ANALYSIS. Crimes are mentioned in this chapter that surely none claiming to be members of Christ's body (the Church) ever indulged in. They are possibly enumerated for the purpose of showing that every species of strife, and even wars, were the result of unbridled passions. James insists that succes... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 1 FROM WHENCE COME WARS? The question is unambiguous. It is especially pointed, and just as bold as it is plain. Without waiting for either believing or unbelieving Jew to respond, the writer of this Epistle courageously himself launches forth the answer, and it comes with the force of a torn... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 2 YE LUST, AND HAVE NOT. That is, ye covet, and fail to obtain what you desire. YE FIGHT AND WAR, YET YE HAVE NOT. Possibly you kill the heathen, desiring to make proselytes, but you fail in your misguided zeal to secure the end at which you aimed. Your object in forcing the heathen to embr... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 3 YE ASK, AND RECEIVE NOT, BECAUSE YE ASK AMISS. Even when you did ask you did not receive, because you asked that you might be enabled thereby to carry out a wicked purpose. Hence your asking was amiss. Your petition was wrong, and was therefore unheeded. THAT YOU MIGHT CONSUME IT UPON YOUR... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 4 YE ADULTERERS AND ADULTERESSES. The word "adulteresses" does not occur in the Syriac, neither does it appear in the Latin Vulgate. Singular to say, the word "adulterers" does not appear in Rotherham, nor yet in the Revised Version. The argument, however, loses none of its force in consequenc... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 5 DO YOU THINK THE SCRIPTURE SAITH IN VAIN? Now, suppose James calls special attention to these Scriptures, "For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness, neither shall evil dwell with thee. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity" (Psalms 5:4-5... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 6 BUT HE GIVETH MORE GRACE. To reach a proper solution two questions may be propounded. Who is it that gives? To whom or on whom is the gift bestowed? Both these questions are pertinent, and when properly answered will go far in determining the meaning of language that is so manifestly ellipt... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 7 SUBMIT YOURSELVES, THEREFORE, UNTO GOD. From the foregoing considerations James would say to the brethren addressed: It is plain to you that the course that you have been pursuing is wrong, and can not result in your good in this life, nor secure your happiness in heaven. I, therefore, urge... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 8 DRAW NIGH TO GOD, AND HE WILL DRAW NIGH TO YOU. Like the former, this is a most urgent exhortation. The duty is plainly and strongly stated. Draw nigh to God. How? In the way he has so plainly and explicitly indicated in his blessed Word. Should I obey this injunction to draw nigh to God, w... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 9 BE AFFLICTED, AND MOURN. Your sins are great. From these a turning away must take place, for deep penitence is required for your sins. Let your laughter be turned into mourning. The mirth indulged in by you in your former wicked course must now be turned to grief for the wickedness by you... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 10 HUMBLE YOURSELVES IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD. Humble yourselves in God's presence, and he shall lift you up. He will exalt you by bestowing the blessings of his gracious pardon and salvation upon you and by accepting you as his son.... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 11 SPEAK NOT EVIL ONE OF ANOTHER, BRETHREN. This great sin has prevailed in all ages of the Church, although directly forbidden. The blessed Master commands us to love one another. One can not love his brother while speaking evil of him. By speaking evil of a brother, you speak evil of the la... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 12 THERE IS ONE LAWGIVER. There is only one lawgiver, Jesus the Christ, and there is none other. He, and he alone, is the author and finisher of the faith. He can save, and he alone, and he will save the obedient. There is none other name under heaven known among men that can save, and beside... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 13 GO TO NOW, YE THAT SAY, TODAY OR TOMORROW."Go to now," as an expression, may have been intelligible in the days of King James of England, when our Common Version was made, but it is not good, plain English now, for it does not yield its sense readily. The Syriac is less hidden. It reads: "B... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 14 WHEREAS YE KNOW NOT WHAT SHALL BE TOMORROW. It is not given to us poor mortals to look into or in any wise know the future. You as mortals can make no calculations as to the future, and the affairs thereof. FOR WHAT IS YOUR LIFE? Your own observation is a constant reminder that in the mi... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 15 FOR THAT YE OUGHT TO SAY, IF THE LORD WILL. For the reason that we know nothing of the future, and fully realizing our entire dependence upon God, we should say, If it is the will of the Lord, or if it shall please the Lord, and we shall live, we will do this or that. I understand this to... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 16 BUT NOW YE REJOICE IN YOUR BOASTINGS. The reference here, I think, is to the vain boast contained in verse 13, wherein they asserted that to-day or to-morrow they would do certain things, having no reference to God, or to God's will and pleasure, but consulting only their own arrogant will... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 17 THEREFORE TO HIM WHO KNOWETH. They sin who know by God's revealed will what to do, and the doing of which is to do good, and refuse to do or neglect to do it. The best reason in the world herein appears. Submission to the divine will is required, if divine favor is expected, it is and can... [ Continue Reading ]