james-1:12-14

The evil one (4190)(ho poneros) - see above. Again a reference to Satan. Barclay on overcoming the Evil One - There is the gift of victorious strength. John looks on the struggle with temptation as a personal struggle (James 1:13-15-note). He does not speak in the abstract of conquering evil; he spe... Read More

Self Control (1466) (egkrateia/enkrateia from en = in + kratos = power to rule <> the stem krat- speaks of power or lordship) means literally holding oneself in or the ability to take a grip of oneself. This meaning is essentially that of a modern expression "Get a grip" as the word does speak of th... Read More

Snare (3803) (pagis from pegnumi = set up, fix) is a trap (as that which is fixed or fastened by a noose or notch) and which can fall unexpectedly or suddenly (so that wild animals and birds are caught by surprise). Pagis was used in Greek for a “net” (a piece of equipment for a bird-catcher), a “sn... Read More

Trials (KJV = temptations) (3986) (peirasmos from peirazo [word study] = to make trial of, try, tempt, prove in either a good or bad sense) describes first the idea of putting to the test and then refers to the tests or pressures that come in order to discover a person’s nature or the quality of som... Read More

Tested (3985) (peirazo [word study] from the noun peira = test from peíro = perforate, pierce through to test durability of things) is a morally neutral word simply meaning “to test”. Whether the test is for a good (as it proved to be in Heb 11:17) or evil (Mt 4:1 "Then Jesus was led up by the Spiri... Read More

Received (5264) (hupodechomai from hupo = + dechomai = receive, welcome) means to welcome, receive, entertain as a guest. The idea is to receive one hospitably. Here are the 4 NT uses of hupodechomai... Luke 10:38 Now as they were traveling along, He entered a certain village; and a woman named Mart... Read More

Wisdom (4678) (sophia) is the ability to judge correctly and to follow the best course of action, based on knowledge and understanding. Sophia is used 6x in Colossians (clearly it is a key word) Sophia - 51x in 49v - Matt 11:19; 12:42; 13:54; Mark 6:2; Luke 2:40, 52; 7:35; 11:31, 49; 21:15; Acts 6:3... Read More

The Grace And Peace Of The Three-One God "John to the seven churches which are in Asia—Grace be unto you, and peace, from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne; and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful Witness, and the first-begotten of t... Read More

"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: Otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. "Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Ve... Read More

DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS 1. “Lord, Teach Us to Pray,” vv. 1–4 With what request did our Lord’s disciples come to Him? What was it awakened in them such a desire? Do we need to be taught how to pray? (James 4:3, Ro. 8:26.) Will He teach us? How? (Ro. 8:26, 27.) In what different connection in Matthew d... Read More