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Cheek’s Commentary on James 1:3-11
By Bro. Cheek | September 11, 2008
Table of contents for James Commentary
- Cheek’s Commentary on James - Introduction
- Cheek’s Commentary on James 1:1
- Cheek’s Commentary on James 1:2
- Cheek’s Commentary on James 1:3-11
James 1:3 Knowing this,1 that the trying2 of your faith3 worketh4 patience.5
1:3.1 “Knowing this,” James appeals to these Christians to acknowledge what he is about to say. That is, they know for a fact that trials produce patience because they have experienced trials themselves. Such knowledge is only acquired through the trials. Often, Christians do not see the purpose in a trial until it is over. Only when they look back do they see that faith in the trial worked patience into their life.
1:3.2 “that the trying” What is faith if it is never tried? He who has never had his faith tried has little faith. cf. Matthew 15:21-28. The woman whose daughter was grievously vexed with a devil entreated the Lord to heal her. At first the Lord completely ignored the woman. Next, upon further insistence, He called her a dog. This no doubt tried her faith in the Son of God. Finally, because of her importunity and her faith, He healed her daughter and exclaimed that her faith was great. What made her have such faith? It was the trial of her vexed daughter and her own desire to see her healed. It increased her faith.
The apostles asked the Lord to increase their faith in Luke 17:5. The entire book of Acts is an answer to that prayer. He increased their faith through the trials they went through.
1:3.3 “of your faith” What is the definition of faith? Charles Hodge, the well known nineteenth century Princeton Theological Seminary professor famous for his work on Systematic Theology, defined faith as “a principle or state of mind, and an act.” These two definitions agree with the Biblical definition of faith found in Hebrews 11:1.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Two Biblical Definitions For Faith
I. The substance of things hoped for. This is an attitude. Our faith in God is an abiding principle rooted in our understanding of God. This principle is simply a conscious agreement to the truth of God as found in His Word. cf. Romans 10:17. When confronted with Biblical truth the child of God will agree with God. This is called faith. This faith is inward and seen by God.
II. The evidence of things not seen. This is an act. Agreement with God is manifested outwardly by our actions. Therefore, when a child of God agrees with God, that agreement will manifest itself in actions that are in compliance with God’s Word. This is also called faith. cf. James 2:18. This faith is outward and seen by others.
Inward and outward faith are both required to be considered true faith. If only one is active in a given situation of life, the faith is said to be dead. cf. James 2:17-20. Simon the sorcerer is an example of dead faith. cf. Acts 8:13-24.
It has been said that if we do not practice something, we do not truly believe it. It would do each Christian good to write down everything that is consistent in their life. What can be honestly written down is what they honestly believe. What cannot be honestly written down is what they do not really believe, even though they may claim to believe it.
1:3.4 “worketh” The idea here is that trials are an exercise in faith that produces patience to deal with future trials. cf. Romans 5:3-4.
1:3.5 “patience.” Faith and patience go hand in hand in the Scriptures. cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:4; Hebrews 6:12; Revelation 13:10. The more faith a Christian exercises in a trial, the more patience is produced. The Bible gives four levels of patience.
Four Levels Of Patience
I. Christians can have: Need of Patience (Hebrews 10:36)
II. Christians can have: Patience (Luke 21:19)
III. Christians can have: Much Patience (2 Corinthians 6:4)
IV. Christians can have: All Patience (Colossians 1:11)
Spiritual maturity is gauged by the level of patience in the life which is increased by faith in trials. For those Christians who are still on the first level of having need of patience, James admonishes them to, “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” (James 5:8).
James 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work,1 that ye may be perfect and entire,2 wanting nothing.3
1:4.1 “But let patience have her perfect work,” That is, be patient from the beginning to the end of a trial, so that what ever is to be accomplished through the trial might be done so, completely and not partially.
1:4.2 “that ye may be perfect and entire,” Never does the word perfect refer to sinless perfection when referring to a pre-resurrected Christian. The idea is that the Christian may be complete, entirely whole, mature, and established in Christ as a result of the trials. cf. 1 Peter 5:10; 2 Timothy 3:17; Colossians 4:12; Ephesians 4:13.
1:4.3 “wanting nothing.” Lacking nothing or deficient of nothing. cf. Daniel 5:27.
A defiant Christian in a trial becomes a deficient Christian out of it. Therefore he is admonished to let the trials work in his life. It is for his own good. cf. Romans 8:28.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom,1 let him ask of God,2 that giveth to all men liberally,3 and upbraideth not;4 and it shall be given him.5
1:5.1 “If any of you lack wisdom,” The context of this verse deals with trials even though Christians often use this verse to pray about anything they need wisdom for. Such use is Scriptural. cf. 2 Timothy 3:16. Dealing with this phrase within the context reveals that God does not desire to keep his children in the dark about the reasons for any trial in their life. When Christians go through a trial designed to increase their faith, it is not reasonable that God should want them to be ignorant of the purpose for the trial. That in itself would lesson the benefit of the trial to the Christian.
