James 1:19-21

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:20

An angry response to temptations does not advance the righteousness in character and conduct that God is seeking to produce in the believer."The policy James condemns is one of seeking to promote the cause of freedom by politically motivated and engineered violence (an endeavor to be brought into the discussion at James 4:1-3)." [Note: Martin, p. 48.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 1:21

2. The essential response 1:21The filthiness in view seems to be all kinds of unclean behavior that lies outside the will of God, including anger and wrath. The "remains of wickedness" are those evil habits of life we carry over from the unredeemed world (cf. Psalms 17:4; Luke 6:45). The believer should accept submissively what God has revealed and should respond cooperatively to what He commands. The Word of God will then have good soil in which to grow, and it will yield an abundant harvest... read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - James 1:20

1:20 work (e-6) 'Work out as an effect,' as ver. 3. see Romans 7:13 . read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:1-27

The Power of Faith Under Temptation1. Servant] better, ’slave.’ The word does not suggest any degradation, but only absolute surrender to the Master. St. James’s humility prevents the mention of the earthly relationship. Scattered abroad] RV ’of the Dispersion.’ Jews were found (sometimes in great numbers) in all the cities of the Roman empire. They kept up their connexion with the mother-country by going up to the great Jewish feasts. Greeting] better, ’joy be with you.’ This form of... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 1:2-27

(2-27) Immediately after the salutation, and with more or less a play upon the word which we translate “greeting” (“rejoice,” James 1:1; “count it all joy,” James 1:2) there follow appeals on behalf of patience, endurance. and meekness. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 1:19

(19) We come now to the third subdivision of the chapter. By reason of the Divine benevolence, the Apostle urges his readers—(1) to meekness, (2) self-knowledge, (3) practical religion.Wherefore, my beloved brethen.—There appears to be some small error in the MSS. here, but the alteration is only just worth mentioning: ye know my brethren beloved, seems the correct version, the very abruptness of which may serve to arrest attention. Yea, “have ye not known?” might well be asked further in the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 1:20

(20) For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.—Sarcastically rings the context. Perhaps there is still a sharper point to the satire: the wrath of man does not work God’s righteousness “to the full.” The warning may well be sounded in the ears of Christians still, who are not less apt than Jonah of old to say quickly and in self-excuse, “I do well to be angry” (Jonah 4:9). How many a holy work of household and parish has been and is thus hindered and destroyed; and if the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 1:21

(21) Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness.—So Peter (1 Peter 3:21) speaks of “the filth of the flesh.” But the defilement here referred to seems general and not special, common, that is, to the whole natural man. The superabundance—the overgrowth—of evil will occupy the heart, if care be not taken to root it out; and, like the thorns in the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:7, et seq.), spring up and choke the good seed. All such a rank and poisonous crop must be... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - James 1:1-27

James 1:3 It sometimes seems a little strange how, after having earnestly prayed to be delivered from temptation, and having given ourselves with shut eyes into God's hand, from that time every thought, every outward influence, every acknowledged law of life, seems to lead us on from strength to strength. Mrs. Gaskell, in Ruth (ch. XXIII.). Never expect thy flesh should truly expound the meaning of the rod. It will call love, hatred; and say, God is destroying, when He is saving. It is the... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - James 1:1-27

Analysis and Annotations I. TRIALS AND THE EXERCISE OF FAITH CHAPTER 1 1. Trials and the power of faith (James 1:1-4 ) 2. The resources of faith (James 1:5-8 ) 3. The realization of faith (James 1:9-11 ) 4. The conquest of faith (James 1:12-15 ) 5. The result of faith (James 1:16-27 ) James 1:1-4 The first verse is the introduction. The writer is James, but he does not add, as he might have done, “the brother of the Lord.” It would have identified his person at once, and being the... read more

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