Tiago 2
J. Vernon McGee · Citado em PreceptAustin
Tiago 2
Vernon McGee observes that "Here is a strong assertion of the deity of Christ. I know of no one who was in a better position to determine the deity of Christ than a younger brother of the Lord Jesus who was brought up in the same home with Him. Frankly, I think James (HALF BROTHER OF JESUS, UNBELIEVER AT ONE POINT in Jn 7:5 BUT BELIEVER AFTER 1 Cor 15:7) is in a better position to speak on the deity of Christ than some theologian sitting in a swivel chair in a musty library in New York City, removed from the reality of even his own day. Such a man is really far removed from the reality of the first century and the home in which Jesus was raised. Therefore, I go along with James, if you don't mind. He is the "Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory." (See Thru the Bible Vol. 53: The Epistles James) Jamieson on faith (the faith) - that is, the Christian faith. James grounds Christian practice on Christian faith Matthew
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Vernon McGee adds "What James is telling us here is not to profess faith in Christ and at the same time be a spiritual snob. Don't join some little clique in the church. All believers are brethren in the body of Christ, whatever their denomination. There is a fellowship of believers; friendship should be over them as a banner. James is addressing the total community of believers -- the rich, the poor, the common people, the high, the low, the bond and free, the Jew and the Gentile, the Greek and the barbarian, male and female. They are all one when they are in the body of Christ. There is a brotherhood within the body of believers, and the Lord Jesus Christ is the common denominator. Friendship and fellowship are the legal tender among believers." (Thru the Bible Vol. 53: The Epistles - James) David
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Vernon McGee - He was ostentatious, if you please. His clothing is contrasted with that of the poor man. Someone has said, "Some go to church to close their eyes, and others go to eye the clothes." We have made Sunday a time when we Christians put on our Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes. A great many people come to church overdressed. There is a dash and a splash and a flash about them. There is a pomp and pomposity. It's glitter and gaudy, and vulgar and vain, also. This rich man makes his entrance into church with flags flying and a fanfare of trumpets. There is parade and pageant. It is as if he drives up in his gold Cadillac, getting out as his chauffer opens the door for him. He walks in, strutting like a peacock. He is like the rich man the Lord Jesus spoke of in the true story of the rich man and Lazarus: "There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day" (Luke 16:19+). He "fared sumptuously" means that life was one continual party for him. (See Thru the Bible Vol. 53: The Epistles -James) Cleon Rogers has an interesting cultural note related to fine or "shining" clothes - The normal toga of the Romans was white, as was the robe of the Jews, and political candidates wore even brighter white produced by rubbing the garment with chalk. The white toga had to be cleaned and when this was neglected the Romans called it sordida, and those who wore such garments sordidati. (borrow The New Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek New Testament page 556) And there also comes in a poor (ptochos) man in dirty (rhuparos) clothes - James repeats the verb "comes" which would indicate he is presenting these as two separate events. This man is poor (ptochos) to the point of being a beggar. Charles Swindoll - Please note that this isn’t just an average man off the street coming to church out of curiosity. This one stands out to normal people as exceptionally poor, just as the wealthy man stood out as enviably rich. This leaves the usher with a decision to make and no time to think. In cases like this, a person’s true character shines through. What does he do? In James’s illustration, the usher is blinded by the bling (2:3). The rich man gets VIP treatment: “You sit here in a good place.” Where was that? Matthew 23:6 mentions “chief seats in the synagogues,” so there must have been preferred seating for people of importance. In an ancient synagogue, the pulpit stood near the center of the meeting hall, and the tabernacle, where the scrolls were kept, was toward the front. Seating for men ran along the two sides and women and children sat in a balcony. The best seats in the house would have been nearest the pulpit.....Now let me make something clear about what James is not saying in this passage. The illustration is about the one who’s judging the rich man as being better than the poor man. It’s not about the rich man or the poor man. There’s nothing necessarily wrong with being rich. And there’s nothing necessarily wrong with being poor. The problem James is addressing is the motive that affects the behavior. (Insights on James, 1 & 2 Peter - Page 49) Your assembly (4864)(sunagoge from sunago = lead together, assemble or bring together) refers to a group of people “going with one another” (sunago) literally describes a bringing together or congregating in one place. Eventually, sunagoge came to mean the place where they congregated together. The word was used to designate the buildings other than the central Jewish temple where the Jews congregated for worship. Historically, the Synagogues originated in the Babylonian captivity after the 586 BC destruction of the temple by Nebuchadnezzar and served as places of worship and instruction. In the present context while this could mean a synagogue, the main idea is that it was the place where believers were assembled. NET NOTE - Grk "synagogue." Usually sunagoge, refers to Jewish places of worship (e.g., Matt 4:23, Mark 1:21, Luke 4:15, John 6:59). The word can be used generally to refer to a place of assembly, and here it refers specifically to a Christian assembly (BDAG 963 s.v. 2.b.). Gold ring (5554) chrusodaktulios (chrusos = gold +daktulios = a finger ring from daktulos = finger) means having a gold rings on one's finger, adorned with gold rings, wearing gold rings. Louw and Nida says "Such rings “usually contained the signet of the owner by which he could mark ownership and seal documents”. The word first appears in Greek literature at James 2:2, and may well have been coined by James. The mention of “gold rings” as a stylistic element representing wealth and social status is also found in Epictetus (Discourses, 1.22.18), though he did not use the compound form chrusodaktulios. Fine (2986) lampros means bright, shining, radiant, is an adjective which means bright, radiant (radiating light), like the heavenly bodies (Rev 22:16), like clear, sparkling water (Rev 22:1), like resplendent, elegant clothing (Lk 23:11, Jas 2:2) and like lavish, elegant things used for luxurious living (Rev 18:14). Lampros means clear or transparent, being free of anything that prevents one from perceiving the object that is lampros. Herod's soldiers treated Jesus with contempt, mocking him by dressing Him in a gorgeous robe (Lk 23:11, cf "fine clothes" James 2:2,3). In Rev 15:6 John describes "the seven angels who had the seven plagues came out of the temple, clothed in linen, clean and bright, and girded around their chests with golden sashes." In Revelation 18:14 John describes "all things that were luxurious and splendid have passed away from" Babylon. In Revelation 19:8 we see the "antithesis" in a sense of Rev 18:14, for here he describes the church who "was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean." In Rev 22:1 John sees heaven and "a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb." In Revelation 22:16 John records “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” LAMPROS - 9V - Lk. 23:11; Acts 10:30; Jas. 2:2; Jas. 2:3; Rev. 15:6; Rev. 18:14; Rev. 19:8; Rev. 22:1; Rev. 22:16 Poor (4434)(ptochos from ptosso = crouch, cringe, cower down or hide oneself for fear, a picture of one crouching and cowering like a beggar with a tin cup to receive the pennies dropped in!) is an adjective which describes one who crouches and cowers and is used as a noun to mean beggar. These poor were unable to meet their basic needs and so were forced to depend on others or on society. Classical Greek used the ptochos to refer to a person reduced to total destitution, who crouched in a corner begging. As he held out one hand for alms he often hid his face with the other hand, because he was ashamed of being recognized. Used 4x by James in this section to emphasize how desperately poor this man was. Jas. 2:2; Jas. 2:3; Jas. 2:5; Jas. 2:6 Dirty (4508)(rhuparos from rhupos = filth) means literally dirty, filthy, foul. In the only other NT use in Rev 22:11+ rhuparos is used figuratively of "dirty behavior", morally impure, degenerate, a morally filthy person. "“Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy.” Showing Favoritism - Why it is wrong to show favoritism to the wealthy: It is inconsistent with Christ's teachings. It results from evil thoughts. It insults people made in God's image. It is a by-product of selfish motives. It goes against the biblical definition of love. It shows a lack of mercy to those less fortunate. It is hypocritical. It is a sin. Borrow Life Application Study Bible. Dress As an Idol For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment.—James 2:2. Dr. Johnson used to say that a gentleman ought to dress so that after he has left you you can not remember what he had on. This is the dictate of common sense. The man should be so much more apparent than his clothes that he should be thought of, and they not. Now, the Christian law is only this maxim of good taste enlarged and consecrated. Let the Christian dress so that Christian manhood shall not be overlaid, disguised, or misinterpreted. Let Christians so dress as to show that their hearts are not on these things, but heavenly. Whatever goes to indicate the dress is a supreme object in life, and whatever implies this, is just so far both wrong and unchristian. There is no better definition of an idol than that it steals the heart away from God, and when dress does this it is as much an idol as ever Moloch was; and it is fast coming to be seen that it is a worship no less cruel and bloody.—Rev. Dr. Buddington. ILLUSTRATION of "pre-judging" - In 1884 a young man died, and after the funeral his grieving parents decided to establish a memorial to him. With that in mind they met with Charles Eliot, president of Harvard University. Eliot received the unpretentious couple into his office and asked what he could do. After they expressed their desire to fund a memorial, Eliot impatiently said, “Perhaps you have in mind a scholarship.” “We were thinking of something more substantial than that...perhaps a building,” the woman replied. In a patronizing tone, Eliot brushed aside the idea as being too expensive and the couple departed. The next year, Eliot learned that this plain pair had gone elsewhere and established a $26 million memorial named Leland Stanford Junior University, better known today as Stanford! (Today in the Word, June 11, 1992) John
