While pondering the phrase "the law of liberty" in James 2, I came across an interesting view by J. Motyer that I thought I'd share for your comment.
"James has so far taught us two truths about the command to love our neighbour as ourselves.
First, because it is the royal law, the law that in a special sense belongs to the king, we would wish to obey it—simply because he would specially desire us to do so.
Secondly, because it is a command of the law of God, we must obey it. To dismiss it is to dismiss the facet of the Glory of God which it represents; to leave it to others is to say that it is immaterial whether this part of the Lord’s likeness is seen in me. It comes to us as a revelation of God, and with his authority, therefore we must obey it.
But, thirdly, it is part of the law of liberty, and therefore we can obey it.
... the Lord gave his law to his people in order to safeguard the liberty which he had achieved for them by bringing them out of Egypt (Ex. 20:2). The law of God is not a new bondage, but is given to mark the end of the old bondage and the beginning of true freedom.
We must now seek to understand how this is so.
All around us today we see the social rules and conventions, which used to be respected, being broken or discarded. It is very easy to lament over the spirit of rebelliousness which this seems to represent, but the true explanation lies deeper. What people are really seeking is freedom. We look around us at a whole array of inherited laws and customs, find them a real restriction and bondage, and cast them on one side, saying that we want to be ourselves, free of the cramping restrictions of former people and earlier days.
The easiest and in many ways the best illustration is marriage and sex. Why should something as hopefully exciting and satisfying as sexual intercourse be reserved for marriage and restricted to the married? The adult generation replied: It has always been so; that is the way we were brought up. The young replied: But we are not yesterday; we are today; we don’t see it like that; we want to be ourselves. The church said: It has always been church teaching and tradition; and the young replied: But we don’t belong to your church; we want to be ourselves. And since neither Christian nor non-Christian marriages seemed to be a great commendation for the adult and church viewpoint, a generation of experimenters grew up, trying to find a life-style which would ‘enable us to be ourselves’—in other words, to be free.
But what does it mean to ‘be ourselves’? What is true human nature? What seems to enable us to ‘be ourselves’ so often leads only to a new bondage. We see it in the sex-scene and the drugs-scene all around us. Liberty was promised; bondage followed. We must first know what we are before we can arrive at ‘being ourselves’ and truly free. The Bible has the answer: Man is made in the image of God. Our true freedom depends on discovering how we can give expression to our true nature. How can we live so as to be like him?
James answers this crucial question by his startling expression, the law of liberty. bringing together the two things which people think of as opposites, law and liberty! But, as we have seen, the law is the nature of God expressed in commandments. When we obey his commands, then we are living like him. We are in the image of God; the law is in the image of God. When we bring these two together, we are ‘being ourselves’; we are truly free. God’s law describes the life of true freedom; obedience opens the door into the free life.
It is for this reason that we as Christians never need hesitate to point anyone to the law of God as the true way of life, for it spells out the image of God for the benefit of those who were created in the image of God. It is the true way of life for all.
We shall be accused, of course, of seeking to impose ‘our standards’ on those who do not share our convictions, but this is not so. The patient does not refuse the doctor’s prescription, saying, ‘I am not a doctor; he has no right to force his ideas on me.’ With the Bible in our hands we happen to know what human nature truly is, and also the way of life that brings true human nature to full development. In a word, we have on offer what the world wants: real freedom.
But for ourselves there is another whole dimension. Acts 5:32 says that God gives his Holy Spirit to those who obey him. In other words, the very act of obeying is a key to power. The law of God does more than describe the life of liberty; obedience liberates. Hebrews 10:16–17 (quoting Je. 31:33) explains this by saying that through the saving work of Christ we have been given by God a heart that matches the requirements of his law. James might put it in his own way: we were brought to new birth by the word our Father spoke (1:18). His word of truth in all its aspects resides in our new nature, and waits to be triggered off by the precepts of his law. We are called to obey and, because the law corresponds to the wishes and capacities of the new heart, we can."
J. A. Motyer, The Message of James : The Tests of Faith, The Bible speaks today, p100 (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, Ill., U.S.A.: Inter-Varsity Press, 1985).
Showing posts with label James. Show all posts
Showing posts with label James. Show all posts
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
James 1:3 Testing by Fire is a Good Thing!
Great discussion Thursday morning on James 1-15. I put some later thoughts on my blog. Check out the link (it's the title of this blog)- and please leave a comment either there or here with your thoughts or at least to let me know I'm not talking to an empty room.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Word Study - lust
Notes on two important Greek words used in James 1:14
Lust. Ἐπιθυμια (lust) is old word for craving, to have a desire for either good (Phil. 1:23) or evil (Rom. 7:7) as here [James 1:14].
Enticed, old verb from "bait", to catch fish by bait or to hunt with snares. In N.T. only here and II Pet. 2:14, 18. Allured by definite bait.
