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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comJamieson Fausset Brown Commentary - James 1:21 - 1:21
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
lay apart - “once for all” (so the Greek): as a filthy garment. Compare Joshua’s filthy garments, Zec 3:3, Zec 3:5; Rev 7:14. “Filthiness” is cleansed away by hearing the word (Joh 15:3).
superfluity of naughtiness - excess (for instance, the intemperate spirit implied in “wrath,” Jam 1:19, Jam 1:20), which arises from malice (our natural, evil disposition towards one another). 1Pe 2:1 has the very same words in the Greek. So “malice” is the translation, Eph 4:31; Col 3:8. “Faulty excess” [Bengel] is not strong enough. Superfluous excess in speaking is also reprobated as “coming of evil” (the Greek is akin to the word for “naughtiness” here) in the Sermon on the Mount (Mat 5:37), with which James’ Epistle is so connected.
with meekness - in mildness towards one another [Alford], the opposite to “wrath” (Jam 1:20): answering to “as new-born babes” (1Pe 2:2). Meekness, I think, includes also a childlike, docile, humble, as well as an uncontentious, spirit (Psa 25:9; Psa 45:4; Isa 66:2; Mat 5:5; Mat 11:28-30; Mat 18:3, Mat 18:4; contrast Rom 2:8). On “receive,” applied to ground receiving seed, compare Mar 4:20. Contrast Act 17:11; 1Th 1:6 with 2Th 2:10.
engrafted word - the Gospel word, whose proper attribute is to be engrafted by the Holy Spirit, so as to be livingly incorporated with the believer, as the fruitful shoot is with the wild natural stock on which it is engrafted. The law came to man only from without, and admonished him of his duty. The Gospel is engrafted inwardly, and so fulfills the ultimate design of the law (Deu 6:6; Deu 11:18; Psa 119:11). Alford translates, “The implanted word,” referring to the parable of the sower (Mat 13:1-23). I prefer English Version.
able to save - a strong incentive to correct our dullness in hearing the word: that word which we hear so carelessly, is able (instrumentally) to save us [Calvin].
souls - your true selves, for the “body” is now liable to sickness and death: but the soul being now saved, both soul and body at last shall be so (Jam 5:15, Jam 5:20).