| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
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| 1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. |
James – " James the Less," the son of Alpheus (Cleopas--Mark 3:18), husband of Mary, supposed to have been second cousin to our Lord, so by Jewish custom styled "the Lord's brother." (Gal. 1:19) R3003:2
To the twelve tribes – Fleshly Israel. B207
Had promises made to them that were also specially made to spiritual Israel whom they typified. R2446:6
Israelites indeed who have accepted Christ, and grafted-in Gentiles. R2085:6, 2100:2
The entire epistle is addressed to the Church, the true Israelites. R2442:3, 2443:1
The rejection of the unbelieving of natural Israel left the way open to engraft in some from amongst the Gentiles, possessed of the faith of Abraham. R2442:3
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| 2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
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My brethren – God's people, begotten of his spirit. R2936:4
Count it all joy – Knowing that under divine providence difficulties will work out a greater blessing to you. R2936:4
In everything give thanks unto God--in life's difficulties, as well as in its pleasures. (1 Thess. 5:18) R2936:4
Rejoice if our trials have brought us lessons of any kind that are profitable to us. Paul summed it up in Rom. 8:18. R3001:5
Not that we are to rejoice if we fall into sin when tempted, but that we may rejoice if we find ourselves suddenly precipitated into temptation. R5459:2
We can rejoice because we know that such trials will more fully crystallize our characters; that the Lord would not let us fall into temptation if we are wholly loyal. R5459:3
A temptation resisted makes us so much the stronger to resist the next. R5331:5
God assures us that all tribulation under his providences will yield fruitage of character. R2737:3
Ye fall into – Not walk into them; we are not to seek temptation. R5459:6
James intimates that temptations may overtake us, into which we will fall as a snare. R5459:1
No one could count temptation a joy if, when it should come upon him, he would enter into it. R5331:5
Divers temptations – Trials, testings. R5499:6, 2005:3
Difficulties. R2936:4
Every difficulty is intended to prove us, to test our love, to see if our characters are fixed in righteousness. (1 Pet. 1:7; 2 Cor. 4:17) R5459:2, 5499:5,6, 3776:5, 2258:3
Temptations are necessary to our discipline and preparation for the Kingdom. R2005:3
Temptation is not a sin. R5459:2
Even temptations that come through negligence are not to be disesteemed. Some of our greatest lessons in carefulness have resulted from the effect of our own carelessness. R5459:6
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| 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
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Trying of your faith worketh – If our faith stands the trial, it will work out in our character this patient endurance. R5651:4
Patience always shines brightest when manifested under the glowing heat of severe affliction. R1721:1,5
The Christian can take joy in tribulation, not because he loves tribulation, but because he loves the patience, the experience, the character, which are a fruitage if rightly exercised thereby. (Rom. 5:3) R2737:3
Patience – Greek, hupomonee, constancy; endurance of evil in a cheerful, willing, patient manner; endurance with contentment, without rebellion of will. R2791:1, 2792:1, 5650:2, 5499:1, 4910:1
Meek, uncomplaining endurance of suffering with humble resignation and perseverance; a trait which indicates strength and self-discipline. R1721:1
It is mindful of its own imperfections and sympathetic with the imperfections and shortcomings of others. R4910:1, 5125:3
There is little virtue in the patience that endures from motives of worldly policy. R1721:5
An element of character, not merely a temporary condition of restraint of feeling or action. R5650:2, 4910:1
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| 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
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Let patience have her perfect work – Patience smooths the way for every other Christian grace, because all must be acquired under the process of patient and continuousself-discipline. Not a step of progress can be gained without this grace. R4910:1
By meekly doing the best we can each day, and doing it cheerfully and well. R1721:2
Until the long and painful discipline yields the peaceable fruit and rewards of righteousness. R1721:5
Submitting cheerfully under the mighty hand of God in his work of preparing us for a place in his Kingdom. R4809:1
"Let patient endurance have her perfect work" or "perfect her work." Demonstrate love as an element of character, deep-rooted, immutable, so that you can endure opposition cheerfully. R4910:3
"In your patience [patient endurance, cheerful, hopeful, constancy] possess ye your souls." (Luke 21:19) R4910:6
Enduring all trials and shining the brighter for every affliction. R1721:5
