by works as such. She believed assuredly what
her other countrymen disbelieved, and this in the face of every
improbability that an unwarlike few would conquer well-armed numbers. In
this belief she hid the spies at the risk of her life. Hence
@Heb 11:31 names this as an example of faith, rather than of
obedience. "By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them
that believed not." If an instance of obedience were wanting. Paul
and James would hardly have quoted a woman of previously bad character,
rather than the many moral and pious patriarchs. But as an example of
free grace justifying men through an operative, as opposed to a mere
verbal faith, none could be more suitable than a saved "harlot." As
Abraham was an instance of an illustrious man and the father of the
Jews, so Rahab is quoted as a woman, and one of abandoned character, and
a Gentile, showing that justifying faith has been manifested in those of
every class. The nature of the works alleged is such as to prove that
James uses them only as evidences of faith, as contrasted with a
mere verbal profession: not works of charity and piety, but works the
value of which consisted solely in their being proofs of faith: they
were faith expressed in act, synonymous with faith itself.
messengers--spies.
had received . . . had sent--rather, "received
. . . thrust them forth" (in haste and fear) [ALFORD].
another way--from that whereby they entered her house, namely, through
the window of her house on the wall, and thence to the mountain.
26. Faith is a spiritual thing: works are material. Hence we might expect faith to answer to the spirit, works to the body. But James reverses this. He therefore does not mean that faith in all cases answers to the body; but the FORM of faith without the working reality answers to the body without the animating spirit. It does not follow that living faith derives its life from works, as the body derives its life from the animating spirit.
CHAPTER 3
@Jas 3:1-18. DANGER OF EAGERNESS TO TEACH, AND OF AN UNBRIDLED TONGUE: TRUE WISDOM SHOWN BY UNCONTENTIOUS MEEKNESS.
1. be not--literally, "become not": taking the office too hastily,
and of your own accord.
many--The office is a noble one; but few are fit for it. Few govern
the tongue well (@Jas 3:2), and only such as can govern it are fit
for the office; therefore, "teachers" ought not to be many.
masters--rather, "teachers." The Jews were especially prone to this
presumption. The idea that faith (so called) without works
(@Jas 2:14-26) was all that is required, prompted "many" to set up
as "teachers," as has been the case in all ages of the Church. At first
all were allowed to teach in turns. Even their inspired gifts did not
prevent liability to abuse, as James here implies: much more is this so
when self-constituted teachers have no such miraculous gifts.
knowing--as all might know.
we . . . greater condemnation--James in a humble,
conciliatory spirit, includes himself: if we teachers abuse the
office, we shall receive greater condemnation than those who are mere
hearers (compare @Lu 12:42-46). CALVIN, like
English Version, translates, "masters" that is, self-constituted
censors and reprovers of others @Jas 4:12 accords
with this view.
2. all--The Greek implies "all without exception": even the
apostles.
offend not--literally "stumbleth not": is void of offence or "slip"
in word: in which respect one is especially tried who sets up to be a
"teacher."
3. Behold--The best authorities read, "but if," that is, Now whensoever (in the case) of horses (such is the emphatic position of "horses" in the Greek) we put the bits (so literally, "the customary bits") into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about also their whole body. This is to illustrate how man turns about his whole body with the little tongue. "The same applies to the pen, which is the substitute for the tongue among the absent" [BENGEL].
4. Not only animals, but even ships.
the governor listeth--literally, "the impulse of the steersman
pleaseth." The feeling which moves the tongue corresponds with this.
5. boasteth great things--There is great moment in what the
careless think "little" things
[BENGEL]. Compare "a world," "the course
of nature," "hell," @Jas 3:6, which illustrate how the little
tongue's great words produce great mischief.
how great a matter a little fire kindleth--The best manuscripts
read, "how little a fire kindleth how great a," &c.
ALFORD, for
"matter," translates, "forest." But GROTIUS translates as
English Version, "material for burning": a pile of fuel.
6. Translate, "The tongue, that world of iniquity, is a fire." As
man's little world is an image of the greater world, the universe, so
the tongue is an image of the former [BENGEL].
so--omitted in the oldest authorities.
is--literally, "is constituted." "The tongue is (constituted), among
the members, the one which defileth," &c. (namely, as fire defiles with
its smoke).
course of nature--"the orb (cycle) of creation."
setteth on fire . . . is set on fire--habitually and continually.
While a man inflames others, he passes out of his own power, being
consumed in the flame himself.
of hell--that is, of the devil. Greek, "Gehenna"; found here
only and in @Mt 5:22. James has much in common with the Sermon on
the Mount (@Pr 16:27).
7. every kind--rather, "every nature" (that is, natural disposition
and characteristic power).
of beasts--that is, quadrupeds of every disposition; as distinguished
from the three other classes of creation, "birds, creeping things (the
Greek includes not merely 'serpents,' as English Version), and
things in the sea."
is tamed, and hath been--is continually being tamed, and hath been
so long ago.
of mankind--rather, "by the nature of man": man's characteristic
power taming that of the inferior animals. The dative in the
Greek may imply, "Hath suffered itself to be brought into tame
subjection TO the nature of men." So it shall be in the millennial
world; even now man, by gentle firmness, may tame the inferior animal,
and even elevate its nature.
