1:21 'Therefore putting aside all filthiness
and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word
implanted, which is able to save your souls.'
'Therefore'-In light of the trials
and pressures of life (1:2-4), our own lusts (1:14), and the fact
that the wrath of man doesn't achieve God's purposes (1:20).
We need all the help we can get and in addition we can't afford
to tamper and dabble in even one sin.
'putting aside'-'lay aside, rid
oneself' (Arndt p. 101) (Eph. 4:22; Colossians 3:8; 1 Peter 1:21).
Sinful attitudes are not impossible to remove. This is not
an impossible task! 'the middle voice emphasizes that the putting
away is something we must do for ourselves.' (Woods p. 81) '"Get
rid of" is one word in the original language, meaning to
strip away, to take off. It pictures taking off that which is
unnecessary for our lives or that which is contrary to God's purposes.
It is a word used of a snake's shedding his skin and leaving
it behind. We are to strip off that which is harmful to us.'
(Draper p. 54) See Hebrews 12:1 'let us also lay aside every
encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us'.
'all'-and not just some. Many
try to justify a certain sin by saying, 'Well, everyone has some
bad habits'. We are fooling ourselves if we think that we can
successfully live the Christian life-and yet hold on to some sin
at the same time (Matthew 6:24). 'The force of "all"
in such cases is "each instance of" or "every trace
of", or perhaps "every kind of".' (Roberts p. 71)
The language is that of complete submission to the will of God.
Are we so in love with God that we want to remove everything
that is offensive to Him? (1 Peter 1:14-15)
'filthiness'-'denotes dirt, filth'
(Vine p. 99); 'moral uncleanness, vulgarity' (Arndt p. 738)
'There is, in the word, a suggestion of loathsomeness,
and it seems likely that in his use of this term it was the writer's
design to create in his readers a deep sense of abhorrence of
sin, all sin, any sin
..We should be impressed with the fact
that James did not seek to soften the character of sin or to obscure
God's unwavering opposition to it. There is the disposition today
to dally with sin, to excuse it, to resort to euphemisms in referring
to it, to speak of "inhibitions", psychological weaknesses,
reversions, environmental influences, hereditary factors, etc.,
'
(Woods p. 80)
We need to have a greater abhorrence of sin (Romans 12:9; Romans
6:21).
'and all that remains of wickedness'-'whatever
wickedness still remains' (TCNT). 'residue, remains' (Thayer
p. 505). 'surplus, abundance, "all the evil prevailing around
you" (Arndt p. 650). The word "remains" suggests
that which is left over (Mark 8:8). Remember, James is speaking
to people who are already Christians. But even after one is converted,
there are sinful attitudes that the Christian needs to remove
(Acts 8:20-23). This expression contradicts various denominational
ideas that the Holy Spirit simply overwhelms the individual and
purges them automatically of all sin and even the desire to sin.
'wickedness'-'malignity, malice,
ill-will, desire to injure' (Thayer p. 320); 'depravity, wickedness,
vice' (Arndt p. 397); 'ill will" or "evil feeling".
Can mean evil in general or especially ill-will, such as malice.
'Christians must not become comfortable with their sinfulness
but must face up to the fact that their Christian commitment allows
no toleration of impurity in their lives.' (Kent p. 64)
Points To Note:
'in humility'-or "meekness";
'gentleness, mildness' (Thayer p. 535), a humble, teachable disposition.
The person who is humble enough to admit their own ignorance.
Barclay notes, 'the teachable spirit is without resentment and
without anger, and is, therefore, able to face the truth, even
when the truth hurts and condemns. The teachable spirit is not
blinded by its own overmastering prejudices, but is clear-eyed
to the truth. The teachable spirit is not seduced by laziness,
but is so self-controlled that it can willingly and faithfully
accept the discipline of learning.' (p. 68) 'It is a spirit
of controlled dedication' (Draper p. 55)
Vine notes, 'it is that temper of spirit in which we accept His
(God's) dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing
or resisting
which, as such, does not fight against God and
more or less struggle and contend with Him
Described negatively,
meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest.'
