Paul begins his letters by wishing peace upon the readers. The Greek mind might speculate and theorize about it, but the Jew would make a quasi-Talmud of it in its way. The most notable thing about it is that it issues in disorder. easy to be treated; or those who have it readily yield to the superior judgments and stronger reasonings of others; and are easily induced to hope and believe all things, and entertain a good opinion of men, and their conduct; and are far from being proud, arrogant, obstinate, and overbearing: full of mercy and good fruits; of compassion and beneficence to the poor; feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the widows and fatherless in their affliction; and doing all other good works and duties, both with respect to God and man, as fruits of grace, and of the Spirit: without partiality: to one another; or making a difference between them; showing no respect to persons; bestowing upon the poor and indigent, without any distinction: and. It is not so when we enter from the Acts of the Apostles; as in truth it is so arranged in the great mass of ancient authorities, and some versions which follow them. He will patiently listen to others; if truth is presented, he will accept it; but if error is presented, he will reject it. It has not at all the character of resisting the will of the child, but rather of directing his affections in the will of the object dearest to him. And good fruits - The fruits of good living; just, benevolent, and kind actions. Whether we want to admit it or not, we are products of our environment. Even a casual glance at the life of Jesus reveals that He lived a life of purity. He begins his list These "general epistles," as they are called, are placed not after the Pauline but before them. He now mentions the effects of celestial wisdom which are wholly contrary to the former effects. As he says here, "Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow" not even on the morrow. As a people who had an exceptionally religious standing, they were yet more exposed to this than the Gentiles. Is it too much to ask that a document be judged by its express and manifest design? Without hypocrisy. But I am supposing now that a person is required in the name of God to declare what he believes to be the truth in a matter of which he is a witness, the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. He knows how to forgive when strict justice gives him a Perfect right to condemn. Whatever they may know to be their own proper place as Christians who never were in such a position, and, so far from being led into it, guarded from it. "We all sin," said Seneca, "some more grievously, some more lightly" (On Clemency 1: 6). Christian mercy is mercy for any man who is in trouble, even if he has brought that trouble on himself. We have seen this already, and so therefore, the grand principle of the first chapter leads as simply as possible into the application of it in the second. Then comes the general spirit of confession. That attitude is not one that demands its rights but is willing to suffer wrong on occasions even when in the right (1 Peter 2:20). That wisdom which is from above is without hypocrisy. How much is covered by these two exhortations! The real scholar will be far more aware of what he does not know than of what he knows. He must have every care that he does not contradict his teaching by his life, continually, as it were, not, "Do as I do," but, "Do as I say." It neither is a mask, nor does it need a mask. ". All rights reserved. For instance, in a Roman Catholic country there might be reference to the virgin, or angels, or saints. The basic meaning of mercy is that of compassion for the unfortunate. "Wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead.". Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. Everyone makes many mistakes, James says; if someone didnt make any verbal gaffes, such a person would be perfect. I am supposing, of course, that there is nothing in the terms of the oath that would involve false doctrine or countenance a superstition. For He is ever above us and infinitely wise. The word of God is not to be alloyed with human speculations, philosophy and opinions, the word itself taking precedence over everything else. But, on the other hand, James is far from leaving out the use of the law: we shall find it in this very epistle. Where two persons really take up the same matter, and then give us contrary expressions, they of course contradict each other; but if they deal with two totally different points, although they may be ever so closely connected, contradiction there is none: and such precisely is the fact as to Paul and James in the matter before us, without saying a word of the inspiration which makes it impossible. WebJames 3:17-18. v. This wisdom is full of mercy: It does not judge others strictly on the basis of the law, but will extend a generous hand full of mercy. He does not conclude, however, without another appeal to conscience. In those that are fallen there must be the communication of the divine nature; and this there is in Christ, and so there always has been. Living in peace with others, and promoting peace among men. It is not only, therefore, that God is good, but that He is a giver, and this of nothing that is not good, and of all that is good. If an individual is accidentally injured, he often sues the unfortunate party for millions. But the true wisdom at all times brings men closer to one another and to God. Good fruits Each temper and disposition producing fruits suited to and descriptive of its nature. For this kind of wisdom descends not from above. "The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." To James there was something unnatural about this; it was as unnatural as for a stream to gush out both fresh and salt water or a bush to bear opposite kinds of fruit. We must spend a little longer on this passage, because in it there are two specially difficult phrases. But then this leads the way, and makes one feel the need of wisdom from God in order intelligently and happily to profit by the trial; for, as we know, the blessing of all trial is "to them that are exercised thereby." [40] E. C. S. Gibson, Pulpit Commentary, Vol. The wisdom of the world, the flesh, and the devil may be able to accomplish things, but always with the ultimate fruit of confusion and every evil thing. Your zeal for truth or orthodoxy, and your boasts of knowing more than others, if you employ these only to make others hateful, and to show your own spite and heart-burnings against them, are a shame to your profession of Christianity, and a downright contradiction to it. So, if it were his only son that came of Sarah, so much the more bound to his heart because so singularly given in the pure favour of God, yet he would give him up, and be prepared with his own hand to do the dreadful deed. An oath, therefore, should not be refused when put by a magistrate. Let's turn to James chapter three. "For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: but the tongue can no man tame." In short, if we regard his work apart from faith, it is perhaps the darkest evil conceivable. At this precisely is the epistle levelled, namely, the severing faith from practice. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring." For the seed which one day produces the reward which righteousness brings can only be sown when personal relationships are right and by those whose conduct produces such relationships. It is not merely that we are objects of this blessing. