This word "pure" (hagne) is closely related to the word "holy" (hagios). This wisdom is willing to yield: Not stubborn nor obstinate; of a yielding disposition in all indifferent things; obsequious, docile. (Clarke) Conciliatory (only here in N.T.) How it links itself with Peter, and John, and Paul, we need not stop now to enquire. See the rabbinical meaning of this phrase at the end of this chapter. This is a little confusing for us, because we are in the habit of using soul in the same sense as the ancient people used spirit. Even Barnabas goes along with Peter in this hypocritical behavior. James 3:17 - Bible Verse Meaning and Commentary - Bible Study The wisdom which has a heavenly origin, or which is from God. The scriptures admonish us to be like Him in this respect. If an individual is accidentally injured, he often sues the unfortunate party for millions. We find the same truth frequently in St. John (John 15:4, 5; The reason also is given: "For as the flower of the grass" (which is mere nature) "he shall pass away. the very fact of its being common proves where people are, how little they have to do with God, how much in common with the world. 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 "A soft answer turns away wrath; but a harsh word stirs up anger. A gentle tongue is a tree of life; but perverseness in it breaks the spirit" ( Proverbs 15:1-4). In its own province there is nothing better, plainer, or more striking. It works nothing suitable to His moral nature. Thus if there is peace in the way, righteousness is alike the seed and the fruit. We have had the evil traced to its source, which is the fallen nature of man, no doubt wrought on by Satan, but without here bringing the enemy before us. of man but the gift of God. This is one of the results of the wisdom that is from above, for it makes us like God, the Father of mercies. See the notes at Matthew 5:7. But I am persuaded that no man, I will not say despises, but even attempts to dispense with, the epistle of James except to his own exceeding loss. On the Temple of Aesculapius at Epidaurus there was the inscription at the entrance: "He who would enter the divine temple must be pure (hagnos, G53) ; and purity is to have a mind which thinks holy thoughts." "Wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead.". And sometimes that frightens me. I admit it must be put by competent authority. That is to say, instead of bringing people together, it drives them apart. (vi) The true wisdom is adiakritos ( G87) , undivided. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners." See this illustrated in the case of the apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 9:20-22. We have translated this peaceable but it has a very special meaning. It may be either (1) without variance, or (2) without doubtfulness, or (3) without partiality; probably (1) as R.V. Next, he gives the reason; "for," says he, "the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.". The hypocrite practices deception so as to gain something for himself. In The Sayings of the Fathers we read, "He that is arrogant in decision is foolish, wicked, puffed up in spirit." These things, said James, should not be. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not." Exode 17:3 Les points souligner dans ce sermon sont : I. Editorials. James 3 Matthew Henry's Commentary - Bible Hub A huge ship turned by such a small rudder, so our tongues can really control in a sense our whole lives. Its standards and sources are earthly. He will patiently listen to others; if truth is presented, he will accept it; but if error is presented, he will reject it. The apostles and the prophets were for ever on the move. Then it entered politics and came to mean that selfish ambition which was out for self and for nothing else and was ready to use any means to gain its ends. It is fatally easy for a teacher to distort the truth and to teach, not God's version, but his own. There is another principle, with which this has no brotherhood, that denies the right of private judgment, and enforces uniformity by the sword: its progeny are inquisitors, and Lauds and Sharpes; and let it have the credit of its own offspring.). The basic meaning of mercy is that of compassion for the unfortunate. It does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. So on Rahab's story I need not dwell, except just to show how remarkably guided of divine wisdom was James's allusion. James uses two interesting words. No wonder, therefore, when persons approach scripture with preconceived thoughts, hoping to find confirmation there instead of gathering God's mind from what He has revealed, no wonder that they find disappointment. We have the lovely picture of that wisdom which is from above more fully drawn, and set in opposition to this which is from beneath: But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, c., James 3:17; James 3:18. "For what is your life? A man can ward off a blow with the hand, for the striker must be in his presence. A man that did look straight up to God, swift to hear and slow to speak, was Abraham; a man in whom the loud voice of nature was utterly silenced, that God's will and word might alone