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." Without partiality - Margin, or wrangling. The word here used ( adiakritos) occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. 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. I present it to you as-is. (i) The tongue, says the Revised Standard Version is an unrighteous world. Heavenly wisdom is without partiality. Christians will rationalize that because someone has done them wrong, they have the right to do the same back to them. Solomon emphasizes this point as he writes, "Buy the truth, and sell it not" (Proverbs 23:23). Here at once would spring up a divergence of feeling among them. Jesus warned men that they would give account for every word they spoke. How, if it be the Spirit of God, can He be put in such a connection here? cities hath it pulled down and overthrown the houses of great men. Be slow then to speak, swift to hear. Surely we are not to take Paul's object in order to interpret James by. in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou here, or sit here under my footstool; are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Can faith save?" It is peaceable, namely, peace-loving, peace-practicing, and peace-yielding. 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. This is not the way in which the apostle Paul handles the matter. "Is it a time," said the indignant prophet, to his covetous and deceitful attendant, "to receive money, and to receive garments, and olive-yards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and men-servants, and maid-servants?" Truth cannot be sacrificed in order to have peace. This could in no wise satisfy God's nature, and so scripture reveals a time coming when all will be according to God. He spoke of the importance of controlling ones mind next to enable his readers to understand how to control their tongues. The mouth is the voice piece of the heart of man. but with the same tongue we curse men, who are made after the similitude or the likeness of God. The tongue is something that has a capacity for great blessings or for great evil. My brethren, [he said,] be not many masters [or teachers] ( James 3:1 ). Surely we may ask this; for those who value the word of God are not precluded from enquiring what the object is. This is true neither in every-day language nor in God's word. of An uncontrolled tongue is like a world hostile to God. Himself a wise man in his ordinary ways, there was divine wisdom given him by the Holy Ghost in thus dealing so directly with the snares of the twelve tribes, and even of that portion which professed the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then it came to mean any work done for pay. This is the governing thought and aim of the epistle. Wisdom in the mind affects ones use of his or her tongue. WebJames 3, Clarke's Commentary, Adam Clarke's commentary is a valuable resource for Christians seeking a deeper understanding of the Scriptures. We had it at the commencement of the chapter; we have it again here that it should by all means be remembered. This is the place which becomes him that is born of God. Of this, accordingly, James here speaks. The law of liberty therefore consists not so much in a restraint on gratifying the old man, as in guiding and guarding the new; for the heart's delight is in what is good and holy and true; and the word of our God on the one hand exercises us in cleaving to that which is the joy of the Christian's heart, and strengthens us in our detestation of all that we know to be offensive to the Lord. Man's ingenuity has tamed every wild creature in the sense of controlling and making useful; that, says James, is what no man by his own unaided efforts has ever been able to do with the tongue. In the dry season the scanty grass and low-growing thorn bushes and scrub were as dry as tinder. The maxim that a pure heart ought not to sacrifice truth on any consideration whatever, never gave rise to persecution: it has made many martyrs, but never one persecutor; it has pined in the dungeon, but never immured any there; it has burned amid the flames, but never lighted the faggot; it has ascended scaffolds, but never erected them; it has preserved and bequeathed civil and religious liberty, but never assaulted them; it is a divine principle - the principle by which Christianity became strong, and will ultimately command the homage of the world. WebSupplements to Commentaries Chapter 17: 2.1 New Testament Introductions Chapter 18: 2.2 New Testament Theologies Chapter 19: 3. There is no doubt that this gives excellent sense; but it is doubtful if the phrase really can mean that. James 3:4. Not that any one acquainted with the truth denies that a saved soul has still the flesh in him, and is liable to sin if unwatchful. Thus the break is by no means so marked, but on the contrary natural and easily understood; for, in point of fact, James coalesces with the state of things that we find in the churches of Judea, and notably in the church at Jerusalem. 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. It is true that a church should be pure in doctrinal belief, but that is not the truth taught here. It is pure, meaning free of the defilements mentioned. He knows, too, that he is not to be carried about by every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14). But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. In The Sayings of the Fathers we read, "He that is arrogant in decision is foolish, wicked, puffed up in spirit." "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation," instead of being exposed either to the instability of unbelief which we saw, or to the mere dependence on natural resources which was next proved. Then, let it be repeated, it is not merely good we see here, but a communication of His own spiritual nature; and this He is doing by the word of truth. With one voice the Jewish sages agreed that wisdom came to men from God. Ronny Marriott, incumbent second vice president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and pastor of First Baptist Church in Burleson, will be nominated for Texas Baptists first vice president. Does the Spirit that dwelleth in us lust unto envy?" WebBenson Commentary Mark 3:17. 