The "meek" or "humble" person isn't weak or
cowardly, rather they are very strong. Such an individual might
be extremely intelligent, far beyond their peers, but before God,
the meek man or woman realizes that they are but children (Matthew
18:3-5); and very imperfect (Luke 18:9-14; 17:10). This is the
individual who has a proper view of themselves, they aren't worthless,
but at the same time, they aren't the center of the universe either
(Romans 12:3).
'receive'-Which infers that it
is difficult to accept what the Bible says if one refuses to humble
themselves. This is the honest and good heart (Luke 8:15). The
word "receive" places the obligation upon us. God isn't
going to force us to receive His word (Acts 2:40-41). The word
"receive" means that we must be willing to give God
a fair hearing (1:19), and to do our best to understand what He
is saying. If we are to "receive" the word, then we
must understand it, and see its great value and the wisdom of
its teaching (See Acts 17:11; 2 Thess. 2:10).
'the word implanted'-'inborn,
implanted by other's instruction' (Thayer p. 209); 'implanted
or rooted-a word whose property it is to root itself like a seed
in the heart' (Vine p. 250).
Points To Note:
'which is able to save your souls'-Remember,
this was said to people who had already become Christians. The
Christian needs to continually receive with meekness the teaching
found in the Word, the Christian continually needs to purge their
life from any sinful attitude that would arise (2 Cor. 7:1).
Even Christians can allow the impact of the Word to become weak
in their lives (Luke 8:14).
Points To Note:
Far from the idea of 'let go and let God'. James wants us to
realize that the word is God's communication to us. Merely listening
and waiting for something to happen, merely listening and waiting
for some influence to overwhelm us---doesn't accomplish anything.
We must cooperate with the message, conform to the message and
submit to the message. We have a very active role to play in
the purposes of God and our own salvation.
1:22 'But prove yourselves doers of
the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.'
'But'-It is so easy to think
that we are doing some great thing by merely reading the Bible
or by merely listening to a sermon. Draper notes, 'The greatest
tragedy in this century is people who gather information, but
never get that information into their lives
.There are people
like that in church. They enjoy the singing, the preaching, the
Bible study. They like to come and receive blessings, but they
never do anything. Some people drive miles and miles to get blessed.
We do not need people who want to get blessed, but people who
want to be a blessing.' (pp. 57-58)
'prove yourselves'-'observe,
not only "do", but be doers: the substantive means
more than the verb; it carries an enduring, a sort of official
force with it; "let this be your occupation"' (Alford
p. 1599) 'go on being or becoming', 'show yourselves more and
more' (1 Cor. 14:20; Eph. 5:1). 'It is a subtle distinction,
but well worth noting, that James wrote "be ye doers of the
word" (KJV), rather than merely "do the word".
This way of stating it places emphasis upon the kind of person
the Christian is to be, not just some act he is to perform.' (Kent
p. 65) Again, note where the responsibility is placed-upon the
individual Christian. Some people "do" portions of
what the word teaches, but they don't enjoy or love the message
itself, and especially the God who gave it. Jesus pointed out
that if we love God with our whole being, we will naturally want
to do our very best in carrying out every command He has given
(Matthew 22:37-40).
'doers of the word'-the tense
denotes continuous action, "keep on demonstrating yourselves".
Jesus wasn't impressed by those who "say and do not"
(Matthew 23:3; 7:21, 24-27; Luke 6:46). Jesus believed in doing
what God said (John 8:31-32). Christianity was never meant
to be merely a theory. Christianity is not for those looking
for just a mental exercise. See also John 3:21; 1 John 1:6; 2:3-5.
'not merely hearers'-'It would
be well for us to take notice of the fact that the hearer only
of which James speaks is not a person who listens with little
or no interest; on the contrary
denotes those who listen
avidly and feel great interest in the things being presented,
but who think that the blessing therein derives from the listening..'
(Woods p. 86) Christians need to be reminded that they are "disciples",
followers, adherents! Mere listeners are not disciples.
'who delude themselves'-The Bible
often warns us against being deceived and deceiving ourselves
(Colossians 2:4; 1 Cor. 6:9). God doesn't miraculously protect
the Christian from believing what is false.
Points To Note:
1:23 'For if anyone is a hearer of the
word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural
face in a mirror;'
'if anyone'-This isn't a hypothetical
situation. This really could and does happen among some professed
Christians (Matthew 7:24-27). This can happen to "anyone".
