James1

James 1:1-8 (NKJV)
¹  James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.
²  My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
³  knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
⁴  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
⁵  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
⁶  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
⁷  For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
⁸  he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

 

V.1-2 – James was writing to mostly an audience of Jews believers.  A great revival broke out and in the heart of the Roman empire in the area identified as Turkey today.    That is where the seven churches of Asia Minor were located.

V.2 – “Divers temptations” or “various trials”….   “Testing”

 

²  My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials (G3986),

ANLEX:  as God’s examination of man test, trial (1P 4.12); (2) as enticement to sin, either from without or within temptation, testing (LU 4.13); (3) of man’s (hostile) intent putting (God) to the test (HE 3.8)^[1]

 

DBL Greek: 4280 πειρασμός (peirasmos), οῦ (ou), ὁ (ho): n.masc.; ≡ Str 3986; TDNT 6.23—1. LN 27.46 examination, submit another to a test, to learn the true nature or character of (Jas 1:2; 1Pe 4:12); 2. LN 88.308 temptation, trial, given for the purpose to make one stumble (Lk 4:13; Ac 15:26 v.r. NA26^[2]

 

LN27.46 πειράζω^a; πειρασμός^a, οῦ m; ἐκπειράζω^a: to try to learn the nature or character of someone or something by submitting such to thorough and extensive testing—‘to test, to examine, to put to the test, examination, testing.’^[3]

 

G3986 πειρασμός [peirasmos /pi·ras·mos/] n m. From 3985; TDNT 6:23; TDNTA 822; GK 4280; 21 occurrences; AV translates as “temptation” 19 times, “temptations” once, and “try” once. 1 an experiment, attempt, trial, proving. 1a trial, proving: the trial made of you by my bodily condition, since condition served as to test the love of the Galatians toward Paul (Gal. 4:14). 1b the trial of man’s fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy. 1b1 an enticement to sin, temptation, whether arising from the desires or from the outward circumstances. 1b2 an internal temptation to sin. 1b2a of the temptation by which the devil sought to divert Jesus the Messiah from his divine errand. 1b3 of the condition of things, or a mental state, by which we are enticed to sin, or to a lapse from the faith and holiness. 1b4 adversity, affliction, trouble: sent by God and serving to test or prove one’s character, faith, holiness. 1c temptation (i.e. trial) of God by men. 1c1 rebellion against God, by which his power and justice are, as it were, put to the proof and challenged to show themselves.^[4]

 

All joy (πᾶσαν χαρὰν). Joy follows up the rejoice of the greeting. The all has the sense of wholly. Count it a thing wholly joyful, without admixture of sorrow. Perhaps, as Bengel suggests, the all applies to all kinds of temptations.^[5]  Maravin R.Vincent Word Studies…

 

Expositors:

If the broader context of James is an indication, the trials in mind here may have to do primarily with the oppression suffered under wealthy landowners (5:1–11). Nevertheless, James describes the trials as “of many kinds,” broadening the exhortation to hit a wide spectrum of challenges brought on by life. When we “face” (NASB, “encounter”) the various difficulties of life, the experience often is unexpected. This term rendered “face” by the NIV (peripiptō, GK 4346) could be used, for instance, of a traveler suddenly coming upon robbers, as in the story of the good Samaritan (Lk 10:30), or a ship suddenly hitting a reef. Most trials don’t “call ahead” to announce themselves. Their sudden presence in our lives demands a ready spiritual response.
… James challenges his readers to shift their perspectives and consider their trials from a different angle, an angle that sees in the pain of tribulation a reason for “pure joy.” ….^[6]

 

The Greek word can be translated:  test, testing; trial, trials; temptation….  V. 2 it is “trial, trials”

In James 1:2  & V.12 – as in 10 of the 22 times in the NT it is “the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes).  This it would be translated trial, trials….

 

Tests:  Will we obey?  What will we do on Sunday AM may be a test of our desire to serve God.  A test to be balanced in eating?  They come in various forms…

 

 

? – Why would ‘patience’ be so important in our walk with God?