govern his soul. James 4:8). "Honour and shame is in talk; and the tongue of man is his fall. This is evident on the face of it. Those who profess religion ought especially to govern their tongues ( v. 1-12 ). WebVoir aussi Galates 3:17 dans d'autres commentaires bibliques: Bible annote par A.C. Gaebelein. We are hence reminded, that for no other reason are we beyond measure morose or austere, but this, because we too much spare ourselves, and connive at our own vices. In short it is evident that, among inspired epistles, James's address has a special and an exceptional place. The image is faded and gone. How truly it bears the very stamp of inspiration, and the more so because we know the apostle Paul refers to Abraham at least for a totally different purpose! Hence many are of opinion (and to this I am rather disposed, though I would not venture to say more) that the verse ought to be thus divided: "Do ye think that the scripture speaketh in vain? . Lie not against the truth. Surely, brothers, a fig-tree cannot produce olives, nor a vine figs, nor can salt water produce fresh water? Nor does James spare the gross inconsistency too often experienced. . _MURMEURS_ Les gens ont murmur. How I wished I could have taken them back. John says, "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure" (1 John 3:3). Jesus denounces the Pharisees in the strongest possible terms by branding them hypocrites (Matthew 23). He now mentions the effects of celestial wisdom which are wholly contrary to the former effects. 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.". For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring." But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle. The tongue is a fire] It is often the instrument of producing the most desperate contentions and insurrections. There is not a man of exercised soul in this building, or any other, who has not proved the truth of what I am now saying. 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. let him sing psalms." No, but as the hand kills, so the tongue. To be sure, but what is the place of any one who finds a difficulty in the word of God? Those who are truly wise do what they can to preserve peace, that it may not be broken; and to make peace, that where it is lost it may be restored. In our bodies, that is to say, the tongue stands for the whole wicked world. [39] J. R. Dummelow, Commentary on the Holy Bible (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1937), p. 1036. It was this selfishness that came into direct personal collision with the Lord of glory, "who, though he was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty might be made rich." He knows how to forgive when strict justice gives him a Perfect right to condemn. However, nothing can be simpler than that which the apostle here describes and recommends to us, and nothing more certain. God said of man, "Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth" ( Genesis 1:28). Nor is this an opinion, but what God says. Let us prayerfully seek to avoid the snare. This condition is not peace. He knows, too, that he is not to be carried about by every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14). 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. That wisdom which is from above is without hypocrisy. In this we do and must all join in our measure. Paul admonishes Christians, on the other hand, to be honest and sincere at all times (Romans 12:17). He needed it in many ways; and so do we. It is pure, meaning free of the defilements mentioned. The apostles even lived with the potential of living hypocritical lives. What the man pretends to be, he is. But, apart altogether from the false teachers, it is James' conviction that teaching is a dangerous occupation for any man. But the wisdom that is from above - Compare the notes at 1 Corinthians 2:6-7. Therefore, if we call the tongue the evil kosmos ( G2889) , it means that it is that part of the body which is without God. But though he had sufficiently condemned hypocrisy, when he said that wisdom is pure or sincere; he makes it more clear by repeating the same thing at the end. James 3 They are perfectly harmonious; but then it is a different way of looking at the matter; and the reason is obvious, because what Paul treats of in Romans 7:1-25, which is the scripture I refer to, is not the conduct but the nature. He must, therefore, all his life struggle to avoid two things. Web3:13-18 These verses show the difference between men's pretending to be wise, and their being really so. He does so unsought, and surely undeserved. While it is commendable to be open-minded concerning others, the truth is not something that can be changed according to the situation. 