(A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, Vol.V c1932, Vol.VI c1933 by Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention., Jas 1:14)
Englishmans' Greek Concordance for ἐπιθυμία (epithumia) in the ESV New Testament
38 occurrences translated covet (1), covetousness (1), desire (6), desires (12), earnestly (1), longed (1), lust (2), lusts (1), passions (13)
Mark 4:19 …world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke …
Luke 22:15 … And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you …
John 8:44 …and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, …
Rom 1:24 … Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the …
Rom 6:12 …your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.
Rom 7:7 …would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You …
Rom 7:8 …the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies …
Rom 13:14 …no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Gal 5:16 …the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Gal 5:24 …have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Eph 2:3 …among whom • we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires …
Eph 4:22 …manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,
Phil 1:23 …I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is * to depart and be with Christ, …
Col 3:5 …earthly in you: * sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is
idolatry.
1 Thess 2:17 …we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, *
1 Thess 4:5 not in the passion of lust like • the Gentiles who do not know …
1 Tim 6:9 …into * a snare, into * many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
2 Tim 2:22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, …
2 Tim 3:6 …burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,
2 Tim 4:3 …accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,
Titus 2:12 … training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly …
Titus 3:3 …once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice …
James 1:14 …he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
James 1:15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to …
1 Pet 1:14 …obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,
1 Pet 2:11 …as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against …
1 Pet 4:2 …time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.
1 Pet 4:3 …the Gentiles want to do, * living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.
2 Pet 1:4 …that is in the world because of sinful desire.
2 Pet 2:10 … and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority. Bold …
2 Pet 2:18 …loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely …
2 Pet 3:3 …last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.
1 John 2:16 …For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of …
…world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions— …
1 John 2:17 …the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God …
Jude 16 …These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; • they are loud-mouthed boasters, * showing favoritism * to …
Jude 18 …there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.”
Rev 18:14 • “The fruit for which your soul longed has gone from you, and all your …
Lust. Ἐπιθυμια (lust) is old word for craving, to have a desire for either good (Phil. 1:23) or evil (Rom. 7:7) as here [James 1:14].
Enticed, old verb from "bait", to catch fish by bait or to hunt with snares. In N.T. only here and II Pet. 2:14, 18. Allured by definite bait.
(A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, Vol.V c1932, Vol.VI c1933 by Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention., Jas 1:14)
Englishmans' Greek Concordance for ἐπιθυμία (epithumia) in the ESV New Testament
38 occurrences translated covet (1), covetousness (1), desire (6), desires (12), earnestly (1), longed (1), lust (2), lusts (1), passions (13)
Mark 4:19 …world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke …
Luke 22:15 … And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you …
John 8:44 …and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, …
Rom 1:24 … Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the …
Rom 6:12 …your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.
Rom 7:7 …would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You …
Rom 7:8 …the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies …
Rom 13:14 …no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Gal 5:16 …the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Gal 5:24 …have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Eph 2:3 …among whom • we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires …
Eph 4:22 …manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,
Phil 1:23 …I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is * to depart and be with Christ, …
Col 3:5 …earthly in you: * sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is
idolatry.
1 Thess 2:17 …we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, *
1 Thess 4:5 not in the passion of lust like • the Gentiles who do not know …
1 Tim 6:9 …into * a snare, into * many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
2 Tim 2:22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, …
2 Tim 3:6 …burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,
2 Tim 4:3 …accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,
Titus 2:12 … training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly …
Titus 3:3 …once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice …
James 1:14 …he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
James 1:15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to …
1 Pet 1:14 …obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,
1 Pet 2:11 …as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against …
1 Pet 4:2 …time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.
1 Pet 4:3 …the Gentiles want to do, * living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.
2 Pet 1:4 …that is in the world because of sinful desire.
2 Pet 2:10 … and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority. Bold …
2 Pet 2:18 …loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely …
2 Pet 3:3 …last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.
1 John 2:16 …For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of …
…world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions— …
1 John 2:17 …the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God …
Jude 16 …These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; • they are loud-mouthed boasters, * showing favoritism * to …
Jude 18 …there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.”
Rev 18:14 • “The fruit for which your soul longed has gone from you, and all your …
Proven and Approved
James 1:12 talks about being approved. What exactly does that mean? To answer that we have to uncover what the word meant to the author and the way we do that is to look at the way the Greek word he used is used by this author and all the other writings of that period that we have access to. There is seldom a one-to-one correspondence between words in any two languages. Words may overlap in meaning and thus can be translated between languages, but the meanings are never totally coincident because people in different cultures think and express themselves differently. You can easily see this in the following word study. Try to think what a first century Greek speaking person has in their minds when they use the word we are examining.