Read V.4 from the NKJV   –   Explain word:   patience

James 1:4 (NKJV)
⁴  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Read V.4 from the ESV  –  Explain:  Steadfastness

James 1:4 (ESV)
⁴  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

 

Patience is: Dictionary:  the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset:

 

Dictionary Define steadfast: very devoted or loyal to a person, belief, or cause : not changing — steadfast in a sentence

 

Above: NKJV – James 1:3 & 4 with “Patience” –  hypomone G5281  LN25.174

 

Above: ESV – James 1:3 & 4 with “steadfastness” – hypomone G5281 and LN25.174

 

G 5281 ὑπομονή [hupomone /hoop·om·on·ay/] n f. From 5278; TDNT 4:581; TDNTA 581; GK 5705; 32 occurrences; AV translates as “patience” 29 times, “enduring” once, “patient continuance” once, and “patient waiting” once. 1 steadfastness, constancy, endurance. 1a in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings. 1b patiently, and steadfastly. 2 a patient, steadfast waiting for. 3 a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance^[7]

LN 25.174 ὑπομονή, ῆς f: capacity to continue to bear up under difficult circumstances—‘endurance, being able to endure.’ … ‘endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ’ 1 Th 1:3.^[8]

 

James 1:4 (NASB)
⁴  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:4 (NIRV)
⁴  The strength to keep going must be allowed to finish its work. Then you will be all you should be. You will have everything you need.

James 1:4 (WEY)  (Weymouth New Testament) – (or NT in Modern Speech
⁴  Only let endurance have perfect results so that you may become perfect and complete, deficient in nothing.

James 1:4 (NIV)

⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything

James 1:4 (NLT)
⁴  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

James 1:4 (OJB)  Orthodox Jewish Bible

And let savlanut be shleimah in its po’al (work) in order that you may be mevugarim (mature, grown up) and complete, lacking in nothing.

Savlanut (Hebrew word for patience)

Shleimah (from illness)  (a prayer in Hebrew for complete restoration of body and spirt)

 

 

You may use:  www.Biblehub.com to find different translations and other information.  Has the ‘complete Jewish Study Bible’.  They state:  “Bible Hub Online Parallel Bible, search and study tools including parallel texts, cross references, Treasury of Scripture, and commentaries. This site provides quick access to topical studies, interlinears, sermons, Strong’s and many more resources.”

 

 

Steadfast endurance  (V. 4 –  “Patience” (G5281) is a ‘fruit of the Holy Spirit.   Thus, we won’t be patient by just trying to be so, but neither will the Holy Spirit place it on a silver platter and offer it to you as a gift.  So how does ‘patience’ come?

It comes through suffering and testing…

 

Gal. 5:22 “patience”   related to James 1:4

Patience/Endurance – “makrothymia”  G3115 or LN 25.167 μακροθυμία, ας f: a state of emotional calm in the face of provocation or misfortune and without complaint or irritation—‘patience.’ μιμηταὶ δὲ τῶν διὰ πίστεως καὶ μακροθυμίας κληρονομούντων τὰς ἐπαγγελίας ‘but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherited the promises’ He 6:12; ὑπόδειγμα λάβετε, ἀδελφοί, τῆς κακοπαθείας καὶ τῆς μακροθυμίας τοὺς προφήτας ‘fellow believers, take the prophets as an example of suffering and patience’ or ‘… patience in the face of suffering’ Jas 5:10. In a number of languages ‘patience’ is expressed idiomatically, for example, ‘to remain seated in one’s heart’ or ‘to keep one’s heart from jumping’ or ‘to have a waiting heart.

 

James 1:4 – LN25.174

25.174 ὑπομονή, ῆς f: capacity to continue to bear up under difficult circumstances—‘endurance, being able to endure.’ τῆς ὑπομονῆς τῆς ἐλπίδος τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ‘endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ’ 1 Th 1:3.

 

In The Louw-Nida the two Greek words fall into the “O” category of:   Patience, Endurance, Perseverance (25.167–25.178) via their id system by grouping like words….

 

This Greek word is translated 32 times in the ESV as either:  “Endurance” (11) – “Steadfastness” (11) – “Patience”(5)  – Patient, patiently” (5)    (Ja14esvD)

HOWEVER – in the NKJV this Greek word is found 32 times and translated differently – note:

“Endurance, enduring” (3) – “Perseverance” (9) – “Patience”(19)  – Patient continuance” (1) (Ja4NkD)

 

 

1. 5 – “Wisdom” (G4678) would appear to be related to trials. Here It is pure, simple giving of good, without admixture of evil or bitterness. Compare Rom. 12:8….

