James 1

James 1:1

IAmes] There being two of this name, viz. James the sonne of Zebede, and James the sonne of Alpheus, Mat. 10. 2, 3. it is most probable, that here is to be understood the latter; because the former was killed by Herod before (as it is likely) the Apostles began to write. See Acts 12:2.

servant] See Romans 1:1.

scattered] Or, in dispersion.

greeting] Acts 15:23. 2 John 10:11.

James 1:2

joy] Mat. 5. 11, 12. 2 Corinthians 12:10. Hebrews 10:34. 1 Pet. 4. 13. That is, Be so farre from fainting under your afflictions, Hebrews 12:5. as to account them the matter or occasion of great joy, both because you are counted worthy to suffer for the Name of Christ, Acts 5:41. 2 Thess. 1. 5. as also because of the blessed fruits of them, Hebrews 12:11. Romans 5:3.

divers] Both inward and outward. See 2 Corinthians 7:5.

temptations] Or, trials. That is, afflictions, vers. 12. Luke 8:13. Acts 20:19. 1 Corinthians 10:13. Galatians 4:14. 1 Pet. 1. 6. and 4. 12. whereby the soundnesse of your faith, love, and obedience is tried. See Genesis 22:1. Hebrews 10:32.

James 1:3

Knowing] Romans 5:3.

trying] Saint James his meaning is not, that afflictions of themselves work patience, for we see the contrary often both in the wicked and the godly; as in Job, Chap. 3. David, Psal. 73. and Jeremie, Chap. 12. 1. but that faith being proved to be found through affliction doth work it, because thereby it is experimentally assured of Gods gracious presence and assistance in afflictions, and deliverance out of them.

James 1:4

perfect] That is, be patient unto the end, Matthew 10:22. & Matthew 24:13. Heb. 10. 35, &c. Revelation 2:26.

that ye may] 2 Corinthians 9:8.

perfect and entire] See 1 Thessalonians 5:23.

James 1:5

wisdome] Though all true wisdome be from God, yet here more particularly we are to understand that spirituall wisdome, whereby Christians may be enabled rightly to judge of the Authour, causes and fruits of afflictions; for want whereof many of Gods children have murmured against God and fainted under them. Job 3:1. Psalms 73:2. Jeremiah 12:1. & Jeremiah 20:8. Unto this Christians are directed, Heb. 12. 5,-12.

let him ask of God] Matthew 7:7. & Matthew 21:22. Luke 11:9.

liberally] The originall word in the first notation thereof signifieth simply, or singly, or sincerely; that is, without any mixture of by-respects, or without hypocrisie; so 2 Corinthians 1:12. & 2 Corinthians 11:3. Ephesians 6:5. Colossians 3:22. But because those who give with a single and sincere heart, give liberally according to their abilitie: hence consequently, or in a secondary sense, it signifieth liberally. So Romans 12:8. 2 Corinthians 8:2. & 2 Corinthians 9:11. 13.

upbraideth] When he gives to those who aske; though he doth those who unthankfully abuse his blessings not walking worthy of them, Esa. 1. 2, &c. & 5. 1, &c. Jeremiah 2:4.

James 1:6

in faith] That is, resting upon Gods power, whereby he is able; and upon his truth, whereby he will be faithfull; and upon his goodnesse and mercy through his Sonne Jesus Christ, whereby he will be ready to make good his promises for the hearing of those who call upon him, John 16:23. Mark 11:24.

wavering] That is, not doubting, disputing, or calling into question the former attributes of God, Matthew 21:21. See Acts 10:20. & Acts 11:12. Romans 4:20. 1 Timothy 2:8. and hangs wavering between God and man. Hereby is meant such a doubting which excludes all faith: for otherwise God doth not reject a weak faith which cannot be without doubting. See Matthew 17:20. Mar. 23. 24. Psalms 31:22.

like a wave] By this similitude Saint James illustrateth the propertie of a wavering minded man. As the waves of the Sea through tempestuous windes sometimes are carried up to heaven, sometimes descend as low as the deep: So a wavering minded man sometimes is of this opinion and resolution, and sometimes of that. See vers. 8.

James 1:7

think] Perswade himself as many vainly do, that he shall receive any thing, because he hath no promise for it: notwithstanding God out of his generall providence and goodnesse, whereby he causes the Sunne to shine, and rain to fall upon the wicked, Matthew 5:45. often bestows temporall blessings upon them.

