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Scott's Reference Library
James 1:17 through James 1:27 (NIV)
17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of
the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18He chose to
give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits
of all he created.
19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow
to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man’s anger does not bring about the
righteous life that God desires. 21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the
evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can
save you.
22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who
looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and
immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But the man who looks intently into
the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting
what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
26If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on
his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27Religion that
God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and
widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 12-18
It is not every man who suffers, that is blessed; but he who with patience and
constancy goes through all difficulties in the way of duty. Afflictions cannot
make us miserable, if it be not our own fault. The tried Christian shall be a
crowned one. The crown of life is promised to all who have the love of God
reigning in their hearts. Every soul that truly loves God, shall have its trials
in this world fully recompensed in that world above, where love is made perfect.
The commands of God, and the dealings of his providence, try men’s hearts, and
show the dispositions which prevail in them. But nothing sinful in the heart or
conduct can be ascribed to God. He is not the author of the dross, though his
fiery trial exposes it. Those who lay the blame of sin, either upon their
constitution, or upon their condition in the world, or pretend they cannot keep
from sinning, wrong God as if he were the author of sin. Afflictions, as sent by
God, are designed to draw out our graces, but not our corruptions. The origin of
evil and temptation is in our own hearts. Stop the beginnings of sin, or all the
evils that follow must be wholly charged upon us. God has no pleasure in the
death of men, as he has no hand in their sin; but both sin and misery are owing
to themselves. As the sun is the same in nature and influences, though the earth
and clouds, often coming between, make it seem to us to vary, so God is
unchangeable, and our changes and shadows are not from any changes or
alterations in him. What the sun is in nature, God is in grace, providence, and
glory; and infinitely more. As every good gift is from God, so particularly our
being born again, and all its holy, happy consequences come from him. A true
Christian becomes as different a person from what he was before the renewing
influences of Divine grace, as if he were formed over again. We should devote
all our faculties to God’s service, that we may be a kind of first-fruits of his
creatures.
VERSES 19-21
Instead of blaming God under our trials, let us open our ears and hearts to
learn what he teaches by them. And if men would govern their tongues, they must
govern their passions. The worst thing we can bring to any dispute, is anger.
Here is an exhortation to lay apart, and to cast off as a filthy garment, all
sinful practices. This must reach to sins of thought and affection, as well as
of speech and practice; to every thing corrupt and sinful. We must yield
ourselves to the word of God, with humble and teachable minds. Being willing to
hear of our faults, taking it not only patiently, but thankfully. It is the
design of the word of God to make us wise to salvation; and those who propose
any mean or low ends in attending upon it, dishonour the gospel, and disappoint
their own souls.
VERSES 22-25
If we heard a sermon every day of the week, and an angel from heaven were the
preacher, yet, if we rested in hearing only, it would never bring us to heaven.
Mere hearers are self-deceivers; and self-deceit will be found the worst deceit
at last. If we flatter ourselves, it is our own fault; the truth, as it is in
Jesus, flatters no man. Let the word of truth be carefully attended to, and it
will set before us the corruption of our nature, the disorders of our hearts and
lives; and it will tell us plainly what we are. Our sins are the spots the law
discovers: Christ’s blood is the laver the gospel shows. But in vain do we hear
God’s word, and look into the gospel glass, if we go away, and forget our spots,
instead of washing them off; and forget our remedy, instead of applying to it.
This is the case with those who do not hear the word as they ought. In hearing
the word, we look into it for counsel and direction, and when we study it, it
turns to our spiritual life. Those who keep in the law and word of God, are, and
shall be, blessed in all their ways. His gracious recompence hereafter, would be
connected with his present peace and comfort. Every part of Divine revelation
has its use, in bringing the sinner to Christ for salvation, and in directing
and encouraging him to walk at liberty, by the Spirit of adoption, according to
the holy commands of God. And mark the distinctness, it is not for his deeds,
that any man is blessed, but in his deed. It is not talking, but walking, that
will bring us to heaven. Christ will become more precious to the believer’s
soul, which by his grace will become more fitted for the inheritance of the
saints in light.
VERSES 26-27
When men take more pains to seem religious than really to be so, it is a sign
their religion is in vain. The not bridling the tongue, readiness to speak of
the faults of others, or to lessen their wisdom and piety, are signs of a vain
religion. The man who has a slandering tongue, cannot have a truly humble,
gracious heart. False religious may be known by their impurity and
uncharitableness. True religion teaches us to do every thing as in the presence
of God. An unspotted life must go with unfeigned love and charity. Our true
religion is equal to the measure in which these things have place in our hearts
and conduct. And let us remember, that nothing avails in Christ Jesus, but faith
that worketh by love, purifies the heart, subdues carnal lusts, and obeys God’s
commands.