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. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. Yet, what an exposure! Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. Thus it is not only that God is inaccessible to evil Himself, but He also never tempts to evil at any one time whatsoever. It is not at all likely that any Christian would think in terms of a cyclical life which was not going anywhere. Must we translate and punctuate as in the common Greek Testament and English Bible? This wisdom is pure because it is also connected with Gods word. easy to be entreated: James here presents another characteristic of wisdom. (vi) The true wisdom is adiakritos ( G87) , undivided. Now where this is the happy case of any there will be these following things:-- 1. The hand kills only at close quarters; the tongue is called an arrow because it kills at a distance. Was this the time for an Israelite to lie for profit and get gain by it? True wisdom may be known by its works. vii. James points out this wisdom from above is "first pure, then peaceable." 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. Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie. As evil comes from us, so all that is good comes from God; and not only is God the spring of every good every good giving and every perfect gift being all from God (the manner of it as well as the thing itself that is given); but, besides, there is no change in God, the creature in its best estate is nothing but change. Many have fallen by the edge of the sword; but not so many as, have fallen by the tongue. Oh, how true is this, and how admirably drawn to the life! First man should strive to have peace with God through the forgiveness of his sins (Romans 5:1), and then he should seek peace with his fellowman (Romans 12:18). Thus there is often a great deal of importance even in the way in which a truth is stated. The margin reads it, without wrangling, not acting the part of sectaries, and disputing merely for the sake of a party; nor censuring others purely on account of their differing from us. 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.). This is put, "first of all," 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. This same word is used as one of the qualifications of the elder (1 Timothy 3:3). It originally meant spinning for hire and was used of serving women. 3:1-12 We are taught to dread an unruly (i) There is no man in this world who does not sin in something. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. _MURMEURS_ Les gens ont murmur. And he likens the tongue though it is such a small part of the body and yet able to do such great damage move so many things like the bridle in a horse's mouth, small but yet you can move that big horse around with just a little bridle in its mouth. When Christians live deceptive lives, they become a stumbling block to others who would obey the Lord (Matthew 23:13). Eirene ( G1515) means peace, and when it is used of men its basic meaning is right relationships between man and man, and between man and God The true wisdom produces right relationships. 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). The law forbad the very things to which man's own impulses and desires would have prompted him, and is the solemn means of detecting rebellious fallen nature. "Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm." Here all is exemplified in a plain but striking way. This wisdom knows that the same measure of mercy we grant to others is the same measure God will use with us (Matthew 7:2). Can a fig tree bear olive berries? As the sins before condemned arise from an affectation of being thought more wise than others, and being endued with more knowledge than they, so the apostle in these verses shows the difference between men's pretending to be wise and their being really so, and between the wisdom which is from beneath (from earth or hell) and that which is from above. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy. For where envying and strife is there is confusion and every evil work. Worldly wisdom might well wish to escape Gods sight" (95). Read full chapter Footnotes James 3:17 Or willing to yield James 3:17 Or unwavering James 3:17 in all English translations James 2 James 4 Thus we see it is only, to say the least of it, a very great want of perception, and a dulness that certainly is unworthy nay, worthy of any person that sets up to judge the word of God a shameful position for a creature for a man above all for a Christian to take. The wisdom that is from above is peaceable. If we are wiser than others, this should be evidenced by the goodness of our conversation, not by the roughness or vanity of it. Zechariah speaks of "a blazing pot in the midst of wood, like a flaming torch among sheaves" ( Zechariah 12:6). The person to whom this letter is ascribed can scarcely be one of the two members of the Twelve who bore the name James (see Mt 10:23; Mk 3:1718; Lk 6:1415), for he is not identified as an apostle but only as slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ ().This designation most probably refers to the third New Testament This type of peace is not some mysterious emotion falling upon man at Gods whim but, rather, a condition of inner calmness knowing all is well with his soul. Our business is to gather what He has to teach us. "For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass." You