RULES FOR DAILY CONDUCT _CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_ James 5:1. RICH MEN.—Always in Scripture, the men who are proud of their riches, centred in their riches, and are nothing but rich. The good man, who happens to have the trust of wealth, and is trying to use it faithfully, should not be though... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_ James 5:7. Margin, “suffer with long patience.” St. James inculcates a systematic course of action. EARLY AND LATTER RAIN.—_Early_ rain fell from October to February, _latter_ from March to end of April. James 5:9. GRUDGE NOT.—A caution against an impatient, querulo... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_ James 5:13. MERRY.—Of good cheer, gladsome at heart. PSALM.—The word suggests a composition fitted to an accompaniment of music. _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— James 5:12_ Christian Conduct fitting Occasions.—St. James closes his epistle with good advice, and i... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_ James 5:14. CALL FOR.—Summon to him. ELDERS.—Officers usual in synagogues, and probably also found in the Jewish Christian congregations. Not priests, or even ministers. ANOINTING HIM WITH OIL.—Clearly not as a religious ceremony, but as an agency for the recovery of... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_ James 5:17. PRAYED EARNESTLY.—Margin, “prayed in his prayer.” _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— James 5:17_ Prayer affecting Natural Law.—The statement is made, in support of the advice to “pray for one another,” that “the supplication of a righteous man availeth... [ Continue Reading ]
_CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_ James 5:19. ERR.—Or, “be led astray.” CONVERT.—Turn him round, and bring him back. James 5:20. HIDE A MULTITUDE OF SINS.—Compare LXX. on Proverbs 10:12: “Friendship covers all those that are not contentious.” See 1 Peter 4:8. It is clear that the sins St. James has... [ Continue Reading ]