James 1:8

double-minded] Chap. 4. 8. Whom he styled wavering, and compared to a wave of the sea, driven with the winde, and tossed with blasts; the same he styles double-minded; because he is sometimes of one-mind, sometimes of another: unsettled in his resolutions and purposes; having not a foundation of faith to build them upon: and such an one must needs be inconstant in his wayes; that is, practises, courses, and undertakings.

James 1:9

low degree] That is, who is afflicted with povertie, disgrace, or any kind of calamitie.

rejoyce] Or, glory.

exalted] That is in that he is rich in faith and the knowledge of God, and highly honoured to be the sonne of God by grace and adoption.

James 1:10

low] That is, in his humilitie: because God hath given him an humble and lowly heart notwithstanding his riches and honours.

for] Here and in the next verse Saint James shews by what means God doth work humilitie in rich and honourable men endued with faith: viz. by putting into their hearts a serious consideration of their own instabilitie and vanitie, and of all those outward comforts which they enjoy, Psalms 103:15. Esa. 40. 6, &c. 1 Peter 1:24. Luke 12:20, &c. & 16. 19.

as the flower of the grasse] Esa. 40. 6. 1 Peter 1:24. Job 14:2. Psalms 10:2. & Psalms 103:15.

James 1:11

wayes] Whatsoever he studies, purposes, or practiseth, shall perish. See Psalms 1:3.

James 1:12

Blessed is the man] Psalms 94:12. Job 5:17. Mat. 5. 10, &c.

endureth] It is thought to be a military word taken from undaunted Souldiers, who couragiously without giving back receive the fiercest onsets of the enemies: answerable hereunto, to endure, &c. is patiently and with courage to undergo them, submitting their wils to Gods, without fainting, murmuring, or repining.

temptation] Affliction, whereby he is tryed. See vers. 2.

when] Or, being made, or found proof, or sound.

tried] Revelation 2:10. It is a metaphor taken from metals, whose truth and goodnesse are used to be tryed, and their drosse purged from them, by fire: Psalms 66:10. Proverbs 17:3. 1 Peter 1:7. Afflictions serve to both these ends and uses.

the crown of life] 2 Timothy 4:8. 1 Peter 4:5.

James 1:13

say] Either with his tongue, or in his heart; as Psalms 14:1.

tempted] That is, in respect of himself, because he is infinitely and immutably good and holy; yet in regard of men he is often tempted. See Exodus 17:2. Malachi 3:15. Acts 15:10.

evil] Or, evils.

tempteth] That is, by inciting and moving them to sinne, for God wils it not. See Psalms 5:5. Esa. 65. 12. Zechariah 8:17. Zephaniah 3:5. Though he doth for the proof and triall of their faith, constancie and patience, Genesis 22:1. Deuteronomy 13:1, &c.

James 1:14

But] Here Saint James sheweth the source, originall, and fountain of all temptation unto sinne: viz. that naturall corruption which we brought into the world with us, Psalms 51:7. Romans 7:7. without which, neither the devil nor the world could hurt, they tempting by working upon our concupiscence.

drawn] Here are set down two wayes, whereby lust tempts unto sinne. First, by withdrawing from that which is good. Secondly, by enticing unto that which is evil under some appearance of that which is good and pleasant: even as fishes and other beasts are allured unto the hook, nets, or snares, by some pleasing bait. See Genesis 3:5, &c. 2 Samuel 11:2, &c.

James 1:15

conceived] It is an allusion to, or a metaphor taken from teeming women, who first conceive, and then bring forth. Now lust may then be said to have conceived, when the will entertaines those evill motions with consent and delight, which lust hath stirred up.

bringeth forth sinne] That is, in outward act and deed; and therefore though lust be not such a sinne, yet it may be, and is properly sinne. See Romans 7:7.

finished] Or, fully perfected. That is, committed advisedly, deliberately, or with the full consent of the will: or come to its height.

James 1:16

Do not] It is a metaphor taken from Travellers, when they go out of the way, Psalms 119:176. 1 Corinthians 6:9. Galatians 6:7.

