One of the great themes of the Bible is that of peace. Everyone makes many mistakes, James says; if someone didnt make any verbal gaffes, such a person would be perfect. without hypocrisy; either with respect to God or man; not making show of that which they have not, or do not intend. However, nothing can be simpler than that which the apostle here describes and recommends to us, and nothing more certain. The person is chastened in sickness for some evil; it is now judged; grace intervenes, and God heals. let him pray. It first maintains the character and glory of God, and then seeks the fruits of peace among men. - MSB, peaceable -- This is the Greek term eirene. 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. a. On the other hand, the effect of forgetting to whom the words are addressed, and of assuming that the epistle contemplates none but such as are born of God, is that you are obliged to explain away the strength of the divine word. It has not been unknown for a man to utter the most pious sentiments one day and to repeat the most questionable stories the next. So in talking about the tongue, it's a very small part of our anatomy. Is first pure . His word for zeal is zelos ( G2205) . 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. Solomon also states in Proverbs 30:5-6, "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. We know how easily "learned discussion can produce passion." Some people are undoubtedly skilful in laying plans and using circumstances to achieve their goals, but their actions are often characterized by jealousy, selfishness and dishonesty. The law of liberty brings in the positive for those who love it not the negation of what the will and lust of man desires, so much as the exercise of the new life in what is according to its own nature. True wisdom may be known by its works. "We all sin," said Seneca, "some more grievously, some more lightly" (On Clemency 1: 6). When Christians live deceptive lives, they become a stumbling block to others who would obey the Lord (Matthew 23:13). The current spirit in America is that of selfishness and a "me first attitude." To my mind it is not only inexact but misleading and dangerous. We find the same truth frequently in St. John (John 15:4, 5; The wisdom that is from above The pure religion of the Lord Jesus, bought by his blood, and infused by his Spirit. These are the two most important points pressed practically throughout the epistle. We shall find it profitable in everything, as well as in the word that we are now reading. in Proverbs 25:1; and by Ignatius (Eph. For if I do not teach the Word of God correctly, then those people that I may be leading astray, will be people for whom I will have to bear a responsibility. 5. "And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." Was it a time, when God was dealing with unwonted power and grace even for Gentiles? In this place he describeth the sum and subject of the disputation, and he putteth down two members concerning Christ, that he must have died and risen again, and that the son of Mary which was crucified is Christ. James uses the word to refer to the person who masks his real intentions; that is, he pretends to be what he really is not. His comments were interspersed with commentary from James Burke, often to fill in the silences. Then follows a grave and searching consideration for those who talk about the law, "for whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. Then the chapter closes with giving us a sample of what pure and undefiled religion is, but chiefly as we observe in a practical way the main object and never lost sight of. - Utley, good fruits -- This is linked with full of mercy. This is a concern and care for those in need. c. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace: This fruit is like a seed that will bear fruit as it is sown by those who make peace. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners." II. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. 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. Then let him live a life of such beautiful graciousness that he will prove to all that gentleness is enthroned as the controlling power within his heart. "Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. A man could have evil thoughts and desires, but as long as he was religious outwardly he could still be pure. Against this the Holy Ghost launches His solemn and searching words in the rest of the chapter. Seeking nothing but Gods glory, and using no other means to attain it than those of his own prescribing. (Clarke), ix. Jesus emphasizes that purity must include the entire man. He now mentions the effects of celestial wisdom which are wholly contrary to the former effects. ", And how is this then to be effected? "[41] This is the very opposite of the cold, haughty and unyielding hardness of some religious teachers. It is blowing hot and blowing cold; it is appearing to ask God, when in point of fact you have no confidence in Him. 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. Here it is a question of God's judgment. 2. WebJamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 17. first pureliterally, "chaste," "sanctified": pure from all that is "earthly, sensual (animal), devilish" (Jas 3:15). There is a kind of cruel wisdom which takes a delight in hurting others with clever, but cutting, words. But although everyone makes mistakes, communication amplifies the effects of these slip-ups. It cannot fall in with those managements which the world counts wise, which are crafty and guileful; but it is sincere and open, steady and uniform, and consistent with itself. It literally means the wheel of being. Read James (BBE) Read James 3:17 (BBE) in Parallel Common English Bible for James 3:17 17 What of the wisdom from above? Isaiah says "wickedness burns like a fire, it consumes briers and thorns; it kindles the thickets of the forest" ( Isaiah 9:18). It contrasts sharply with spiritual wisdom, which is characterized by humility and uprightness (13-16).In addition, those who act according to spiritual wisdom will consider the well-being of others before their own. 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. 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). It is not the stubbornness of self-assertion or opinionativeness. He says first that it is pure; by which term he excludes hypocrisy and ambition. In the New Testament itself we get glimpses of teachers who failed in their responsibility and became false teachers. Ils avaient peu de penses au-dessus de la satisfaction de leurs envies corporelles. Gibson says this means "forbearance, even under provocation. It is that glimpse of conviction by the truth that comes before souls when they are forced to discern what the spring of their thoughts is, what their feelings are when the light of God flashes over and through a man; but how soon it passes away, instead of entering in and abiding within the soul! When Christians enjoy receiving the praise of men for doing their Christian duties, they are in danger of hypocrisy (Matthew 6:2; Matthew 6:5; Matthew 6:16). 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. 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. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 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. On the mount He says, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8). "Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations." We have some account of true wisdom, with the distinguishing marks and fruits of it: Who is a wise man, and endued with knowledge among you? (Galatians 2:14) Pauls charge against Peter was that he was acting hypocritically. This is true neither in every-day language nor in God's word. It is unwaveringly single-minded in its devotion to God rather than double-minded. Zechariah speaks of "a blazing pot in the midst of wood, like a flaming torch among sheaves" ( Zechariah 12:6). It is reasonable, that is, open to reason and willing to yield to reasonable requests. The greatest of the Jewish teachers were well aware of that. We have the glorying of those taken away who are of a contrary character to that now mentioned, and their wisdom exposed in all its boasts and productions: "If you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, c., James 3:14-16; James 3:14-16. It is full of love and a giving heart, consistent with the holiness of God. See the rabbinical meaning of ( Sir_22:27 ). Their field was the whole Church; and they did not stay long in any one congregation. 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. Evidently nothing. WebJames 3:17 New International Version 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial Otherwise Abraham in man's eye was a father ready to murder his own son: what could be worse than this? Many have fallen by the edge of the sword; but not so many as, have fallen by the tongue. What the man pretends to be, he is. His very name means, "My great one." Who is a wise man endued with knowledge among you? John Bunyan tells us of Talkative: "He was a saint abroad and a devil at home." 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. In Phil. 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. But the seeds which bring the rich harvest can never flourish in any atmosphere other than one of right relationships between man and man. Be slow then to speak, swift to hear. (ii) It is characteristic of the natural man. A huge ship turned by such a small rudder, so our tongues can really control in a sense our whole lives. It was necessarily negative, not positive, in character. "But let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. At least they do feel; and so far there is a greater effect produced than on these reasoning Jews. Those who profess religion ought especially to govern their tongues ( v. 1-12 ). Salem Media Group. 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).
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