James 1:22-25

Doing What We Hear

The word is only able to save if we hear and do what we hear (Matthew 7:21-27; Romans 2:13). Woods says the verb tense here in the word "doers" is such that it denotes a continuous action. The same is true when Paul says Christ is going to take vengeance on those who "obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). We are deceived when we think all that we have to do is hear the truth. That hearing must produce a faith that acts (James 1:22; Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6).

James then gives a parable to illustrate the point of verse 22. A person who looks in a mirror to check his appearance and then goes away without correcting the problems he sees is like one who only hears. Woods says the verb for "looks" in verse 25 means "to stoop and look, to gaze intently". So, in contrast to the one who glances in the mirror and does nothing about the things he sees which are amiss, we have one who carefully examines himself intending to correct every flaw.

The perfect law of liberty could not be Moses' law since it was unable to offer liberty or bring imperfect man to perfection (Galatians 5:1; Hebrews 8:8). In Christ, perfection is available to man (Hebrews 7:19; Colossians 1:28). Certainly, it is Christ's law that offers true freedom from condemnation (Romans 8:1-6). Christ's law is the perfect law of liberty (James 1:23-25).