What does James 4:15 mean? All we design, and all we do, should be with submissive dependence on God. This may regard not only the last particular of referring all Therefore to him that knoweth to do good 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. omission of a known duty, as well as the commission of a known Tests And Triumphs Of Faith: James. James 1:5-8 How to Deal with Trials. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. Bible commentary on the Book of James, chapter 4, by Dr. Bob Utley, retired professor of hermeneutics. The word “good” portrays what is qualitatively good, worthy of honor, upright, morally excellent. James 1:19-25 Qualities Needed in Trials. James 4:17 Therefore, to one who knows [the] right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin. What does it mean in James 4:17, that "he that knoweth to do good, but doeth it not, to him it is sin"? This refers to the sins of omission (cf. James 1:26-27 Doers - Not Hearers Only. Jam 4:17. < James 4:15. Cotton Mather adopted it as a principle of action, "that the ability to do good in any case imposes an obligation to do it." The Word of God is not only our plumb-line for truth, but also should be our handbook for life and living. James 4:1-17. 3. He wrote to encourage them to live asChristians should, i… Facing The Unpredictability Of Life. You must not relinquish this to … Matt. Nothing the people in this verse plan to do is explicitly wrong. James 4:17 says "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." Life is uncertain. … Pray for Your Coworkers. ... 4:17 This seems to be a significant independent summary statement, unrelated to the immediate context. him that is ignorant of what is good, and does that which is It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible. 4:13-15). Evangelize, Don't Fossilize! things to the will of God, the sovereign disposer of life, and Jas 4:17 - So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. Cotton Mather adopted it as a principle of … Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. 25:35-40). James 2:1-9 Beware of Personal Favorites. Excellent and helpful in my study of James Chapter 4. and doth it not, to him it is sin: James 1:1-4 How to Profit from Trials. But the *apostles and leaders of the church did notgo. The James 4:16. Barnes's James 4:17 Bible Commentary Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin - That is, he is guilty of sin if he does not do it. James wrote to help them. James reverts to the principle with which he started. “Good” connotes the intrinsically good — goodly, fair, beautiful, excellent, surpassing, suitable, honorable, praiseworthy. Thanks to David for his explanation and description of were we should be in life. Or it may be that James 4:5 speaks in two independent sentences, and that the words of Scripture quoted refer to what was said in James 4:4. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. 4:13 Faith in the future is iffy. James 4:17 Context. James Audio Bible With Music And Commentary. 5-Day Commentary Challenge - James 4. Proud member
οὖν] is used in the sense of conclusion, but indicates that the concluding thought is the result of what has gone before. 4:17 READING CYCLE THREE (from "A Guide to Good Bible Reading") FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL. The early church had many of the problems we have, even as Christians we still fail to understand the will of God in our lives. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. It becomes a selfish pursuit of knowledge, and we are … 4:17 Doing good in the present is required. μα αá½Ïοῦ δαÏήÏεÏαι ÏολλάÏ, Ïὸ δὲ καλὸν ÏοιοῦνÏÎµÏ Î¼á½´ á¼Î½ÎºÎ±Îºá¿¶Î¼ÎµÎ½, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. James 1:9-11 The Perspective of Rich and Poor. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. James 4:17 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] James 4:17, NIV: "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them." i. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin - That is, he is guilty of sin if he does not do it. had warned from, in this epistle; and suggests, that a Gnostic, James 2:10-18 Faith is Proved by Love. James 4 - Submit Yourself to God . James 4:17, KJV: "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James will treat the problem of riches in the next chapter. All rights reserved. The Word, the direction of our lives are governed by His Will. That which the Lord commands of us in His word is "good," and His very commandment obligates us to do it (cf. James 4:7-17 New International Version (NIV) 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Salem Media Group. One, that he that knows how to live a moral life but neglects to do so sins. 2 My brothers, 1 w show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, x the Lord of glory. Actually the reading is simply continuing the reflection on true and false wisdom that encompasses this central portion of the epistle of James. and does it not, but that which is evil, and his condemnation Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Interlinear Bibles Cross-Refs Commentaries Dictionaries Misc Interlinear Bibles Cross-References Commentaries Dictionaries Misc all events, which some might have the knowledge of in theory, Douglas J. Moo, in his commentary on James, writes about the background of the epistle: “The epistle of James has had a controversial history.Along with 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2 and 3 John, and Jude, it belongs to that category of New Testament epistles called ‘general’ or ‘catholic’ (in the sense of ‘universal’) (See catholic epistles). James 4:17. We have the law of God, which is a rule to all; let us not presume to set up our own notions and opinions as a rule to those about us, and … Therefore to him that knoweth to do good. Submitted by admin on Sun, 2010-08-15 11:19. Posted in | printer-friendly version » James appears to have been informed about serious cases of disunity existing in the communities of believers to whom he directed his letter. Having The Mind Of God. though they did not practise according to it; but all the good James 4:17 (Devotion) "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." Make the desire to please God your life’s principle driving force. Pray for Your Coworkers . He raised the question as to why conflicts and fighting existed among them. 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