8. no man--literally, "no one of men": neither can a man control his
neighbor's, nor even his own tongue. Hence the truth of @Jas 3:2
appears.
unruly evil--The Greek, implies that it is at once restless and incapable of restraint. Nay, though nature has hedged it in with
a double barrier of the lips and teeth, it bursts from its barriers to
assail and ruin men [ESTIUS].
deadly--literally, "death-bearing."
9. God--The oldest authorities read, "Lord." "Him who is Lord and
Father." The uncommonness of the application of "Lord" to the Father,
doubtless caused the change in modern texts to "God" (@Jas 1:27).
But as Messiah is called "Father," @Isa 9:6, so God the Father is
called by the Son's title, "Lord": showing the unity of the Godhead.
"Father" implies His paternal love; "Lord," His dominion.
men, which--not "men who"; for what is meant is not particular
men, but men genetically [ALFORD].
are made after . . . similitude of God--Though in a great measure
man has lost the likeness of God in which he was originally made,
yet enough of it still remains to show what once it was, and what in
regenerated and restored man it shall be. We ought to reverence this
remnant and earnest of what man shall be in ourselves and in others.
"Absalom has fallen from his father's favor, but the people still
recognize him to be the king's son" [BENGEL]. Man resembles in
humanity the Son of man, "the express image of His person" (@Heb 1:3),
compare @Ge 1:26 1Jo 4:20. In the passage, @Ge 1:26, "image"
and "likeness" are distinct: "image," according to the Alexandrians, was
something in which men were created, being common to all, and
continuing to man after the fall, while the "likeness" was something
toward which man was created, to strive after and attain it: the
former marks man's physical and intellectual, the latter his moral
pre-eminence.
10. The tongue, says ÆSOP, is at once the best and the worst of
things. So in a fable, a man with the same breath blows hot and cold.
"Life and death are in the power of the tongue" (compare @Ps 62:4).
brethren--an appeal to their consciences by their brotherhood in
Christ.
ought not so to be--a mild appeal, leaving it to themselves to
understand that such conduct deserves the most severe reprobation.
11. fountain--an image of the heart: as the aperture (so the Greek for "place" is literally) of the fountain is an image of man's mouth. The image here is appropriate to the scene of the Epistle, Palestine, wherein salt and bitter springs are found. Though "sweet" springs are sometimes found near, yet "sweet and bitter" (water) do not flow "at the same place" (aperture). Grace can make the same mouth that "sent forth the bitter" once, send forth the sweet for the time to come: as the wood (typical of Christ's cross) changed Marah's bitter water into sweet.
12. Transition from the mouth to the heart.
Can the fig tree, &c.--implying that it is an impossibility: as
before in @Jas 3:10 he had said it "ought not so to be." James
does not, as Matthew (@Mt 7:16,17), make the question, "Do men
gather figs of thistles?" His argument is, No tree "can" bring forth
fruit inconsistent with its nature, as for example, the fig tree,
olive berries: so if a man speaks bitterly, and afterwards speaks good
words, the latter must be so only seemingly, and in hypocrisy, they
cannot be real.
so can no fountain . . . salt . . . and fresh--The oldest authorities
read, "Neither can a salt (water spring) yield fresh." So the mouth that
emits cursing, cannot really emit also blessing.
13. Who--(Compare @Ps 34:12,13). All wish to appear "wise": few
are so.
show--"by works," and not merely by profession, referring to
@Jas 2:18.
out of a good conversation his works--by general "good conduct"
manifested in particular "works." "Wisdom" and "knowledge," without
these being "shown," are as dead as faith would be without works
[ALFORD].
with meekness of wisdom--with the meekness inseparable from true
"wisdom."
14. if ye have--as is the case (this is implied in the Greek indicative).
bitter--@Eph 4:31, "bitterness."
envying--rather, "emulation," or literally, "zeal": kindly, generous
emulation, or zeal, is not condemned, but that which is "bitter"
[BENGEL].
strife--rather, "rivalry."
in your hearts--from which flow your words and deeds, as from a
fountain.
glory not, and lie not against the truth--To boast of your wisdom is virtually a lying against the truth (the gospel), while your lives
belie your glorying. @Jas 3:15 Jas 1:18, "The word of truth."
@Ro 2:17,23, speaks similarly of the same contentious Jewish
Christians.
15. This wisdom--in which ye "glory," as if ye were "wise"
(@Jas 3:13,14).
descendeth not from above--literally, "is not one descending," &c.:
"from the Father of lights" (true illumination and wisdom), @Jas 1:17;
through "the Spirit of truth," @Joh 15:26.
earthly--opposed to heavenly. Distinct from "earthy,"
@1Co 15:47. Earthly is what is IN
the earth; earthy, what is of the earth.
sensual--literally, "animal-like": the wisdom of the "natural" (the
same Greek) man, not born again of God; "not having the Spirit"
(@Jude 1:19).
devilish--in its origin (from "hell," @Jas 3:6; not from God,
the Giver of true wisdom, @Jas 1:5), and also in its character,
which accords with its origin. Earthly, sensual, and devilish, answer to
the three spiritual foes of man, the world, the flesh, and the devil.
