Bible Commentary

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 21. lay apart all filthiness ] The cognate adjective is found in its literal sense in ch. Jas 2:2, and figuratively in Rev 22:11. A kindred noun appears in a like combination … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 1:21”

For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 20. the wrath of man ] Better, A man’s wrath, so as to represent the absence of the article in the original. By “the righteousness of God” the phrase is common to St James and St Paul ( Rom 10:3 ; 2Co 5:21; Php … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 1:20”

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 19 21. Man’s wrath, and God’s righteousness 19. Wherefore ] The better MSS. give “Ye know this but let every man.” my beloved brethren ] The formula of address was common to all the four great writers of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 1:19”

Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 18. Of his own will begat he us ] The construction of the Greek is participial, willing he begat us, and is parallel to that of Col 2:18, which, rightly rendered, runs … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 1:18”

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 17. Every good gift and every perfect gift ] The two nouns are different in the Greek, the first expressing the abstract act of giving, the second the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 1:17”

Do not err, my beloved brethren. 16 18. God and His perfect gifts 16. Do not err ] The absolute goodness of God had been presented so far on its negative side as excluding all origination of evil. But the writer feels that that is but a partial view. It has a brighter aspect, more … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 1:16”

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 15. when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin ] The image suggested in the previous verse is developed with an almost startling boldness. The will that yields to desire in so doing engenders evil. And as … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 1:15”

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 14. when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed ] Both the participles are primarily used of the way in which animals are taken, the first of capture by the hook or noose, as with fish … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 1:14”

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 13. Let no man say when he is tempted ] The thought of trial as coming from outward circumstances, and forming part of man’s spiritual education, leads to a deeper … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 1:13”

Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 12 15. Temptation, and its history 12. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation ] The mode of teaching by Beatitudes reminds us at once of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 1:12”