Click
here to show/hide instructions.
Instructions on how to use the page:
The commentary for the selected verse is is displayed below.
All commentary was produced against the King James, so the same verse from that translation may appear as well. Hovering your mouse over a commentary's scripture reference attempts to show those verses.
Use the browser's back button to return to the previous page.
Or you can also select a feature from the Just Verses menu appearing at the top of the page.
Selected Verse: James 1:21 - Strong Concordance
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
Jas 1:21 |
Strong Concordance |
Wherefore [1352] lay apart [659] all [3956] filthiness [4507] and [2532] superfluity [4050] of naughtiness [2549], and receive [1209] with [1722] meekness [4240] the engrafted [1721] word [3056], which [3588] is able [1410] to save [4982] your [5216] souls [5590]. |
|
King James |
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
lay apart--"once for all" (so the Greek): as a filthy garment. Compare Joshua's filthy garments, Zac 3:3, Zac 3:5; Rev 7:14. "Filthiness" is cleansed away by hearing the word (Joh 15:3).
superfluity of naughtiness--excess (for instance, the intemperate spirit implied in "wrath," Jam 1:19-20), which arises from malice (our natural, evil disposition towards one another). Pe1 2:1 has the very same words in the Greek. So "malice" is the translation, Eph 4:31; Col 3:8. "Faulty excess" [BENGEL] is not strong enough. Superfluous excess in speaking is also reprobated as "coming of evil" (the Greek is akin to the word for "naughtiness" here) in the Sermon on the Mount (Mat 5:37), with which James' Epistle is so connected.
with meekness--in mildness towards one another [ALFORD], the opposite to "wrath" (Jam 1:20): answering to "as new-born babes" (Pe1 2:2). Meekness, I think, includes also a childlike, docile, humble, as well as an uncontentious, spirit (Psa 25:9; Psa 45:4; Isa 66:2; Mat 5:5; Mat 11:28-30; Mat 18:3-4; contrast Rom 2:8). On "receive," applied to ground receiving seed, compare Mar 4:20. Contrast Act 17:11; Th1 1:6 with Th2 2:10.
engrafted word--the Gospel word, whose proper attribute is to be engrafted by the Holy Spirit, so as to be livingly incorporated with the believer, as the fruitful shoot is with the wild natural stock on which it is engrafted. The law came to man only from without, and admonished him of his duty. The Gospel is engrafted inwardly, and so fulfils the ultimate design of the law (Deu 6:6; Deu 11:18; Psa 119:11). ALFORD translates, "The implanted word," referring to the parable of the sower (Mat. 13:1-23). I prefer English Version.
able to save--a strong incentive to correct our dulness in hearing the word: that word which we hear so carelessly, is able (instrumentally) to save us [CALVIN].
souls--your true selves, for the "body" is now liable to sickness and death: but the soul being now saved, both soul and body at last shall be so (Jam 5:15, Jam 5:20). |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Wherefore - In view of the fact that God has begotten us for his own service; in view of the fact that excited feeling tends only to wrong, let us lay aside all that is evil, and submit ourselves wholly to the influence of truth.
Lay apart all filthiness - The word here rendered filthiness, occurs nowhere else in the New Testament, It means properly filth; and then is applied to evil conduct considered as disgusting or offensive. Sin may be contemplated as a wrong thing; as a violation of law; as evil in its nature and tendency, and therefore to be avoided; or it may be contemplated as disgusting, offensive, loathsome. To a pure mind, this is one of its most odious characteristics; for, to such a mind, sin in any form is more loathsome than the most offensive object can be to any of the senses.
