James Chapter 1 Part 2

 

James Chapter 1 Part 2

Testing of Your Faith

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: Jas 1:13

let no man... After using the word temptation in the sense of trial, James now uses it in the sense of solicitation to sin. God cannot be tempted with evil, neither does He tempt any man with it. Evil temptations come from evil, not from good.

Resist in deadly temptation

Believers are in danger of falling before the attacks and pressures of trials. But they are also subject to falling before the attractions and pleasures of temptation. Just as a wrong reaction to testing will obstruct spiritual growth and maturity, so will a wrong response to temptation. James outlined the source of temptation, the steps in temptation, and the solution for temptation.

Source Of Temptation

James offered a sharp rebuke to those who find an easy excuse for their sinning. To free themselves from responsibility they say, “I am tempted by God,” or “from God” (apo theou), denoting the origin, not merely the agency. James made it abundantly clear God cannot be tempted. There is nothing in God to which evil can make an appeal. He is literally “untemptable” (apeirastos; cf. comments on Heb. 4:15). Furthermore, He tempts no one. God often tests, but He never tempts.

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Jas 1:14

man is tempted...

Seven Steps in Temptation

1. Tempted: thought of evil (Jas. 1:14)

2. Drawn away: strong imagination (Jas. 1:14)

3. Lust: delight in viewing it (Jas. 1:14)

4. Enticed: weakening of the will (Jas. 1:14)

5. Lust conceived: yielding (Jas. 1:15)

6. Sin: sinful act committed (Jas. 1:15)

7. Death: result of actual sin (Jas. 1:15)

his own lust... Three kinds of lusts (desires):

1. Lusts of man (Jas. 1:14; 4:2; Gal. 5:16)

2. Lusts of Satan (John 8:44; Eph. 2:2-3; Rom. 6:12; 1Jhn. 2:17; 3:8)

3. Lusts (desires) of God (Gal. 5:17, 5:22-23; Psm. 51:6)

and enticed... Greek: deleazo. Translated entice (Jas. 1:14); beguile (2Pet. 2:14); and allure (2Pet. 2:18).

The source of temptation is from within a person; it is his own evil desire, lust, or inner craving. He is dragged away and enticed. This inner craving draws a person out (exelkomenos) like a fish drawn from its hiding place, and then entices him (deleazomenos, from the verb deleazō “to bait, to catch a fish with bait, or hunt with snares”). So a person both builds and baits his own trap.

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Jas 1:15

Steps In Temptation

The biological imagery is vivid. The lust or desire conceives and from this conception sin is born. The unmentioned father is most certainly Satan. The grotesque child, sin, then matures and produces its own offspring, death. The steps are all too clear: unchecked lust yields sin, and unconfessed sin brings death. How strange that sin gives birth to death. It may seem strange, but James warned his dear brothers and sisters who were to read this “genealogy” not to be deceived or led astray. Just as a right response to trials can result in growth to full spiritual maturity, so a wrong response to lust will result in decline to abject spiritual poverty and ultimately to death itself.

Do not err, my beloved brethren. Jas 1:16

Do not err... Do not be deceived by supposing that God is the author of sin or that He impels any man to commit it (Jas. 1:13).

The Greek expression refers to erring, going astray, or wandering. Christians are not to make the mistake of blaming God rather than themselves for their sin.

This is just saying, walk in the salvation you have received.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Jas 1:17

Every good gift... Whatever is good comes from God who never changes; whatever is evil comes from Satan and fallen man who are bent on doing whatever gains a selfish and sinful end.

Two different Greek words for “gift” emphasize the perfection and inclusiveness of God’s graciousness. The first denotes the act of giving and the second is the object given. Everything related to divine giving is adequate, complete and beneficial.

Father of lights... An ancient Jewish expression for God as the Creator, with “light” referring to the sun, moon and stars (Gen. 1:14-19).

is no variableness... Greek: parallage, change; variation. Only appears here. It is an astronomical term descriptive of the varying positions of the heavenly bodies causing changes in the seasons of the year. God is not changeable like this. In every season He is the same, neither does He change like the shadow on a sun dial (Heb. 13:8).

neither shadow of... From man’s perspective, the celestial bodies have different phases of movement and rotation, change from day to night and vary in intensity and shadow. But God does not follow that pattern as He is changeless (Mal. 3:6; 1 John 1:5).