The bold words are basically the same Greek word. By examining the various ways it is translated into English you can deduce something of the the meaning it had in first century culture.
Noun Form
Romans 14:18 (NASB95) For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.
Romans 16:10 (NASB95) Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.
1 Corinthians 11:19 (NASB95) For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you.
2 Corinthians 10:18 (NASB95) For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.
2 Corinthians 13:7 (NASB95) Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved.
2 Timothy 2:15 (NASB95) Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
James 1:12 (NASB95) Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Verb Form
James 1:12 (NASB95) Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Luke 12:56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but …
…but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
Luke 14:19 …five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’
Rom 1:28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them …
Rom 2:18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed …
Rom 12:2 …of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what …
Rom 14:22 …to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.
1 Cor 3:13 …be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has …
1 Cor 11:28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the …
1 Cor 16:3 …I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to …
2 Cor 8:8 …say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your …
2 Cor 8:22 …are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but …
2 Cor 13:5 …to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this …
Gal 6:4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason …
Eph 5:10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
Phil 1:10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure …
1 Thess 2:4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the …
…to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
1 Thess 5:21 but test everything; hold fast what is good.
1 Tim 3:10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons …
1 Pet 1:7 …precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire— may be found to result …
1 John 4:1 … Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are
The bold words are basically the same Greek word. By examining the various ways it is translated into English you can deduce something of the the meaning it had in first century culture.
Noun Form
Romans 14:18 (NASB95) For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.
Romans 16:10 (NASB95) Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.
1 Corinthians 11:19 (NASB95) For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you.
2 Corinthians 10:18 (NASB95) For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.
2 Corinthians 13:7 (NASB95) Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved.
2 Timothy 2:15 (NASB95) Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
James 1:12 (NASB95) Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Verb Form
James 1:12 (NASB95) Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Luke 12:56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but …
…but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
Luke 14:19 …five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’
Rom 1:28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them …
Rom 2:18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed …
Rom 12:2 …of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what …
Rom 14:22 …to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.
1 Cor 3:13 …be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has …
1 Cor 11:28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the …
1 Cor 16:3 …I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to …
2 Cor 8:8 …say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your …
2 Cor 8:22 …are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but …
2 Cor 13:5 …to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this …
Gal 6:4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason …
Eph 5:10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
Phil 1:10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure …
1 Thess 2:4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the …
…to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
1 Thess 5:21 but test everything; hold fast what is good.
1 Tim 3:10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons …
1 Pet 1:7 …precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire— may be found to result …
1 John 4:1 … Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are
Word Study - Temptation
All the bold words are basically the same word in Greek. The word means to be put to the test, to submit another to a test, to make an attempt to make one stumble, to learn the true nature of character, an enticement to sin/distrust God or to break one’s fidelity, integrity, or virtue. A different Greek word is used to describe being “on trial” before a court to determine guilt or innocence.
Matthew 6:13a (NASB95). ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’
Matthew 26:41 (NASB95) “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Mark 14:38 (NASB95) “Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Luke 4:13 (NASB95) When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.
Luke 8:13 (NASB95) “Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.
Luke 11:4 (NASB95) ‘And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’ ”
Luke 22:28 (NASB95) “You are those who have stood by Me in My trials;
Luke 22:40 (NASB95) When He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
Luke 22:46 (NASB95) and said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
Acts 20:19 (NASB95) serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews;
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NASB95). No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
Galatians 4:14 (NASB95). and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.
Hebrews 3:8 (NASB95). Do not harden your hearts as when they provoked Me, As in the day of trial in the wilderness,
James 1:2 (NASB95). Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
James 1:12 (NASB95). Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
1 Peter 1:6 (NASB95). In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,
1 Peter 4:12 (NASB95). Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
2 Peter 2:9 (NASB95). then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,
Revelation 3:10 (NASB95). ‘Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Matthew 6:13a (NASB95). ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’
Matthew 26:41 (NASB95) “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Mark 14:38 (NASB95) “Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Luke 4:13 (NASB95) When the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.
Luke 8:13 (NASB95) “Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.
Luke 11:4 (NASB95) ‘And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’ ”
Luke 22:28 (NASB95) “You are those who have stood by Me in My trials;
Luke 22:40 (NASB95) When He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
Luke 22:46 (NASB95) and said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
Acts 20:19 (NASB95) serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews;
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NASB95). No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
Galatians 4:14 (NASB95). and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.
Hebrews 3:8 (NASB95). Do not harden your hearts as when they provoked Me, As in the day of trial in the wilderness,
James 1:2 (NASB95). Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
James 1:12 (NASB95). Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
1 Peter 1:6 (NASB95). In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,
1 Peter 4:12 (NASB95). Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
2 Peter 2:9 (NASB95). then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,
Revelation 3:10 (NASB95). ‘Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
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