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Faith Is Responsive to the Scriptures

James 1:19-27 Page 1

Introduction:

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Key verse: 1:22, But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving

yourselves

Look back: Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that

we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

Hiebert entitles this section: Faith tested by its response to the Word of

God

o the reference to the regenerating word of truth in verse 18 provides the subject for the first test of living faith (p. 109)

In this section the Word is seen as:

o seed vs 21 (NKJV: implanted word) hapax.o mirror (vs 23)Cf also 1 Cor 13:12, For now we see in a

mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I

shall know just as I also am known.

o law that gives freedom (vs 25)James:

o Calls for the proper reaction to the Word (19-20)o Notes the condition for effective reception to the Word (21)o Discusses the nature and importance of obedience to the Word (22-

27) (Hiebert p 109)

Outline: A doer of the Word

1. Accepting the Word of God (1:19-21) (ACCEPTS)a. A Sensitivity to its teaching (1:19,20)b. A submission to its teaching (1:21)

2. Assimilating the Word of God (1:22-25) (ASSIMILATES)a. Persistent in study (1:22-24)b. Consistent in practice (1:25)

3. Applying the Word of God (1:26-27) (APPLIES)

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Detail:

1. Accepting the Word of God (1:19-21)a. A Sensitivity to its teaching (1:19,20)

i. Text: So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow tospeak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the

righteousness of God.

ii. Stand alone this is practical advice! (and some commentators view vs 19 asan independent wisdom-saying But ..

iii. so then (KJV wherefore / Greek ) links back to vs 18 and providesthe context!

iv. The knowledge possessed: 19a1. In essence take note of this!2. NIV, ESV, NASB follow critical text (): My dear brothers, take

note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and

slow to become angry(NIV imperative verb!)

3. Addressed to family!my beloved brethren4. The ideal of the Christian life . Children meekly accept the teaching

of the Word of God!

v. The reaction demanded: 19b1. James moves from the plural in 19a brethren2. To the singular imperative here be3. let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath4. Gk: there are male men and generic men in the

Bible this is generic men and women!

5. Be what?a. Swift to hearquick, fleet, speedy

i. Eager and attentive . Ready to receive the messageii. Listening is the art of closing ones mouth and

opening ones ears and heart

iii. Listen implies public reading of & exhortation from theWord of God

b. Slow to speaki. Restraint on hasty and ill-conceived reactions to what

is heard

ii. Time for reflection and thoughtful evaluation as towhat has been taught

iii. The continual talker is tuned out from listening!

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c. Slow to wrathi. Avoid flash reactions!

ii. Avoid the wrath of argumentation6. Proverbs 14:29, He who is slow to wrath has great understanding,

But he who isimpulsive exalts folly.7. Eccl 7:9, Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in

the bosom of fools.

vi. The reason stated: 201. for = reason for the warning2. for the wrath of man () does not produce the righteousness of God.3. What produces the righteousness of God?

a. How Is change worked in me?b. How is change worked in my spouse?c.

How is change worked in my church (flock)?

d. Not by wrath! But by the patient teaching of the Word of God!e. Ephesians 5:25-27, Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also

loved the church and gave Himself for her,26

that He might sanctify

and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,27

that He

might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or

wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without

blemish.

b. A submission to its teaching (1:21)i. Text: Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive

with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls

c. For the KJV affectionados:i. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with

meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls

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d. VersionsVersion Translation

NKJV

Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and

receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your

souls.

ESVTherefore

put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive

withmeekness the implanted word,

which is able to save your souls.

NASB

Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of

wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to

save your souls

e. What is called for:i. The stripping off of sins (21a)

1. Figure is taking off of dirty clothes! (cf 2:2, a poor man in filthyclothes)

2. Two-fold:a. Our own sin: =- something defiled!b. Eschew the wickedness of the world!

ii. The appropriation of the Word (21b)1. What: receive the Word

a. Middle imperative. Someone we must choose to do forourselves

b. Sense: Something already implanted!c. 1 Peter 1:22-24, Since you have purified your souls in obeying

the truth through the Spiritin sincere love of the brethren,

love one another fervently with a pure heart,23

having been

born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through

the word of God which lives and abides forever

d. Cf Luke 8:13, But the ones on the rock are those who, whenthey hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root,

who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.

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2. How: with meeknessa. mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit, meeknessb. Also James 3:13, Who is wise and understanding among you?

Let him show by good conduct thathis works are done in the

meekness of wisdom.c. The needed inner attitude toward the Word (Hiebert p 116)

3. Why: which is able to save your soulsa. Three tenses of salvation:

i. Past = justificationI was saved in November1969 (saved from the power of sin!)

ii. Future = glorification .. I will be saved from thepresence of sin!

iii. Present = sanctification I am being saved from thepower of sin!

Three Tenses of Salvation

Tense Theological Term Example Emphasis

Past Justification

Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace you have

been saved through faith, and that not

of yourselves; it is the gift of God"

Saved from the

penaltyof sin

Present Sanctification

1 Corinthians 1:18, "For the message

of the cross is foolishness to those who

are perishing, but to us who are being

saved it is the power of God"

Saved from the

powerof sin

Future Glorification

Romans 5:10, "For if when we were

enemies we were reconciled to God

through the death of His Son, much

more, having been reconciled, we shall

be saved by His life."

Saved from the

presence of sin

b. What is in view here?i. Well certainly we have been saved by the Spirit

prompted miraculous reception of Word of God!

ii. But I think in view is sanctification because of theaddress to brothers!

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2. Assimilating the Word of God (1:22-25)a. Persistent in study (1:22-24)

i. Text: But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.23

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;

24

for he observes himself, goes away,and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

ii. The requirement (vs 22)1. Hearing and doing!2. Not hearing only!3. Danger: One who hears but does not do is self-deceived!4. Cf Matthew 7:21-27, Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord,

shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My

Father in heaven. .24

Therefore whoever hears these sayings of

Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built hishouse on the rock .

26But everyone who hears these sayings of

Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his

house on the sand:

iii. The illustrations (vs 23-24)1. The negative portrayal

a. he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirrorb. In ancient times, mirrors were polished bronze or silver!c. This man sees himselfnaturally instead of the way the Lord

would see us!

2. The positive portrayal (vs 25)

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b. Consistent in practice (1:25)i. Text: But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it,

and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed

in what he does.

ii.

Cf John 14:15, If you love Me, keep

My commandmentsiii. Cf NASB: But one who looks intently at the perfect lawiv. Greek: to look carefully into, inspect curiouslyv. Cf Luke 24:12, But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he

saw the linen cloths lyingby themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself

at what had happened

vi. The Word of God is seen as the perfect law of liberty!1. Romans 8:21, because the creation itself also will be delivered from the

bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God

2.

2 Corinthians 3:17, Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of theLord is, there is liberty

3. Galatians 5:1, Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has madeus free

4. Galatians 5:13, For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do notuse liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one

another

vii. The demand is persistencyand continues in it . a doer of the workviii. The promise: this one will be blessed in what he does

3. Applying the Word of God (1:26-27)a. Text: If anyone among youthinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but

deceives his own heart, this ones religion is useless.27

Pure and undefiled religion

before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and

to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

b. The practical applications (or tests) of our faithi. A bridled tongue

ii. Care for the emotionally and financially needyiii. Practical holiness (separation from worldly things!)

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