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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:21

Verse 21 21Wherefore lay apart. He concludes by saying how the word of life is to be received. And first, indeed, he intimates that it cannot be rightly received except it be implanted, or strike roots in us. For the expression, to receive the implanted word, ought to be thus explained, “to receive it, that it may be really implanted.” For he alludes to seed often sown on and ground, and not received into the moist bosom of the earth; or to plants, which being cast on the ground, or laid on... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:22

Verse 22 22Be ye doers of the word. The doer here is not the same as in Romans 2:13, who satisfied the law of God and fulfilled it in every part, but the doer is he who from the heart embraces God’s word and testifies by his life that he really believes, according to the saying of Christ, “Blessed are they who hear God’s word and keep it,” (Luke 11:28;) for he shews by the fruits what that implanting is, before mentioned. We must further observe, that faith with all its works is included by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:19-21

The reception of the Word. "The Word of truth" being within our reach, as the means of conveying to us the great gift of regeneration, it is most important that we cultivate those dispositions which are most favorable to the realization of its saving power. These three verses accordingly contain four counsels, each of which touches a deeper part of our nature than the one preceding. If we would rightly "receive" the Word, we must have— I. A QUICK EAR . "Swift to hear." This precept... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:19-27

Deeds, not words. 1. The right spirit for the Christian is the receptive ; ready to hear, and to receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is to be as the seed falling on the good ground (comp. Matthew 13:3 , etc). A heathen philosopher has noted that man has two ears and only one mouth ; showing that he should be more ready to hear than to speak. 2. A receptive spirit is not alone sufficient. Action must follow. Holy Scripture is a mirror, in which a man may see... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:19-27

The law of the new life. "Ye know this, my beloved brethren;" viz. that ye have been begotten again by God. But now, from this vantage-ground, he presses the necessity of a consistent life. They have espoused, by God's grace, a new ideal of character and conduct; let their whole life show forth its power. This is the topic of the whole passage, and it divides itself very naturally into the related subjects of—meekness, self-knowledge, and practical religion (see Punchard, in Bishop... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:20

Gives the reason why men should be slow to wrath. Because man's wrath does not work God's righteousness δικαιοσύνην θεοῦ ), the righteousness which God demands and requires. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:21

With the form of expression in this verse, comp. 1 Peter 2:1 , "Putting away, therefore, all wickedness ( ἀποθέμενοι οὗν πᾶσαν κακίαν ), and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil-speakings, as new-born babes long for the spiritual milk," etc. Filthiness ( ῥυπαρὶαν ). Here only in the New Testament, never in LXX .; but the adjective ῥυπαρός is the word used of the "filthy garments" in Zechariah 3:3 , Zechariah 3:4 —a narrative which illustrates the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:22

They are not merely to receive and hear the Word; they must also act upon it. Compare St. Paul's teaching in Romans 2:13 , "For not the hearers ( ἀκροαταὶ ) of a law are just before God, but the doers of a law shall be justified." ἀκροατής occurs nowhere else except in these passages. Deceiving your own selves ( παραλογίζειν ); to lead astray by false reasonings; only here and in Colossians 2:4 . Not uncommon in the LXX . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 1:22-25

Hearers and doers. The writer has said in James 1:21 that the wise hearer is a " receiver " of the Word, and he now proceeds to emphasize the fact that he is also a "doer" of it. " Receiving " represents the root of the Christian life, and "doing" indicates its fruit. I. THE INJUNCTION . ( James 1:22 ) Very many hearers of the gospel are not sufficiently upon their guard against the dreadful danger of being " hearers only." Some, when the service is over, seldom think... read more

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