Three great principles are presented:

(1) God is the Father, or Creator, of the heavenly bodies;

(2) As their Creator, He is certainly more stable than they. With God, there is not even the slightest change, He is immutable;

(3) God is only good, and always good.

This third principle relates (verse 17), to the proceeding context. It answers the implication (of verse 13), that God may sometimes tempt man to evil. Though God tries the saints (John 6:6; Heb. 11:17), He never tries with evil intent to tempt them.

Immutability of God: Since all changes are either for the better or for the worse, God is unchanging because He is perfect and cannot get better nor become worse. The Scriptures describe God’s nature, will and character as immutable or unchanging.

To be immutable, does not mean to be immobile. God also has the qualities of personality and can act, think, create, and make decisions. God is unchanging. Therefore, Christians can depend on His love and power, because God has not changed since biblical times.

God is the same, today, yesterday, and forever. God does not change. God is the source of all Light. Jesus called Himself the Light of the world. The Light is so bright there is no shadow where God is.

Ephesians 4:8 “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.”

These gifts that Jesus gave the believers are spiritual gifts.

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Romans 11:29 “For the gifts and calling of God [are] without repentance.”

Romans 12:6 “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith;”

Romans 12:7-8 “Or ministry, [let us wait] on [our] ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;” “Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, [let him do it] with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

Solution For Temptation:

In stark contrast with the morbid scene of death that descends from unbridled lust is the bright scene of new life that emanates from the Word of truth (Jas. 1:18; cf. Eph. 1:13; Col. 1:5). The father of darkness — Satan (Acts 26:18; Col. 1:13) — generates the offspring of sin and death. The Father of the heavenly lights (i.e., God, who created the starry universe) gives salvation and life and is unchanging. Shadows from the sun shift, but not the One who made the sun! The words, every good and perfect gift is from above, have a poetic cadence in Greek. They are literally, “every good act of giving (dosis) and every perfect gift (dōrēma) is from above.”

The solution for temptation is to be found in a close relationship with the Father and a constant response to His Word. One must rest in the unchangeable Lord of light and rely on His life-giving “Word of truth” (cf. Eph. 1:13; Col. 1:5; 2Tim. 2:15).

Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Jas 1:18

his own will... It is God’s will that all people be saved—begotten by the Word (John 3:16; 1Tim. 2:4; 2Pet. 3:9; Rev. 22:17).

This phrase translates a Greek word that makes the point that regeneration is not just a wish, but an active expression of God’s will, which He always has the power to accomplish. This phrase occurs at the beginning of the Greek sentence, which means James intends to emphasize that the sovereign will of God is the source of this new life.

begat he us... The Word of Truth is one of the agents that make men new creatures (see, John 3:5; 1Pet. 1:23; Eph. 5:26).

The divine act of regeneration, or the new birth.

word of truth... Scripture, or the Word of God. He regenerates sinners through the power of that Word (2. Cor. 6:7; Col. 1:5; 1 Thess. 2:13; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:23-25).

kind of firstfruits... Originally an Old Testament expression referring to the first and best harvest crops, which God expected as an offering (Exo. 23:19; Lev. 23:9-14; Deut. 26:1-19). Giving God that initial crop was an act of faith that He would fulfill His promise of a full harvest to come. See, Rom. 8:23.

There is no reason why one of God’s chosen firstfruits, or regenerated believers, has to yield to temptation. He must learn to resist its deadly force, or he can never grow into the spiritual maturity God desires of His children of light (Eph. 5:8; 1Thes. 5:5).

In the same way, Christians are the first evidence of God’s new creation that is to come (2 Pet. 3:10-13), and enjoy presently in their new life a foretaste of future glory.

All the redeemed are God’s firstfruits in that they are the first step in God’s redemption of all creation (Rom. 8:18-23).

In the first chapter of John, we read that the Word was God. We also read, that all things that were made were made, by that same Word. On the day of Pentecost, when the Spirit fell on the 120 Christians, they became first-fruit offerings to the Lord.

Hearing and Doing the Word

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: Jas 1:19

be swift to...

