For the better understanding of these words, let us consider. 1. What the apostle doth not; 2. What he doth condemn. 3. What is here not condemned, namely, 1. The paying of civil respect to all persons, according to their character, and. different respect to persons, according to their different qu... [ Continue Reading ]
To prevent the growing evil condemned in the foregoing verse, of undervaluing those that are rich in grace, because poor in estate, the apostle in this verse declares how God himself gives countenance to the contrary practice; he confers. threefold dignity upon them; they are chosen by him, they are... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle here charges them downright with that sin which he had been before condemning, namely, an undue respect of persons, despising the poor whom God himself had chosen and honoured: BUT YE HAVE DESPISED THE POOR. Despising the poor is. sin not only against the word, but against the works of G... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The honourable title put upon the law of God. ROYAL LAW: Royal in its author, Jesus Christ, Hebrews 12:25. Christ's voice shook Mount Sinai: Royal in its precepts, the duty it requires of us is noble and excellent, nothing but what is our interest as men, our honour and happiness as... [ Continue Reading ]
Here the apostle doth suppose. case which ought to make every person very conscientious in his obedience to the whole law of God, namely, that in case. man were careful to observe all the laws of God, except one, his living in the breach of that one shall be so far from being connived at upon the ac... [ Continue Reading ]
As if the apostle had said, "He that threatened adultery with death, threatened also murder with death; it is the same lawgiver that forbids both, and his authority is as truly contemned in transgressing one as both these laws. Disobedience to God, in any one law, is. virtual denying of his authorit... [ Continue Reading ]
That is, he that whilst he lived SHEWED NO MERCY, but had opportunity and ability to shew it, SHALL HAVE JUDGMENT WITHOUT MERCY; that is, shall be very severely handled by God in the great day, and the sentence that shall pass upon him will be insupportable: BUT MERCY REJOICETH AGAINST JUDGMENT, or... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle here enters upon the second part of his discourse contained in this chapter, namely, to shew the vanity of. fruitless faith; that such. faith as is not the parent and principle of obedience, and productive of good works, is altogether ineffectual and unprofitable. Faith of no kind, when... [ Continue Reading ]
St. James brings in these words by way of dialogue, between. sincere believer that has true faith, and. falsehearted hypocrite that only pretends to it; thus, "Thou sayest thou hast true faith, though thou hast no works to evidence its truth;. say,. have true faith, because. have good works, which a... [ Continue Reading ]
As if the apostle had said, "Be thou either Jew of Christian, thou believest that there is. God, and assentest to the articles of religion: herein thou doest well, but this is no more than what the devils do: for they also believe and tremble; and if thou hast no better faith, and no better fruits o... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle here goes on to prove, that. person is justified by works, that is, by. working faith, from the example of Abraham; and the argument lies thus: "If Abraham of old was justified by. working faith then we cannot be justified without it at this day; but Abraham, the father of the faithful,... [ Continue Reading ]
Here the apostle declares, that Rahab was justified by. working faith, as Abraham was before her, which appeared in her entertaining the spirits, lodging them in her house, and dismissing them with all possible privacy, which was. notable evidence of her faith in the God of Israel, her faith being a... [ Continue Reading ]
In this verse the apostle sums up the whole matter, by comparing. dead faith to. dead corpse; as that is imperfect, wanting its best and noblest part: so faith without works wants that which dignifies and completes it. Faith, without holiness to enliven it, is. dead body, without the spirit to quic... [ Continue Reading ]