The man who is epieikes ( G1933) is the man who knows when it is actually wrong to apply the strict letter of the law. Coming as it does after epieikes ( G1933) , it probably bears this second meaning here. It works nothing suitable to His moral nature. The tendency of the true wisdom is not that of producing faction and strife, but that of healing divisions, and pouring oil upon the troubled waters of human relationships. It is true the Scriptures do not teach that doctrinal purity is to be preferred to a peaceful spirit. However pure a mans doctrine may be, if he has not the peaceful spirit he is none of Christs. The law of liberty brings in the positive for those who love it not the negation of what the will and lust of man desires, so much as the exercise of the new life in what is according to its own nature.
17 As we have found, he particularly warns against the tongue as the expression of the heart's excitement if not of malice. He does so unsought, and surely undeserved. The mass of Israelites would of course altogether repudiate such a service; but James writes of both. It has not been unknown for a man to speak with piety on Sunday and to curse a squad of workmen on Monday.
Christians should be liberal with mercy. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Gentle .
James 3 WebMatthew Henry's Concise Commentary 3:13-18 These verses show the difference between men's pretending to be wise, and their being really so. The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them: You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. It is honest; it never pretends to be what it is not; and it never acts a part to gain its own ends. To be utterly convinced of one's own beliefs without at the same time being bitter to those of others is no easy thing; and yet it is a first necessity for the Christian teacher and scholar. He who thinks well, or he who talks well, is not wise in the sense of the Scripture, if he does not live and act well. in the flesh: but the stroke of the tongue breaketh the bones. Then let him live a life of such beautiful graciousness that he will prove to all that gentleness is enthroned as the controlling power within his heart. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. in 1 Corinthians 14:1-40, and in practice throughout the church of God. Not from the new nature of which God is the blessed source, but from the old. In order to discern we need wisdom. The man who is characterised by that wisdom will be pure, peaceable, etc. Is first pure . A Jew would have been likely to have thought of it thus; for he naturally turned to the law as the one and only standard. 154. It has not been unknown for a woman to speak with sweet graciousness at a religious meeting and then to go outside to murder someone's reputation with a malicious tongue. Against this the Holy Ghost launches His solemn and searching words in the rest of the chapter. That is, there is a trial of faith, and there is a temptation of flesh. peaceable: The next characteristic of true wisdom is that it is "peaceable" (eirenike). No doubt that he who was in the front rank of all the saints and servants of God, when he looked at what he was in himself glorying in the law and nature, could and did characterize himself as a chief of sinners, especially when he thought of the immeasurable riches of God's race of which he was so favoured a communicator to souls. No, but as the hand kills, so the tongue. The Christian should show mercy to anyone suffering, even those who bring it on themselves. II. without hypocrisy; either with respect to God or man; not making show of that which they have not, or do not intend. WebMatthew Henry's Commentary on James 3:17 Commentary 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. 21, James (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. You can check these in your browser security settings. But this is not all. (i) It is earthly. James explains to the Christian early in his epistle that he should ask God for this wisdom (James 1:5) and that every good and perfect gift comes down from God (James 1:17). Um An uncontrolled tongue is like a world hostile to God. This we know was an old custom. It would be waste of time to speak of such a thing now, if it were not of practical moment; but I am convinced that it is' and that this and other stereotyped phrases of the religious world gravely need and will not bear an examination in the light of scripture. The importance of loving peace 3:17-18. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. Full of mercy Ready to pass by a transgression, and to grant forgiveness to those who offend, and performing every possible act of kindness. Even so the tongue is a little member, but it boasts great things. The original word, adiakritos, signifies to be without suspicion, or free from judging, making no undue surmises nor differences in our conduct towards one person more than another. Therefore we are not to assume that the passage in Matthew 5:1-48, or this portion of James, has the smallest reference to judicial swearing. forbearing -- It describes, as in Aristotle (Eth. Will any man argue still that this means the saints of God? 5. His comments were interspersed with commentary from James Burke, often to fill in the silences. In the dry season the scanty grass and low-growing thorn bushes and scrub were as dry as tinder. The more a mistake (or a hurtful word) is repeated, and the more authority with which it is clothed, the greater are its The revelation of Himself by which He acts on souls is accordingly here brought before us, no less than His own sovereign will as the source of it. The same promise is repeated to Noah: "And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every bird of the air, upon everything that creeps on the ground and all the fish of the sea; into your hand they are delivered ( Genesis 9:2). We are ourselves born of Him: He communicates His nature to the believer. "Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? That doesn't speak too good for our hearts does it? "Honour and shame is in talk; and the tongue of man is his fall. James 3:13-17 Meaning James uses two interesting words. God was indeed eulogetos ( G2128) , The Blessed One, the One who was continually blessed. It was a time of general cruelty and unconcern for the unfortunate. 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. Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. This trait is first because the other characteristics come from it.