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Vernon McGee adds that "If you want to please God, to obey Him, and to discharge your responsibility, James makes it very clear what you are to do: "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." That is the summation of the whole manward aspect of the Mosaic Law." (Thru the Bible) If, however, you are fulfilling (teleo) the royal (basilikos) law according to the Scripture (graphe) - The "IF" is a first class conditional statement assuming that it is true. The idea is "since" or "because" you are fulfilling the royal law. Notice the source of this Law is not from the machinations of fallen men, but from the Word of God, according to the Scripture, for Who else would decree such a high and holy law! The phrase according to the Scripture would also in effect serve to validate or authenticate that the book of Leviticus from which this quote came is Holy Scripture. And once again we see how tho Old is the New "concealed" (at least relatively speaking) and the New is the Old revealed. Given the fact that James is believed by many scholars to be the earliest NT written (circa A.D. 44–49 - some mention 1 Thessalonians or Galatians), the designation the Scripture (graphe) refers to the Old Testament Scripture, for this is all the saints would have had access to at this time. In fact, the majority of the uses of this term in the NT refer to the OT scriptures (one exception in 2Pe 3:16 uses "Scripture" to refer to Paul's letters). D Edmond Hiebert on royal (basilikos) law - The expression a royal law occurs only here in the New Testament. Varied reasons for the designation have been suggested: "(a) as describing the law of love as sovereign over all others (cf. Mt. 22:36-40; Ro 13:8-9; Gal. 5:14); (b) as fitted for kings and not slaves (cf. vv 5, 12); (c) as given by the King." Huther dismissed the last suggestion as "far-fetched." The first is the most common suggestion. (Commentary on James) John
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Vernon McGee adds "The Law condemns discriminating between the rich and poor. Someone will say, "Well, I didn't commit murder, and I haven't committed adultery." You haven't? Listen to what James says." (Thru the Bible) God doesn’t grade on the curve. God doesn’t grade on the curve. And if you’re thinking you’re going to be accepted by the fact that you’ve got a pretty good record with a few ups and downs, James is saying he has bad news for you that you aren’t going to make it to Heaven! James' point is not that every sin is equally heinous in its consequences, but that every sin constitutes an act of disobedience against the same God who gave the entire Law. John
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Vernon McGee - Many years ago in New York City there lived a wealthy couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Whitemore. They were entertaining guests one night and, in order to do something different, they went down to the Bowery to the mission of Jerry McAuley. These people went in and sat down in the back to take in the service that night. This wealthy couple belonged to a very fashionable church, but they had no more heard the gospel than a person living in the darkest heathenism in the world. As they heard Jerry McAuley preach, their hearts were touched, and they saw themselves as sinners. They went forward, and that night the mink knelt with the rags as they accepted Christ. Mr. and Mrs. Whitemore became workers in that area, and she established a home for wayward girls. She became known as the Rose of Mulberry Bend and was instrumental in beginning the movement for a ministry to such troubled girls. How we need to recognize today that it is sinful to think that we are better than someone else and to look down upon others. It does not matter who the man is; before God that man is on the same plane as you are. We are sinners and need to come as that rich couple came -- we need to come to the Cross and accept Christ as our Savior. Another story is told that took place in London when a great preacher, a very fine young man, by the name of Caesar Milan was invited one evening to a very large and prominent home where a choice musical was to be presented. On the program was a young lady who thrilled the audience with her singing and playing. When she finished, this young preacher threaded his way through the crowd which was gathered around her. When he finally came to her and had her attention, he said, "Young lady, when you were singing, I sat there and thought how tremendously the cause of Christ would be benefited if you would dedicate yourself and your talents to the Lord. But," he added, "you are just as much a sinner as the worst drunkard in the street, or any harlot on Scarlet Street. But I am glad to tell you that the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, will cleanse you from all sin if you will come to Him." In a very haughty manner, she turned her head aside and said to him, "You are very insulting, sir." And she started to walk away. He said, "Lady, I did not mean any offense, but I pray that the Spirit of God will convict you." Well, they all went home, and that night this young woman could not sleep. At two o'clock in the morning she knelt at the side of her bed and took Christ as her Savior. And then she, Charlotte Elliott, sat down and wrote the words of a favorite hymn, "Just As I Am": Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come! Just as I am, and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot, To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come! And then the final stanza: Just as I am -- Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come! My friend, may I say to you, that this is the basis on which all of us must come to Christ. (Thru the Bible: James) DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS: from Paul Apple (page 112) 1) Do we minister to others based on how gracious God has been to us or based on what we think we will receive in return from the other individual? Is our selection of church officers ever influenced by the person's professional or economic status? Do we refrain from preaching on certain controversial topics so as not to offend the rich and powerful in the church? 2) What type of prejudices do we have based on judging others on external appearance? We all are guilty of this from time to time. How can we work at viewing others from God's perspective? 3) What can the wealthy do to improve the vitality of their faith and protect against the danger of trusting in their own resources? How can they stay humble and not let their money or power affect how they relate to others? 4) Why should we be overly impressed with the rich and powerful since we are ourselves children of the King of Kings? Does our concept of church family brotherhood make for a level playing field as we relate to one another? Warren