How often one hears people in the habit of quoting from this verse for what they call practice, who dwell on the first part to the exclusion of the last. While we all desire peace within a congregation, it is not to be peace "at any cost." Look at ships, too. From this use of these two things, that is, the royal law which thus goes forth towards one's neighbour, and again the law in general, he turns to take up the law of liberty which has been explained before. Hearing is exactly the attitude of dependence. It is blowing hot and blowing cold; it is appearing to ask God, when in point of fact you have no confidence in Him. Here we must make a choice between two meanings. There is a moral reason added: "For in many things we offend all. But if here it be not the spirit of man, the only spirit elsewhere said to dwell in man ( i.e., the believer) is the Spirit of God. WebJames 3:17-18. The word he uses for selfish ambition is eritheia ( G2052) which was also a word with no necessarily bad meaning. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. "We all sin," said Seneca, "some more grievously, some more lightly" (On Clemency 1: 6). For He is ever above us and infinitely wise. "The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated:" it is also "full of mercy and good fruits, without contention, and without hypocrisy." For the wisdom that comes from God has such marvelous characteristics, it's pure, it's peaceable it's gentle, easily intreated. And then He said it is "out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks" ( Matthew 15:11 , Matthew 15:18-19 ). What could better convict the narrowness of man's mind, who would like to have it all thoroughly square according to his notions. There were teachers who lived out nothing of the truth which they taught, whose life was a contradiction of their instruction and who did nothing but bring dishonour on the faith they represented ( Romans 2:17-29). Without making a difference-rendering to every man his due; and being never swayed by self-interest, worldly honour, or the fear of man; knowing no man after the flesh. At least they do feel; and so far there is a greater effect produced than on these reasoning Jews. It is James' warning that the teacher has of his own choice entered into a special office; and is, therefore, under the greater condemnation, if he fails in it. But what he says, without discerning (sine dijudicatione ,) seems strange; for the Spirit of God does not take away the difference between good and evil; nor does he render us so senseless as to be so void of judgment as to praise vice, and regard it as virtue. His tendency would be to reduce it merely to a number of thoughts, and thus an outward system. [That is a lie against the truth, the bitterness and striving and envyness within your heart.] If we are wiser than others, this should be evidenced by the goodness of our conversation, not by the roughness or vanity of it. But he presses also the necessity of dependence on God in another form in the end of our chapter. The double-minded man does not possess this type of wisdom (James 1:8). Every teacher runs the risk of becoming "Sir Oracle." "Behold we put bits into horses' mouths." WebJames 3:17New International Version. James 3 The very reverse is true. Unnatural and wrong such things might be, but they were tragically common. James 3:1. "Honour and shame is in talk; and the tongue of man is his fall. James 3 - Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible - StudyLight.org So, for instance, Euripides can make one of his characters say, "My hands are pure, but my heart is not." It literally means the wheel of being. It is nothing more. So don't be many masters knowing that we will receive the greater condemnation. let him demonstrate it by his manner of life, by his works, with the meekness of wisdom. We see at once that he who could despise such an epistle as this is a man not to be despised indeed, for God would not have us despise any as He despises none Himself; but certainly to call forth pain and sorrow that such thoughts should ever have been allowed in a soul born of God and withal a servant of Jesus Christ. (127) He, in the second place, calls it peaceable, to intimate that it is not contentious. 17 The conversation here does not refer only to words, but to the whole of men's practice; therefore it is said, Let him show out of a good conversation his works. Easy to be entreated . Corinthians The apostle here reproves ambition, and an arrogant magisterial tongue; and shows the duty and advantage of bridling it because of its power to do mischief. It seems needless to explain that the James who wrote this epistle was not the son of Zebedee; for he had fallen under the violence of Herod Agrippa long before this epistle was written at a comparatively early date. Compare the notes at 2 Corinthians 10:1. It was a time of general cruelty and unconcern for the unfortunate. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. This wisdom is gentle: The man who is epieikes is the man who knows when it is actually wrong to apply the strict letter of the law. James 3 Bible Commentary "My brethren," says he, "count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trial of your faith worketh patience. What does James 3:17 mean? | BibleRef.com The wisdom that is from above The pure religion of the Lord Jesus, bought by his blood, and infused by his Spirit. Gods word is perfect and needs no human improvement. It is not only that sin consists in doing evil, but in not doing the good that we know. Let not such a one, therefore, expect anything of the Lord. So I think it is clearly here men capable of understanding what was spiritual. James first of all warns against a desire to teach the Word of God that would stem or emanate just from your own desire to be in front of people or whatever. This is the governing thought and aim of the epistle. Rather are we encouraged to ask why it was according to the wisdom of God that such words as these should be presented to Israel, and especially to such of the twelve tribes as had the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is important to understand that peace is not the mere absence of strife and hostility. 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. 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. There is an easiness that is weak and faulty; but it is not a blamable easiness to yield ourselves to the persuasions of God's word, and to all just and reasonable counsels or requests of our fellow-creatures; no, nor to give up a dispute, where there appears a good reason for it and where a good end may be answered by it. (b) Eupeithes ( G2138) can mean easy to persuade, not in the sense of being pliable and weak, but in the sense of not being stubborn and of being willing to listen to reason and to appeal. Philippians 4:5; 1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 3:2; 1 Peter 2:18). Let us be, then, not only slow to speak, but "slow to wrath." It consists of these several things:-- 1. This wisdom is not acquired through human means. WebAdam Clarke Bible Commentary James 3:6. Stovall and Other Moguls In The Making: murdoch hospital emergency waiting time Is not all this quite right? . Lie not against the truth. Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill. The phrase, therefore, could mean that the tongue is the adornment of evil. Such a course would only have aggravated the evil instead of uprooting it. WebJames 3:17 New American Standard Bible 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, [ a]reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, [ b]impartial, free of hypocrisy. He is not pleading for a Trappist life where speech is forbidden. Whether we want to admit it or not, we are products of our environment. James does contemplate Christians, but not Christians only. In contrast, the wisdom God gives has several characteristics. 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. True peace is built upon the truth. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.". Surely the one stream from the same cleft in the rock does not gush forth fresh and salt water? Meek, modest, of an equal mind, taking every thing in good part, and putting the best construction upon all the actions of others. But it is here, as is the case everywhere, blindness and ignorance in those that set one part of scripture against another. The allusion is to the Lord, not the just in general, but the Just One, even Christ, "and he doth not resist you. Accordingly the epistle savours of this. Or, according to the original word, psychike, it is animal of human--the mere working of natural reason, without any supernatural light. The first of William Law's rules for life was, "To fix it deep in my mind that I have but one business upon my hands, to seek for eternal happiness by doing the will of God." In the days of Jesus, the Pharisees considered religious purity simply to mean keeping the outward commands of the law. Let others reap the fruits of contentions, and all the advantages they can propose to themselves by them; but let us go on peaceably to sow the seeds of righteousness, and we may depend upon it our labour will not be lost. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell." "We are appointed thereunto," says the apostle Paul. How could one think that those who indulge in such thoughts show any real intelligence as to the word of God? When a man is conscious that his wisdom is of a suspicious kind, one can understand him unwilling to have his mind or will disputed; but the truth is, that there is nothing which so much marks the superiority of grace and truth and wisdom that God gives as patience, and the absence of anxiety to push what one knows is right and true. Are they the persons called to weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon them? vi. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." It was used in the Septuagint to translate the Hebrew term shalom. These words serve to remind the teacher of the great responsibility he has voluntarily chosen. For this end there is not a more precious thought nor a mightier word in all the New Testament. Zelos ( G2205) need not be a bad word. James first of all describes it in itself, and then in its effects. Verset 17. He should not imagine he is superior to others, nor should he hurt others with his words. Here we open with its application in another and, if possible, still more important province; that is, in the matter of speaking to public edification. The damage the tongue can cause is like that caused by a forest fire. Be slow then to speak, swift to hear. Their authority was thrown into question. Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible by Matthew Henry Bible Hub Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 17But the wisdom which is from above. Not from the new nature of which God is the blessed source, but from the old. full of mercy and good fruits: "Full of mercy" (meste eleous) and "good fruits" (karpon agathon) continue the characteristics of true wisdom. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above." James 1:17. by Grant Richison | Jul 30, 2000 | James | 30 comments. Some will demand their rights regardless of the feelings of others. The courts are swamped with lawsuits of complainers who are demanding their rights. It is perfectly plain from the early portion of the Acts of the Apostles, and confirmed too by the latest glimpses which the Holy Ghost gives us of the church in Jerusalem, that there was still a great and decided cleaving to that which was properly Jewish on the part of the early Christians there. "Life," said Lord Fisher, the great sailor, "is strewn with orange peel." The Orphic religion believed that the human soul was continually undergoing a process of birth and death and rebirth; and the aim of life was to escape from this treadmill into infinite being. James 3 - Clarke's Commentary - Bible Commentaries Whether they believe or not, they are all addressed in this epistle. But yet what trouble it can get us into. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace, of them that makes peace ( James 3:18 ). Envying and strife are opposed to the meekness of wisdom. For in many things we offend all. Holy zeal and bitter envying are as different as the flames of seraphim and the fire of hell. The Greeks defined it as pity for the man who is suffering unjustly; but Christianity means far more than that by eleos ( G1656) . Although the Greek word hagne, here qualifying the sophia, or wisdom, refers to purity of heart, still it remains true that a pure heart will never relinquish its hold on Gods truth for the sake of a peace that at such a price would be too dearly purchased. This is evident from the bare terms: "Thou shalt not do" this, "thou shalt not do" that. The fruit of righteousness; either the fruit we bring forth, which is righteousness itself, Luke 3:8, 9; Romans 6:22; Philippians 1:11; or the fruit we reap, which is the reward of righteousness, viz. It is the prayer of the Psalmist that God may make the wicked like chaff before the wind; and that his tempest may destroy them as fire consumes the forest and the flame sets the mountains ablaze ( Psalms 83:13-14). But not more certainly was Paul inspired to present Abraham's faith and Abraham's act too in this closing circumstance of his life (we may say, the great and final test of his faith), not more was Paul guided in his application, than James was in that which has been just now before us. "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." He must, therefore, all his life struggle to avoid two things. - MSB, easy to be entreated -- literally, easily persuaded, tractable; not harsh as to a neighbors FAULTS. This is true neither in every-day language nor in God's word. Is it not precisely what those who quote would find the greatest difficulty in honestly proving that they value? Jesus manifests himself to the disciples but not to the world ( John 14:22). James 3:17-18 NIV - But the wisdom that comes from heaven The first of the apostle does not indicate even preference of the pure spirit to the peaceful spirit, but only the order in which they are to be exercised. Similarly, Christians who sow peace by building good relations with others can expect to see a harvest of righteousness in their lives (18). As a whole, the New Testament addresses itself to the Christian body; but James does not. Note the key words "wise" and "wisdom" (James 3:13; James 3:17), which bracket the thought of this section, as well of the prominence of "peaceable" and "peace" that conclude it (James 3:17-18). Let him show by the loveliness of his behaviour that all he does is done with gentleness. if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." 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. Here all is exemplified in a plain but striking way. He must not be childish and always demand his own way. They speak about having an open mind and about suspending judgment. It is extremely frustrating to speak to a "religious know-it-all." The person is chastened in sickness for some evil; it is now judged; grace intervenes, and God heals. "Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations." James 3 Resources One is the profit of not enjoying the pleasant only, but the rough and hard that God sends for our good. Man has learned how to train and to bring into control all these of these wild things in nature. Wisdom produces meekness, and meekness increases wisdom. Is first pure . It is reasonable, that is, open to reason and willing to yield to reasonable requests. We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. Again this idea is woven into Jewish thought. "Is any among you sick? Their field was the whole Church; and they did not stay long in any one congregation. The odium theologicum is notorious. There is a danger always in approaching the scriptures with a certain mind set. It has not been unknown for a man to speak with piety on Sunday and to curse a squad of workmen on Monday. Uncensorious, or, impartial; seems the most suitable rendering; not given to rashness in judging of others, or not shewing respect of persons, previously condemned in James 2:1. 