16. envying--So English Version translates the Greek, which
usually means "zeal"; "emulation," in @Ro 13:13. "The envious
man stands in his own light. He thinks his candle cannot shine in the
presence of another's sun. He aims directly at men, obliquely at God,
who makes men to differ."
strife--rivalry [ALFORD].
confusion--literally, "tumultuous anarchy": both in society (translated
"commotions," @Lu 21:9; "tumults," @2Co 6:5), and in the individual
mind; in contrast to the "peaceable" composure of true "wisdom,"
@Jas 3:17. James does not honor such effects of this earthly wisdom
with the name "fruit," as he does in the case of the wisdom from above.
@Jas 3:18; compare @Ga 5:19-22, "works of the flesh . . .
fruit of the Spirit."
17. first pure--literally, "chaste," "sanctified": pure from all
that is "earthly, sensual (animal), devilish" (@Jas 3:15). This is
put, "first of all," before "peaceable" because there is an unholy
peace with the world which makes no distinction between clean and
unclean. Compare "undefiled" and "unspotted from the world,"
@Jas 1:27 4:4,8, "purify . . . hearts"; @1Pe 1:22,
"purified . . . souls" (the same Greek). Ministers must not
preach before a purifying change of heart, "Peace," where there is no
peace. Seven (the perfect number) characteristic peculiarities of true
wisdom are enumerated. Purity or sanctity is put first because
it has respect both to God and to ourselves; the six that follow regard
our fellow men. Our first concern is to have in ourselves sanctity; our
second, to be at peace with men.
gentle--"forbearing"; making allowances for others; lenient towards
neighbors, as to the DUTIES they owe us.
easy to be entreated--literally, "easily persuaded," tractable; not
harsh as to a neighbor's FAULTS.
full of mercy--as to a neighbor's MISERIES.
good fruits--contrasted with "every evil work," @Jas 3:16.
without partiality--recurring to the warning against partial "respect
to persons," @Jas 2:1,4,9.
ALFORD translates as the Greek is
translated, @Jas 1:6, "wavering," "without doubting." But thus
there would be an epithet referring to one's self inserted amidst
those referring to one's conduct towards others. English Version is
therefore better.
without hypocrisy--Not as ALFORD
explains from @Jas 1:22,26,
"Without deceiving yourselves" with the name without the reality of
religion. For it must refer, like the rest of the six epithets, to our
relations to others; our peaceableness and mercy towards others must be
"without dissimulation."
18. "The peaceable fruit of righteousness." He says "righteousness";
because it is itself the true wisdom. As in the case of the earthly
wisdom, after the characteristic description came its results; so in
this verse, in the case of the heavenly wisdom. There the results were
present; here, future.
fruit . . . sown--Compare @Ps 97:11 Isa 61:3, "trees of
righteousness." Anticipatory, that is, the seed whose "fruit," namely,
"righteousness," shall be ultimately reaped, is now "sown in peace."
"Righteousness," now in germ, when fully developed as "fruit" shall be
itself the everlasting reward of the righteous. As "sowing in peace"
(compare "sown in dishonor," @1Co 15:43) produces the "fruit of
righteousness," so conversely "the work" and "effect of righteousness"
is "peace."
of them that make peace--"by (implying also that it is for them,
and to their good) them that work peace." They, and they alone, are
"blessed." "Peacemakers," not merely they who reconcile others, but who
work peace. "Cultivate peace"
[ESTIUS]. Those truly wise towards
God, while peaceable and tolerant towards their neighbors, yet make it
their chief concern to sow righteousness, not cloaking men's sins, but
reproving them with such peaceable moderation as to be the physicians,
rather than the executioners, of sinners [CALVIN].
CHAPTER 4
@Jas 4:1-17. AGAINST FIGHTINGS AND THEIR SOURCE; WORLDLY LUSTS; UNCHARITABLE JUDGMENTS, AND PRESUMPTUOUS RECKONING ON THE FUTURE.
1. whence--The cause of quarrels is often sought in external
circumstances, whereas internal lusts are the true origin.
wars, &c.--contrasted with the "peace" of heavenly wisdom. "Fightings"
are the active carrying on of "wars." The best authorities have a second
"whence" before "fightings." Tumults marked the era before the
destruction of Jerusalem when James wrote. He indirectly alludes to
these. The members are the first seat of war; thence it passes to
conflict between man and man, nation and nation.
come they not, &c.--an appeal to their consciences.
lusts--literally, "pleasures," that is, the lusts which prompt you
to "desire"
(see on Jas 4:2) pleasures;
whence you seek
self at the cost of your neighbor, and hence flow "fightings."
that war--"campaign, as an army of soldiers encamped within"
[ALFORD]
the soul; tumultuously war against the interests of your fellow men,
while lusting to advance self. But while warring thus against others
they (without his knowledge) war against the soul of the man himself,
and against the Spirit; therefore they must be "mortified" by the
Christian.
2. Ye lust--A different Greek word from that in @Jas 4:1.
"Ye desire"; literally, "ye set your mind (or heart) on" an
object.
have not--The lust of desire does not ensure the actual possession.