Seven Commands to Christians

1. Be swift to hear (Jas. 1:19)

2. Be slow to speak (Jas. 1:19)

3. Be slow to wrath (Jas. 1:19)

4. Lay aside all filthiness (Jas. 1:21)

5. Lay aside all overflowing of wickedness (Jas. 1:21)

6. Receive the Word with meekness (Jas. 1:21)

7. Be doers of the Word (Jas. 1:22)

slow to wrath...

Four Kinds of Disposition

1. Those easily angered and easily pacified

2. Those easily angered and difficult to appease

3. Those not easily angered and easily appeased

4. Those not easily angered and difficult to appease

Rest in divine truth

Ultimately the key both to responding to trials and resisting temptation is to be found in one’s reaction to God’s Word. Receptivity to the Word, responsiveness to the Word, and resignation to the Word are essential to spiritual growth. One must accept God’s Word, act on it, and abide by it.

Receptivity To The Word

Again James identified with his audience, My dear brothers, and then made it clear that what was to follow was of great importance: take note of this, or “know this” (iste). A threefold injunction follows: let everyone… be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. In an argument, of course, the one who is listening rather than lambasting is the one who is slow to anger (cf. Jas. 3:1-12).

For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Jas 1:20

wrath of man... This verse explains why men should be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. The wrath of man cannot work the righteousness that God requires. For example, the zeal of Israel in murdering the prophets, their own Messiah, and His followers.

Anger fails to yield the righteous life that God desires, the goal to which this epistle is committed.

“Wrath”: From the Greek word that describes a deep, internal resentment and rejection, in this context, of God’s Word (Gal. 4:16).

Trials require silence and patience because talk inflames anger, and anger inflames talk. Anger also distracts from listening to God.

Jesus was slow to anger. In fact, He was a very patient person. If we are to be like our Leader, Jesus Christ, then we must be of a quiet nature as well. The Bible calls it longsuffering.

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. Jas 1:21

lay apart all...

filthiness... Greek: rhuparia, moral filthiness; impure and unholy affections; baseness; vileness; depravity. Only used here. It is from rhuparos meaning cheap or shabby; foul; dirty; moral wickedness; sordid; mean. Translated vile (Jas. 2:2). The root word rhupos is translated filth in 1Pet. 3:21. Also rhupoo, moral filth (Rev. 22:11).

superfluity of naughtiness... Greek: perisseia. Translated superfluity (Jas. 1:21) and abundance (Rom. 5:17; 2Cor. 8:2; 10:15). The word for naughtiness is kakia, wickedness (See, Eph. 4:31). Here the idea is the abundance of wickedness.

receive with meekness... Greek: prautes, mildness; gentleness. Here; Jas. 3:13; 1Pet. 3:15.

the engrafted word... Greek: emphutos, inborn; innate. Only here. It is by the Word of Truth inborn and implanted in the soul that one is saved and begotten (Jas. 1:18; Eph. 5:26). The Word is called seed (1Pet. 1:23; 1Jhn. 3:9). When it is implanted in the soul it germinates and springs forth into eternal life. Only the seed that fails to be sown on properly prepared soil and cared for, will fail to bring forth fruit (Mat. 13:3-30).

Consequently it is essential to put away, or remove, all moral filth (ryparian, used only here in the NT; cf. rypara, “shabby,” in Jas. 2:2) and all the abundance of evil, and humbly (lit., “in meekness”) receive the implanted Word. “Planted” (emphyton, used only here in the NT) contrasts with grafted. The Word is to be ingrown or inborn, rooted in the fertile soil of the soul. It is that Word of God which can save.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. Jas 1:22

be ye doers... Greek: poietes, a performer. Translated doer (Jas. 1:22, 1:23, 1:25; 4:11; Rom. 2:13) and poet (Acts 17:28).

and not hearers... Greek: akroates. Here; Jas. 1:23, 1:25; Rom. 2:13.

deceiving... Greek: paralogizomai, to deceive by false reasoning. Here and Col. 2:4.

For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: Jas 1:23

beholding his natural... A forceful Greek word meaning to observe carefully and cautiously, as opposed to taking a causal glance.

