Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

James 1:4

ἡ δὲ ὑπομονὴ ἔργον τέλειον ἐχέτω : “But let endurance have its perfect result”; the possibility of losing heart is contemplated, which would result in something being lacking; the words recall what is said in the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, Joshua 2:7. “For endurance (μακροθυμία) is a mighty charm, and patience (ὑπομονή) giveth many good things”. Cf. Romans 5:3. ἵνα ἦτε τέλειοι : Cf. Matthew 5:48; Matthew 19:21; see Lightfoot's note on the meaning of this word in Philippians 3:15, “the τέλειοι are in fact the same with πνευματικοί ” (Ep. to the Philippians, p. 153). That in the passage before us it does not mean perfect in the literal sense is clear from the words which occur in James 3:2 (assuming that the same writer wrote both passages), πολλὰ πταίομεν ἄπαντες. “The word τέλειος is often used by later writers of the baptised” (Mayor). ὁλόκληροι : Cf. Wis 15:3; in its root-meaning ὁλόκληρος implies the “entire lot or destiny,” so that the underlying idea regarding a man who is ὁλόκληρος means one who fulfils his lot; here it would mean ‘those who fully attain to their high calling'. ἐν μηδενὶ λειπόμενοι : this is merely explanatory of ὁλόκληροι.

Continues after advertising

BibliaPlus

Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

James 1:4

Old Testament

New Testament