One object of the test of patient endurance is that we may have the character-likeness of the Lord Jesus; not merely the firmness, but also the gentleness. R4910:6
Our loyalty to the Lord and to the principles of his righteousness-- justice, truth, love--shall be beyond question. Our characters must become crystallized along these lines. R3059:5,6
God assures us that all tribulation under his providences will yield fruitage of character. R2737:3
Our ability and strength to patiently endure should increase as we progress in the narrow way. R5651:3
Our balance of judgment is so poor that we are by nature too hasty. Therefore growth in grace and growth in knowledge will have to do with the degree of love exhibited by each. R5125:3
By fiery trials we learn patience, forebearance, sympathy for others, love for the brethren, compassion for the world in its troubles and trials. NS447:6
Perfect and entire – Our character cannot be perfected without patient endurance, without our putting on the whole armor of God; and having put it on, keeping it securely buckled. R5650:2
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| 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. |
Lack wisdom – "Wisdom is the principal thing." (Prov. 4:7) R2262:2
The wisest course is to admit our own unwisdom and seek for divine direction, divine wisdom. R2262:3
The more we gain the more we see we still lack. R3980:4
Realize that they lack wisdom and need guidance by the Divine Teacher. R2262:5
We appreciate our lack as we come to see the lengths, breadths, heights, and depths of God's loving providence for us. R3988:4
This wisdom seems to be especially necessary to us as the servants of God, that the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts may be acceptable in the sight of the Lord. (Psa. 19:14) R5202:4
Christian common sense has discovered its human weakness and imperfection, and has come to God for "the spirit of a sound mind." R1777:1
We shall continually need the wisdom from on high. R5633:1
Some suffer as busy-bodies in other men's matters because of a lack of wisdom of moderation. R2493:3
Let him ask – Our requests must be for increased filling with the holy Spirit; wisdom from above. F686
Grace from on high is needed, is promised, and should be earnestly sought when under conditions of severe trial. F506
It is only those who are using to the best of their ability the power and the talents already given them who have any right to ask for further wisdom. R5633:1
God desires all who would become his children to realize their needs and to make requests accordingly. R5714:6
Take it to the Lord in prayer. R2006:3
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| 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. |
Let him ask – For only such things as are promised in the divine Word. R2005:4
Various counsels of heavenly wisdom give us the wisdom and grace for the affairs of life. R2263:4
Ask in faith or not at all. Whatsoever is not of faith is sin, hypocrisy. (Rom. 14:23) R2005:4
Only the humble will seek and obey the heavenly wisdom from the great Counselor; they shall all be taught of God. R2262:5
The greater our humility, the greater our trust in the Lord's wisdom and reliance on his instruction. R2262:6
Our prayers are not to be "vain repetitions," formal requests for what we do not expect. (Matt. 6:7) R2005:4
The more wisdom we gain, the more we see we lack. We need to go continually to the fountain of grace that we may profitably use each experience of life. R3980:4
In faith – True faith is not credulity. It is critical, and believes only upon good evidence. It criticizes closely and distinguishes clearly between the teachings of men and the substantiated Word of God. R2005:4
Wave of sea – Masses of mankind not under religious restraint. (Jude 13; Rev. 21:1) R333:1
Not to think he shall receive any thing – If asked with irreverence, such petitions will receive no consideration from the Lord. R3253:1
If we partake of the spirit of the world and try to partake of the spirit of Christ, let not any man think he shall receive anything of the Lord. R1899:1
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| 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. |
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| 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. |
A double minded man – One obliged to compromise matters continually, by "splitting the difference" between the new mind of the spirit and the old mind of the flesh. R2336:2, 2335:6
Has two wills in control. R2336:2, 3913:5
The Great Company class. R4079:2
The "lukewarm," neither cold nor hot, neither for sin nor against sin (Rev. 3:16). God wants positive characters, and others will not be approved. R1985:1
Some take a less positive stand and seek to gain the things of this world, its honor, as well as the honor of God and the world to come. R4256:1
A will which can never please the Lord nor bring joy and blessing either now or hereafter. R2337:5
We cannot have two objects in life, both equally prominent to our attention. R3721:2