   Romans 12:8 (NKJV)  Need ‘wisdom’ to do these things:
   ⁸  he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

 

We are to ask for ‘wisdom’ – why?   The Greek word’s meaning conveys what is meant by the word “wisdom”

Ja1v5

 

LN32.32 σοφία^a, ας f: the capacity to understand and, as a result, to act wisely—‘to be prudent, wisdom.’ ἐν σοφίᾳ περιπατεῖτε πρὸς τοὺς ἔξω ‘act with wisdom toward those who are not believers’ Col 4:5.

 

G4678 σοφία [sophia /sof·ee·ah/] n f. From 4680; TDNT 7:465; TDNTA 1056; GK 5053; 51 occurrences; AV translates as “wisdom” 51 times. 1 wisdom, broad and full of intelligence; used of the knowledge of very diverse matters. 1a the wisdom which belongs to men. 1a1 spec. the varied knowledge of things human and divine, acquired by acuteness and experience, and summed up in maxims and proverbs. 1a2 the science and learning^[9]

 

 

 

1. 6 – But ask in faith…. No doubting – When trials do we trust God to just turn them over to Him and not to continue to worry?   An attitude……

Example:  Do we today turn our concerns over to God and in the next or 2^nd day seeing no results, as we determine them to be or not to be, that we jump in to solve it ourselves?

What do we consider the word “doubting” to mean?

Dictionary:  expressing or feeling uncertainty or lack of conviction; skeptical:

 

What does the Greek word (diakrino) mean? (the sense is:  “to hesitate”)  How would that differ in our clarification of the word and mental image it generates?   (Ja1v6)

 

LN31.37 διακρίνομαι^a; διαλογισμός^d, οῦ m; διστάζω: to think that something may not be true or certain—‘to doubt, to be uncertain about, doubt.’ …

…. In a number of languages ‘doubt’ is expressed by means of idioms, for example, ‘to have two thoughts’ or ‘to think only perhaps’ or ‘to believe only a little’ or ‘to question one’s heart about.’

 

The illustration of what James means with the word ‘doubting’ is given via the illustration of ‘a wave of the see that is driven and tossed by the wind.”

 

V.7   –  Don’t think we will receive anything from the Lord…  Thinking that is our problem!

V.8  –  James gives an illustration calling him “double-minded man”.
Hosea told how Israel’s big problem was to fly off to Egypt seeking help and then to Assyria – BUT did NOT turn to God.  (Ja1v8)

LN31.38  “Dipsychos”

Note above “Doubting – diakrino – LN31.37)

LN31.38 δίψυχος, ον: pertaining to being uncertain about the truth of something—‘doubleminded, doubting, doubter.’ καὶ ἁγνίσατε καρδίας, δίψυχοι ‘and consecrate your hearts, you doubters’ Jas 4:8.

 

Louw-Nida – SubDomain “B” – B Hold a Wrong View, Be Mistaken (31.8–31.13)   (Note below the sub domains and this one is “B”.)

 

The complete grouping of Louw-Nida #31

31 Hold a View, Believe, Trust

Outline of Subdomains

A  Have an Opinion, Hold a View (31.1–31.7)

B   Hold a Wrong View, Be Mistaken (31.8–31.13)

C   Agree, Consent (31.14–31.25)

D   Acknowledge (31.26–31.28)

E    Suppose, Think Possible (31.29–31.34)

F    Believe To Be True (31.35–31.49)

G   Accept As True (31.50–31.57)

H   Change an Opinion Concerning Truth (31.58–31.81)

I     Trust, Rely (31.82–31.101)

J     Be a Believer, Christian Faith (31.102–31.107)^[10]

 

 

Read V. 9-12 – The Perspective of Rich and Poor, the Crown of Life

James 1:9-12 (NKJV)
⁹  Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation,
¹⁰  but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away.
¹¹  For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.
¹²  Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

 

V.9   “Let the lowly (G5011 – LN 88.64) brother glory in…”
– If we are a child of God we have much.  We are rich in Christ and we have something to be joyful about.  A Christian can take pride in the value God gives them.  God lifts up the humble and poor and brings down the proud and rich.