It bears mentioning here that wisdom and knowledge are two different things. One can have knowledge without any wisdom at all. Many scientists have a great amount of knowledge of the things of this world, yet for their lack of wisdom have little understanding of the world to come. On the other hand, one could be well versed in the wisdom of God with the smallest amount of raw knowledge.
There have been many good definitions that distinguish the one from the other. Perhaps the best that I have heard is that knowledge is the accumulation of information while wisdom is the proper application of information.
1:5.2 “let him ask of God, ” God is the only source of true wisdom. The words wisdom cometh are only found in five verses in the Bible. The first occurrence is in Job 28:20. Job asks the question, “Whence then cometh wisdom?” His question is answered in verse 28 of that chapter. It is marvelous that the very next occurrence in the Bible of the phrase also answers the question.
Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
We see the wisdom of God in the Trinity of God. cf. Colossians 2:2-3.
The Wisdom of the Trinity
I. God the Father is the only wise God (1 Timothy 1:17) who hath abounded toward us in all wisdom (Ephesians 1:8).
II. God the Son is the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24) who is made unto us wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30).
III. God the Spirit is the Spirit of wisdom (Ephesians 1:17) who gives to us the word of wisdom (1 Corinthians 12:8).
Since wisdom is the proper application of information and since wisdom only comes from God, it is only reasonable that we should go to Him for wisdom instead of trying to solve our problems ourselves. We must never forget that we are not sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God (1 Corinthians 3:5).
1:5.3 “that giveth to all men liberally,” Liberally means bountifully. God is not sparing to those who seek him. cf. Matthew 7:7.
1:5.4 “and upbraideth not;” It is a blessing that God is not as we are. Sometimes a parent will upbraid a child for asking a question or asking help with something, but our Father is not that way. He never rebukes His child when he asks for help. In light of this fact, Christians have no excuse for not seeking help from God when they fail to understand something in their life. cf. Romans 10:12.
1:5.5 “and it shall be given him.” This is a guarantee and a promise from the Word of God, but no time limit is given. God will give wisdom to His child, but He is at liberty to grant wisdom whenever He wishes. That may mean the Christian will not understand the purpose of the trial until it is over. If that is the case, God has not lied, He has simply seen fit to withhold understanding until His child is ready to benefit from it. Such was the case with Job. God did not reveal Himself to Job for thirty-seven chapters. But when Job needed wisdom, he met Wisdom face to face. cf. Job 42:1-5.
James 1:6 But let him ask in faith,1 nothing wavering.2 For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea3 driven with the wind and tossed.4
1:6.1 “But let him ask in faith,” cf. Mark 11:24. This follows on the heels of verse 5. A Christian that lacks understanding in a trial may become discouraged and may feel isolated from God. He may wonder where God is and why God has allowed such a trial in his life. Amid these kinds of feelings he must ask of God in faith or he will not receive any wisdom from the Lord. cf. Hebrews 11:6. Somebody said, “We may not be able to track God, but we can trust Him.” Just because we cannot see God in the trial does not mean God is not there. In spite of our dismay in a trial, we can still come boldly unto the throne of grace to find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16). We can do this through the promise of verse 5.
1:6.2 “nothing wavering.” In his faith towards God. No doubt can be in the heart of a Christian when he prays for wisdom about a trial. Any doubt can be quickly removed when we consider some facts about God.
Four Facts That Remove Doubt
I. God grants permission to ask for wisdom. (James 1:5)
II. God has the ability to supply our need. (Philippians 4:19)
III. God is faithful to His own promises. (Psalm 89:34)
IV. God has never let His children down. (Psalm 37:25)
We should never question God about his character or person. Nothing about God is questionable except our understanding of Him. That is why He gives us the opportunity to gain more understanding by asking for wisdom.
1:6.3 “For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea” Sea waves are unstable and for all their might and power cannot produce anything constructive. cf. Jeremiah 5:22. This verse teaches that Christians who doubt God are just like the waves in Jeremiah. Because of their lack of faith they are unstable in all their ways (vs. 8) and they cannot prevail over their situation though they roar and toss themselves.
1:6.4 “driven with the wind and tossed.” The waves of the sea have no control over the wind that tosses them whithersoever it will. A Christian with no faith in God loses control of his life and is tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14).
James 1:7 For let not that man1 think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.2
1:7.1 “For let not that man” This is the man in verse 6 whose faith wavers. Because his faith is wavering, he can be sure that he will not receive any wisdom and direction from the Lord.
1:7.2 “think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” His prayer was unto God but doubt prevented God from responding. When Jesus visited Nazareth in Matthew 13:53-58, he could not perform many mighty works there because of their unbelief. The Lord said in Matthew 9:29, “According to your faith be it unto you.” Faith is the key that unlocks the door of answered prayer.