Like Balaam, who wished to be a prophet of the Lord, but who wished riches and honor. R5322:6
Trying to be a servant and mouthpiece of God and to gain the rewards of an opposite course. R5323:1
Weak, vacillating character. OV138:T
The vast majority of our race are in this condition of uncertainty, indecision; they have no positive aim, no fixed purpose in life. As a consequence they are like chaff, ready to blow hither and thither. SM755:2
One who has never a settled purpose in respect to his life. SM340:1
Those who have no fixity of purpose, will, intention, are unsuccessful. SM755:1
Human experience, as well as the divine Word, attest the importance of concentrating energy upon some one thing if we would achieve the best results. R478:2
Is unstable – Inconsistent. R2336:1
Unreliable in every way; not pleasing to God, not acceptable to him. R5323:1; F599
Thus showing how impossible it would be for anyone to become an overcomer without becoming strong in faith. F691
The unstable heart will not retain the divine impress. As in dough, it would soon subside and disappear. R2065:1*
In all his ways – "Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (Matt. 6:24) C221; R5323:1, 3721:2, 1899:1
Undoubtedly this is a difficulty with a large number who profess consecration. R3721:4
A man who is wishy-washy, who does not know what he is doing, does not accomplish much of anything. R5313:4
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| 9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: |
Rejoice – Our experiences should be recognized as under divine supervision and therefore a matter of rejoicing no matter how disappointing to the flesh. HG374:5
He is exalted – We are to remember that real prominence, true exaltation, is of the Lord. R5711:4
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| 10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. |
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| 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 also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. |
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| 12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
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Blessed is the man – The condition of one in the favor of God. The state of such will be a happy one, a desirable one. R5499:1
Not a condition as relates to the feelings, or emotions, but rather to the outcome. Whatever conduces the child of God to win the crown of life is a very great blessing, even though it cause much pain to the flesh. R5499:1
That endureth – "The Lord your God proveth you to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deut. 13:3) R2258:2
God allows us to come under the constant pressure of years of toil, care, and self-sacrifice to see how we will endure; and blessed is that diamond-proved character that endures to the end. R3104:1
Retaining permanently the attitude of patient endurance and faithfulness when tempted--time after time, day after day. R5499:1[R5499], 2[R5499]
Endureth with fortitude. R5688:1
Endureth faithfully under temptation. R2258:3, 5459:3
He that escapes all trials and temptations has every reason to doubt that he is really a son of God. R5459:5
Everything now depends upon your power of endurance. Can you hold out to the end? R645:3*
Temptation – Comes from Satan, trying to make a right appear wrong, and a wrong right; putting light for darkness, and darkness for light. (Isa. 5:20,21) R3297:5, 1269:1
Temptations may come from friends who may tempt us to live a life of self-indulgence, to relax in a measure our fidelity to the Lord. The enticements of wealth or worldly society, a natural love of ease and disinclination of the flesh to endure hardness. R5499:2
Those who do not love the Lord with all their hearts, in whom self or some other idol has first place, will be seduced by the world, the flesh or the devil into some form of rebellion against the divine Word. R5688:1, 5459:3, 5500:1
Chastisements, temptations or trial are necessary to our discipline and preparation for the Kingdom. R2005:3
Trials, disciplinings. R5688:2; CR230:4
When he is tried – After his trials. R2258:3; CR230:4
When the trial time is over, when God has seen that he has demonstrated fully his loyalty. R5499:3, 5688:5
Does not mean one trial merely, but our entire experience. With every phase of trial and testing there should be a demonstration of loyalty. R5688:5
He shall receive – Jesus slept until the third day before he received his crown. The apostles and others slept for many centuries before they received theirs. R5688:5
That glory will follow promptly just as soon as the sufferings are accomplished. SM361:1
The crown of life – The joys of the Lord (Matt. 25:21). John speaks of the same crown (Rev. 2:10). Paul refers to it as a crown of righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8). Peter calls it the crown of glory (1 Pet. 5:4). R3211:6, 5499:3