And superfluity of haughtiness - Literally, "abounding of evil." It is rendered by Doddridge, "overflowing of malignity;" by Tindal, "superfluity of maliciousness;" by Benson, "superfluity of malice;" by Bloomfield, "petulance." The phrase "superfluity of haughtiness," or of evil, does not exactly express the sense, as if we were only to lay aside that which abounded, or which is superfluous, though we might retain that which does not come under this description; but the object of the apostle is to express his deep abhorrence of the thing referred to by strong and emphatic language. He had just spoken of sin in one aspect, as filthy, loathsome, detestable; here he designs to express his abhorrence of it by a still more emphatic description, and he speaks of it not merely as an evil, but as an evil abounding, overflowing; an evil in the highest degree. The thing referred to had the essence of evil in it (κακία kakia); but it was not merely evil, it was evil that was aggravated, that was overflowing, that was eminent in degree (περισσείαν perisseian). The particular reference in these passages is to the reception of the truth; and the doctrine taught is, that a corrupt mind, a mind full of sensuality and wickedness, is not favorable to the reception of the truth. It is not fitted to see its beauty, to appreciate its value, to understand its just claims, or to welcome it to the soul. Purity of heart is the best preparation always for seeing the force of truth.
And receive with meekness - That is, open the mind and heart to instruction, and to the fair influence of truth. Meekness, gentleness, docility, are everywhere required in receiving the instructions of religion, as they are in obtaining knowledge of any kind. See the notes at Mat 18:2-3.
The engrafted word - The gospel is here represented under the image of that which is implanted or engrafted from another source; by a figure that would be readily understood, for the art of engrafting is everywhere known. Sometimes the gospel is represented under the image of seed sown (Compare Mar 6:14, following); but here it is under the figure of a shoot implanted or engrafted, that produces fruit of its own, whatever may be the original character of the tree into which it is engrafted. Compare the notes at Rom 11:17. The meaning here is, that we should allow the principles of the gospel to be thus engrafted on our nature; that however crabbed or perverse our nature may be, or however bitter and vile the fruits which it might bring forth of its own accord, it might, through the engrafted word, produce the fruits of righteousness.
Which is able to save your souls - It is not, therefore, a weak and powerless thing, merely designed to show its own feebleness, and to give occasion for God to work a miracle; but it has power, and is adapted to save. Compare the notes at Rom 1:16; Co1 1:18; Ti2 3:15. |
The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
save
(See Scofield) - (Rom 1:16). |
Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Filthiness (ῥυπαρίαν)
Only here in New Testament, but James uses the kindred adjective (Jam 2:2), "vile raiment." Ῥύπος, filth, occurs in Pe1 3:21 - on which see notes; and the verb ῥυπόω, to be filthy, is found in Rev 22:11.
Superfluity of naughtiness (περισσείαν κακίας)
A translation which may be commended to the attention of indiscriminate panegyrists of the A. V. Περισσεία is an unclassical word, and occurs in three other New-Testament passages - Rom 5:17; Co2 8:2; Co2 10:15. In all these it is rendered abundance, both by A. V. and Rev. There seems to be no need of departing from this meaning here, as Rev., overjoying. The sense is abounding or abundant wickedness. For haughtiness Rev. gives wickedness, as in Pe1 2:1, Pe1 2:16, where it changes malice to wickedness. It is mostly rendered malice in both A. V. and Rev. In this passage, as in the two from Peter, Rev. gives malice, in margin. Malice is an adequate translation, the word denoting a malevolent disposition toward one's neighbor. Hence it is not a general term for moral evil, but a special form of vice. Compare the wrath of man, Jam 1:20. Naughtiness has acquired a petty sense in popular usage, as of the mischievous pranks of children, which renders it out of the question here.
With meekness (ἐν πραΰ́τητι)
Lit., "in meekness;" opposed to malice.
Engrafted (ἔμφυτον)
Only here in New Testament. Better, and more literally, as Rev., implanted. It marks a characteristic of the word of truth (Jam 1:18). It is implanted; divinely given, in contrast with something acquired by study. Compare Mat 13:19, "the word of the kingdom - sown in his heart." Grafted or graffed is expressed by a peculiar word, employed by Paul only, ἐγκεντρίζω, from κέντρον, a sharp point, thus emphasizing the fact of the incision required in grafting. See Rom 11:17, Rom 11:19, Rom 11:23, Rom 11:24.