Hence "ye kill" (not as Margin, without any old authority, "envy")
to ensure possession. Not probably in the case of professing Christians
of that day in a literal sense, but "kill and envy" (as the Greek for "desire to have" should be translated), that is, harass and oppress
through envy [DRUSIUS]. Compare @Zec 11:5, "slay";
through envy, hate, and desire to get out of your way, and so are
"murderers" in God's eyes [ESTIUS]. If literal murder
[ALFORD] were
meant, I do not think it would occur so early in the series; nor had
Christians then as yet reached so open criminality. In the Spirit's
application of the passage to all ages, literal killing is
included, flowing from the desire to possess so David and Ahab. There
is a climax: "Ye desire," the individual lust for an object; "ye kill
and envy," the feeling and action of individuals against individuals;
"ye fight and war," the action of many against many.
ye have not, because ye ask not--God promises to those who pray, not
to those who fight. The petition of the lustful, murderous, and
contentious is not recognized by God as prayer. If ye prayed, there
would be no "wars and fightings." Thus this last clause is an answer to
the question, @Jas 4:1, "Whence come wars and fightings?"
3. Some of them are supposed to say in objection, But we do "ask" (pray); compare @Jas 4:2. James replies, It is not enough to ask for good things, but we must ask with a good spirit and intention. "Ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it (your object of prayer) upon (literally, 'in') your lusts (literally, 'pleasures')"; not that ye may have the things you need for the service of God. Contrast @Jas 1:5 with @Mt 6:31,32. If ye prayed aright, all your pro. per wants would be supplied; the improper cravings which produce "wars and fightings" would then cease. Even believers' prayers are often best answered when their desires are most opposed.
4. The oldest manuscripts omit "adulterers and," and read simply,
"Ye adulteresses." God is the rightful husband; the men of the world are
regarded collectively as one adulteress, and individually as
adulteresses.
the world--in so far as the men of it and their motives and acts are
aliens to God, for example, its selfish "lusts" (@Jas 4:3), and
covetous and ambitious "wars and fightings" (@Jas 4:1).
enmity--not merely "inimical"; a state of enmity, and that enmity
itself. Compare @1Jo 2:15, "love . . . the world . . . the love of
the Father."
whosoever . . . will be--The Greek is emphatic, "shall
be resolved to be." Whether he succeed or not, if his wish be to
be the friend of the world, he renders himself, becomes (so the
Greek for "is") by the very fact, "the enemy of God." Contrast
"Abraham the friend of God."
5. in vain--No word of Scripture can be so. The quotation here, as in
@Eph 5:14, seems to be not so much from a particular passage as one
gathered by James under inspiration from the general tenor of such passages
in both the Old and New Testaments, as @Nu 14:29 Pr 21:20 Ga 5:17.
spirit that dwelleth in us--Other manuscripts read, "that God hath
made to dwell in us" (namely, at Pentecost). If so translated, "Does
the (Holy) Spirit that God hath placed in us lust to (towards) envy"
(namely, as ye do in your worldly "wars and fightings")? Certainly not;
ye are therefore walking in the flesh, not in the Spirit, while ye thus
lust towards, that is, with envy against one another. The
friendship of the world tends to breed envy; the Spirit produces
very different fruit. ALFORD attributes the epithet "with envy," in the
unwarrantable sense of jealously, to the Holy Spirit: "The Spirit
jealously desires us for His own." In English Version the sense
is, "the (natural) spirit that hath its dwelling in us lusts with
(literally, 'to,' or 'towards') envy." Ye lust, and because ye have not
what ye lust after (@Jas 4:1,2), ye envy your neighbor who has, and
so the spirit of envy leads you on to "fight." James also here
refers to @Jas 3:14,16.
6. But--"Nay, rather."
he--God.
giveth more grace--ever increasing grace; the farther ye depart from
"envy" [BENGEL].
he saith--The same God who causes His spirit to dwell in believers
(@Jas 4:5), by the Spirit also speaks in Scripture. The quotation
here is probably from @Pr 3:34; as probably @Pr 21:10 was
generally referred to in @Jas 4:5. In Hebrew it is "scorneth the
scorners," namely, those who think "Scripture speaketh in vain."
resisteth--literally, "setteth Himself in array against"; even as
they, like Pharaoh, set themselves against Him. God repays sinners in
their own coin. "Pride" is the mother of "envy" (@Jas 4:5); it is
peculiarly satanic, for by it Satan fell.
the proud--The Greek means in derivation one who
shows himself above his fellows, and so lifts himself against God.
the humble--the unenvious, uncovetous, and unambitious as to the
world. Contrast @Jas 4:4.
7. Submit to . . . God--so ye shall be among "the humble,"
@Jas 4:6; also @Jas 4:10 1Pe 5:6.
Resist . . . devil--Under his banner pride and envy are
enlisted in the world; resist his temptations to these. Faith, humble
prayers, and heavenly wisdom, are the weapons of resistance. The
language is taken from warfare. "Submit" as a good soldier puts himself
in complete subjection to his captain. "Resist," stand bravely against.
he will flee--Translate, "he shall flee." For it is a
promise of God, not a mere assurance from man to man [ALFORD].
He shall flee worsted as he did from Christ.
8. Draw nigh to God--So "cleave unto Him," @De 30:20, namely, by
prayerfully (@Jas 4:2,3) "resisting Satan," who would oppose our
access to God.
he will draw nigh--propitious.