The reward of life; and this life is on the highest plane. It is the crown of glory because it is the reward which brings immortality; given to the "more than conquerors," the crown, or pinnacle of all life; the highest crown. R5499:3, 5688:2, 3282:1
The great reward. CR230:4
Promised to them – God's special love and provision for his saints as distinguished from the world. R1254:5
Such as are at heart fully the Lord's, not their own. R5500:1
That love him – Love supremely, love that is the chief impulse of our lives. R5499:2
A love that will lay down the earthly life in the service of God, that they may bring blessings to others. R5499:5
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| 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: |
Tempted – Signifies to try, to prove. R1623:3
Pitfalls and snares, when right is made to appear wrong and wrong appear right. (Isa. 5:20) R3297:5
Temptation does not imply sin. Sin could come only through yielding to temptation. R2568:5
Tempted to do evil, to commit sin. R5701:6
Tempted of God – Satan is the tempter, endeavoring to ensnare us into wrong paths and wrong conduct. However, God will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able to resist. (1 Cor. 10:13) R2568:5, 3353:4
James limited "temptation" to temptations to evil. God tempts us to do good. (Gen. 22:1) R5701:6
The temptations are of the Adversary, and of our fallen natures--through our own flesh, and through the weaknesses of others. R3353:4, 5701:3
God cannot be tempted – The Father always knows at once the good from the evil and has no inclination whatever to sin. Evil can have no influence with him. R5702:4,5, 1623:3
Not in accord with any suggestion that evil may be done so that good results may follow. R3145:3
Those who say that Jesus and the Father are one person must conclude the temptation of the devil (Matt. 4) was only a sham. R370:2
Our Lord Jesus is now in that condition where he cannot be tempted. When "changed" we shall likewise not be subject to evil or temptation. R5702:5
Neither tempteth he – If we should think of God as tempting us to sin, it would be a horrible thought; for by reason of his power, none could resist. R5701:6
It is slanderous to say that God causes or instigates sin, wickedness and crime; but proper to say he has not yet interfered to stop evil. R1270:3
An unqualified and authoritative statement that "evil" is not of God. R1299:5*
God tempteth no man to sin, to do wrong. OV294:1; R5701:3
God is over and over declared righteous and holy, a God of truth and without iniquity; a just God and will do no iniquity. R1351:5
God has never directly used his mighty power to harden the heart of any human being; sin and selfishness have. R5263:2
God merely abandons to the tempter, or to the evil preferred course, those who choose the wrong way. NS95:1
It is a totally different matter that he permits Satan to tempt. SM325:1
But allowing such trials and testings will make us stronger, developing character through exercise in resisting evil. R2568:5
There is an evil one ever ready to attack the Lord's people to the extent the Lord will grant the opportunity, as with Job. R3807:2
"Tempted" signifies to try, to prove. God applies tests of character by permitting the alternatives of good and evil to be placed before the individual, to make manifest their character. R1623:3
Trials are needful for our perfecting. The Father will not hinder us from having temptations. R2005:3, 2568:5
Our prayer, "lead us not into temptation" (Matt. 6:13), does not signify we fear God will tempt us. We entreat him to guide our steps that no temptation be too severe. R3353:4
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| 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. |
Tempted – Tried, proved. R1623:3, 4805:4
A man is tempted when he is led astray and enticed by his own selfish, fallen desires. R2005:3
Not every trial is of Satan; among our chief foes are our own weaknesses, predisposition to things selfish, depraved, sinful. R4810:6
Drawn away – He sins when he yields to those desires. R2005:3
Of his own lust – Taking hold of the evil thing instead of resisting it causes a beginning of the secret fault. R2248:6
Desire for wealth, power, revenge, etc. R1779:1, 1270:3
Our own natural desires and weaknesses; stimulated from without, often by our companions and associates in life. R5701:3
Every trial is not of the devil. Among our chief foes is the flesh: our inherent weaknesses and predisposition to things selfish, depraved, sinful. R4810:6, 2769:3
The evil passions of men lead them to the commission of evil deeds. R1299:5*
The natural tendency is to blame someone else. R4805:4
Enticed – The enticements might be charged back primarily to Satan, but this does not clear us of personal responsibility. R5701:3
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| 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. |
Lust – Desire. R5102:4, 4805:4, 3929:1, 2637:4, 2248:6, 1270:3; HG2:1
Selfish desire of any kind. R2891:6, 3929:1
Small, refined, insidious are the beginnings of such desires. R3929:1
Envy, ambition. R3929:1, 2637:4
