COUNSELS FOR THE TEMPTED AND TRIED _CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_ James 1:1. Salutation. JAMES.—Greek Ἰάκωβος, a familiar Jewish name. Two so named were in the apostolic company. James the son of Zebedee, and James the son of Alphæus. This is thought to be a third James, known as the “brother of t... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_ James 1:2. TEMPTATIONS.—As so often in the New Testament, trials which take the form of suffering, and serve the purposes of Divine discipline. James 1:3. TRYING.—Testing, proving. “The proof to which your faith is put works out endurance.” PATIENCE.—ὑπομονήν; the p... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_ James 1:5. WISDOM.—Here, the wisdom of the book of Proverbs; practical skill in the ordering and management of life (Proverbs 19:20). LIBERALLY.—With single heart, frankly, freely; without searchingly taking account of our dulness, or slowness, or limited anxiety con... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_ James 1:9. HE IS EXALTED.—Or, “in his exaltation”; “in his high estate.” LOW DEGREE does not suggest _caste_, but _poverty_ involving humiliation. James 1:10. MADE LOW.—Or, “in his humiliation.” These experiences being especially adapted to each, can be rejoiced in... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_ James 1:12. IS TRIED.—Better, “hath been approved.” δόκιμος is properly spoken of money as having been tried and refined. CROWN OF LIFE.—See figure in Isaiah 28:5; and compare 2 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4. “Crown of life” is peculiar to St. James. James 1:13. TEMPTED.—... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_ James 1:17. FATHER OF LIGHTS.—The luminaries of heaven; as symbols of all kinds of lights, natural, intellectual, spiritual. SHADOW OF TURNING.—Or shadow that is cast by turning. The terms “variableness” and “shadow of turning” distinctly refer to the movements of th... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_ James 1:19. WRATH.—ὀργήν; an abiding, settled habit of mind with the purpose of revenge. James 1:21. FILTHINESS.—Not limited to sensualities, but including everything that defiles the soul. SUPERFLUITY OF NAUGHTINESS.—“Overflow of mental wickedness,” or of malice. Or... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_ James 1:23. NATURAL FACE.—Lit. “face of his birth”; “the face he has by corporeal birth.” γενέσεως is used in distinction from the notion which follows of spiritual features. The tenses of the verbs (aorist) imply, “looks at himself once for all”; “has taken his depa... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_ James 1:26. SEEM TO BE.—Imagine himself to be _religious_; a difficult term, because its meanings have been subject to change. “The Greek adjective is one which expresses the outward, ritual side of religion, answering to ‘godliness’ as the inward.” Seem to be a prof... [ Continue Reading ]