LN 88.64 ταπεινός^d, ή, όν: pertaining to being meek, with the implication of low status—‘gentle, meek and mild.’ ὃς κατὰ πρόσωπον μὲν ταπεινὸς ἐν ὑμῖν ‘I who am meek when present among you’ 2 Cor 10:1.^[11](Ja1v9)

 

The translations for this verse are varied:

New International Version
Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.
New Living Translation
Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them.
English Standard Version
Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation,
Berean Study Bible
The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position.
Berean Literal Bible
But let the brother of low degree boast in his exaltation,
New American Standard Bible 
But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position;
King James Bible
Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

NET Bible
Now the believer of humble means should take pride in his high position.

New American Standard 1977 
But let the brother of humble circumstances glory in his high position;

Young’s Literal Translation
And let the brother who is low rejoice in his exaltation,

For the above listing I utilized the site and specific location at:  http://biblehub.com/james/1-9.htm

 

V.10 – but the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower that will pass away.   When we here ‘humiliation’ we connect it with someone causing us to be humiliated.  But this is a quality a rich needs to have…  Thus meaning they would not walk or talk with pride in their behavior or manner.

Humiliation (tapeinosis) – G5014 – LN 88.51

LN 88.51 ταπείνωσις^a, εως f: the quality of unpretentious behavior, suggesting a total lack of arrogance or pride—‘humility, humble behavior.’ καυχάσθω … ὁ δὲ πλούσιος ἐν τῇ ταπεινώσει αὐτοῦ ‘let the rich … boast … in his humility’ Jas 1:9–10. In some languages humility is expressed indirectly by an idiomatic phrase, for example, ‘to live without strutting’ or ‘to walk without wanting to be noticed.’  (Ja1v10)

 

Again – use of a different translation might give us the incite us with the true GREEK definition of the word.

 

New Living Translation
And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field.

Berean Literal Bible
and he who is rich, in his humiliation, because he will pass away like a flower of grass.
NET Bible
But the rich person’s pride should be in his humiliation, because he will pass away like a wildflower in the meadow.

New Heart English Bible
and the rich, in that he is made humble, because like the flower in the grass, he will pass away.
V.11 – the outcome of one’s behavior:

New Living Translation
The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.
English Standard Version
For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
V.11 – We have ‘a savior’ that will save us for ‘heaven’.  We  can consider our ‘trials’ as proof positive of our faith.  James here seems to be emphasizing ‘endurance’.  God will give you proof that you are a genuine child of His and He also wants to produce a strength to withstand the pressures of the day in your life.

 

 

We need to watch that life’s trials will not make us a bitter and drive us away from God.  They have done just that to many,

 

1. 12 – steadfast under trial…receives the crown of life. Paul was very interested in the ‘crown of life’ and so James is as well. At the “bema” seat will we not want to be given the; ‘crown of life’?  – The Reward for faithfulness.

 

Read V. 13-16 – Loving God Under Trails.

James 1:13-16 (NKJV)
¹³  Let no one say when he is tempted (G3985), “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
¹⁴  But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
¹⁵  Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
¹⁶  Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

 

1. 13 – “Let no one say when he is tempted (G3985).” – that it is by God….

Humans alone are responsible for choosing to sin.

This is the verbal form of ‘trials’   (Ja1v13)

 

3985 πειράζω [peirazo /pi·rad·zo/] v. From 3984; TDNT 6:23; TDNTA 822; GK 4279; 39 occurrences; AV translates as “tempt” 29 times, “try” four times, “tempter” twice, “prove” once, “assay” once, “examine” once, and “go about” once. 1 to try whether a thing can be done. 1a to attempt, endeavour. 2 to try, make trial of, test: for the purpose of ascertaining his quantity, or what he thinks, or how he will behave himself. 2a in a good sense. 2b in a bad sense, to test one maliciously, craftily to put to the proof his feelings or judgments. 2c to try or test one’s faith, virtue, character, by enticement to sin. 2c1 to solicit to sin, to tempt. 1c1a of the temptations of the devil. 2d after the OT usage. 2d1 of God: to inflict evils upon one in order to prove his character and the steadfastness of his faith. 2d2 men are said to tempt God by exhibitions of distrust, as though they wished to try whether he is not justly distrusted. 2d3 by impious or wicked conduct to test God’s justice and patience, and to challenge him, as it were to give proof of his perfections.^[12]