Hath conceived – In the mind. R2891:6, 2248:6
It bringeth forth sin – Selfish desires, unrepulsed, conceive and bring forth to fruition, to consummation. R3929:1
Develops sinful words or deeds. R2891:6
The beginning of any sin is the first yielding to its intoxicating influence, and therefore we are faithfully warned to abstain from every appearance of evil. (1 Thess. 5:22) R2017:1
When it is finished – Completed. R5102:4
When sin, being full grown. R1449:5*
Sin, with accelerating speed, ever tends downward to more vile conditions, until it ends in the shipwreck of everything that is noble and pure. R1964:3
Bringeth forth death – The second death. R3929:1, 5102:3, 5001:2, 2249:1, 1449:5*
Not eternal torment. R3083:5; CR209:1
Only such as prefer their own wisdom to that of the Bible believe that all men will be everlastingly saved. R3083:6
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| 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. |
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| 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. |
Good gift and every perfect gift – God's plans for mankind are all good and perfect. R904:3
God himself is the fountain from which proceeds every good and perfect gift. R2465:1
All the pleasures which come or will come to us are the blessings which come down from above. NS515:5
Everything that anyone has is a gift; it is not of his own manufacture or creation. R4898:2
One feature of our development is to learn to know and appreciate whence our blessings come. R4883:6
Those who have the spirit of pride fail to recognize this truth. R5001:2
Are seen only by the eye of faith--those who have had their eyes of understanding opened. NS515:5
There is a difference between a "gift" and a "fruit." Possession of a gift may be acquired immediately, but a fruit requires time in which to develop. R5124:2
It is God's grace and not personal merit on our part that salvation is offered to us. R2286:5
Present day inventions are foregleams of Messiah's Kingdom. R5153:3
Every gift from God is a blessing; even the second death is for the best interests of all. R5265:1
Is from above – Our blessings come not from any human being but from God, however much he may use human instrumentalities in conveying his blessings. R3971:1
It is of God's fullness that we have received. All God's creatures are dependent upon him. R4898:2,5
Father of lights – Our Father; the Gospel is "neither of man nor by man." R2133:2
Let us remember God's mercy towards us in the anointing of our eyes, that we may see the wonderful things in his Word. R4783:3
Every purpose of God is for the ultimate good of his creatures. R904:3
The eyes of the world have been blinded to the goodness of God; they have terrible dreads in their hearts. SM422:1
Those who believe the dead are alive make declarations respecting God's character and plan which would be a disgrace to any devil, and are far from the character and attributes of the Father of all mercies. R5674:1, 904:3
No variableness – "I am the Lord, I change not." (Mal. 3:6) R904:3
He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Heb. 13:8) R1059:4, 324:6
From the rule of sending only good and what will work for good; never sending or causing wickedness, etc. R1269:1
The Word of God must stand, whether it be the word promising eternal life or the sentence of death. PD11/18
Shadow of turning – From that course of good. R1269:2
God has never overruled his original sentence of death. R428:6
The Lord states his purpose: it is unconditional, an affirmation not subject to contingencies. R984:6
Because of his immutability and unchangeableness, it would be impossible for the Lord God to deny himself. Q779:3
The principle of unchanging justice underlies all of our Father's doings and is the ground of our strong confidence in all his promises. E463
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| 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. |
Begat – Begetting is the start of life. CR401:2
Begetting of the holy Spirit. R4124:6; CR401:2
Begotten of the truth. B22
To spiritual nature; to new nature, the new life. A194; R5580:1
As new creatures in Christ, begotten of God. R152:5, 1595:1, 2440:3; NS19:3
This same influence or unction or anointing from on high as the beginning of a new life, a new nature. SM597:2
Sufferings are an evidence that we are accepted as sons and begotten by the Word of truth. R521:4
Us – Those in the "Holy" or spiritual-minded condition. T20
Not as the children of Christ, but children of his Father; our relationship to Jesus is that of brethren. E143, E144
Whose flesh is reckoned dead. R2440:3
With the word – The saints receive the first impulse in the divine life from God through his Word. A196
The Scriptures. R1007:3
Of truth – "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy Word is truth." (John 17:17) R377:4; B22
The message of God's love toward us in the forgiveness of our sins, and his call to us to return to his favor and likeness. R2204:1