Cleanse . . . hands--the outward instruments of action. None but the
clean-handed can ascend into the hill of the Lord (justified through
Christ, who alone was perfectly so, and as such "ascended" thither).
purify . . . hearts--literally "make chaste" of your spiritual
adultery (@Jas 4:4, that is, worldliness) "your hearts": the
inward source of all impurity.
double-minded--divided between God and the world. The "double-minded"
is at fault in heart; the sinner in his hands likewise.
9. Be afflicted--literally, "Endure misery," that is, mourn over your
wretchedness through sin. Repent with deep sorrow instead of your
present laughter. A blessed mourning. Contrast
@Isa 22:12,13 Lu 6:25. James does not add here, as in @Jas 5:1,
"howl," where he foretells the doom of the impenitent at the coming
destruction of Jerusalem.
heaviness--literally, "falling of the countenance," casting down of
the eyes.
10. in the sight of the Lord--as continually in the presence of Him
who alone is worthy to be exalted: recognizing His presence in all your
ways, the truest incentive to humility. The tree, to grow upwards,
must strike its roots deep downwards; so man, to be exalted, must have
his mind deep-rooted in humility. In @1Pe 5:6, it is, Humble
yourselves under the mighty hand of God, namely, in His dealings of
Providence: a distinct thought from that here.
lift you up--in part in this world, fully in the world to come.
11. Having mentioned sins of the tongue (@Jas 3:5-12), he shows
here that evil-speaking flows from the same spirit of exalting self
at the expense of one's neighbor as caused the "fightings" reprobated in
this chapter (@Jas 4:1).
Speak not evil--literally, "Speak not against" one another.
brethren--implying the inconsistency of such depreciatory speaking
of one another in brethren.
speaketh evil of the law--for the law in commanding, "Love thy
neighbor as thyself" (@Jas 2:8), virtually condemns evil-speaking
and judging [ESTIUS]. Those who superciliously condemn the acts and
words of others which do not please themselves, thus aiming at the
reputation of sanctity, put their own moroseness in the place of the
law, and claim to themselves a power of censuring above the law of God,
condemning what the law permits
[CALVIN]. Such a.one acts as though the
law could not perform its own office of judging, but he must fly
upon the office
[BENGEL]. This is the last mention of the law in the New
Testament. ALFORD rightly takes the "law" to be the old moral law
applied in its comprehensive spiritual fulness by Christ: "the law of
liberty."
if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer . . . but a judge--Setting
aside the Christian brotherhood as all alike called to be doers of the law, in subjection to it, such a one arrogates the office of a
judge.
12. There is one lawgiver--The best authorities read in addition,
"and judge." Translate, "There is One (alone) who is (at once) Lawgiver
and Judge, (namely) He who is able to save and destroy." Implying, God
alone is Lawgiver and therefore Judge, since it is He alone who can
execute His judgments; our inability in this respect shows our
presumption in trying to act as judges, as though we were God.
who art thou, &c.--The order in the Greek is emphatic, "But
(inserted in oldest manuscripts) thou, who art thou that judgest
another?" How rashly arrogant in judging thy fellows, and wresting from
God the office which belongs to Him over thee and THEM alike!
another--The oldest authorities read, "thy neighbor."
13. Go to now--"Come now"; said to excite attention.
ye that say--boasting of the morrow.
To-day or to-morrow--as if ye had the free choice of either day as a
certainty. Others read, "To-day and to-morrow."
such a city--literally, "this the city" (namely, the one present to
the mind of the speaker). This city here.
continue . . . a year--rather, "spend one year." Their language
implies that when this one year is out, they purpose similarly settling
plans for to come [BENGEL].
buy and sell--Their plans for the future are all worldly.
14. what--literally, "of what nature" is your life? that is, how
evanescent it is.
It is even--Some oldest authorities read, "For ye are."
BENGEL, with
other old authorities, reads, "For it shall be," the future referring to
the "morrow" (@Jas 4:13-15). The former expresses, "Ye yourselves
are transitory"; so everything of yours, even your life, must partake of
the same transitoriness. Received text has no old authority.
and then vanisheth away--"afterwards vanishing as it came"; literally,
"afterwards (as it appeared), so vanishing" [ALFORD].
15. Literally, "instead of your saying," &c. This refers to "ye that
say" (@Jas 4:13).
we shall live--The best manuscripts read, "We shall both live
and do," &c. The boasters spoke as if life, action, and the
particular kind of action were in their power, whereas all three depend
entirely on the will of the Lord.
16. now--as it is.
rejoice in . . . boastings--"ye boast in arrogant presumptions,"
namely, vain confident fancies that the future is certain to you
(@Jas 4:13).
rejoicing--boasting [BENGEL].
17. The general principle illustrated by the particular example just discussed is here stated: knowledge without practice is imputed to a man as great and presumptuous sin. James reverts to the principle with which he started. Nothing more injures the soul than wasted impressions. Feelings exhaust themselves and evaporate, if not embodied in practice. As we will not act except we feel, so if we will not act out our feelings, we shall soon cease to feel.