 

LN27.46 πειράζω^a; πειρασμός^a, οῦ m; ἐκπειράζω^a: to try to learn the nature or character of someone or something by submitting such to thorough and extensive testing—‘to test, to examine, to put to the test, examination, testing.’πειράζω^a: ἑαυτοὺς πειράζετε εἰ ἐστὲ ἐν τῇ πίστει ‘put yourselves to the test as to whether you are in the faith (or not)’ 2 Cor 13:5; προσελθόντες οἱ Φαρισαῖοι καὶ Σαδδουκαῖοι πειράζοντες ἐπηρώτησαν αὐτὸν σημεῖον ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἐπιδεῖξαι αὐτοῖς ‘the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked if he would show them a sign from heaven’ Mt 16:1.^[13]

 

This time translated “when he is tempted”  –  G3985 – However, in V2 and 12 it is  trial (G3986)
James 1:12

G3986 πειρασμός [peirasmos /pi·ras·mos/] n m. From 3985; TDNT 6:23; TDNTA 822; GK 4280; 21 occurrences; AV translates as “temptation” 19 times, “temptations” once, and “try” once. 1 an experiment, attempt, trial, proving…

The Expositors Commentary states about these two words and the Connotation:

The term translated “trials” (peirasmois, GK 4280) could be used to connote “difficulties” or periods of “testing” in life (e.g., Ac 20:19; 1 Pe 1:6, 4:12), such as when a believer experiences persecution of some kind. It could also be used of temptation, or enticement to sin (e.g., 1 Ti 6:9).   (Although James uses the verbal form of the word (peirazō, GK 4279) in 1:13–14 with this latter meaning, the NIV and NASB correctly translate it as “trials” here. The general logic of the passage parallels other NT passages (e.g., Ro 5:2–5; 1 Pe 1:6–7) that encourage believers to endure under difficulties of various kinds because of the spiritual payoff of such trials.)

 

    The noun translated “trial(s)” in 1:2, 12 (peirasmos, GK 4280) has a verbal form (peirazō, GK 4279) used in vv. 13–14, and both the noun and the verb can connote testing through trial, as in 1:2, 12, or more specifically temptation to sin. As Moo points out, the latter should not be separated too sharply from the former, since temptation, while distinct from our difficult situations of life, often occurs in relation to our experience of trials (Moo, 72). In vv. 13–14, however, a transition to the topic of temptation clearly is in view, the concept being associated with evil, lust, and sin. Luke Timothy Johnson, 191, highlights the transitional nature of v. 13 by translating the first part as “let no one when tested say, ‘I am being tempted by God.’ ” So the general trials or testing of 1:2, 12 now come to focus in the difficulty of temptation at 1:13–18. ^[14] 

 

Read Verses  14-16 shows the process of sin….

Temptations do have an identifiable source – that is our own lust.

James 1:14 (NKJV)   (Ja1v14)
¹⁴  But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires (G1939 LN25.12) and enticed.

G1939 ἐπιθυμία [epithumia /ep·ee·thoo·mee·ah/] n f. From 1937; TDNT 3:168; TDNTA 339; GK 2123; 38 occurrences; AV translates as “lust” 31 times,… 1 desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust.

 

LN25.12 ἐπιθυμέω^a; ἐπιθυμία^a, ας f: to greatly desire to do or have something—‘to long for, to desire very much…..

 

V.14&15 – Ja.1:15 (NKJV)  (WORD also shown in strip above)  Greek Word:  “epithymia”
¹⁵  Then, when desire (G1939 LN25.l2) has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

 

SENSE:  craving   –   Once embraced – destructive dynamics are set in motion.

 

However in V.16 the Greek word is “planao” but the same English word of “deceived” is used.  Question: does the meaning change and we miss the nuance of it by having the same English word used?

 

James 1:16 (NKJV)  Word “deceived” used by a different Greek word (planao G4105)    (Ja1v16)
¹⁶  Do not be deceived (G4105 LN31.8), my beloved brethren.

