James 1

James 1:1

Who in the days of his flesh. Christ, while on earth, is referred to. When he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears. A particular time when these earnest supplications were offered is pointed out. The agony of Gethsemane is meant. It was then that he said, “If it is possible, let this cup pass from me” (Matthew 26:39 Mr 14:36 Lu 22:42). Even there he was heard. For an angel descended to strengthen him (Lu 22:43). In that he feared. Reverenced the Father in humble submission. A pious fear is meant.

James 1:2

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience. He claimed no special exemptions because he was the Son, but learned and taught obedience in the supremest test that the world ever saw. By the things which he suffered. “He learned obedience” experimentally.

James 1:3

And being made perfect. Fitted in all points to be our high priest by his suffering; made, not a perfect man, for he was that already, but a perfect high priest. He became the author of eternal salvation. Was able to offer the gospel to all nations, and thus to save all them that obey him. He does not save men in disobedience.

James 1:4

Called of God an high priest. When he had suffered he was called of God an high priest, or entered upon his priesthood. After the order of Melchisedec. See notes on Hebrews 5:6 7:1-10.

James 1:5

Of whom we have many things to say. Of Christ in his priesthood. And hard to be uttered. Hard to be expressed so that you will understand. The priesthood of Christ, after the order of Melchizedek, opens up some difficult questions. Seeing ye are dull of hearing. Of slow understanding.

James 1:6

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers. You have been disciples long enough to be able to teach others, but still ye have need that one teach you again first principles. See notes on 6:1,2. Of the oracles of God. God’s word.

James 1:7

For every one that useth milk . . . is a babe. Those who only understand the A B C’s of Christianity are only babes in Christ, like the babes whose food is milk. [Is] unskilful in the word of righteousness. Such an one cannot handle “the word of righteousness” skillfully.

James 1:8

Strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age. When one has reached manhood we do not expect him to live on the food of babes. So a church member, as time goes on, ought to feed on “solid food” (Revised Version), the higher teaching of religion. There should be growth in knowledge. Have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. The reference here is to the faculties of the soul. A Christian ought to study, to gain a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures and especially of the New Testament to become able to teach others, and to explain the higher principles of our religion. In addition he ought to be able to discern the moral character of the environments of life, to know not only what to accept and what to reject, but how to warn his less instructed brethren.

James 1:10

Going on Toward Perfection SUMMARY OF CHAPTER 6: Leaving First Principles. First Principles Explained. Going on to Perfection. The Fatal Consequences of Apostasy. Exhortation to Diligence. The Absolute Assurance of God’s Promises. Leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ. The rudiments, the milk fitted only for babes. Let us go on unto perfection. Go on to the higher lessons which belong to full grown men. The exhortation is to go on from the lessons of Christian childhood to those of manhood in Christ. See Hebrews 5:13-14. Not laying again the foundation. To lay the foundation once is enough, if it is laid right. These first principles are the foundation of Christian life, but we must build higher and higher upon them. Of repentance. This was essential in laying the foundation. All men are commanded to repent. Repentance is essentially a change of the will, the rebellious will becoming a will to serve the Lord. From dead works. Some try to save themselves by trusting in their works, but they are as vain to save as though they were dead. And of faith toward God. Faith as well as repentance enter into the foundation. The sinner must believe upon the Lord, and repent. See Acts 16:31 2:38.

James 1:11

Of the doctrine of baptisms. The third of these first principles which belong to the “foundation” relates to baptism. See Acts 2:38 Ephesians 4:5 Matthew 28:19. But why is the plural used? There is but one baptism in water when the penitent is baptized into Christ (Ephesians 4:5 Galatians 3:27). There is, however, another baptism which was promised before Christ came which was not of water. See Matthew 3:12. Christ also promised it before his ascension. Hence there is not only the baptism of the body in water, but of the spirit in the Holy Spirit, as fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. Of laying on of hands. In the primitive church the extraordinary operation of the Holy Spirit was imparted by the laying on of the Apostolic hands (Acts 8:17). Of the resurrection of the dead. One of the fundamental but primary principles of Christian teaching. Of eternal judgment. This was comprehended in teaching the resurrection. All were to be rewarded according to the deeds of this life.

James 1:12

And this will we do, if God permit. We will go on to these higher lessons if God permit. The author is led by the Spirit in what he says, and hence humbly defers all he shall say in the rest of the epistle to the will of God.

James 1:13

For [it is] impossible. There are sins that have no forgiveness (Matthew 12:31,32). There are Apostates who can never find a place for repentance, not because of the failure of God’s mercy, but because they have destroyed their moral capacity for a heartfelt repentance. Usually the most hardened sinner are apostates. Those who were once enlightened. Had the light of the Gospel. See John 8:12. Have tasted. Experienced. Of the heavenly gift. The new life in Christ. Christ “giveth life unto the world” (John 20:31). And were made partakers of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God is sent into the heart of all sons (Galatians 4:6 Romans 8:9).

James 1:14

And have tasted the good word of God. Fed on that word which is food for the soul. The powers of the world to come. The miraculous gifts of the Spirit. The “world to come” is used in the sense of the Christian dispensation. See PNT Hebrews 2:5.

James 1:15

If they shall fall away. Apostasize from the faith. To renew them unto repentance. He is so far fallen that he has no capacity left for repentance. Judas the Apostate sorrowed, but his sorrows became despair. There was remorse but not repentance. Seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh. By rejecting Christ they place themselves with those who rejected him and crucified him because he affirmed that he was the Son of God. Those meant are not those “overtaken in a fault” (Galatians 6:1), or backsliders only, but men once Christian professors who not only turn away from but oppose Christ.

James 1:16

For the earth . . . recevieth blessing from God. These two verses show that treatment depends on what kind of fruit is borne. God sends sunshine and rain on the earth. If it brings forth food for man, it is blessed. But if it brings forth “thorns and briers”, they are rejected. So God, who blesses our lives, and refreshes them with the Gospel, demands righteous fruit. If they bear thorns, “the end” is destruction.

James 1:18

We are persuaded better things of you. That you will not bear thorns and briers.

James 1:19

For God [is] not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love. Though the Hebrew Christians had not advanced in knowledge (Hebrews 5:12), yet they had shown the fruits of the love of Christ in ministering to the saints.

James 1:20

Show the same diligence. Not only continue your work of love, but show equal diligence in attaining the full assurance of hope, by going on to perfection in knowledge.

James 1:21

But followers of them. Of the glorious heroes of the faith, like Abraham and Moses, and the martyrs, like Stephen and James. Faith and patience. These qualities, essential to steadfastness, must be found in those who “inherit the promises”.

James 1:22

For when God made promise to Abraham. The promises are absolutely sure. See how God confirmed his promise to Abraham! See Genesis 22:15-18.

James 1:23

Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. The promise so confirmed to Abraham is given in these words (Genesis 22:17).

James 1:24

He obtained the promise. It was sure, but he had to patiently endure in order to obtain. The history of Abraham shows how he was blessed.

James 1:25

For men verily swear by the greater. When men make a solemn oath in order to settle a fact or covenant beyond controversy they usually swear in the name of God. God, however, could swear by no one greater than himself (Hebrews 6:13).

James 1:26

Wherein God . . . confirmed [it] by the an oath. God, out of condescension to that human weakness which puts more confidence in an oath than in the bare word, confirmed his promise by an oath.

James 1:27

That by two immutable things. By his word of promise, and by his oath, neither of which could ever be broken. We might have a strong consolation. In the absolute certainty of God’s promises who had fled for refuge. Fled from the wrath revealed against sin to the Gospel with its promises and blessed hopes.