17 He begins his list Solomon emphasizes this point as he writes, "Buy the truth, and sell it not" (Proverbs 23:23). The exact meaning of this word is difficult to translate into English. 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. What Does Colossians 2:6-7 Teach Us about Our Faith Walk? They are under that influence in their souls, and accordingly they cloud the light of James with that which was meant to veil the guilty in darkness. The true wisdom is full of mercy (eleos, G1656) and good fruits. Jesus denounces the Pharisees in the strongest possible terms by branding them hypocrites (Matthew 23). His thorough examination of If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body." That is, so far from lusting to envy, God is acting in goodness. knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation ( James 3:1 ). Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. As Ropes puts it, James is concerned to point out "the responsibility of teachers and the dangerous character of the instrument they have to use.". It is gentle, not standing upon extreme right in matters of property; not saying nor doing any thing rigorous in points of censure; not being furious about opinions, urging our own beyond their weight nor theirs who oppose us beyond their intention; not being rude and overbearing in conversation, nor harsh and cruel in temper. In all that we have had the question naturally arises, Wherein lies the special propriety of such exhortations or why are they addressed to the twelve tribes? WebJames Commentary - John Gill's Exposition of the Bible James He preached in the same church as C. H. Spurgeon over one hundred years earlier. John says, "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure" (1 John 3:3). There were many great and saintly Rabbis, but the Rabbi was treated in a way that was liable to ruin the character of any man. WebVerses 1-18. Whereas there is power and permanence with him who fixes his view on "the perfect law of liberty.". Means peace loving or peace promoting (cf. Proverbs 17:6: , CONTRASTES ENTRE LA LOI ET LA GRCE CHAPITRE 3 _1. [That is a lie against the truth, the bitterness and striving and envyness within your heart.] If we ought as a rule to be slow to speak, there is no exception in setting up to teach others; for thus we certainly incur severer judgment. It is characterised by the self-judgment which delights in and displays the ways of God. Worldly wisdom might well wish to escape Gods sight" (95).
Commentary "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." This same word is used as one of the qualifications of the elder (1 Timothy 3:3). Easy to be entreated has the meaning of being easily "persuaded to forgiveness. Hypocrisy, then, is a serious matter and should not be ignored. The phrase, therefore, could mean that the tongue is the adornment of evil. This is God's wisdom. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy. WebJames 3:3 Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Instead of producing peace, it produces strife. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. The truth it holds is held with unbalanced violence rather than with reasoned conviction. It will be observed how far it is from being an imposed law. We have the glorying of those taken away who are of a contrary character to that now mentioned, and their wisdom exposed in all its boasts and productions: "If you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, c., James 3:14-16; James 3:14-16. Does a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? The virtues James lists are predominantly nonselfish and nonaggressive; those who practice these virtues show greater concern for others than for themselves. That is, we are warned against forming resolutions, plans of our future doings and the like. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. This was specially relevant to a Jew. That is to say, in the Old Testament we have an exceptional address to the Gentiles; in the New Testament we have an exceptional address to the Jews. This does not refer to the doctrines of religion, but to its spirit. Therefore, certainly, he in no way contradicts Paul, any more than in what is said of faith, or justification; indeed he does not at all treat of the same question that Paul has before him. Jesus, one day, said something that is worth considering at this point. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. In short, holy scripture does not sanction such a combination, and the sooner we get rid of phrases, which deserve no better name than religious cant, the better for all parties. 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. (ii) He is under the temptation to bitterness. Even the tongues of the apostles could say very different things. It is blowing hot and blowing cold; it is appearing to ask God, when in point of fact you have no confidence in Him. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. The highest title which can be given to a man is, that he is a Christian gentleman. It has not been proofed for spelling or grammatical errors. Now where this is the happy case of any there will be these following things:-- 1. [Note: Adamson, p. 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. The allusion is to the Lord, not the just in general, but the Just One, even Christ, "and he doth not resist you. But it is here, as is the case everywhere, blindness and ignorance in those that set one part of scripture against another. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. but the rich, in that he is made low." The wisdom from above is not envious, but pure; is not contentious, but peaceable; does not create confusion, but is patient and conciliatory; and instead of producing every evil work, it is full of mercy or benevolence, and of the fruits of benevolence, being not censorious or partial in judgment, and not dissembling, or acting dishonestly. Such is the law of liberty: as if one said to the child, "Now, my child, you must go and do such or such a thing," all the while knowing that you can confer no greater favour on the child. how often a blessing has been given, and as often lost, being turned to His shame and men's corruption. Of all Greek words in the New Testament this is the most untranslatable. Ronny Marriott nominee for BGCT first vice president.
James 3:17 Hence, therefore, God reverses the judgment of the world in all these matters, "Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted.
James 3:17 NKJV - But the wisdom that is from above is - Bible Also it is no mean confirmation of what has been already advanced as to James. [James said there is an inconsistency here.] There is a danger always in approaching the scriptures with a certain mind set. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. It is nothing more. True peace is built upon the truth. Of all Jewish writers, Jesus ben Sirach, the writer of Ecclesiasticus, was most impressed with the terrifying potentialities of the tongue. - FBS. For out of the mouth comes blasphemies and evil speaking." "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.". that with Paul we may be able to say, Not with fleshly wisdom, but in simplicity and godly sincerity, by the grace of God, we have our conversation. When we are mild and calm, we are best able to hear reason, and best able to speak it. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. The false teacher eventually goes public with his teaching and can be pointed out.
James 3:13 Commentaries: Who among you is wise and It measures success in worldly terms; and its aims are worldly aims. - MSB, Without partiality (); here only in the New Testament. Let us then endeavour to profit by the warning, and above all by the precious lesson in the word of our God. "Do not err, beloved brethren. An arrow kills at forty or fifty paces, but of the tongue it is said ( Psalms 73:9), 'They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongue struts through the earth.'
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