know we sometimes just don't want to give that person that consolation of saying, "Well that's all right, I understand." Paul begins his letters by wishing peace upon the readers. Salem Media Group. It refers to that individual whose mind is not closed and is willing to listen to others. (iii) It is selfishly ambitious. Eleos ( G1656) is a word which acquired a new meaning in Christian thought. The wrath of man accounts itself zeal for God, and strange fire usurps the place of the true fire of the sanctuary. In the tinder-dry conditions of Palestine a forest fire was almost immediately out of control; and no man can control the damage of the tongue. Verse 6. This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in For surely that which a man says publicly will be used to measure himself; and it is well to be prepared for it. This was specially relevant to a Jew. The ancients divided man into three parts--body, soul and spirit. The word James uses is difficult to translate. It would be waste of time to speak of such a thing now, if it were not of practical moment; but I am convinced that it is' and that this and other stereotyped phrases of the religious world gravely need and will not bear an examination in the light of scripture. The manner of stating a truth, however well-meant, may sometimes stumble souls, through our own want of subjection to the precious truth and the wonderful wisdom of God in His word. James 2. One sin begets another, and it cannot be imagined how much mischief is produced: there is every evil work. The Roman world knew of tame fish in the fish-ponds which were in the open central hall or atrium of a Roman house. 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. The man who is epieikes ( G1933) is the man who knows when it is actually wrong to apply the strict letter of the law. It is not merely that we are objects of this blessing. But, he is not so proud as to think he knows all truth and someone else cannot possibly teach him anything. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Surely, brothers, a fig-tree cannot produce olives, nor a vine figs, nor can salt water produce fresh water? The Revised Standard Version correctly translates the Greek literally: "The harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." WebVerses 1-18. ". WebSupplements to Commentaries Chapter 17: 2.1 New Testament Introductions Chapter 18: 2.2 New Testament Theologies Chapter 19: 3. He writes, as seen, to the twelve tribes scattered abroad, and sends them greeting. 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. 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. Therefore, the phrase most probably means the whole of life and living. The picture of the forest fire is common in the Bible. Teaching the Word of God is an awesome responsibility, because when I stand here to teach God's Word, than I am responsible to be teaching the Word of God correctly. There is no disguise or mask assumed. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?" "We all sin," said Seneca, "some more grievously, some more lightly" (On Clemency 1: 6). The second possible meaning is that of being "without uncertainty" (RSV) or "unwavering" (NASB). 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. Whatever they may know to be their own proper place as Christians who never were in such a position, and, so far from being led into it, guarded from it. Hypocrisy, then, is a serious matter and should not be ignored. We ought all to know how much we need to watch against such an ignoring of God above us, and the coming of the Lord. peaceable: The next characteristic of true wisdom is that it is "peaceable" (eirenike). Then comes the general spirit of confession. Paul uses this word in Philippians 4:5 to encourage the Christian to let his "moderation" be known to all men. James then describes this arrogant and bitter wisdom in its effects. It is nothing more. For this kind of wisdom descends not from above. This individual will not react rashly toward someone who approaches him with a correction or a new idea. To bring about peace, we must rid ourselves of hate, suspicion, and fear and replace them with love, patience, and understanding. 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. That is, can do great things, whether of a good or evil kind. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. This order is for the good of the Christian. So don't be many masters knowing that we will receive the greater condemnation. They also, obviously, have meaning for all Christians as God expects us to grow in wisdom. The man that endures temptation, that accepts it and counts it joy, blessed is he; "for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.". knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation ( James 3:1 ). His comments were interspersed with commentary from James Burke, often to fill in the silences. 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.". The apostle shows that the spirit of heaping up riches in the last days is the same that in other circumstances slew Jesus Christ the righteous. (ii) The second difficult phrase is what the Revised Standard Version translates the cycle of nature (trochos ( G5164) geneseos, G1083) . Behold, we put bits in the horse's mouth, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body with that bit. "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." It comes not from God but from Satan, and results in wrong actions. III. See how large they are and how they are driven by rough winds, and see how their course is altered by a very small rudder, wherever the pressure of the steersman desires. He must have every care that he is teaching the truth, and not his own opinions or even his own prejudices. 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. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. Proverbs 17:6: , Who is a wise man endued with knowledge among you? 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. The great point of all seems this: that there were works, but the works that James insists on are works where faith constitutes their special excellence, and indeed alone could be their justification. WebJohn MacArthur. Verse 17. We shall find it profitable in everything, as well as in the word that we are now reading. 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. Here, for instance, we have the righteousness of God clearly in a different sense from that so familiar to us in the Pauline epistles. It is an action, so James adds that this wisdom is full of "good fruits." Whether we want to admit it or not, we are products of our environment. "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. - MSB, easy to be entreated -- literally, easily persuaded, tractable; not harsh as to a neighbors FAULTS. How comes it that the last clause is forgotten? The idea of the taming of the animal creation in the service of mankind is one which often occurs in Jewish literature. The word he uses for selfish ambition is eritheia ( G2052) which was also a word with no necessarily bad meaning. On the mount He says, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8). He means to bring in fulness of blessing by and by. . He begins his list either a curious inquiring into the faults of others, to find matter for censures. (Poole), viii. Let's turn to James chapter three. WebClarke's Commentary Verse 17. Why there was nothing but evil: he had shown this immediately before. He is writing as he says himself, to the Israelitish stock, and not merely to those of Israel that believe. So I think it is clearly here men capable of understanding what was spiritual. WebTag: James 3:17-18 commentary. There is a great deal of brutish fierceness and wantonness in us. There were many great and saintly Rabbis, but the Rabbi was treated in a way that was liable to ruin the character of any man. 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. vi. This does not mean that mortals are directly inspired by such wisdom, but that God is the ultimate source from which their wisdom is actually received; and the means of their receiving it, while not in view in this text, must surely be allowed as the gospels and apostolic writings themselves, there being no other possible source of it. Not he who thinks well, or he who talks well, is in the sense of the scripture allowed to be wise, if he do not live and act well. WebJames 3:17-18. This will be, as far as government is concerned, in the millennium; but, being only government, evil will remain to be controlled and kept down to His own glory. It seems to me that what was stated at the beginning of the present discourse is an important key for interpreting expressions. But a man can drop a malicious word, or repeat a scandalous and untrue story, about someone whom he does not even know or about someone who stays hundreds of miles away, and cause infinite harm. WebMatthew Henry's Commentary on James 3:17 Commentary on James 3:13-18 (Read James 3:13-18) These verses show the difference between men's pretending to be wise, and their being really so. _TOMBER_ Vous donc, bien-aims prenez garde de ne tombez pas de votre propre fermet. Good fruits Each temper and disposition producing fruits suited to and descriptive of its nature. - PC, without partiality -- recurring to the warning against partial respect to persons, James 2:1, James 2:4, James 2:9. Gentle Paul stressed this, notably in 2Timothy 2:24. 3:17-18 The wisdom which comes from above is first pure, then peaceable, considerate, willing to yield, full of mercy and of good fruits, undivided in mind, without hypocrisy. We have no ground whatever to suppose that these left off either sacrifices or the functions properly sacerdotal. May we never forget what the new nature loves and feels to be true and holy according to Christ. This trait is first because the other characteristics come from it. 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. What then is the law of liberty? 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. He is pleading for the control of the tongue. It is not so when we enter from the Acts of the Apostles; as in truth it is so arranged in the great mass of ancient authorities, and some versions which follow them. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience. How it links itself with Peter, and John, and Paul, we need not stop now to enquire. With our tongue we bless God even the Father. easy to be treated; or those who have it readily yield to the superior judgments and stronger reasonings of others; and are easily induced to hope and believe all things, and entertain a good opinion of men, and their conduct; and are far from being proud, arrogant, obstinate, and overbearing: full of mercy and good fruits; of compassion and beneficence to the poor; feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the widows and fatherless in their affliction; and doing all other good works and duties, both with respect to God and man, as fruits of grace, and of the Spirit: without partiality: to one another; or making a difference between them; showing no respect to persons; bestowing upon the poor and indigent, without any distinction: and. how often a blessing has been given, and as often lost, being turned to His shame and men's corruption. If the danger of hypocrisy was real for Peter, it remains just as much a threat for Christians today. One of the most difficult things in the world is to argue without passion and to meet arguments without wounding. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."
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