Which is able to save (τὸν δυνάμενον σῶσαι)
Compare Rom 1:16, "the power of God unto salvation." |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
Therefore laying aside - As a dirty garment. All the filthiness and superfluity of wickedness - For however specious or necessary it may appear to worldly wisdom, all wickedness is both vile, hateful, contemptible, and really superfluous. Every reasonable end may be effectually answered without any kind or degree of it. Lay this, every known sin, aside, or all your hearing is vain. With meekness - Constant evenness and serenity of mind. Receive - Into your ears, your heart, your life. The word - Of the gospel. Ingrafted - In believers, by regeneration, Jam 1:18 and by habit, Heb 5:14. Which is able to save your souls - The hope of salvation nourishes meekness. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
All filthiness - Πασαν ῥυπαριαν. This word signifies any impurity that cleaves to the body; but applied to the mind, it implies all impure and unholy affections, such as those spoken of Jam 1:15, which pollute the soul; in this sense it is used by the best Greek writers.
Superfluity of naughtiness - Περισσειαν κακιας· The overflowing of wickedness. Perhaps there is an allusion here to the part cut off in circumcision, which was the emblem of impure desire; and to lessen that propensity, God, in his mercy, enacted this rite. Put all these evil dispositions aside, for they blind the soul, and render it incapable of receiving any good, even from that ingrafted word of God which otherwise would have saved their souls.
The ingrafted word - That doctrine which has already been planted among you, which has brought forth fruit in all them that have meekly and humbly received it, and is as powerful to save your souls as the souls of those who have already believed. I think this to be the meaning of εμφυτον λογον, the ingrafted word or doctrine. The seed of life had been sown in the land; many of them had received it to their salvation; others had partially credited it, but not so as to produce in them any saving effects. Besides, they appear to have taken up with other doctrines, from which they had got no salvation; he therefore exhorts them to receive the doctrine of Christ, which would be the means of saving them unto eternal life. And when those who were Jews, and who had been originally planted by God as altogether a right vine, received the faith of the Gospel, it is represented as being ingrafted on that right stock, the pure knowledge of the true God and his holy moral law. This indeed was a good stock on which to implant Christianity. This appears to be what the apostle means by the ingrafted word, which is able to save the soul. |
20 Let [1097] him [846] know [1097], that [3754] he which converteth [1994] the sinner [268] from [1537] the error [4106] of his [846] way [3598] shall save [4982] a soul [5590] from [1537] death [2288], and [2532] shall hide [2572] a multitude [4128] of sins [266].
15 And [2532] the prayer [2171] of faith [4102] shall save [4982] the sick [2577], and [2532] the Lord [2962] shall raise [1453] him [846] up [1453]; and if [2579] he have [5600] committed [4160] sins [266], they shall be forgiven [863] him [846].
11 Thy word [0565] have I hid [06845] in mine heart [03820], that I might not sin [02398] against thee.
18 Therefore shall ye lay up [07760] these my words [01697] in your heart [03824] and in your soul [05315], and bind [07194] them for a sign [0226] upon your hand [03027], that they may be as frontlets [02903] between your eyes [05869].
6 And these words [01697], which I command [06680] thee this day [03117], shall be in thine heart [03824]:
10 And [2532] with [1722] all [3956] deceivableness [539] of unrighteousness [93] in [1722] them that perish [622]; because [473] [3739] they received [1209] not [3756] the love [26] of the truth [225], that [1519] they [846] might be saved [4982].
6 And [2532] ye [5210] became [1096] followers [3402] of us [2257], and [2532] of the Lord [2962], having received [1209] the word [3056] in [1722] much [4183] affliction [2347], with [3326] joy [5479] of the Holy [40] Ghost [4151]:
11 [1161] These [3778] were [2258] more noble [2104] than those in [1722] Thessalonica [2332], in that they [3748] received [1209] the word [3056] with [3326] all [3956] readiness of mind [4288], and searched [350] the scriptures [1124] daily [2250] [2596], whether [1487] those things [5023] were [2192] so [3779].
