Bibl110 - Biblical Interpretation

Zion Divino

Dr. Jeffrey Dowdy

BIBL 110

12 April 2019

Interpretation Project - James 1:22-25

        The Bible has so many mysteries and wonders to it. To get the full effect, you need to understand what you are reading. To grasp what is being said you must connect passages with other passages, understand the original context, and apply it to your life. So many people take verses and passages out of context because they do not get the full background, and what the passage intended to say. That is why understanding the historical and cultural background of a passage is very important.

        "22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who observes his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer that forgets but a doer that acts, he shall be blessed in his doing..” (James 1:22-25)

        In this paper I will be unpacking the passage above, James 1:22-25. In order to adequately do that I would first need to understand who the author was writing to and what his intentions were. The book of James is filled with knowledge and wisdom, and is very crucial to the church today as much as it was back then. The author James, was believed to be the half brother of Jesus and an apostle, as well as a leader in the early church. In his letter it is believed that James is writing to the Jews, even though He specifically mentions the 12 tribes, he is addressing all followers of Christ.

        In the specific verses 22-25, James is telling us very simply to “be doers of the word and not hearers only.” He is addressing the concept of faith and deeds and how we must do both, not have one or the other. Before we completely dive into James 1:22-25, we first must understand the surrounding verses.

        If we take a step back and look into James 1 as a whole Matthew Henry sums it up in his commentary on James 1. “After the inscription and salutation (v. 1) Christians are taught how to conduct themselves when under the cross. Several graces and duties are recommended; and those who endure their trials and afflictions as the apostle here directs are pronounced blessed and are assured of a glorious reward (v. 2-12). But those sins which bring sufferings, or the weakness and faults men are chargeable with under them, are by no means to be imputed to God, who cannot be the author of sin, but is the author of all good (v. 13-18). All passion, and rash anger, and vile affections, ought to be suppressed. The word of God should be made our chief study: and what we hear and know of it we must take care to practise, otherwise our religion will prove but a vain thing. To this is added an account wherein pure religion consists (v. 19-27)." (https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/james/1.html).

        Verses 19 through 21, James is advising us to be careful with the way we live as Christ followers. Some Bibles title this section as “Listening and Doing.” He warns us to be “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,  because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” This is a verse that many Christians struggle with. “It is our duty rather to hear God’s word, and apply our minds to understand it, than to speak according to our own fancies or the opinions of men, and to run into heat and passion thereupon.” (Matthew Henry).  If we take a step forward to verses 26 and 27, James is telling us that some cling so tightly to religion and the rules of religion, but is not careful about what is coming out of their mouth. James tells us that our religion is so simple, we are to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. “In this passage, James warns his readers against deceiving their hearts. We deceive our hearts, according to James, when we believe we are "religious" but we won't bridle our tongues. He says that the person who does this has a religion that is vain, or useless. Again, we are the losers. Our religion becomes useless, we enjoy no comfort or empowering from our trust in God.” (http://www.trinitystudycenter.com/james/james_1-26-27.php).

        After having a clear understanding of the surrounding verses, James 1:22-25 is telling us to not be deceived by hearing the word, but not listening to it. There is a difference between hearing something and not listening. James warns us that it is so easy to look at ourselves in the mirror and forget what we see. With this He is comparing it to our lives as Christians. To not be hearers of the word, but to be doers.

        The theological principle is derived from the biblical text. James is very clear in address this matter with our faith. He does not use confusing symbols or illustrations. He is very direct in with his warning throughout the passage. This is also a timeless situation, not something that is tied to a specific event with Jews or Gentiles during that time. Yes, James was addressing the specific church, but it can still be very much applied to right now and the church of today. The principle of James 1 is not addressed to a specific technical culture, but it can be related to the Christian culture. For example He is not specially talking to the Jewish culture and the way they live, but He is addressing the Church and how we should live. Many theologians have stated that the book of James is a modern Proverbs. The teaching in this passages especially about being slow to anger is definitely consistent all throughout the Bible. The most important part is that this is applicable to both the biblical audience, contemporary audience, and the secular audience. This teaching can be used to anyone to not just say you will do something, but you will actually go out and do it. Everyone can use this teaching to any aspect of their life.

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