James 1:8 A double minded man1 is unstable in all his ways.2
1:8.1 “A double minded man” This phrase is only found in James. cf. James 4:8. It holds the same meaning as the Old Testament phrase “double heart” found in 1 Chronicles 12:33 and Psalm 12:2. It means to be of two opinions at the same time. We have an example of this in 1 Kings 18:21, where Elijah met the prophets of Baal.
Elijah confronted the children of Israel and asked them, “How long halt ye between two opinions?” A Christian that prays with an unbelieving heart appears outwardly to hold the opinion that prayer is worth the time, but he appears inwardly to hold the opinion that prayer is a waste of time.
1:8.2 “is unstable in all his ways.” Proverbs 23:7 states, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:…” Unbelief affects more than the prayer life. Every area of the Christian life is governed by faith.
The Sevenfold Relationship of Faith to the Christian Life
I. The Christian is justified by faith. (Romans 5:1)
II. The Christian is purified by faith. (Acts 15:9)
III. The Christian is sanctified by faith. (Acts 26:18)
IV. The Christian gains access to grace by faith. (Romans 5:2)
V. The Christian stands by faith. (2 Corinthians 1:24)
VI. The Christian walks by faith. (2 Corinthians 5:7)
VII. The Christian lives by faith. (Galatians 3:11)
Is there any wonder that a Christian with unbelief has no ability to please God? (Hebrews 11:6). Without faith he is not much different than a lost man. No wonder God refuses to answer his prayer. No wonder he is unstable in all his ways.
James 1:9 Let the brother1 of low degree2 rejoice3 in that he is exalted:4
1:9.1 “Let the brother” A saved Jew as previously shown. (cf. 1:1.4). Verses nine and ten are one sentence (note the colon at the end of verse nine). James is contrasting a poor Christian Jew in need of wisdom (vs. 9) with a rich Christian Jew in need of wisdom (vs. 10). The context deals with faith to receive wisdom in trials. Jews thought Judaism taught them that wealth was a sign of God’s blessing (cf. Mark 10:23-27). Perhaps James deals with this aspect of their belief about God’s blessing to show the contrast of Judaism with Christianity.
1:9.2 “of low degree” Defined in the context as opposite the rich (vs. 10). A poor man.
1:9.3 “rejoice” Defined in Websters, “To experience joy and gladness in a high degree.” It is usually associated with shouting (Psalm 5:11). Rejoicing is commanded by God and therefore not optional for the Christian. The first ten occurrences of the word in Scripture are commands for God’s people to rejoice. The circumstances of life should not prevent a Christian from rejoicing. Whether poor or rich, weak or strong, sick or well, ignorant or learned, we can and should rejoice. If for no other reason, Jesus said rejoice because our names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20). How often should we rejoice? Paul said in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, rejoice.”
1:9.4 “in that he is exalted:” cf. Job 36:22. A poor man can receive learning from the Lord about the trials of his life as surely as any other. He is exalted when God grants the wisdom he prays for. Such wisdom is meted out to all of God’s children who ask in faith regardless of their material standing in this life. This stands in stark contrast to the ways of this world. Great knowledge is hoarded up among the rich and merchandised to those that can afford the price. God exalts the poor in wisdom but the world despises a poor wise man. cf. Ecclesiastes 9:13-15.
James 1:10 But the rich,1 in that he is made low:2 because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.3
1:10.1 “But the rich,” This is in contrast to the poor in verse nine.
1:10.2 “in that he is made low:” He is humbled by the fact that no amount of wealth can buy wisdom when a man is being tried. Money can sometimes alleviate the pressures of a trial. However, when wisdom and understanding are needed to cope with the trial, the rich must turn their eyes away from their material possessions and look at their Maker. That requires humility and in that he is made low. cf. James 4:6.
1:10.3 “because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.” This is clarified in the next verse with the phrase “fade away in his ways”. The wealthy man should rejoice because he is loved by God who loves him enough to give him the wisdom he needs to deal with trials, even when he loses all his material wealth. [note: Christian Jews of that day either gave their wealth to the church (Acts 4:32) or possibly lost it due to confiscation by the authorities during the time of persecution (Acts 8:1)]
James 1:11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also1 shall the rich man fade away in his ways.2
1:11.1 “For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also” James continues the illustration of the grass and the flower of verse ten. When the sun scorches grass it withers quickly and all its beauty fades and falls to the ground. When rich Christians are persecuted, the wealth they have can dry up as fast as withering grass.
Proverbs 23:5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
1:11.2 “shall the rich man fade away in his ways.” But if the rich man places his trust in the Lord and not in uncertain riches, he can rejoice in the wisdom that he gains from the Lord even when he loses everything else. His earthly status may change but his heavenly standing never will! What a reason to rejoice!
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