CHAPTER 5
@Jas 5:1-20. WOES COMING ON THE WICKED RICH: BELIEVERS SHOULD BE PATIENT UNTO THE LORD'S COMING: VARIOUS EXHORTATIONS.
1. Go to now--Come now. A phrase to call solemn attention.
ye rich--who have neglected the true enjoyment of riches, which
consists in doing good. James intends this address to rich Jewish
unbelievers, not so much for themselves, as for the saints, that they
may bear with patience the violence of the rich (@Jas 5:7),
knowing that God will speedily avenge them on their oppressors
[BENGEL].
miseries that shall come--literally, "that are coming upon you"
unexpectedly and swiftly, namely, at the coming of the Lord
(@Jas 5:7); primarily, at the destruction of Jerusalem; finally, at
His visible coming to judge the world.
2. corrupted--about to be destroyed through God's curse on your
oppression, whereby your riches are accumulated (@Jas 5:4).
CALVIN
thinks the sense is, Your riches perish without being of any use either
to others or even to yourselves, for instance, your garments which are
moth-eaten in your chests.
garments . . . moth-eaten--referring to
@Mt 6:19,20.
3. is cankered--"rusted through" [ALFORD].
rust . . . witness against you--in the day of judgment; namely, that
your riches were of no profit to any, lying unemployed and so
contracting rust.
shall eat your flesh--The rust which once ate your riches, shall
then gnaw your conscience, accompanied with punishment which shall prey
upon your bodies for ever.
as . . . fire--not with the slow process of rusting, but with
the swiftness of consuming fire.
for the last days--Ye have heaped together, not treasures as ye
suppose (compare @Lu 12:19), but wrath against the last days, namely,
the coming judgment of the Lord. ALFORD translates more literally,
"In these last days (before the coming judgment) ye laid up
(worldly) treasure" to no profit, instead of repenting and seeking
salvation (see on Jas 5:5).
4. Behold--calling attention to their coming doom as no vain threat.
labourers--literally "workmen."
of you kept back--So English Version rightly. Not as
ALFORD,
"crieth out from you." The "keeping back of the hire" was,
on the part OF the rich, virtually an act of "fraud," because
the poor laborers were not immediately paid. The phrase is therefore
not, "kept back by you," but "of you"; the latter implying
virtual, rather than overt, fraud. James refers to @De 24:14,15,
"At this day . . . give his hire, neither shall the sun go down
upon it, lest he CRY against thee unto the Lord, and it be sin unto
thee." Many sins "cry" to heaven for vengeance which men tacitly take
no account of, as unchastity and injustice [BENGEL]. Sins peculiarly
offensive to God are said to "cry" to Him. The rich ought to have given
freely to the poor; their not doing so was sin. A still greater sin was
their not paying their debts. Their greatest sin was not paying them to
the poor, whose wages is their all.
cries of them--a double cry; both that of the hire abstractly, and
that of the laborers hired.
the Lord of sabaoth--here only in the New Testament. In
@Ro 9:29 it is a quotation. It is suited to the Jewish tone
of the Epistle. It reminds the rich who think the poor have no
protector, that the Lord of the whole hosts in heaven and earth is the
guardian and avenger of the latter. He is identical with the "coming
Lord" Jesus (@Jas 5:7).
5. Translate, "Ye have luxuriated . . . and wantoned." The former
expresses luxurious effeminacy; the latter, wantonness and
prodigality. Their luxury was at the expense of the defrauded poor
(@Jas 5:4).
on the earth--The same earth which has been the scene of your
wantonness, shall be the scene of the judgment coming on you: instead of
earthly delights ye shall have punishments.
nourished . . . hearts--that is glutted your bodies like beasts to
the full extent of your hearts' desire; ye live to eat, not eat to live.
as in a day of slaughter--The oldest authorities omit "as." Ye are
like beasts which eat to their hearts' content on the very day of
their approaching slaughter, unconscious it is near. The phrase answers
to "the last days," @Jas 5:3, which favors
ALFORD'S translation there, "in," not "for."
6. Ye have condemned . . . the just--The Greek aorist expresses,
"Ye are accustomed to condemn . . . the just." Their condemnation of
Christ, "the Just," is foremost in James' mind. But all the innocent
blood shed, and to be shed, is included, the Holy Spirit comprehending
James himself, called "the Just," who was slain in a tumult.
See my Introduction. This gives a peculiar
appropriateness to the expression in this verse, the same "as the
righteous (just) man" (@Jas 5:16). The justice or righteousness
of Jesus and His people is what peculiarly provoked the ungodly great
men of the world.
he doth not resist you--The very patience of the Just one is abused
by the wicked as an incentive to boldness in violent persecution, as if
they may do as they please with impunity. God doth "resist the proud"
(@Jas 4:6); but Jesus as man, "as a sheep is dumb before the
shearers, so He opened not His mouth": so His people are meek under
persecution. The day will come when God will resist (literally, "set
Himself in array against") His foes and theirs.
