Bible Commentary

For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. 11. For the sun is no sooner risen but it withereth ] Better, for … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 1:11”

But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. 10. But the rich, in that he is made low ] Better, in his humiliation or lowliness. The context implies that the rich man also is a “brother.” Such an one was tempted to exult … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 1:10”

Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: 9 11. Riches, and their perishableness 9. Let the brother of low degree ] The Greek joins the sentence on to the preceding with the conjunction which may be either “and,” or “but,” implying that there is a sequence of ideas of some … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 1:9”

A double minded man [is] unstable in all his ways. 8. A double minded man ] The context shews that the man so described (the Greek word is not found in any earlier writer and may have been coined by St James) is not the fraudulent man but the waverer, trying to serve two masters … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 1:8”

For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 7. let not that man think ] Faith, undoubting faith, is then the condition of the prayer for wisdom, as of all other prayers, being heard and answered. Without it, the No excludes the Yes, which yet the man will … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 1:7”

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 6. let him ask in faith ] The prominence thus given to faith at the very outset of the Epistle must be borne in mind in connection with the subsequent … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 1:6”

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 5 8. Wisdom, and the Prayer that gains it 5. If any of you lack wisdom ] As before, in Jas 1:1-2, the prominent word of the preceding clause … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 1:5”

But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 4. But let patience have her perfect work ] Better, and let endurance have a perfect work, there being sequence of thought but not contrast. The word for “perfect” expresses the perfection of that which reaches its end, and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 1:4”

Knowing [this,] that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 3. that the trying of your faith ] The word for “trying” implies at once a “test,” and a “discipline” leading to improvement. The same phrase meets us, in conjunction also with “divers temptations,” in 1Pe 1:7. Each was, perhaps, quoting what had become an … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 1:3”

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 2. count it all joy ] We lose, in the English, the link which connects the wish for “joy” merged in our “greeting,” with the thought which indicates how the wish may be realised even under conditions that seem most adverse to it. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 1:2”