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law." The phrase, therefore, could mean that the tongue is the adornment of evil. "As pitch and tow, so a hasty contention kindleth fire" ( Sir_28:11 ). "For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass." "Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed." This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in It was actually said that if a man's parents and a man's teacher were captured by an enemy, the Rabbi must be ransomed first. I could have let them know that it really didn't matter.Now he goes on to another subject and that is of true wisdom. We pray father god here tonight that our hearts would be open to receive all the things you have for us. Out of same mouth there proceeds blessings and cursings. "Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. WebJames 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above Which has God for its author; which is infused into the soul by the Spirit of God; and leads into the knowledge of things that are It is the word of God which directs a man begotten by the word of truth, urging and cheering and strengthening him in the very things that the new life delights in. Has the tongue a hand? The oath before a magistrate? One of the most difficult things in the world is to argue without passion and to meet arguments without wounding. (ii) The second difficult phrase is what the Revised Standard Version translates the cycle of nature (trochos ( G5164) geneseos, G1083) . in 1 Corinthians 14:1-40, and in practice throughout the church of God. "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." Here all is exemplified in a plain but striking way. Paul uses this word in Philippians 4:5 to encourage the Christian to let his "moderation" be known to all men. My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. One of the distinguishing characteristics of Christianity can be found in the Christians attitude toward others. At this point, James lists seven characteristics of this beneficial wisdom. WebBiblical Commentary (Bible Study) James 3:1-12 EXEGESIS: THE CONTEXT: James seems to be moving in a very different direction after his discourse on works, which concluded, faith apart from works is dead (2:14-26). The moment we bring into view God and His will and His purposes, it is needless to say that these two memorable acts stand out clothed with the light of heaven. Every one has a clear idea of the virtue of gentleness - gentleness of spirit, of deportment, and of manners; and every one can see that that is the appropriate spirit of religion. Of all Greek words in the New Testament this is the most untranslatable. It was the advice of one of the wise men: "It rests with thy colleagues to choose whether they will adopt thy opinion: it is not for thee to force it upon them." Again we are are reminded of Jesus words that good trees bear First man should strive to have peace with God through the forgiveness of his sins (Romans 5:1), and then he should seek peace with his fellowman (Romans 12:18). James goes back, as it were, to the beginning of the chapter. You must take what the Bible gives, and thus seek to form a just judgment according to God. "Is any among you afflicted? 3:1 My brothers, it is a mistake for many of you to become teachers, for you must be well aware that those of us who teach will receive a greater condemnation. 3:7-8 Every kind of beast and bird, and reptile and fish, is and has been tamed for the service of mankind; but no man can tame the tongue. Thus the break is by no means so marked, but on the contrary natural and easily understood; for, in point of fact, James coalesces with the state of things that we find in the churches of Judea, and notably in the church at Jerusalem. In short it is evident that, among inspired epistles, James's address has a special and an exceptional place. He may have ever so clear a view of himself; he sees clearly what he is like for a moment; but he as soon forgets all. In the New Testament, the term is found only here and has two possible meanings. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe and tremble." It is not something that man acquires on his own. Under this impression I read, "Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. c. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace: This fruit is like a seed that will bear fruit as it is sown by those who make peace. "I have a particular doctrine that I have embraced, I adhere to, and though there are scriptures that would seemingly contradict the position that I believe in. This wisdom is willing to yield: Not stubborn nor obstinate; of a yielding disposition in all indifferent things; obsequious, docile. (Clarke) Conciliatory (only here in N.T.) This is not in the least denied. It is full of mercy and good deeds. We know how easily "learned discussion can produce passion." Was she not willing, so to speak, to hand over the possession of the city in which she had been born and bred to those who were going to raze it to the foundations? WebJames 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. The main object of that epistle was to consummate the breach of the old relationships of such Christians as were Jews in times past, and to lead them out definitively from all earthly connection into their heavenly association with Christ. He has claimed this for God already; but now we come to see the application to us. There is a kind of clever and arrogant wisdom which separates man from man, and which makes a man look with superior contempt on his fellows. Do We See Any Gospel Connections in the Book of Numbers? Persons are apt to think of the psalms of David whenever there is the introduction of the word. This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the Jews. (It is but too true that much unseemly strife has had the aegis of this text thrown over it. [James said there is an inconsistency here.] It was used even by those who were clothed with miraculous power. Against this the Holy Ghost launches His solemn and searching words in the rest of the chapter. * Why? This wisdom is then peaceable: This is one of the great words of character description in the NT. Biblical love and compassion issue in active love and service, not sentimentalities. James 3:1. In Matthews gospel, Jesus brings to light many different types of behavior that involve hypocrisy. Israel was destroyed because of her lack of fruit (Matthew 21:43). WebJames 3 New International Version Taming the Tongue 3 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. The law of liberty therefore consists not so much in a restraint on gratifying the old man, as in guiding and guarding the new; for the heart's delight is in what is good and holy and true; and the word of our God on the one hand exercises us in cleaving to that which is the joy of the Christian's heart, and strengthens us in our detestation of all that we know to be offensive to the Lord. Verse 6. There is, first, the "visiting the fatherless and widows in their affliction," persons from whom one could gather nothing flattering to the flesh, or in any way calculated to minister to self; there is, on the other hand, the keeping one's self unspotted from the world. And therefore, haste to solve difficulties is really and practically a finding fault either with God or with His word;-with His word, because it is deeper than we are; with Himself, because He does not give the babe the knowledge that would be proper to the grown man. WebCommentary on James 3:13-18 (Read James 3:13-18) These verses show the difference between men's pretending to be wise, and their being really so. The same book prays, "Give me the wisdom that sitteth by thy throne" ( Wis_9:4 ); and again, "O send her from Thy holy heavens, and from the throne of thy glory" ( Wis_9:8 ). If we are wiser than others, this should be evidenced by the goodness of our conversation, not by the roughness or vanity of it.
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