James 1:16

Verse 16. Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Here is a solemn charge urged with much force by James, the writer of this Epistle. Now, in what respect were they liable to err? Evidently in the possible thought that God was the author of evil. This the apostle fully exploded in his former reasoning. The Revised Version, Dr. Macknight and Rotherham, in place of the word "err," Use the word "deceived." I do not know that it is especially material to ascertain just which word the inspired penman would have us adopt to convey the meaning intended. Err is probably the stronger word, at all events it would be the legitimate result of deception. If we do not err, it is a certainty that we have not been deceived by the false suggestion of temptation by the infinite One. Probably this view controlled the translators of the Peshito Syriac, the Latin Vulgate and the Common Version in causing them to retain the word "err" as they have done. The views of Matthew Henry are so opposite that I transcribe them in full: "We should take particular care not to err in our conceptions of God. Do not err, my beloved brethren, do not wander, that is, from the word of God, and the accounts of him you have there. Do not stray into erroneous opinions, and go off from the standard of truth, the things you have received from the Lord Jesus and by the direction of his Spirit. The loose opinions of Simon and the Nicolaitans (from whom the gnostics, a most sensual, corrupt set of people, arose afterwards) may perhaps by the apostle here be more especially cautioned against. Those who are disposed to look into these may consult the first book of Irenaeus against heresies. Let corrupt men run into what notions they will, the truth as it is in Jesus stands thus: God is not, can not be, the author and patronizer of anything that is evil, but must be acknowledged as cause and spring of everything that is good."