And there is never a time in your Christian life when you can
say, 'I have reached a level of spirituality in which I don't
have to be a "doer of the word." There isn't a level
of spirituality that transcends our need to obey what God has
said.
'he is like'-God is doing all
He can to help us get the point and see how ridiculous a mere
hearer of the word looks. We often try to rationalize our failure
to obey, 'Well, in just coming to services, I am doing more than
most', 'I am ahead of most people by just reading the Bible',
'Maybe if I listen long enough, obeying the word will just come
naturally, or without much effort.' We also tend to blame the
word, or who might be presenting the word-as why we can't seem
to obey. 'If only the sermon was more exciting, if only the speaker
was more entertaining.'
'a man who looks at his natural face
in a mirror'-'his natural face'-is the face of his birth,
i.e. his physical appearance. 'His face as it is by nature' (Macknight
p. 351) 'looks'-The contrast here is not between a hasty glance
in a mirror verses a more studied look. For the word rendered
"looks" in this verse means to consider attentively,
to look at with reflection, to consider or contemplate. 'So the
contrast is not between a hasty look and a careful contemplation.
It is not mere careless hearing of the word which James rebukes,
but the neglect to carry into practice what is heard, one may
be an attentive and critical hearer of the word, yet not a doer'
(Vincent p. 734)
The world is filled with many 'students' of the bible, many 'biblical
scholars' who fit into the above category. People who love to
spend time in the Scriptures, but never seem to make the application
to their personal lives. People to love the bible as literature,
archaeology, history, poetry, philosophy, mental stimulation and
so on, but they don't love it as a lifestyle.
'in a mirror'-the mirrors of
this time period were often made of polished metal.
1:24 'for once he has looked at himself
and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person
he was.'
'has immediately forgotten'-'The
departure from the mirror resulted in an immediate forgetfulness
of what the mirror revealed. Since the look into the mirror produced
no results, the episode was a complete waste of time and effort
To
James, the person who hears God's Word but does not heed it is
just as ludicrous' (Kent p. 67)
'what kind of person he was'-There
are many people who remember what the Scriptures say, that is
they could quote many verses. But they fail the recognize that
their life isn't in harmony with what they had just read or heard.
1:25 'But one who looks intently at
the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having
become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall
be blessed in what he does.'
'But'-in contrast to the above
mere listener, this is the type of person all of us can become.
'looks intently'-'to stoop to
a thing in order to look at it, to look at with head bowed forwards;
to look into with the body bent---metaph., to look carefully into,
inspect curiously (Thayer p. 484) Compare with John 20:5,11;
1 Peter 1:12. This suggests that careful study of the Word of
God is necessary so that one knows what to "do" (2
Timothy 2:15).
'perfect'-'having reached its
end, finished' (Vine p. 173). 'brought to its end, finished,
wanting in nothing necessary to completeness' (Thayer p. 618);
'having attained the end or purpose, complete' (Arndt p. 809).
In other places the Word of God, the New Testament revelation
is called "perfect" (Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 13:10).
Points To Note:
1. First of all it needs to be noted that God calls the New Testament,
a "law" (Hebrews 8:10; 7:12; Galatians 6:2). We must
reject the idea that the New Covenant is all "grace"
with no rules. 2. The New Testament is called a "perfect"
law, because: A. It is the final revelation of God to mankind
(Hebrews 1:1-2; Jude 3). It is complete, needing no further revelation
to finish what it started. B. It makes man "complete"
(2 Tim. 3:16-17), it enables a man or woman to stand before God
and be all they need to be. C. It is the fulfillment of the
Mosaic law. D. It gives mankind all that man needs to have a
relationship with God and his fellowman (2 Peter 1:3). E. It
prepares us perfectly for eternal life.
'the law of liberty'-to many
people this phrase sounds like a contradiction, because many people
have been deceived into thinking that true liberty or freedom
means a complete absence of rules. But as many of us grow up
and mature we realize that such is very naïve. Take away
the rules and we would lose our rights, instead of gaining more
rights. Freedom is not the result when all the moral standards
are torn down-but the result is anarchy, oppression and fear.
The New Testament is called law because it does contain commands
that must be obeyed (John 14:15). 'To speak of God's Word as
"law" is not to pit James against Paul, for Paul often
used this sort of terminology
(Galatians 6:2; Romans 3:27;
8:2).' (Kent p. 68).