20 And [2532] these [3778] are [1526] they which are sown [4687] on [1909] good [2570] ground [1093]; such as [3748] hear [191] the word [3056], and [2532] receive [3858] it, and [2532] bring forth fruit [2592], some [1520] thirtyfold [5144], some [2532] [1520] sixty [1835], and [2532] some [1520] an hundred [1540].
8 But [1161] unto them that are contentious [1537] [2052], and [2532] do not obey [544] [3303] the truth [225], but [1161] obey [3982] unrighteousness [93], indignation [2372] and [2532] wrath [3709],
3 And [2532] said [2036], Verily [281] I say [3004] unto you [5213], Except [3362] ye be converted [4762], and [2532] become [1096] as [5613] little children [3813], ye shall [1525] not [3364] enter [1525] into [1519] the kingdom [932] of heaven [3772].
4 Whosoever [3748] therefore [3767] shall humble [5013] himself [1438] as [5613] this [5124] little child [3813], the same [3778] is [2076] greatest [3187] in [1722] the kingdom [932] of heaven [3772].
28 Come [1205] unto [4314] me [3165], all [3956] ye that labour [2872] and [2532] are heavy laden [5412], and I [2504] will give [373] you [5209] rest [373].
29 Take [142] my [3450] yoke [2218] upon [1909] you [5209], and [2532] learn [3129] of [575] me [1700]; for [3754] I am [1510] meek [4235] and [2532] lowly [5011] in heart [2588]: and [2532] ye shall find [2147] rest [372] unto your [5216] souls [5590].
30 For [1063] my [3450] yoke [2218] is easy [5543], and [2532] my [3450] burden [5413] is [2076] light [1645].
5 Blessed [3107] are the meek [4239]: for [3754] they [846] shall inherit [2816] the earth [1093].
2 For all those things hath mine hand [03027] made [06213], and all those things have been, saith [05002] the LORD [03068]: but to this man will I look [05027], even to him that is poor [06041] and of a contrite [05223] spirit [07307], and trembleth [02730] at my word [01697].
4 And in thy majesty [01926] ride [07392] prosperously [06743] because [01697] of truth [0571] and meekness [06037] and righteousness [06664]; and thy right hand [03225] shall teach [03384] thee terrible things [03372].
9 The meek [06035] will he guide [01869] in judgment [04941]: and the meek [06035] will he teach [03925] his way [01870].
2 As [5613] newborn [738] babes [1025], desire [1971] the sincere [97] milk [1051] of the word [3050], that [2443] ye may grow [837] thereby [1722] [846]:
20 For [1063] the wrath [3709] of man [435] worketh [2716] not [3756] the righteousness [1343] of God [2316].
37 But [1161] let [2077] your [5216] communication [3056] be [2077], Yea [3483], yea [3483]; Nay [3756], nay [3756]: for [1161] whatsoever is more [4053] than these [5130] cometh [2076] of [1537] evil [4190].
8 But [1161] now [3570] ye [5210] also [2532] put off [659] all these [3956]; anger [3709], wrath [2372], malice [2549], blasphemy [988], filthy communication [148] out of [1537] your [5216] mouth [4750].
31 Let [142] all [3956] bitterness [4088], and [2532] wrath [2372], and [2532] anger [3709], and [2532] clamour [2906], and [2532] evil speaking [988], be put away [142] from [575] you [5216], with [4862] all [3956] malice [2549]:
1 Wherefore [3767] laying aside [659] all [3956] malice [2549], and [2532] all [3956] guile [1388], and [2532] hypocrisies [5272], and [2532] envies [5355], and [2532] all [3956] evil speakings [2636],
19 Wherefore [5620], my [3450] beloved [27] brethren [80], let [2077] every [3956] man [444] be [2077] swift [5036] to [1519] hear [191], slow [1021] to [1519] speak [2980], slow [1021] to [1519] wrath [3709]:
20 For [1063] the wrath [3709] of man [435] worketh [2716] not [3756] the righteousness [1343] of God [2316].
3 Now [2235] ye [5210] are [2075] clean [2513] through [1223] the word [3056] which [3739] I have spoken [2980] unto you [5213].