7. Be patient therefore--as judgment is so near (@Jas 5:1,3), ye
may well afford to be "patient" after the example of the
unresisting Just one (@Jas 5:6).
brethren--contrasted with the "rich" oppressors, @Jas 5:1-6.
unto the coming of the Lord--Christ, when the trial of your patience
shall cease.
husbandman waiteth for--that is, patiently bears toils and delays
through hope of the harvest at last. Its "preciousness" (compare
@Ps 126:6, "precious seed") will more than compensate for all the
past. Compare the same image, @Ga 6:3,9.
hath long patience for it--"over it," in respect to it.
until he receive--"until it receive" [ALFORD]. Even if
English Version be retained, the receiving of the early and latter
rains is not to be understood as the object of his hope, but
the harvest for which those rains are the necessary preliminary.
The early rain fell at sowing time, about November or December; the
latter rain, about March or April, to mature the grain for harvest. The
latter rain that shall precede the coming spiritual harvest, will
probably be another Pentecost-like effusion of the Holy Ghost.
8. coming . . . draweth nigh--The Greek expresses present time and a settled state. @1Pe 4:7, "is at hand." We are to live in a continued state of expectancy of the Lord's coming, as an event always nigh. Nothing can more "stablish the heart" amidst present troubles than the realized expectation of His speedy coming.
9. Grudge not--rather "Murmur not"; "grumble not." The Greek is
literally, "groan": a half-suppressed murmur of impatience and harsh
judgment, not uttered aloud or freely. Having exhorted them to patience
in bearing wrongs from the wicked, he now exhorts them to a forbearing
spirit as to the offenses given by brethren. Christians, who bear the
former patiently, sometimes are impatient at the latter, though much
less grievous.
lest . . . condemned--The best manuscript authorities read, "judged."
James refers to @Mt 7:1, "Judge not lest ye be judged." To "murmur
against one another" is virtually to judge, and so to become liable
to be judged.
judge . . . before the door--referring to @Mt 24:33. The Greek is the same in both passages. and so ought to be translated here as
there, "doors," plural. The phrase means "near at hand" (@Ge 4:7),
which in the oldest interpretations [Targums of Jonathan and
Jerusalem] is explained, "thy sin is reserved
unto the judgment of the world to come." Compare "the everlasting
doors" (@Ps 24:7, whence He shall come forth). The Lord's coming to
destroy Jerusalem is primarily referred to; and ultimately, His coming
again visibly to judgment.
10. the prophets--who were especially persecuted, and therefore were
especially "blessed."
example of suffering affliction--rather, simply, "of affliction,"
literally, "evil treatment."
11. count them happy--(@Mt 5:10).
which endure--The oldest authorities read, "which have endured,"
which suits the sense better than English Version: "Those who in
past days, like the prophets and Job, have endured trials." Such, not
those who "have lived in pleasure and been wanton on the earth"
(@Jas 5:5), are "happy."
patience--rather, "endurance," answering to "endure": the Greek words similarly corresponding. Distinct from the Greek word for
"patience" @Jas 5:10. The same word ought to be translated,
"endurance," @Jas 1:3. He here reverts to the subject which he began
with.
Job--This passage shows the history of him is concerning a real, not
an imaginary person; otherwise his case could not be quoted as an
example at all. Though he showed much of impatience, yet he always
returned to this, that he committed himself wholly to God, and at last
showed a perfect spirit of enduring submission.
and have seen--(with the eyes of your mind).
ALFORD translates from
the old and genuine reading, "see also," &c. The old reading is,
however, capable of being translated as English Version.
the end of the Lord--the end which the Lord gave. If Job had much to
"endure," remember also Job's happy "end." Hence, learn, though much
tried, to "endure to the end."
that--ALFORD and others translate, "inasmuch as," "for."
pitiful . . . of tender mercy--The former refers to
the "feeling"; the latter, to the act. His pity is shown
in not laying on the patient endurer more trials than he is able
to bear; His mercy, in His giving a happy "end" to the trials
[BENGEL].
12. But above all--as swearing is utterly alien to the Christian
meek "endurance" just recommended.
swear not--through impatience, to which trials may tempt you
(@Jas 5:10,11). In contrast to this stands the proper use of the
tongue, @Jas 5:13. James here refers to @Mt 5:34, &c.
let your yea be yea--Do not use oaths in your everyday conversation,
but let a simple affirmative or denial be deemed enough to establish
your word.
condemnation--literally, "judgment," namely, of "the Judge" who
"standeth before the doors" (@Jas 5:9).
13. afflicted--referring to the "suffering affliction" (@Jas 5:10).
let him pray--not "swear" in rash impatience.
merry--joyous in mind.
sing psalms--of praise. Paul and Silas sang psalms even in affliction.
14. let him call for the elders--not some one of the elders, as
Roman Catholics interpret it, to justify their usage in
extreme unction. The prayers of the elders over the sick would be
much the same as though the whole Church which they represent should
pray [BENGEL].
anointing him with oil--The usage which Christ committed to His
apostles was afterwards continued with laying on of hands, as a token of
the highest faculty of medicine .in the Church. just as we find in
@1Co 6:2 the Church's highest judicial function. Now that the
miraculous gift of healing has been withdrawn for the most part. to use
the sign where the reality is wanting would be unmeaning superstition.
Compare other apostolic usages now discontinued rightly,
@1Co 11:4-15 16:20. "Let them use oil who can by their prayers obtain
recovery for the sick: let those who cannot do this, abstain from using
the empty sign" [WHITAKER].