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. WebJames 3:13-17 Who is wise and understanding among you? Still he is careful in this place to show that the word deals inwardly with the man, that it is this implanted word, as he calls it, and not an external law, that is able to save the soul. A pure heart cannot but be faithful to the truth; it could not otherwise be pure, provided conscientiousness and love of truth form any part of moral purity. It is not true that the scripture teaches, here or elsewhere, that purity of doctrine is to be preferred to a peaceful spirit; or that it always leads to a peaceful spirit; or that it is proper for professed Christians and Christian ministers to sacrifice, as is often done, a peaceful spirit, in an attempt to preserve purity of doctrine. These last two words [without partiality and without hypocrisy] rule out the habit of using speech to half reveal and half conceal the mind of the speaker, who has something (as we say) at the back of his mind all the time. (Moffatt). But the Christian wisdom is based on the Christian certainties which come to us from God through Jesus Christ. Pretend what you will, and think yourselves ever so wise, yet you have abundance of reason to cease your glorying, if you run down love and peace, and give way to bitter envying and strife. What then is the law of liberty? Waco | 92 views, 3 likes, 1 loves, 3 comments, 2 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Waco First Assembly of God: We are studying Genesis chapters 18-21 this evening. Peace follows purity, and depends upon it. But we have to take care that we are guided of God in this, which is important in the present day when we know that the spirit of the age is endeavouring to blot out God in all that touches man here below. Chapter 36: 3.17 James - New Testament Commentary Survey In this we do and must all join in our measure. - RWP. It can be used in the sense of dirty clothes being washed clean or melting gold to remove the impurities so that it will be pure. There is thus the need of dependence on God, the spirit of habitual waiting on Him of bowing to Him, and, in short, of obedience. But if you have bitter envying or strife in your hearts, that's not wise, don't glory in it, and lie not against the truth. It is not likely that a Christian would be afraid of the chances and changes of life. Even a casual glance at the life of Jesus reveals that He lived a life of purity. - Utley, peaceable. ", Then he calls them again so much the more to avoid a murmuring spirit against one and another, because the judge stood at the door. This prepares us for something even larger, not merely for Christian Jews, but for Israelites, for such wherever they may be not merely in the land but out of it "scattered abroad;" as it is said, "the twelve tribes that were scattered abroad." He did not fight back and demand His rights. John Bunyan tells us of Talkative: "He was a saint abroad and a devil at home." It is just the haste that hinders blessing and progress. It does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. Most of the persecutions in the church have grown out of this maxim. Full of mercy and good fruits Again, the Saviour's own requirement that those who would be forgiven must themselves be willing to forgive others inspires James' comment in his epistle (see Matthew 7,9 and Matthew 6:14,15). and even gloried in it! The Christian should show mercy to anyone suffering, even those who bring it on themselves. Is any merry? With one voice the Jewish sages agreed that wisdom came to men from God. (i) It is fanatical. He also calls it gentle or tractable; by which he means that it widely differs from pride and malignity. James 2. Without hypocrisy. have the practical exhortation: "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear." It is rendered by the Vulg., as not judging uncensorious; by Beza, without contending incontroversial; by Erasmus, making no difference impartial; and by Hammond, not doubting, i.e., as to the faith. This wisdom is without partiality: Without partiality; or, without judging, i.e. (ii) The true wisdom is eirenikos ( G1516) . Web3:13-18 These verses show the difference between men's pretending to be wise, and their being really so. I don't think that we should meddle or tamper with the Word of God. James 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. The gospel writers often portray Jesus as looking upon the crowds with compassion (Matthew 9:36; Matthew 14:14; Matthew 20:34). * Why? WebJames 3:17 New King James Version 17 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 My brethren, [he said,] be not many masters [or teachers] ( James 3:1 ). This cannot be without giving the lie to Christianity, and pretending that this wisdom is what it is not. The wisdom from above is contrasted with the wisdom from below: the latter has envy and contention; the former is pure, being free from envy, and is peaceable.. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar." The stroke of the whip maketh marks. WebThey had seen his healing miracles. Whence such wisdom cometh: It descendeth not from above, but ariseth from beneath; and, to speak plainly, it is earthly, sensual, devilish,James 3:15; James 3:15. This wisdom is full of good fruits: This wisdom can be seen by the fruit it produces. He must have every care that he is teaching the truth, and not his own opinions or even his own prejudices. WebJames 3, Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible, James Burton Coffman's commentary on the Bible is widely regarded for its thorough analysis of the text and practical application (ii) There is no sin into which it is easier to fall and none which has graver consequences than the sin of the tongue. He is gentle and kind, although in reality he has every reason to be stern and punitive toward men in their sin. (Burdick), iii. "It is the nature of man to sin both in private and in public life," said Thucydides (3: 45). Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning, 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 above, of heavenly things; and which only is true wisdom and knowledge; and those who are possessed of it are the only true Gnostics; for which, (See Gill on James 3:13) namely, the grace of God: this wisdom. We can see the need, value, and wisdom of what has been said, but we may find here the occasion of it: with Israel there was peculiar danger of taking up the doctrines of Christianity as a system. i. True wisdom may be known by its works. No profession is more liable to beget spiritual and intellectual pride. In all the Bible we meet no more energetic and truthful picture of the desperate evil to which men are exposed by that little active member. There are two dangers which every teacher must avoid. The mouth is the voice piece of the heart of man. - Utley, good fruits -- This is linked with full of mercy. This is a concern and care for those in need. It could refer to the partiality condemned in James 2:1-13. His outward life as well as his inner feelings and motivations must be freed from sin. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. It was desperately easy for a Rabbi to become the kind of person whom Jesus depicted, a spiritual tyrant, an ostentatious ornament of piety, a lover of the highest place at any function, a person who gloried in the almost subservient respect showed to him in public ( Matthew 23:4-7). You see at once that we have an exhortation founded on, first, the spiritual anatomy, if I may so say, of our nature, and then we are given to know the wondrous character of the new life that we have received by faith of Jesus Christ, and know to be ours, because we are "begotten by the word of truth." Indeed, it seems to me in itself sinful for a man to refuse an oath (supposing its form otherwise unobjectionable) if required to do so by proper authority. 21, James (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. James 3:17 If there is any difference, the advantage is really on the side of those misleaders of poor ruined men. It is not gained by conversing with men, nor by the knowledge of the world (as some think and speak), but it comes from above. But the wisdom that is from above - Compare the notes at 1 Corinthians 2:6-7. Adam This Sundays passage involves one of the more peculiar passages in the New Testament. They are opposite of the vices described in vv. That is, there is a trial of faith, and there is a temptation of flesh. One of the distinguishing characteristics of Christianity can be found in the Christians attitude toward others. we find in James 4:1-17 the contrary of this wars and fightings, "whence come they?" There was no miracle in their part of the business, as far as they were concerned. Then another snare is connected with this for avoidance: "Above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation." Although I am not at all prepared to dogmatize about its force, it appears to me a harsh expression to suppose that the spirit here described means no more than man's spirit. There was a remarkably direct intervention of God, but it was in no way connected with any gift of miracles committed to the people who were praying. I do not doubt that the writer is the one called "James the just," and "the Lord's brother;" but with all propriety, and with a beauty that we should do well to ponder and learn from, he here avoids calling himself the Lord's brother. It first maintains the character and glory of God, and then seeks the fruits of peace among men. These things, said James, should not be. It is bad enough to heap treasure at any time; but to heap it up in the last days was to add not a little to the evil in the Lord's eyes. With it, he says, we bless God. "None is righteous, no not one," quotes Paul. Jesus, one day, said something that is worth considering at this point. It is not all that the Corinthian was vain in his speculations, but the Jew not less, who thus spoke and acted. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.". - PC, without partiality -- recurring to the warning against partial respect to persons, James 2:1, James 2:4, James 2:9.
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