James 1 commentary john gills exposition of the bible. There appears to be a progression in this verse in which the nkjv helpfully. Devotions with scripture from james today daily devotional. Key points lessons and teachings from james faithlife. Themes are introduced to which the writer will return later in the letter. Full chapter compare different versions of this verse. Scheduleyou wont be surprised to hear me say that time spent studying the bible is never wasted. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts.
This verse sums up the practical side of what it means to follow jesus. James has been giving counsel on how to obtain the good gifts that are available in abundance from the father of lights, as he calls our heavenly father in verse 17. James 1, new king james version nkjv the bible app. Slow to speak the power of the wisdom from above key verse. Hearing and doing 21 therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls. This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the jews. James wrote from the perspective of a jewish christian. The term deceiving is the contrary of that rendered word, and means its corruption. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. It is believed that the book of james is the earliest writing contained in the new. Other men mentioned in the bible named james include. How to teach a sunday school lesson for children based on bible verse james 1. I confess, i grew up on a steady diet of adages little snippets of folk wisdom imparted to me mostly by my mother and by my grandmother, pipi. James 1 james, a servant of god and of the lord jesus.
The book of james is generally considered the most practical book on christian living in the new testament and this verse is often cited as the reason why. James 1 niv bible james, a servant of god and of the. The book of james contains a plethora of information for believers to become mature in their relationships to christ. Joyful living requires selfcontrol and contentment. In a previous lesson, we discussed what blessedness means. David platt, president of the international mission board, says, james 1. John gills exposition of the bible he preached in the same church as c. So that the contrast is not between a hasty look and a careful contemplation james 1. These letters are james, 1 peter, 2 peter, 1 john, 2 john, 3 john, and jude. Those who hear and dont act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like. We must also do more than obey jamess instruction in verse 21. Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger james 1. He has taught that by asking in faith, we can obtain wisdom. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror.
How to teach a sunday school lesson for children based on. In the previous passage, james has just spoken of humbly accepting the word that is implanted in us. Study guide for james 1 by david guzik blue letter bible. The book of james is a website dedicated to the study of the epistle letter of james in the new testament. Themes in james 1 chapter 1 of this letter functions like an overture to a great piece of music. Key points lessons and teachings from james by brother michel lankford a personal note. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Faith tested by its response to the word of god james 1. Beholding with the notion of attentively considering, down into, or through. The text has been edited and condensed by ihcc staff for use as a bible study aid. Late last year, the lord was impressing upon me that i should start reading certain books of scripture, and keeping a running. There is no more jewish book in the new testament than the epistle of james, not even excluding matthew, hebrews, and the apocalypse thiessen. What follows is a devotional bible study of the book of james. We are then doers of the word, when, being enlightened by its doctrines, awed by its threatenings, and encouraged by its promises, we, through the aid of divine grace, love and obey its precepts, both those which enjoin repentance toward god and faith in our lord jesus christ, as terms necessary to be complied with.
Different bible translations of the letter of james and other bible study resources are available. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in itnot forgetting what they have heard, but doing itthey will be blessed in what they do. James, taught by christ, exalts the lawhe glorifies it, identifying it with the gospel in james 1, when speaking of the word and the importance of hearing and doing it, he, in the same breath, speaks of looking into the perfect law of liberty. It is that internalizing of scripture that james describes now. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James mentions law ten times in his epistle, and in each case it is the moral law.
At the very beginning of his letter james describes himself by the title wherein lies his only honour and his only glory, the slave of god and of the lord jesus christ. There are several men named james mentioned in the new testament, but reliable tradition assigns this book to the one called james the just, the halfbrother of jesus matthew. The call to do what it says lies at the center of all that james teaches. James is writing to people who are facing a variety of trials. If we dont, we demonstrate that we dont truly trust the father, at least not in that moment. But i believe that every chapter in the bible is designed in some way to apply to our daily lives. Yet most people today have never heard of john gill. Check out these helpful resources biblical commentary sermons childrens sermons hymn lists.
Now viewing scripture range from the book of james chapter 1. This verse launches the nexttolast paragraph in the first chapter, but one could say it is the launching pad for the balance of the book. James 1 commentary william barclays daily study bible. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. This series of five lessons will cover each chapter of james with the goal of outlining how we can become stronger in our faith. Visit our library of inductive bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the bible you can use in your small group. Greetings to all gods people scattered over the whole world. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror read verse in new international version. James lines up with all of scripture when he says that it is the doer of the.