James 1:1-8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 1:3

Knowing this ,.... By experience; as everyone that is trained up in the school of affliction does: the apostle appeals to the saints, to whom he writes, for the truth of what he was about to say; and which he gives as a reason why they should rejoice in afflictions, because it is a known fact, that the trying of your faith worketh patience : two things afflictions do when sanctified; one is, they try faith, the truth of it, and make it appear to be true, genuine, and precious, like gold... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 1:4

But let patience have her perfect work ,.... Or effect; or be brought unto perfection; which may denote both the sincerity and continuance of it unto the end, with constancy: patience may be said to be perfect, when it appears to be real and sincere, and not dissembled; for as there may be a feigned faith, a dissembled love, and an hypocritical hope, so likewise a mere show of patience: and certain it is, that as there is a patience which is commendable, there is one that is not, 1 Peter... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 1:5

If any of you lack wisdom ,.... This shows that the perfection before spoken of is not to be understood as in this life, since the apostle immediately supposes lack of wisdom in them; for this is not said in a form of doubting, whether they wanted it or not, but rather as supposing, and taking it for granted that they did; and in the first, and primary sense of the words, it intends wisdom to behave aright under temptations or afflictions. Saints often want wisdom to consider God as the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 1:6

But let him ask in faith ,.... Not only in the faith of the divine Being that God is; but in the faith of the promises he has made; and in the faith of his power and faithfulness to perform them; and in the faith of this, that whatever is asked, according to the will of God, and is for his glory, and his people's good, shall be given. Nothing wavering ; about the thing asked for, whether it is right or no to ask for it; for that should be settled before it is asked for; nor about the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 1:7

For let not that man think ,.... Imagine, conclude, or please himself with such thoughts, that he shall receive anything from the Lord ; wisdom, or anything else, he is seeking after; for wanting faith, he has nothing to receive with; faith is the grace, which receives the Lord Jesus Christ himself, and all grace from him; which receives a justifying righteousness, pardon of sin, adoption of children, and even the everlasting inheritance, at least, the right unto it; wherefore those who... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 1:8

A double minded man ,.... A man of two souls, or of a double heart, that speaks and asks with an heart, and an heart, as in Psalm 12:2 who halts between two opinions, and is at an uncertainty what to do or say, and is undetermined what to ask for; or who is not sincere and upright in his requests, who asks for one thing, and means another, and asks amiss, and with an ill design; does not call upon God in truth, and in the sincerity of his soul; draws nigh to him with his mouth, and honours... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:1

James, a servant of God - For an account of this person, or rather for the conjectures concerning him, see the preface. He neither calls himself an apostle, nor does he say that he was the brother of Christ, or bishop of Jerusalem; whether he was James the elder, son of Zebedee, or James the less, called our Lord's brother, or some other person of the same name, we know not. The assertions of writers concerning these points are worthy of no regard. The Church has always received him as an... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:2

Count it all joy - The word πειρασμος , which we translate temptation, signifies affliction, persecution, or trial of any kind; and in this sense it is used here, not intending diabolic suggestion, or what is generally understood by the word temptation. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:3

The trying of your faith - Trials put religion, and all the graces of which it is composed to proof; the man that stands in such trials gives proof that his religion is sound, and the evidence afforded to his own mind induces him to take courage, bear patiently, and persevere. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 1:4

Let patience have her perfect work - That is, Continue faithful, and your patience will be crowned with its full reward; for in this sense is εργον , which we translate work, to be understood. It is any effect produced by a cause, as interest from money, fruit from tillage, gain from labor, a reward for services performed; the perfect work is the full reward. See many examples in Kypke. That ye may be perfect and entire - Τελειοι , Fully instructed, in every part of the doctrine of... read more

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