James 1:17

Every] Here is a reason given, why we should not conceive that God is the Authour of sinne; and the reason is, because God is the Authour of all good: now if he should likewise be the Authour of sinne by tempting man unto it, there would be found a change in him.

good gift] Whether of nature, grace, or glory.

from above] That is, from God whose throne is in heaven. See Matthew 5:34. John 19:11. Matthew 21:25. John 3:27.

Father of lights] So called, First, because he is in himself light, 1 John 1:5. Secondly, and that chiefly here, because he is the fountain of all wisedome and knowledge, See vers. 5. John 1:19. and every other good and perfect gift.

variablenesse] Exodus 3:14, &c.

James 1:18

Of] The Apostle having taught, vers. 17. that every good gift came from God, exemplifies this here in the great work of mans regeneration.

will] That is, out of his good pleasure, and not for any merit in man. See Romans 9:11. Ephesians 1:9. Philippians 2:15. 2 Timothy 1:9. John 1:13.

with the word] Or, by. Ephesians 1:13. Colossians 2:5. See Romans 10:14. 1 Peter 1:23.

a kind of first-fruits] Herein S. James alludes unto the first-fruits under the law, which were certain handfuls of the first ripe corn, and so consequently of the best, which they were to offer unto God. See Levit. 23. 10, 11. Numbers 15:20-21. Hence first-fruits sometimes import the first in order. So it is said the house of Stephanus was the first-fruits of Achaia: first called into the fellowship of the Gospel, 1 Corinthians 16:15.

And so some understand this place, viz. of the Apostles and the Jews which were first regenerate. Sometimes again the best and chiefest. So Jeremiah 2:3. And thus most understand this place; interpreting it of all the faithfull, who are called the first-fruits, because of their dignitie and excellencie above all men; being separated out of the world, Ephesians 1:4. 1 Peter 2:9. and consecrated to God.

creatures] Of men. So Mark 16:15.

James 1:19

slow to speak] Proverbs 17:27.

slow to wrath] Titus 1:7.

James 1:20

wrath of man] That is, the unadvised and immoderate wrath of man.

righteousnesse] That is, that which is right in Gods sight: it rather leads him to that which is unlawfull.

James 1:21

lay] Gr. laying aside, or putting off, &c. See Hebrews 12:1. Col. 1. 8. 1 Pet. 2. 1.

filthinesse] That is, all manner of sinne, so called from the polluting nature thereof: hence sinne is compared unto those things which are most filthy and loathsome: as to the vomit of a dog, and the myre of a hogge, 2 Peter 2:22.

superfluitic] Or, remainder.

receive] As good ground. See Matthew 13:8. 23. Mark 4:8.

engraffed] Rather, the implanted word. It is an allusion to the sowing and planting of seeds, hearbs or young trees, wherein faithfull Ministers are compared to planters. See 1 Cor. Those who translate the originall [engraffed] suppose that it is a metaphor taken from the art of engraffing twigs into a stock, who turn the stock into their own nature.

James 1:22

be ye doers of the word] Matthew 7:21. Romans 2:13. Luke 11:28. John 13:17. 1 John 2:4.

deceiving] By false conclusions and inferences, as if it were sufficient to hear without practise.

James 1:23

like] By this similitude Saint James intendeth to teach us that those who are hearers and not doers of the word, quickly forget what they have heard.

James 1:25

looketh] The originall word signifieth an accurate and intentive looking upon a thing, bowing and stooping down to it. See John 20:5. 1 Pet. 1. 2. So that hereby we are to understand a diligent and intentive hearing or reading Gods word, and meditating thereon.

law] Chap. 2. 12. Thereby understand the whole word of God registred in the Scriptures Psalms 1:2. which is called perfect, because it contains all things necessary to be believed or practised; and the law of libertie, because thereby we are born again to a new spirituall life, and so freed from the bondage and slavery of sinne, vers. 18.

continueth] That is, in the belief and practise thereof: so the words following import.

deed] Or, doing.

James 1:26

seem] Flatters himself with a vain conceit and perswasion, that he is truely religious.

bridleth] Psalms 39:1. It is a metaphor taken from unruly horses, which must be bridled and curbed, that they may be ruled.

vain] Notwithstanding all his boasting.

James 1:27

before God] That is, which God requireth, as pleasing unto him.

world] Understand thereby both wicked men, unto whom we must not conforme our selves, Romans 12:2. as also the pollution or lusts of the world. See 1 John 2:15-16.