Children who cannot understand at least the first principles of the doctrines of Christ could not be begotten by those principles, or influenced to a consecration. R366:2
The word of grace. R2409:5
Begotten of God by the Word of truth, and quickened by the holy Spirit. R1649:1, 4614:3
We should be – Future--we will reach that condition when "born of the spirit" into the full likeness of the "second Adam." R152:5
At birth--resurrection. R253:6
A kind of firstfruits – To God. R5298:3
Called out from among men that they might be first fruits unto God. SM545:T
If the Head is of the first-fruits, the Body must be of the first-fruits. NS341:3
The Church. R555:6*, 984:6, 4330:3, 5298:3; HG670:6; 437:2; 422:5; 337:1; NS390:5, 243:2, 29:3
The "Church of the first-born." (Heb. 12:23) The Church is passed over in the night, especially saved in advance of others. R5273:1,5, 5870:2, 5641:1, 5371:6, 4966:6, 4823:2, 3995:5; NS333:1
Ancient Worthies sleep while God develops the Gospel age Church through the "better promises" to be first-fruits. R361:6
The little handful of saints walking in Jesus' footsteps are sharing in the "first resurrection." NS831:3
Specially selected from the world, and pupils in the school of Christ. NS604:3
Typed by the priests, the Little Flock; and the Levites, the Great Company. R5166:6, 5298:6, 1259:3; OV97:6
True Christians, the wheat of this age, which God is now harvesting. R2890:6
"The firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb." (Rev. 14:4) R5870:1, 5640:6
We see firstfruits in two senses: the Church is the firstfruits of the whole creation; our Lord was the firstfruits of the Church. R3377:6, 3132:1
Our Lord's resurrection was the beginning of the first resurrection (Rev. 20:4; 1 Cor. 15:52,53), "the firstfruits of them that slept." (1 Cor. 15:20) He became the "firstborn among many brethren." (Rom. 8:29) R2747:5, 3132:1, 2796:4
The Little Flock. (Luke 12:32) R4702:4, 2490:2, 2074:6, 1023:6; HG340:1
Primarily, our Lord Jesus; secondarily, the Bride class; then there will be a large company--all on the spirit plane. The after fruits--mankind in general--to include the Ancient Worthies. R4999:1, 2, 5298:6, 5166:6, 4967:14175:5
The Church must receive her inheritance before the ancient worthies for she is the firstfruits. R5772:3
A firstfruits implies afterfruits. It is God's intention to have the afterfruits, a great harvest, which will be gathered during the Millennial age. R5870:1, 4175:5, 5640:6, 4703:3, 3995:6, 3959:6, 2796:6, 555:6; CR340:4; 33:6*
The resurrection of the Church, as the firstfruits, means, indirectly, the opening of the grave to every member of the human family. R4645:3, 3175:5; SM45:1; OV174:5,6
The elect Little Flock. This implies an after-fruitage much more numerous. R4702:4, 2490:2; NS660:2, 390:2
We see that strawberries are the firstfruits in that they come before other fruits in the spring--so the expression that the Church is the firstfruits of God's creatures does not imply that all will have the same nature. R3377:6, 5166:6, 3131:6
His creatures – God's. R253:6
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| 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: |
Slow to speak – Not a few need to learn the lesson of quietness; to hear and learn, to be taught of God, before they have much to say. Those who are too forward and ready to teach, before they have received instruction from the Lord, are very apt not to know what they say. R2289:4
Not too ready to tell all of our plans and arrangements; to tell everything that we know. R3674:6
Slow to wrath – Greek, orge, anger. While God announces his anger, and shows its justice, he bids us beware of it, lest, because of our fallen condition, we err in judgment. R787:4,5
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| 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. |
Wrath of man – We are not capable of judging our fallen fellow creatures. R787:5
Righteousness – The right will or mind. R1779:1, 1270:4
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| 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. |
Lay apart – Putting away. (Revised Version) R4634:3
Superfluity of naughtiness – Overflowing of wickedness. (Revised Version) R4634:6
Receive with meekness – God in this age is calling a class possessed of ears of appreciation for his message. R5038:3
Reject all extraneous matter; discard the things which are without scriptural authority. R5612:4
Only for the meek is the Word of God's testimony intended, only such are ready to receive. E91
Not into a heart filled with selfishness or a spirit of vainglory or pride, or irreverence or ingratitude. R2058:4*
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| 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. |
Be ye doers – Called to bear good fruits, to walk the narrow way of self-denial, self-sacrifice and character development. R3317:5
One seeks for the doctrines and principles of the divine Word, and builds his faith structure upon that true foundation which the divine revelation affords. R5029:6
"He that hath my Word let him speak my word faithfully." (Jer. 23:28) "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God." (1 Pet. 4:11) R1882:6