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. Worldly wisdom might well wish to escape God's sight; the true wisdom is able to bear his very scrutiny. My brethren, [he said,] be not many masters [or teachers] ( James 3:1 ), The idea of master there is a teacher, Text Commentaries by John MacArthur (i) We put a bit into the mouth of a horse, knowing that if we can control its mouth, we can control its whole body. But here the apostle is exposing the absence of an internal work where intelligence is severed from conscience, and this he illustrates, as we have seen, by the man that gets a glance in a glass, and then all is gone directly his back is turned. James warns these Christians not to show preferential treatment to certain ones. Gentleness may thus be opposed to all these. Does a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? This could in no wise satisfy God's nature, and so scripture reveals a time coming when all will be according to God. In Matthews gospel, Jesus brings to light many different types of behavior that involve hypocrisy. An oath, therefore, should not be refused when put by a magistrate. James 3 In the OT peace is usually associated with (1) cessation of war and hostilities and the promotion of harmony and (2) the presence of health, prosperity and wholeness, ultimately in this sense of the reign of the Messiah and eschatological salvation (cf. Everywhere he went he was treated with the utmost respect. In short, if we regard his work apart from faith, it is perhaps the darkest evil conceivable. "My brethren," says he, "count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trial of your faith worketh patience. It measures success in worldly terms; and its aims are worldly aims. It was necessarily negative, not positive, in character. Christians are to be "gentle" to all men (Titus 3:2). Even so the tongue is a little member, but it boasts great things. James and John he surnamed Boanerges This word, says Dr. Hammond, is the corruption of the Hebrew , benei ragnash, sons of earthquake, tempest, or any other commotion, such as is here styled, , thunder. Commentary on James 3:1-12 A.K.M. The Christian should show mercy to anyone suffering, even those who bring it on themselves. But herein is just what causes the difficulty. We must spend a little longer on this passage, because in it there are two specially difficult phrases. (vii) The true wisdom is anupokritos ( G505) , without hypocrisy. How can a man have evidence that he is a true Christian, who is not such? Hence, if a man be wise, the question arises, how is it to be proved? That wisdom that is earthly, sensual, devilish, envying, striving, bitterness.Now, what marks your life? The odium theologicum is notorious. If such is the nature of the wisdom which is from above, who is there that should be ashamed of it? People may come to it with the thought that all the epistles were addressed to Christians, but this is simply wrong. 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. In the next place he proceeds to show too how this works practically: "Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: but the rich in that he is made low:" such are the ways of God "because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away." 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. Again, the epistle of James was written not merely to the church in Jerusalem, but to the twelve tribes that were scattered abroad. 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. The real scholar will be far more aware of what he does not know than of what he knows. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. WebJames here defined exactly what he meant by the meekness of wisdom in James 3:13. b. And here it seems seasonable to say that, so far from James being legal in the evil sense of the word, he is the inspired man who, at least as much as any other, slays legality by this very expression. And therefore those who are lifted up with such wisdom as this must fall into the condemnation of the devil. - MSB, easy to be entreated -- literally, easily persuaded, tractable; not harsh as to a neighbors FAULTS. Instead of a friend become not an enemy; for thereby thou shalt inherit an ill name, shame and reproach; even so shall a sinner that hath a double tongue" ( Sir_5:13 through Sir_6:1 ). His outward life as well as his inner feelings and motivations must be freed from sin. It was used even by those who were clothed with miraculous power. From the same mouth there emerge blessing and cursing. Aristippus the Greek had a wise saying, "The conqueror of pleasure is not the man who never uses it. 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. WebJames 3:17-18. So, for instance, Euripides can make one of his characters say, "My hands are pure, but my heart is not." 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. The oath before a magistrate? A truly wise man is a very knowing man: he will not set up for the reputation of being wise without laying in a good stock of knowledge; and he will not value himself merely upon knowing things, if he has not wisdom to make a right application and use of that knowledge. It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away, instead of your saying, If the Lord will, and we live, we will also do this, or that. The ancients divided man into three parts--body, soul and spirit. Let us look to the grace of the Lord to understand the scripture. For this kind of wisdom descends not from above. There is a temptation which comes from the devil as truly as there is a temptation that comes from God, and is good for man. What James is saying is that the tongue can kindle a destructive fire which can destroy all life; and the tongue itself is kindled with. But ye have despised them." Consequently there is a word for those of them that were clearly not born of God, as well as for those who were. Biblical love and compassion issue in active love and service, not sentimentalities. Hearing is exactly the attitude of dependence. Compare the notes at that passage. James then describes this arrogant and bitter wisdom in its effects. He begins his list Paul instructs Christians to possess the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). It is grace alone that has communicated the nature of God; it is grace alone that strengthens the new nature by the gift of the Holy Ghost who dwells in us; and yet more than this, "He giveth more grace. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. Let us, too, be "swift to hear, slow to speak. He "straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was." Le don de l'Esprit non par les uvres de la loi, mais par l'coute de la foi. Encore une Commentaire Biblique de Adam Clarke. WebMatthew Henry :: Commentary on James 3 Chapter 3 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. 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. 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. The order of things here laid down. James sets down two ideas which were woven into Jewish thought and literature. can a vine bear figs? Founded, then, on this, the communication of His own nature, with its moral judgment, we. The allusion is to the Lord, not the just in general, but the Just One, even Christ, "and he doth not resist you. The greatest of the Jewish teachers were well aware of that. This is the wisdom of those who trust God to provide all they need, to 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. Do not you try to settle difficulties, but put yourself in the attitude of dependence. He who realises with God what this world is, and what man's nature is, is humble before Him; as also more grace is given to such. Speak not evil one of another, brethren. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. This does not mean expressly the inspired psalms. Chaste, holy, and clean. JAMES 3:17 Now he just turns aside to notice the other; and it is the more important to weigh it well because, as far as I know, it is the only place in scripture where it is definitely presented. The apostle James it is who lets us know that such was his object in writing. But the true wisdom at all times brings men closer to one another and to God. As we have found, he particularly warns against the tongue as the expression of the heart's excitement if not of malice. Then comes the general spirit of confession. 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. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.". There are two dangers which every teacher must avoid. is the opposite of stiff and unbending. (Moffatt) Eupeithes 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 true wisdom is not rigid but is willing to listen and skilled in knowing when wisely to yield. (Barclay). Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill. without hypocrisy: "Without hypocrisy" (anupokritos) is the last characteristic of wisdom James mentions in this verse. In the Church he took the place of the Rabbi in Judaism. WebThe Life & Times of Thomas K.R. There he engages in full fellowship with the Gentiles by eating with them. Philo called the mind the charioteer and steersman of man's life; it is when the mind controls every word and it itself is controlled by Christ that life is safe. James 3:3. Many have fallen by the edge of the sword; but not so many as, have fallen by the tongue. Means peace loving or peace promoting (cf. Can anything be conceived more superficial than such a remark? This is a highly compressed sentence. The most notable thing about it is that it issues in disorder. The Jewish mind on its own side was just as prone to make a code of Christianity as the Gentiles were to couple it with philosophy. Here, for instance, we have the righteousness of God clearly in a different sense from that so familiar to us in the Pauline epistles. Even serpents can be trained and you see the in India the guy with his flute and the Boa constrictor you know doing its thing. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Now he is touching upon another character; "for God cannot be tempted by evils," you must read it as it is in the margin, "neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.". His comments were interspersed with commentary from James Burke, often to fill in the silences. He also calls it gentle or tractable; by which he means that it widely differs from pride and malignity. "Who is he that hath not offended with his tongue?" Web35 views, 3 likes, 2 loves, 1 comments, 2 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from The Church at the Mount: Study of the book of Galatians with pastor Cliff. (ii) Any particular point in the wheel is always moving up or down. His tendency would be to reduce it merely to a number of thoughts, and thus an outward system. This would be hardly intelligible. 