14 And [2532] I said [2046] unto him [846], Sir [2962], thou [4771] knowest [1492]. And [2532] he said [2036] to me [3427], These [3778] are they [1526] which came [2064] out of [1537] great [3173] tribulation [2347], and [2532] have washed [4150] their [846] robes [4749], and [2532] made [3021] them [4749] [846] white [3021] in [1722] the blood [129] of the Lamb [721].
5 And I said [0559], Let them set [07760] a fair [02889] mitre [06797] upon his head [07218]. So they set [07760] a fair [02889] mitre [06797] upon his head [07218], and clothed [03847] him with garments [0899]. And the angel [04397] of the LORD [03068] stood by [05975].
3 Now Joshua [03091] was clothed [03847] with filthy [06674] garments [0899], and stood [05975] before [06440] the angel [04397].
15 And [2532] that [3754] from [575] a child [1025] thou hast known [1492] the holy [2413] scriptures [1121], which [3588] are able [1410] to make [4679] thee [4571] wise [4679] unto [1519] salvation [4991] through [1223] faith [4102] which [3588] is in [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424].
18 For [1063] the preaching [3056] of the cross [4716] is [2076] to them [3303] that perish [622] foolishness [3472]; but [1161] unto us [2254] which are saved [4982] it is [2076] the power [1411] of God [2316].
16 For [1063] I am [1870] not [3756] ashamed [1870] of the gospel [2098] of Christ [5547]: for [1063] it is [2076] the power [1411] of God [2316] unto [1519] salvation [4991] to every one [3956] that believeth [4100]; to the Jew [2453] first [4412], and [5037] also [2532] to the Greek [1672].
17 And [1161] if some [1536] of the branches [2798] be broken off [1575], and [1161] thou [4771], being [5607] a wild olive tree [65], wert graffed in [1461] among [1722] them [846], and [2532] with [4791] them [1096] partakest [4791] of the root [4491] and [2532] fatness [4096] of the olive tree [1636];
14 And [2532] king [935] Herod [2264] heard [191] of him; (for [1063] his [846] name [3686] was [1096] spread abroad [5318]:) and [2532] he said [3004], That [3754] John [2491] the Baptist [907] was risen [1453] from [1537] the dead [3498], and [2532] therefore [1223] [5124] mighty works [1411] do shew forth themselves [1754] in [1722] him [846].
2 And [2532] Jesus [2424] called [4341] a little child [3813] unto him [4341], and set [2476] him [846] in [1722] the midst [3319] of them [846],
3 And [2532] said [2036], Verily [281] I say [3004] unto you [5213], Except [3362] ye be converted [4762], and [2532] become [1096] as [5613] little children [3813], ye shall [1525] not [3364] enter [1525] into [1519] the kingdom [932] of heaven [3772].
16 For [1063] I am [1870] not [3756] ashamed [1870] of the gospel [2098] of Christ [5547]: for [1063] it is [2076] the power [1411] of God [2316] unto [1519] salvation [4991] to every one [3956] that believeth [4100]; to the Jew [2453] first [4412], and [5037] also [2532] to the Greek [1672].
16 For [1063] I am [1870] not [3756] ashamed [1870] of the gospel [2098] of Christ [5547]: for [1063] it is [2076] the power [1411] of God [2316] unto [1519] salvation [4991] to every one [3956] that believeth [4100]; to the Jew [2453] first [4412], and [5037] also [2532] to the Greek [1672].
24 For [1063] if [1487] thou [4771] wert cut [1581] out of [1537] the olive tree which is wild [65] by [2596] nature [5449], and [2532] wert graffed [1461] contrary to [3844] nature [5449] into [1519] a good olive tree [2565]: how much [4214] more [3123] shall these [3778], which be the natural [2596] [5449] branches, be graffed into [1461] their own [2398] olive tree [1636]?
23 And [1161] they [1565] also [2532], if [3362] they abide [1961] not [3362] still in unbelief [570], shall be graffed in [1461]: for [1063] God [2316] is [2076] able [1415] to graff [1461] them [846] in [1461] again [3825].