Romish extreme unction is administered to
those whose life is despaired of, to heal the soul, whereas
James' unction was to heal the body. CARDINAL
CAJETAN [Commentary]
admits that James cannot refer to extreme unction. Oil in the East, and
especially among the Jews (see the Talmud, Jerusalem and Babylon),
was much used as a curative agent. It was also a sign of the divine
grace. Hence it was an appropriate sign in performing miraculous cures.
in the name of the Lord--by whom alone the miracle was performed: men
were but the instruments.
15. prayer--He does not say the oil shall save: it is but the
symbol.
save--plainly not as Rome says, "save" the soul. but heal "the sick": as the words, "the Lord shall raise him up," prove. So the
same Greek is translated, "made (thee) whole," @Mt 9:21,22.
and if . . . sins--for not all who are sick are so because of some
special sins. Here a case is supposed of one visited with sickness for
special sins.
have committed--literally, "be in a state of having committed sins," that is, be under the consequences of sins committed.
they--rather, "it": his having committed sins shall be forgiven
him. The connection of sin and sickness is implied in
@Isa 33:24 Mt 9:2-5 Joh 5:14. The absolution of the sick, retained
in the Church of England, refers to the sins which the sick man
confesses (@Jas 5:16) and repents of, whereby outward scandal has
been given to the Church and the cause of religion; not to sins in their
relation to God, the only Judge.
16. The oldest authorities read, "Confess, THEREFORE," &c. Not
only in the particular case of sickness, but universally confess.
faults--your falls and offenses, in relation to one another.
The word is not the same as sins. @Mt 5:23,24 Lu 17:4, illustrate
the precept here.
one to another--not to the priest, as Rome insists. The Church of
England recommends in certain cases. Rome compels confession in
all cases. Confession is desirable in the case of (1) wrong done to
a neighbor; (2) when under a troubled conscience we ask counsel of a
godly minister or friend as to how we may obtain God's forgiveness and
strength to sin no more, or when we desire their intercessory prayers
for us ("Pray for one another"): "Confession may be made to anyone who
can pray" [BENGEL]; (3) open confession of sin before the Church
and the world, in token of penitence. Not auricular confession.
that ye may be healed--of your bodily sicknesses. Also that, if your
sickness be the punishment of sin, the latter being forgiven on
intercessory prayer, "ye may be healed" of the former. Also, that ye may
be healed spiritually.
effectual--intense and fervent, not "wavering" (@Jas 1:6),
[BEZA].
"When energized" by the Spirit, as those were who performed miracles
[HAMMOND]. This suits the collocation of the Greek words and the
sense well. A righteous man's prayer is always heard generally, but his
particular request for the healing of another was then likely to be
granted when he was one possessing a special charism of the Spirit.
ALFORD translates, "Availeth much in its working."
The "righteous"
is one himself careful to avoid "faults," and showing his faith by works
(@Jas 2:24).
17. Elias . . . like passions as we--therefore it cannot be said that
he was so raised above us as to afford no example applicable to common
mortals like ourselves.
prayed earnestly--literally, "prayed with prayer": Hebraism for
prayed intensely. Compare @Lu 22:15, "With desire I have
desired," that is, earnestly desired. ALFORD is wrong in saying, Elias'
prayer that it might not rain "is not even hinted at in the Old
Testament history." In @1Ki 17:1 it is plainly implied, "As the Lord
God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew
nor rain these years, but according to my word." His prophecy of the
fact was according to a divine intimation given to him in answer to
prayer. In jealousy for God's honor (@1Ki 19:10), and being of one
mind with God in his abhorrence of apostasy, he prayed that the national
idolatry should be punished with a national judgment, drought; and on
Israel's profession of repentance he prayed for the removal of the
visitation, as is implied in @1Ki 18:39-42; compare @Lu 4:25.
three years, &c.--Compare @1Ki 18:1, "The third year," namely,
from Elijah's going to Zarephath; the prophecy (@Jas 5:1) was
probably about five or six months previously.
18. prayed . . . and--that is, "and so." Mark the connection between
the prayer and its accomplishment.
her fruit--her usual and due fruit, heretofore withheld on account
of sin. Three and a half years is the time also that the two witnesses
prophesy who "have power to shut and open heaven that it rain not."
19. The blessing of reclaiming an erring sinner by the mutual consent
and intercessory prayer just recommended.
do err--more literally, "be led astray."
the truth--the Gospel doctrine and precepts.
one--literally, "any"; as "any" before. Everyone
ought to seek the salvation of everyone [BENGEL].
20. Let him--the converted.
know--for his comfort, and the encouragement of others to do likewise.
shall save--future. The salvation of the one so converted shall be
manifested hereafter.
shall hide a multitude of sins--not his own, but the sins of the
converted. The Greek verb in the middle voice requires this.
@Pr 10:12 refers to charity "covering" the sins of others
before men; James to one's effecting by the conversion of another
that that other's sins be covered before God, namely, with Christ's
atonement. He effects this by making the convert partaker in the
Christian covenant for the remission of all sins. Though this hiding of
sins was included in the previous "shall save," James expresses it to
mark in detail the greatness of the blessing conferred on the penitent
through the converter's instrumentality, and to incite others to the
same good deed.
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