The Word—A Mirror

He sees his blemishes and imperfections and is moved by what he sees. As long as he sees his deformities, spots, and ugliness he tries to do something about them. But when he turns away from the mirror, he forgets and his imperfections no longer bother him. So it is with the Bible. As long as one studies it, he sees himself as he really is and constantly seeks to improve himself and conform to its teaching (Jas. 1:25). If he gets away from the Bible, a man soon forgets the real picture of himself, "what manner of man he was" (Jas. 1:24).

in a glass... Greek: esoptron, mirror. Here; 1Cor. 13:12, First century mirrors were not glass but metallic, made of bronze, silver or for the wealthy, gold. The metals were beaten flat and polished to a high gloss, and the image they reflected was adequate but not perfect.

The one who listens and does nothing is like a man who glances at his face in a mirror and then forgets what he saw. It is interesting that James cited a man (andri) in this illustration. A woman would probably not give just a cursory glance, and if she saw a flaw she would probably do what she could to cover it or correct it. Not so this man who sees the “face of his birth” (prosōpon tēs geneseōs) and then forgets about it.

For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. Jas 1:24

straightway forgetteth what... Unless professing Christians act promptly after they hear the Word, they will forget the changes and improvements that their reflection showed them they need to make.

This really is speaking of someone who professes Christianity, but lives like the world. This is like people who get baptized and then go back to their old way of life. When we repent and are saved, and baptized, we become a brand new creature.

Old desires to sin should be gone. We are not the image we were before we are in Christ. What manner of man are you? Are you Christ-like, or worldly?

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. Jas 1:25

whoso looketh into... Greek: parakupto, to bend over for a better look. Translated look into (Jas. 1:25) and stoop down (Luke 24:12; John 20:5, 20:11).

the perfect law... This is not the law of Moses, but the new covenant, the only perfect law (Heb. 8:6). The law of Moses was imperfect and faulty (Heb. 7:12, 7:18-19, 7:22; 8:6-7). In both the Old Testament and New Testament, God’s revealed, inerrant, sufficient and comprehensive Word is called “law” (Psalm 19:7). The presence of His grace does not mean there is no moral law or code of conduct for believers to obey. Believers are enabled by the Spirit to keep it.

of liberty... Genuine freedom from sin. As the Holy Spirit applies the principles of Scripture to believer’s hearts, they are freed from sin’s bondage and enabled to obey God (John 8:34-36). It is a law of liberty because it frees from the principles of sin and death (Rom. 8:2-3; Gal. 5:1, 13). James also describes it as the royal law (2:8), for it is the law of the messianic King (Gal. 6:2).

and continueth therein... Greek: parameno, to stay beside; stand by; stand fast. Translated continue (Jas. 1:25; Heb. 7:23; Phlp. 1:25) and abide (1Cor. 16:6). The idea is taken from women spending much time at the mirror decorating themselves to the greatest advantage, not leaving one hair or the smallest ornament out of place. Thus, if one will be as careful to take every advantage of the Word of God to keep his soul saved and his life conformed to the gospel, he will "be blessed in his deed."

To look into the mirror of the Word of God involves an obligation. One must look intently into the perfect Law that gives freedom. The intent and sustained look with a ready response is the key to spiritual strength and continued maturity. The word for “looks intently into” (parakypsas) literally means “to stoop down” in order to have a good close look.

The “Law that gives freedom” seems like a paradox. Law seems to imply restraint and therefore a lack of freedom. Not so with God’s Law. His perfect Law provides true freedom. “Hold to My teaching,” Christ said, “then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32). One who does what God decrees will find full liberty and will be blessed in what he does.

Jesus said, if you love me, you will keep my commandments. The key word is continueth. He not only professes Christianity, but walks continuously in the salvation he has received. No one has to ask him if he is a Christian. His way of life shows the world that he is a Christian.

Everything we do should be done as unto the Lord. We are to work the work of an evangelist, until the Lord comes back. Even minutes before His return, we should be trying to win one more soul to Christianity.

