From James 1-5
James is full of instructions for believers. Instructions are a good way to examine ourselves and see if we are walking as we ought. James reminds us we need to keep immersed in the word of God. Let us keep listening and doing what it says. James also reminds us of the poor and needy, we should help them when we can. Let us resist temptation – keep unstained from what is sinful in the world.
This post is part of my bible in a year series.
Passage and Comments
A cursory look at the overview will reveal James has many instructions for his listeners. Parts of the letter suggest he is aware of the sins and struggles the dispersed churches are experiencing.
19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (Jas 1.19-21)
Good advice to remember if involved in conflict. Listen and seek to understand first where the other person is coming from. James’ use of the ‘righteousness of God’ is interesting. I suggest like Paul, he associates this expression with the actions of God revealed in the actions and deeds of people (Rom 1.16-17; 3.21-22; 2 Cor 5.21). Here James exhorts people to put away sin in their lives and remember the implanted word.
It’s possible he means the gospel. The righteousness of God revealed in the sayings and deeds of Jesus Christ. James knows reflecting on Jesus’ life, teachings, ministry, suffering, death and resurrection inspires people to live righteously. It’s also possible he means the teachings of the apostles that accompanied the gospel (e.g. Rom 6.17; Eph 4.17-32).
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (Jas 1.22-25)
This seems fairly self explanatory. Don’t only listen to the instructions (quite relevant to this letter) put them into action.
James reference to the ‘perfect law’, the ‘law of liberty’ is curious. Does he mean the Jewish law? Or another? If another how are they meant to know what this new law is? Both terms could possibly be understood in the light of hypothetical opposites. ‘The imperfect law’ ‘The law of slavery’. Its possible James conceives that they were formerly under these laws and now they are not. The first law had faults and could not produce the righteousness God requires. The first law was a form of slavery. But believers have been set free from this law (e.g Rom 7.4-6) and now live under another.
26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. (Jas 1.26-27)
Religion is not necessarily a bad word in the bible. Here James uses it to describe the way of life of all believers. He specifies what is important in true religion – helping the poor and needy, remaining unstained from the world.
For Believers
James is full of instructions for believers. Instructions are a good way to examine ourselves and see if we are walking as we ought. James reminds us we need to keep immersed in the word of God. Let us keep listening and doing what it says. James also reminds us of the poor and needy, we should help them when we can. Let us resist temptation – keep unstained from what is sinful in the world.
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