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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - James 4:5 - 4:5
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Jam 4:5. Κενῶς) in vain, without effect, so that it matters nothing to guilt or to salvation. Whatever things the Scripture says are serious. We ought to reverence every word.-λέγει, saith) not λαλεῖ, speaks, saith the things which follow.-πρὸς φθόνον) against envy. This noun (φθόνος) does not occur in the Septuagint, and it does not seem probable that James should have wished to make so great a change in this verse, and yet, in Jam 4:6, have made an exact quotation from another passage. We may infer from this, that the quotation here is from the Scriptures of the New Testament: for the writings of the New Testament, as well as the Old, are reckoned in the Scriptures; 2Pe 3:16. Some refer it to Gen 6:5; Gen 6:3; or to Num 11:29; or to Pro 21:10; or to some lost book. But the words of James are near enough to Gal 5:17, and following verses; where φθόνοι, envyings, are placed among the works of the flesh, and the spirit is said to have desires contrary to the flesh, and they who are led by this spirit are not under the law, but under grace. But this passage agrees especially with 1Pe 2:1-2; 1Pe 2:5. Laying aside-ENVYINGS, DESIRE the milk of the word-a SPIRITUAL HOUSE. And that which here follows. But He giveth more grace, agrees with that, the Lord is gracious, Jam 4:3. He who has this passage of St Peter well impressed upon his mind, will altogether recognise the reference of St James to it. Nor does the chronological order of the epistles stand in the way. Thus James not only concurs with St Peter, but also with St Paul.-φθόνον) The friendship of the world necessarily produces envy: the Spirit, which has taken up His dwelling in us, does not bear envy.-τὸ πνεῦμα) The Spirit of grace and love.-κατῴκησεν) takes up His dwelling.-ἐν ἥμῖν, in us) Sons, of the New Testament.