Points To Note:
The New Testament is called a law of liberty because: A. Enables
us to be freed from sin (John 8:31-32). B. Freedom from the
law of Moses (Galatians 5:1). C. The teaching in this law frees
us from prejudice, superstition, the fear of death (Hebrews 2:15),
worry, anxiety, stress and so on (Matthew 6:25). As we will read
the rest of this letter, it is clear that James was not arguing
that the Christian is freed is do whatever they like (3:1; 4:4,8;
5:13,20). "Men are free when they want to do what they
ought to do" (Kent p. 69). D. It also frees us
from human opinion, endless speculation, old wives fables, myths,
false science and philosophy (Colossians 2:4; 2 Timothy 4:3; 1
Timothy 6:20). In obeying Christ, I find true liberty, especially
liberty from my own selfish desires (Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians
5:14). In addition, in view of the great love which God manifested
towards me (John 3:16), bringing myself into conformity with this
His law is not a burden, but a pleasure (1 John 5:3).
'and abides by it'-which infers
that the gospel is a message that all can understand alike and
what is requires is not impossible. I can abide by the will of
God-what an encouraging thought! The word "abides"
means: 'to remain beside, continue always near'(Thayer p. 485).
It is not enough to admire this law or sing its praises, one
must obey it. We must also reject the idea that God does the
abiding for us. The whole thrust of this section is the responsibility
and choice that rests with the individual Christian. To abide
in this word also involves not adding our own opinions to the
message and not editing what we might not like (2 John 9; Revelation
22:18-19). Abiding in the word means that we need to find what
God says to be pleasant and sweet (Psalm 19:10). We need to develop
a 'taste' for the truth, even truth that requires us to change.
'not having become a forgetful hearer'-'not
listening to it and then forgetting it' (TCNT). Notice the word
"become". We can through carelessness "become"
a person who fails to apply what God has said.
'but an effectual doer'-That
is, we "do" something with the message, we apply it,
we live it, we share it with others.
'this man'-this man, and this
man alone is the individual that God will bless. God never promises
blessings to the disobedient (Matthew 7:24-27).
'shall be blessed in what he does'-'in
his practice' (Ber). The word "blessed" means: 'fortunate,
usually in the sense of privileged recipient of divine favor'
(Arndt p. 486). Jesus stated the same truth, 'blessed are they
who hear the word of God and keep it' (Luke 11:28; see also Luke
12:43; John 13:17). Carefully note that Jesus and James do not
make fun of those who think that obedience is necessary. Check
out the following passages (Psalm 19:9-11; 106:3; 119:2; Revelation
22:7). We know that future blessings exist for the obedient,
but this verse also seems to imply that blessings come upon the
obedient even in this life, that God will open doors for the person
who is trying to do His will (Revelation 3:8).
Point To Note:
Sadly, I believe that many Christians have convinced themselves
that obedience to the Word of God actually prevents them from
being blessed. That "doctrine" so often comes between
a person and being successful or having success in teaching others.
God doesn't agree.
1:26 'If anyone thinks himself to be
religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his
own heart, this man's religion is worthless.'
'If anyone'-God is no respector
of persons (Romans 2:11). And yet in the world people often will
excuse the profanity of someone who is successful. We tend to
believe that such coarseness was necessary for them to get ahead.
Unfortunately, even Christians can start admiring the brash,
arrogant and bold of this world, and think it is almost a virtue
to have an unrestrained tongue.
'thinks himself to be religious'-The
word "religious" means: 'fearing or worshipping God'
(Thayer p. 292). Nothing as changed, there are many people in
the world who consider themselves to be very religious or extremely
spiritual. Carefully note that our opinion of ourselves can
be completely wrong. Just because one claims to be spiritual,
doesn't mean that God recognizes their "brand" or definition
of spirituality. One may be worshipping God in vain (Matt. 23:23;
7:21-23).
