Chapter 1:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 Hebrews 1 Peter
James 1
Concise Complete
How to apply to God under troubles, and how to behave in
prosperous and in adverse circumstances. (1-11) To look upon all evil as
proceeding from ourselves, and all good from God. (12-18) The duty of watching
against a rash temper, and of receiving the word of God with meekness. (19-21)
And of living according thereto. (22-25) The difference between vain pretences
and real religion. (26,27)
Verses 1-11
Christianity teaches men to be joyful under troubles: such exercises are sent
from God's love; and trials in the way of duty will brighten our graces now, and
our crown at last. Let us take care, in times of trial, that patience, and not
passion, is set to work in us: whatever is said or done, let patience have the
saying and doing of it. When the work of patience is complete, it will furnish
all that is necessary for our Christian race and warfare. We should not pray so
much for the removal of affliction, as for wisdom to make a right use of it. And
who does not want wisdom to guide him under trials, both in regulating his own
spirit, and in managing his affairs? Here is something in answer to every
discouraging turn of the mind, when we go to God under a sense of our own
weakness and folly. If, after all, any should say, This may be the case with
some, but I fear I shall not succeed, the promise is, To any that asketh, it
shall be given. A mind that has single and prevailing regard to its spiritual
and eternal interest, and that keeps steady in its purposes for God, will grow
wise by afflictions, will continue fervent in devotion, and rise above trials
and oppositions. When our faith and spirits rise and fall with second causes,
there will be unsteadiness in our words and actions. This may not always expose
men to contempt in the world, but such ways cannot please God. No condition of
life is such as to hinder rejoicing in God. Those of low degree may rejoice, if
they are exalted to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom of God; and the
rich may rejoice in humbling providences, that lead to a humble and lowly
disposition of mind. Worldly wealth is a withering thing. Then, let him that is
rich rejoice in the grace of God, which makes and keeps him humble; and in the
trials and exercises which teach him to seek happiness in and from God, not from
perishing enjoyments.
Verses 12-18 It is
not every man who suffers, that is blessed; but he who with patience and
constancy goes through all difficulties in the way of duty. Afflictions cannot
make us miserable, if it be not our own fault. The tried Christian shall be a
crowned one. The crown of life is promised to all who have the love of God
reigning in their hearts. Every soul that truly loves God, shall have its trials
in this world fully recompensed in that world above, where love is made perfect.
The commands of God, and the dealings of his providence, try men's hearts, and
show the dispositions which prevail in them. But nothing sinful in the heart or
conduct can be ascribed to God. He is not the author of the dross, though his
fiery trial exposes it. Those who lay the blame of sin, either upon their
constitution, or upon their condition in the world, or pretend they cannot keep
from sinning, wrong God as if he were the author of sin. Afflictions, as sent by
God, are designed to draw out our graces, but not our corruptions. The origin of
evil and temptation is in our own hearts. Stop the beginnings of sin, or all the
evils that follow must be wholly charged upon us. God has no pleasure in the
death of men, as he has no hand in their sin; but both sin and misery are owing
to themselves. As the sun is the same in nature and influences, though the earth
and clouds, often coming between, make it seem to us to vary, so God is
unchangeable, and our changes and shadows are not from any changes or
alterations in him. What the sun is in nature, God is in grace, providence, and
glory; and infinitely more. As every good gift is from God, so particularly our
being born again, and all its holy, happy consequences come from him. A true
Christian becomes as different a person from what he was before the renewing
influences of Divine grace, as if he were formed over again. We should devote
all our faculties to God's service, that we may be a kind of first-fruits of his
creatures.
Verses 19-21
Instead of blaming God under our trials, let us open our ears and hearts to
learn what he teaches by them. And if men would govern their tongues, they must
govern their passions. The worst thing we can bring to any dispute, is anger.
Here is an exhortation to lay apart, and to cast off as a filthy garment, all
sinful practices. This must reach to sins of thought and affection, as well as
of speech and practice; to every thing corrupt and sinful. We must yield
ourselves to the word of God, with humble and teachable minds. Being willing to
hear of our faults, taking it not only patiently, but thankfully. It is the
design of the word of God to make us wise to salvation; and those who propose
any mean or low ends in attending upon it, dishonour the gospel, and disappoint
their own souls.
Verses 22-25 If we
heard a sermon every day of the week, and an angel from heaven were the
preacher, yet, if we rested in hearing only, it would never bring us to heaven.
Mere hearers are self-deceivers; and self-deceit will be found the worst deceit
at last. If we flatter ourselves, it is our own fault; the truth, as it is in
Jesus, flatters no man. Let the word of truth be carefully attended to, and it
will set before us the corruption of our nature, the disorders of our hearts and
lives; and it will tell us plainly what we are. Our sins are the spots the law
discovers: Christ's blood is the laver the gospel shows. But in vain do we hear
God's word, and look into the gospel glass, if we go away, and forget our spots,
instead of washing them off; and forget our remedy, instead of applying to it.
This is the case with those who do not hear the word as they ought. In hearing
the word, we look into it for counsel and direction, and when we study it, it
turns to our spiritual life. Those who keep in the law and word of God, are, and
shall be, blessed in all their ways. His gracious recompence hereafter, would be
connected with his present peace and comfort. Every part of Divine revelation
has its use, in bringing the sinner to Christ for salvation, and in directing
and encouraging him to walk at liberty, by the Spirit of adoption, according to
the holy commands of God. And mark the distinctness, it is not for his deeds,
that any man is blessed, but in his deed. It is not talking, but walking, that
will bring us to heaven. Christ will become more precious to the believer's
soul, which by his grace will become more fitted for the inheritance of the
saints in light.
Verses 26-27 When
men take more pains to seem religious than really to be so, it is a sign their
religion is in vain. The not bridling the tongue, readiness to speak of the
faults of others, or to lessen their wisdom and piety, are signs of a vain
religion. The man who has a slandering tongue, cannot have a truly humble,
gracious heart. False religious may be known by their impurity and
uncharitableness. True religion teaches us to do every thing as in the presence
of God. An unspotted life must go with unfeigned love and charity. Our true
religion is equal to the measure in which these things have place in our hearts
and conduct. And let us remember, that nothing avails in Christ Jesus, but faith
that worketh by love, purifies the heart, subdues carnal lusts, and obeys God's
commands.
Chapter 1:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 Hebrews 1 Peter
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