Shows the importance of obeying the good tidings and its good results. R3746:3
To fancy ourselves as making spiritual progress merely by gaining information respecting the Lord and his teachings is to crack the nut and drop the kernel. R2694:2
Does not profit the reader who fails to meditate upon its precepts, or who only occasionally looks into the perfect law of liberty and beholds himself, forgets, then fails to apply the instruction. R2146:5*
Blessed are our eyes, if, seeing and hearing of the Lord's grace and goodness toward all of his creatures, we at once fall into obedience to the spirit of the great Teacher's instructions. R2694:5
Its authority was received and appreciated, and from its blessed testimony were drawn precious lessons of faith, obedience, gratitude, humility, fortitude, reverence. R2058:4*
Hearers – Not forgetful hearers, but doers of the word. F316
Deceiving your own selves – Deluding. R5626:4
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 7:21) R3317:6, 3747:6
In order to have his approval, it will be necessary that we develop characters in conformity with the Father's will--more than calling ourselves Christian, and preaching to others in the Lord's name. R3318:2
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| 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: |
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| 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. |
Goeth his way – The Word of the Lord cannot profit any one who does not in a meek and prayerful spirit come to its pages for instruction. R2146:5*
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| 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. |
Perfect law of liberty – Applicable now only to the new creation. Others still under either the Mosaic Law or the condemnation of the original law. During the Millennium the world will be under a law of obedience. Not until the close of the Kingdom will the race be put under the law of liberty. F377, F378; R2122:2
Love, and its Golden Rule. F378; D307; R2986:5, 2688:2; SM337:1; HG584:1*
"The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus." (Rom. 8:2) R3018:1
Christ's word is our law; not a law of bondage, but of liberty. R973:4
This law of love works no ill to a neighbor and no ingratitude or irreverence to God, but is holy and just and good. Nothing else than love can secure the fullest liberty for every individual without in the least infringing upon the liberties of any other individual. R1462:6*, 2688:2, 1498:3
"The Lord is that spirit: and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (2 Cor. 3:17) R1322:5*
Continueth therein – "Continueth therein free." R1729:1, 973:4
"Continueth to do so"--continual looking into God's Word. R645:5*
Not a forgetful hearer – The promise of the divine favor and blessing is not to the forgetful, listless hearers who fail to apply their hearts unto instruction, but to the attentive hearers and faithful doers of the Word. R2093:5, 1595:4
Doer of the work – One who exercises his liberty. R1729:1, 973:4
Shall be blessed – Such fulfill the royal law--love and liberty. R973:4, 1729:1
The earnest and faithful soul who applied his heart unto instruction. R1595:4
Blessed not in his profession, not in his desire, nor yet in his determination; but blessed in his doing. R1802:3*
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| 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. |
His tongue – Which is the index of the heart. R2517:2
Vain – If unbridled, speaks selfishly, enviously, bitterly, boastfully, slanderously, and proves the heart is grievously lacking of the spirit of Christ. R2517:2
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| 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. |
Unspotted – "Without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." (Eph. 5:27) R2782:6
White sheep, who walk with the Lord in white, are a mere handful. NS370:6
Implies a possibility of having our robe of Christ's righteousness spotted. R2782:6
Those espoused ones are cautioned that their treatment of their robes will determine if they will be of the Bride class. SM254:2
They "have not defiled their garments." (Rev. 3:4) R4870:4
Through receiving of the spirit of the world, we blemish or sully our wedding garment. R2782:6
That his garment might be embroidered with all the graces of the Lord's character. R2788:4
They have not been willing to have sin contaminate them and to separate them from the Lord, but have quickly applied for and obtained the precious blood to remove every stain. R4870:4, 689:5; Q673:T, 283:4
Though still actually imperfect, only reckoned righteous, still liable to and sometimes overcome by evil because of inherited weakness, we may realize, on confession, the forgiveness of every sin and that the precious blood--the ransom--keeps us clean from every stain of sin. R689:5
"That wicked one toucheth them not." (1 John 5:18) R4870:4
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