'yet does not bridle his tongue'-"bridle"-'to
hold in check, restrain' (Thayer p. 664) (See Psalm 39:1; Job
2:10; Matthew 12:36-37; 15:18; 4:25-29). Note that the responsibility
for controlling our tongue rests with us. 'Satan can use the
tongue to destroy lives. With a word a heart is lifted or cast
down. With a word our spirits are dashed or they are encouraged
.If
we find ourselves always being critical and condemning, if that
is the first thing that comes to our minds, if we are always finding
something to be unhappy about, then we have deceived ourselves
and do not have the religion of the New Testament.' (Draper p.
68)
'but deceives his own heart'-(1:22).
Many people convince themselves that they are right with God-while
at the same time they are gossiping, lying, making false accusations,
spreading rumors, hurting their spouse or children with angry
words and profanity, etc
Note that he deceives his own heart,
but many other people who witness his words are not deceived.
Points To Note:
'this man's religion is worthless'-"Worthless"-'devoid
of force, truth, success or result' (Thayer p. 393); 'of no value'
(Bas); 'futile' (Mof). The reader should note that the above
man can and could be a Christian. Various things can make our
service to God to be completely worthless (Matthew 15:9; Mark
7:7). God made similar points to His people in the Old Testament
(Micah 6:6-8; Zechariah 7:6-10; Isaiah 1:10-18; 1 Samuel 15:22-23).
1:27 'This is pure and undefiled religion
in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows
in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.'
'This is'-In contrast to a religion
that is worthless. But let the reader note that a pure religion
is possible for even imperfect people to manifest and follow.
Contrary to the claims of those who are critical, there are many
Christians who are not hypocritical, who do obey God and do so
from pure motives.
'pure and undefiled religion'-"Pure"-'genuine'
(Thayer p. 312). "Undefiled"-'free from contamination'
(Vine p. 168).
'in the sight of our God and Father'-What
is pure religion in the estimation of God, pure religion from
God's viewpoint. Which is the only viewpoint which matters
(1 Timothy 2:3). "Father"-If we worship God, who is
our Father, while we ourselves are heartless and merciless to
those that need us
we should be able to see there is something
wrong in our worship.
'to visit'-'primarily to inspect
(to look upon, care for, exercise oversight)' (Vine p. 190); to
go see, visit someone, also with the connotation of care: look
after widows and orphans in their distress.' (Arndt p. 298).
In the present tense for having the habit of going to see. 'James
strikes a downright blow here at ministry by proxy, or by mere
gifts of money. Pure and undefiled religion demands "personal
contact" with the world's sorrows: to visit the afflicted,
and to visit them in their affliction.' (Vincent p. 736)
'orphans'-bereft of father or
parents. In the O.T., God stressed caring for the fatherless
and the widows (Exod. 22:22; Deut. 14:29; 16:11; 24:17,19-21;
26:12-13; 28:19). God also portrayed Himself as the protector
and defender of those who are vulnerable (Deut. 10:18; Psalm 68:5
'a father of the fatherless and a judge of the widows' ; 146:9.
A sign of repentance was to help the fatherless (Isaiah 1:17;
Zech. 7:10).
'in their distress'-'difficult
circumstances' (Arndt p. 362). That is, we are to help them when
they "need" the help and not wait until it is too late.
Carefully note that true religion does have an outward expression.
Some try to argue that there is no outward expression, rather,
what matters is the faith within the heart. God here picks out
two categories, this isn't an exhaustive list or definition of
pure religion (Galatians 5:19-23), rather they are practical examples.
'and to keep oneself'-'watch
over, preserve, keep' (Vine p. 287); 'present active infinitive,
"to keep on keeping oneself" (Robertson p. 26). What
an encouraging statement! I don't have to be in bondage to my
own selfish desires, I don't have to be a slave to the world's
values! (1 Tim. 5:22; 6:14; 2 Tim. 4:17; 1 John 5:18; Jude 21
'keep yourselves in the love of God').
'unstained'-'free from vice,
unsullied' (Thayer p. 81)
'by the world'-society which
is in opposition to God (John 15:19; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15; 5:19).
Points To Note:
James 1:27 has been at the heart of the institutional debate,
as to whether the local congregation can build and maintain human
institutions, such as orphan homes and old folks homes.
7. Arguing that James 1:27 authorizes the local congregation
to build and establish or contribute to a human agency established
by "brethren", would mean that the local congregation
is also authorized to build a Missionary Society (Matthew 28:19);
hospitals, clothing and grocery stores, and so on (Matthew 25:36).