19 Thou wilt say [2046] then [3767], The branches [2798] were broken off [1575], that [2443] I [1473] might be graffed in [1461].
17 And [1161] if some [1536] of the branches [2798] be broken off [1575], and [1161] thou [4771], being [5607] a wild olive tree [65], wert graffed in [1461] among [1722] them [846], and [2532] with [4791] them [1096] partakest [4791] of the root [4491] and [2532] fatness [4096] of the olive tree [1636];
19 When any [3956] one heareth [191] the word [3056] of the kingdom [932], and [2532] understandeth [4920] it not [3361], then cometh [2064] the wicked [4190] one, and [2532] catcheth away [726] that which [3588] was sown [4687] in [1722] his [846] heart [2588]. This [3778] is [2076] he which received seed [4687] by [3844] the way side [3598].
18 Of his own will [1014] begat he [616] us [2248] with the word [3056] of truth [225], that [1519] we [2248] should be [1511] a kind [5100] of firstfruits [536] of his [846] creatures [2938].
20 For [1063] the wrath [3709] of man [435] worketh [2716] not [3756] the righteousness [1343] of God [2316].
16 As [5613] free [1658], and [2532] not [3361] using [2192] your liberty [1657] for [5613] a cloke [1942] of maliciousness [2549], but [235] as [5613] the servants [1401] of God [2316].
1 Wherefore [3767] laying aside [659] all [3956] malice [2549], and [2532] all [3956] guile [1388], and [2532] hypocrisies [5272], and [2532] envies [5355], and [2532] all [3956] evil speakings [2636],
15 Not [3756] boasting [2744] of things without [1519] our measure [280], that is, of [1722] other men's [245] labours [2873]; but [1161] having [2192] hope [1680], when your [5216] faith [4102] is increased [837], that we shall be enlarged [3170] by [1722] you [5213] according [2596] to our [2257] rule [2583] abundantly [1519] [4050],
2 How that [3754] in [1722] a great [4183] trial [1382] of affliction [2347] the abundance [4050] of their [846] joy [5479] and [2532] their [846] deep [899] poverty [2596] [4432] abounded [4052] unto [1519] the riches [4149] of their [846] liberality [572].
17 For [1063] if [1487] by one man's [1520] offence [3900] death [2288] reigned [936] by [1223] one [1520]; much [4183] more [3123] they which receive [2983] abundance [4050] of grace [5485] and [2532] of the gift [1431] of righteousness [1343] shall reign [936] in [1722] life [2222] by [1223] one [1520], Jesus [2424] Christ [5547].)
11 He that is unjust [91], let him be unjust [91] still [2089]: and [2532] he which is filthy [4510], let him be filthy [4510] still [2089]: and [2532] he that is righteous [1342], let him be righteous [1344] still [2089]: and [2532] he that is holy [40], let him be holy [37] still [2089].
21 The like figure [499] whereunto [3739] even baptism [908] doth [4982] also [2532] now [3568] save [4982] us [2248] (not [3756] the putting away [595] of the filth [4509] of the flesh [4561], but [235] the answer [1906] of a good [18] conscience [4893] toward [1519] God [2316],) by [1223] the resurrection [386] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547]:
2 For [1063] if [1437] there come [1525] unto [1519] your [5216] assembly [4864] a man [435] with a gold ring [5554], in [1722] goodly [2986] apparel [2066], and [1161] there come in [1525] also [2532] a poor man [4434] in [1722] vile [4508] raiment [2066];
14 But [1161] strong [4731] meat [5160] belongeth to them that are [2076] of full age [5046], even those who by reason [1223] of use [1838] have [2192] their senses [145] exercised [1128] to [4314] discern [1253] both [5037] good [2570] and [2532] evil [2556].
18 Of his own will [1014] begat he [616] us [2248] with the word [3056] of truth [225], that [1519] we [2248] should be [1511] a kind [5100] of firstfruits [536] of his [846] creatures [2938].
15 Then [1534] when lust [1939] hath conceived [4815], it bringeth forth [5088] sin [266]: and [1161] sin [266], when it is finished [658], bringeth forth [616] death [2288].