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I.
V. 24 for {once} he has looked at himself and gone away, he has
immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.
a.
He has looked at himself and gone away - katanoeo {kat-an-o-eh'-o}
heautou {heh-ow-too'} aperchomai {ap-erkh'-om-ahee}- to consider
attentively or fix one's eyes or mind upon himself and then go away
or depart
i.
He takes a slight glance of himself, and departs (Gill)
ii.
Literally - he contemplated himself and has gone his way, that is,
no sooner has he contemplated his image than he is gone his way
(Commentary Critical)
iii.
Contemplate here, implies that, even though cursory, some knowledge
of one's self, at least for the time, is imparted in hearing the
word (Commentary Critical)
b.
Immediately forgotten what kind of person he was - eutheos {yoo-theh'-oce}
epilanthanomai {ep-ee-lan-than'-om-ahee} hopoios {hop-oy'-os} en
{ane} - straightway or immediately neglecting or no longer caring
for of what sort or quality he was
i.
He forgets either his spots, blemishes, and imperfections; or his
comeliness and beauty; the features of his face, be they comely
or not: so a bare hearer of the word, who is not concerned to practice
what he hears, while he is hearing, he observes some things amiss
in himself, and some excellencies in Christ; but, when the discourse
is over, he goes his way, and thinks no more of either. (Gill)
ii.
This is the same picture that is drawn by Jesus in a different way
in Matt. 13:4, 19. "The little birds just carried away the
good seed." (Coffman)
iii.
How many are there who, when they sit under the word, are affected
with their own sinfulness, misery, and danger, acknowledge the evil
of sin, and their need of Christ; but, when their hearing is over,
all is forgotten, convictions are lost, good affections vanish,
and pass away like the waters of a land-flood: he straightway forgets.
(Henry)
II.
V. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the {law} of
liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer
but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
a.
But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the {law} of liberty
- parakupto {par-ak-oop'-to} teleios {tel'-i-os} nomos {nom'-os}
eleutheria {el-yoo-ther-ee'-ah} - to look carefully into or inspect
curiously at a law
or rule which is found wanting nothing necessary to completeness
that produces a state approved of God which gives liberty to do
or to omit things having no relationship to salvation
i.
The gospel is a law of liberty, giving us deliverance from the Jewish
law, and from sin and guilt, and wrath and death. It is a perfect law; nothing can be added to it (Henry)
ii.
The Gospel rule of life, perfect and perfecting (as shown in the
Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:48),
and making us truly walk at liberty.
The principle of love takes the place of the letter of the
law, so that by the Spirit they are free from the yoke of sin, and
free to obey by spontaneous instinct (Commentary Critical)
iii.
This is no other than the word of truth, with which God begets men
of his own will; and is the engrafted word which is able to save,
and of which men should be doers, as well as hearers, now the Gospel
is called a law; not that it is a law, strictly speaking, consisting
precepts, and established and enforced by sanctions penalties; for
it is a declaration of righteousness and salvation by Christ; and
a free promise of eternal life, through him (Gill)
iv.
The Law of Liberty sets forth principles of behavior in which the
new-born man revels. He
delights to do the will of God.
It is not therefore a ministry of condemnation, as was the
law to the unregenerate Israelite, but it is a rule of freedom.
(Ironside)
v.
This seems like a paradox (a law that gives freedom), but as John
writes Hold to my teaching and you will know the truth and the truth
will set you free. (BKC)
b.
abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual
doer - parameno {par-am-en'-o} epilesmone {ep-ee-lace-mon-ay'} akroates
{ak-ro-at-ace'} poietes {poy-ay-tace'} - to survive or remain alive
in the word and is not a forgetful hearer but is a maker or a producer
or an author (signifies ownership of the word)
i.
When we look into the law of liberty should not be forgetful of
it, but practice it as our work and business, set it always before
our eyes, and make it the constant rule of our conversation and
behavior, and model the temper of our minds by it. (Henry)
ii.
This is contrasted with "goes his way," James 1:24,
continues both looking into the mirror of God's word, and doing
its precepts. (Commentary Cristical)
iii.
This one is not moved away from the hope of the Gospel, nor carried
about with divers and strange doctrines; but is established in the
faith, stands fast in it, and abides by it and also takes heed to
the things he hears and sees, lest he should let them slip; and
being conscious of the weakness of his memory, implores the divine
Spirit to be bring remembrance, with fresh power and light, what
he has heard so that he can do every work and ordinance the Gospel
ministry points unto (Gill)
c.
this man will be blessed in what he does - houtos {hoo'-tos} esomai
{es'-om-ahee} makarios {mak-ar'-ee-os} makarios {mak-ar'-ee-os}
- This man (masculine) will be (a future thing) blessed or happy
in the obedience he renders to the law
i.
One who does that God decrees will find full liberty and will be
blessed in what he does (BKC)
ii.
This doer finds blessings in the path of obedience (Ironside)
iii.
James here alludes to Psalm 1:1-3. "He that meditates in the
law of God, and walks according to it, shall prosper in whatsoever
he does"
iv.
Ņin what he does; in the very doing there is blessedness (Commentary
Critical)
v.
He having, in hearing the word, and looking into it, and in submitting
to every ordinance of the Gospel, so that Wisdom's ways become ways
of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace, moreover, in all such
a man does, he is prosperous and successful; in all he does he prospers:
and so he is blessed in his deed, by God. (Gill)
1.
This is a dangerous view known as "Health-Wealth doctrine"
basically it means that if you are living in line with scripture
you will be healthy and wealthy.
This commentary view is included to show how some twist this
text to mean that the blessing will be success and wealth.
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