Planao – the sense is:  “to be misled” (deceived)

Epithymia – the sense is: craving  (Lust, desire)

 

G4105 πλανάω [planao /plan·ah·o/] v. From 4106; TDNT 6:228; TDNTA 857; GK 4414; 39 occurrences; AV translates as “deceive” 24 times, “err” six times, “go astray” five times, “seduce” twice, “wander” once, and “be out of the way” once. 1 to cause to stray, to lead astray, lead aside from the right way. 1a to go astray, wander, roam about. 2 metaph. 2a to lead away from the truth, to lead into error, to deceive. 2b to be led into error. 2c to be led aside from the path of virtue, to go astray, sin. 2d to sever or fall away from the truth. 2d1 of heretics. 2e to be led away into error and sin.

LN31.8 πλανάω; πλάνη^a, ης f: (figurative extensions of meaning of πλανάω ‘to cause to wander off the path,’ not occurring in the NT) to cause someone to hold a wrong view and thus be mistaken—‘to mislead, to deceive, deception, to cause to be mistaken.’

πλανάω: βλέπετε μή τις ὑμᾶς πλανήσῃ ‘watch out, and do not let anyone deceive you’ Mt 24:4; πλανῶντες καὶ πλανώμενοι ‘deceiving others and being deceived themselves’ 2 Tm 3:13.

πλάνη^a: ἐκ τούτου γινώσκομεν τὸ πνεῦμα τῆς ἀληθείας καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα τῆς πλάνης ‘this is the way we know the difference between the Spirit which leads to truth and the spirit that misleads us’ or ‘… causes us to hold a wrong view’ or ‘… causes us to be mistaken’ 1 Jn 4:6.

To mislead people as to proper views which they should have may often be expressed idiomatically, for example, ‘to twist people’s thoughts,’ ‘to cause what is false to seem like what is true,’ ‘to make a lie appear true,’ ‘to dig away the truth,’ or ‘to cover the eyes with lies.’

 

 

 

Read:  James 1:17-19 – God’s True Nature: He Gives the Word

James 1:17-19 (NKJV)
¹⁷  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
¹⁸  Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
¹⁹  So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;

 

V.17 – Every good gift and every perfect gift comes from above. 

Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV)
⁸  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

The Lord Promises:

Matthew 7:7-11 (NKJV)
⁷  “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
⁸  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
⁹  Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
¹⁰  Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?
¹¹  If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

 

V.18  –  “…He brought us forth…”  –    God choose to give us birth….  Reason:  “…that we might be first fruits of all he created…”  These were ‘set apart’…

This is all done by his exercise in His WILL.

 

 

Read James 1:19-27 – The Practice of the Word….

 

James 1:19-27 (NKJV)
¹⁹  So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
²⁰  for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
²¹  Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
²²  But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
²³  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;
²⁴  for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
²⁵  But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
²⁶  If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.
²⁷  Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

 

V.19 – be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath…..

V.21 – Lay aside a filthiness   –  “the implanted word”  –  The Gospel is the seed that is implanted.

V.22-24 – Not hearers only…  be doers of the word – How can we deceive ourselves?  V.24 –  Illustrated…
One who truly sees self would do what?

God’s word is active. When we hear it, we must act accordingly. If we don’t, it’s like looking in a mirror without washing our face or tidying our hair. A mirror shows us what we need to do. When we look into God’s word we see truth which must be done; but we only realize God’s truth when we do it.

THUS – true religion is seen in action by the way we speak and act.

IN Chapter two a ? for demonstrating our understanding by the way we treat people.

V.25 – Here law is equivalent to ‘the word’.

V.26 – Must bridle our tongue….  Why would the failure to do that mean we are not religious?

V.27 – Orphans and widows were particularly vulnerable in this time.

 

 

 

^[1] Friberg, T., Friberg, B., & Miller, N. F. (2000). Analytical lexicon of the Greek New Testament (Vol. 4, p. 305). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

^[2] Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[3] Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 331). New York: United Bible Societies.

^[4] Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.

^[5] Vincent, M. R. (1887). Word studies in the New Testament (Vol. 1, p. 723). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.

^[6] Guthrie, G. H. (2006). James. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, p. 213). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

^[7] Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.

^[8] Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 307). New York: United Bible Societies.

^[9] Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.

^[10] Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 364). New York: United Bible Societies.

^[11] Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 748). New York: United Bible Societies.

^[12] Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.

^[13] Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 331). New York: United Bible Societies.

^[14] Guthrie, G. H. (2006). James. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, p. 212). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.