If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Jas 1:26

to be religious... Greek: threskos, a careful follower of his belief. Only occurs here.

and bridleth not... Greek: chalinagogeo. Used only here; Jas. 3:2. Bridle means “control,” or as another translation renders it, “keep a tight rein”. Purity of heart is often revealed by controlled and proper speech.

but deceiveth his... Greek: apatao, to cheat; outwit; to be deceived. Here; Eph. 5:6; 1Tim. 2:14.

this man's religion... Greek: threskeia. Translated religion (Jas. 1:26-27; Acts 26:5) and worshiping (Col. 2:18). This refers to ceremonial public worship. James chose this term, instead of one referring to internal godliness, to emphasize the external trappings, rituals, routines and forms that were not followed sincerely.

is vain... Greek: mataios. Translated vain (Jas. 1:26; 1Cor. 3:20; 15:17; Tit. 3:9) and vanity (Acts 14:15).

Pure and undefiled religion is twofold:

1. To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction (Jas. 1:27)

2. Keep self unspotted from the world. True religion consists of universal benevolence and purity of heart and life (Mat. 5:16, 5:44; 2Cor. 9:8; Col. 1:10; 1Tim. 1:5; Tit. 2:7, 2:14; 3:1, 3:8; Heb. 12:14; Jas. 1:27; 3:13, 3:17; 1Pet. 2:12; 1Jhn. 3:17)

Resignation To The Word

Receptivity to the Word and responsiveness to its revelation must be coupled with a new approach to life. One must be resigned to continued obedience and perpetual practice.

One who is truly religious will demonstrate it by controlled speech. The word “religious” (thrēskos) refers to external observances. The outward ritualistic practices which a person may think are commendable are considered to be worthless (mataios, “futile, fruitless, useless”) if there is no parallel control, or tight rein on the tongue, a theme elaborated more fully in Jas. 3:1-12. Such a person deceives himself (apatōn kardian heautou, lit., “misleads or seduces his own heart”; cf. a different word for deceive in Jas. 1:22).

This is speaking of someone who is a Christian in form only. The world may even look on him and think of him as a Christian, but his heart is not right with God. We have discussed before, that the words that come out of the mouth, spoken by the tongue, are what we are inside.

Out of the heart, the mouth speaketh. You cannot curse and bless with the same tongue. Evil words come from an evil heart. The heart of man reveals what relationship he has with God. Religion is something we do systematically.

We can be religious about most anything. To be a true Christian, our heart must be washed in the blood of the Lamb. We must speak healing, peaceful words from a heart stayed upon God.

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. Jas 1:27

Pure religion and... James picks two synonymous adjectives to define the most spotless kind of religious faith, that which is measured by compassionate love (John 13:35).

fatherless and widows... Those without parents or husbands were and are an especially needy segment of the church. Since they are usually unable to reciprocate in any way, caring for them clearly demonstrates true, sacrificial, Christian love.

from the world... is describing the evil world system.

The two things Jesus said were the important commandments were to love God above all else, and to love our neighbor as our self. You cannot be involved in the ways of the world and belong to God. Christians are in the world, but are not of the world. We must not get involved with the world. We are to be a separated people.

The neighbors that we are most responsible for are the neighbors that cannot help themselves. The widows and orphans are the responsibility of the Christians. Keep yourself stayed upon good things, and you will not have time to get involved with the bad. When you do for those who cannot help themselves, you are doing it unto God.

A clean and undefiled religion (external observances) is one in which one’s conduct and character are disciplined in accordance with God’s Word. The Greek word thrēskeia (religion) appears only four times in the New Testament and two of those occurrences are here (cf. Col. 2:18; Acts 26:5). It is apparent that God’s emphasis is not on religious ritual but on right living.

James outlined what God the Father (cf. “Father” in Jas. 1:17) stresses: look after orphans and widows — referring to one’s conduct, and keep oneself from being polluted — referring to one’s character. “From being polluted” translates one word aspilon, “spotless” (cf. 1Tim. 6:14; 1Pet. 1:19; 2Pet. 3:14), in contrast with moral filth (Jas. 1:21). A believer with God-pleasing “religion” helps others in need — and thus is faultless (lit., “pure, undefiled”), and keeps himself pure (lit., “clean”). This is not a definition of religion but rather a contrast to mere acts of worship and ritualistic observances that are commonly called “religion.” Again, the goal is a mature Christian walk and practical holiness. What does it take to achieve that goal? The first step is to stand with confidence. Trials or temptations will not topple one who is anchored in God’s truth and is applying that truth to his life.