A large part of this and the following chapter is addressed to that portion of the Jewish Christian community who had departed from "the doctrine that is according to godliness," and become conformed, in their spirit and conduct, to the exceedingly corrupt and turbulent mass of unbelieving Jews amon... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE NOT; real satisfying enjoyment, because you do not seek it in the right things or in the right way. Wars are the fruit of human wickedness. Let all men be at peace with God, and obey the command, "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them," and wars will cease.... [ Continue Reading ]
RECEIVE NOT; because you do not ask of God with a right spirit, or for the right end. You seek to gratify yourselves; whereas you should seek to glorify God and do good to men.... [ Continue Reading ]
YE ADULTERERS AND ADULTERESSES; the sin of adultery stands here as the embodiment of all the fleshly lusts in which these unworthy professors of Christianity indulged. The same sin is charged by the apostles Peter and Jude upon the false teachers and their followers, 2 Peter 2:10; 2Pe 2:14; 2 Peter... [ Continue Reading ]
IN VAIN; without any urgent necessity of warning us. THE SPIRIT THAT DWELLETH IN US; the human spirit that belongs to us as a fallen sinful race. LUSTETH TO ENVY; to the exciting of envious desires. It is the constant doctrine of the Old Testament, that men naturally desire what others have, and th... [ Continue Reading ]
HE; God; or, according to the second of the above interpretations, the Holy Spirit. GIVETH MORE GRACE; to those who humbly seek him, to overcome this evil propensity. RESISTETH THE PROUD; repels those who come in pride and self-sufficiency, trusting in themselves and despising others.... [ Continue Reading ]
SUBMIT-TO GOD; be resigned to his will, be content with the allotments of his providence, and lay aside all envious desires. RESIST THE DEVIL; by refusing to do wrong, for the accomplishment of any object. The devil is a living and busy agent, exciting and increasing human wickedness, tempting men... [ Continue Reading ]
DRAW NIGH TO GOD; in prayer for all needed wisdom and strength to resist temptation and to persevere, whatever be the consequences, in doing right. HE WILL DRAW NIGH TO YOU; to sustain, comfort, and provide for you. CLEANSE YOUR HANDS-PURIFY YOUR HEARTS; be outwardly and inwardly pure. DOUBLE - M... [ Continue Reading ]
BE AFFLICTED; in view of your sins, and the judgments of God that are hanging over you. See note to chap James 5:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
HUMBLE YOURSELVES; instead of fighting and warring for worldly emoluments, honor, and pleasure, commit yourselves quietly to God, and he shall lift you up to true honor in his own time and way.... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGETH THE LAW; he practically condemns it. It is the royal law of love which the apostle has specially in mind, which forbids slander, and every thing else that can injure our neighbor.... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE LAWGIVER; Jesus Christ, and only one. All therefore are bound to yield cheerful, prompt, unwavering obedience to him. WHO ARE THOU; frail, sinful, dying man, that thou usurpest the place of Christ, and pronouncest sentence of condemnation on his servants, when thou must thyself soon stand befor... [ Continue Reading ]
A YEAR-THE MORROW; all our plans should be made in view of the uncertainty of human life.... [ Continue Reading ]
YE OUGHT; to feel your dependence on God for the continuance of life and for every blessing, and to act accordingly. In forming plans for the future, we should never forget our dependence on God, or neglect to seek his guidance and blessing.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN YOUR BOASTINGS; of what great things you will do, as if you were able of yourselves to accomplish your plans. IS EVIL; because it is treating God and yourselves contrary to truth.... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS SIN; because it is neglect of known duty. Knowledge of duty increases obligation to perform it; and the neglect of known duty is sin.... [ Continue Reading ]