There were teachers who tried to turn Christianity into another kind of Judaism and tried to introduce circumcision and the keeping of the law ( Acts 15:24). This means that it is not wavering and vacillating; it knows its own mind, chooses its course and abides by it. There are those who think that it is clever never to make one's mind up about anything. Coming as it does after epieikes ( G1933) , it probably bears this second meaning here. Observe, 1. (128), (127) Pure, , is to be understood according to what the context contains. On the mount He says, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8). This does not mean that mortals are directly inspired by such wisdom, but that God is the ultimate source from which their wisdom is actually received; and the means of their receiving it, while not in view in this text, must surely be allowed as the gospels and apostolic writings themselves, there being no other possible source of it. Read Introduction to James Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes 3:1-12 We are taught to dread an unruly So I think it is clearly here men capable of understanding what was spiritual. There he engages in full fellowship with the Gentiles by eating with them. Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill. I am not aware of any part of the word of God in which a believer, save perhaps in a transitional state, is ever referred to as a sinner. Proverbs 17:6: , They used the faith of Christ rather for conscientious, godly, thorough carrying out of their Jewish thoughts. "If a brother or a sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?" Under this impression I read, "Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. They also, obviously, have meaning for all Christians as God expects us to grow in wisdom. The scriptures admonish us to be like Him in this respect. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is fatally easy for a teacher to distort the truth and to teach, not God's version, but his own. If the danger of hypocrisy was real for Peter, it remains just as much a threat for Christians today. Opening. (a) In Christian thought eleos ( G1656) means mercy for the man who is in trouble, even if the trouble is his own fault. James 2:1-26 "My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. This aggravated the selfishness of their ways and their indifference to others. "Is any among you afflicted? either a curious inquiring into the faults of others, to find matter for censures. (Poole), viii. How comes it that the last clause is forgotten? James 3 A pure heart cannot but be faithful to the truth; it could not otherwise be pure, provided conscientiousness and love of truth form any part of moral purity. If we ought as a rule to be slow to speak, there is no exception in setting up to teach others; for thus we certainly incur severer judgment. And good fruits - The fruits of good living; just, benevolent, and kind actions. For this doctrine and practice the Pharisees were quite unprepared. WebMatthew Henry's Commentary on James 3:17 Commentary on James 3:13-18 (Read James 3:13-18) These verses show the difference between men's pretending to be wise, and their being really so. Must we translate and punctuate as in the common Greek Testament and English Bible? He will patiently listen to others; if truth is presented, he will accept it; but if error is presented, he will reject it. It is ever the right thing, as it was exactly what was most called for then and there. I. There were some who tried to teach before they themselves knew anything ( 1 Timothy 1:6-7); and others who pandered to the false desires of the crowd ( 2 Timothy 4:3). c. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace: This fruit is like a seed that will bear fruit as it is sown by those who make peace.