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. It is full of mercy in that it is actively sympathetic to the needy, and it is full of good fruits (good works). In virtue of his office he will either be teaching those who are young in years or those who are children in the faith. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. Yet the authors statement here seems somewhat overcharged; possibly his own personal history may have contributed a little to this result. All rights reserved. 3 It cannot refer to things which are in themselves wrong. His very name means, "My great one." The tongue, God help us that we might be so yielded to the Spirit that He would do for us what we can't do for ourselves and that is bring our tongue under control.I've said so many things that I wish I had not of said; said in a moment of anger. Not from the new nature of which God is the blessed source, but from the old. Let us then endeavour to profit by the warning, and above all by the precious lesson in the word of our God. The truth it holds is held with unbalanced violence rather than with reasoned conviction. The rudder on a ship, a small part of the ship, but yet it turns the ship. "He beholdeth himself, and goeth his way." One sees thoroughly, in the midst of the utmost difference otherwise, how it is the same divine mind a mind above the contractedness of man. The desire of man as he is being after evil, the law put a veto on the indulgence of the will. 7. Now where this is the happy case of any there will be these following things:-- 1. *If my memory serve me, a celebrated man of the day wrote an essay on liberty, in which he observes that Christians are thrown on the law of Moses in default of positive morality in the New Testament. 17But the wisdom which is from above. Oh, if ever there was a work of faith since the world began, it was that work for which Abraham was ready yea, did put his hand to. 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.. Undeserved! 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. One sin begets another, and it cannot be imagined how much mischief is produced: there is every evil work. The faith that is given us of God saves, not that which is the fruit of man's nature. It was true that a Rabbi was not allowed to take money for teaching and that he was supposed to support his bodily needs by working at a trade; but it was also held that it was a specially pious and meritorious work to take a Rabbi into the household and to support him with every care. This wisdom is without hypocrisy: Without pretending to be what it is not; acting always in its own character; never working under a mask. As a whole, the New Testament addresses itself to the Christian body; but James does not. If they were set on fire, the flames spread like a wave which there was no stopping. Isaiah says "wickedness burns like a fire, it consumes briers and thorns; it kindles the thickets of the forest" ( Isaiah 9:18). The word is used in the LXX. That ought to be the unrighteous world. 3:17 It is, in fact, to that verse that James is very likely looking back. Observe, 1. (iv) It is arrogant. Masquerading evil thoughts with flattering compliments is yet another form of hypocrisy that Jesus exposes (Matthew 22:16-18). WebThe Bible in Basic English for James 3:17 17 But the wisdom which is from heaven is first holy, then gentle, readily giving way in argument, full of peace and mercy and good works, not doubting, not seeming other than it is. 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. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. Be slow then to speak, swift to hear. ( Sir_22:27 ). Scripture knows no such being as a "saved sinner." There must be no attempts to reach peace by overleaping purity. There is no such thought that enters the mind of God. Birds can be trained to talk, and to say phrases. Controversy here is, or ought to be, entirely out of the question. 3:2 There are many things in which we all slip up; but if a man never slips up in his speech, he is a perfect man, able to keep the whole body also on the rein. A good conversation. Man has learned how to train and to bring into control all these of these wild things in nature. But the wisdom that is from above: Gods wisdom also has fruit. 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. Few are in such constant spiritual peril as teachers and preachers. Corinthians But the wisdom that is from above is first pure: The first characteristic of this wisdom is that it is "first pure." Just as the Hebrew scriptures are not without this exception, so in the New Testament you have another exception. Without hypocrisy We are on firm ground for the meaning of this. James 3 As in the previous chapters, James began his discussion of human speech with a practical exhortation and continued to deal with increasingly basic issues. James is saying that this wrong kind of wisdom is no more than an animal kind of thing; it is the kind of wisdom which makes an animal snap and snarl with no other thought than that of prey or personal survival. At the same time it only confirms, as it appears to me, what has already been shown to be the comprehensive character of the epistle.
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