12. So. With reference to what follows, speak and do. 13. He shall have judgment without mercy that hath
shewed no mercy (7) yap Kplow dvirews TO ph Tromoavte édeos). ‘The proper reading is dvédeos, without mercy, an ad-
Cu. IT.) THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF JAMES. 743
jective agreeing with judgment, instead of the adverb avtreas, unmercifully. Lit. as Rev., judgment is without mercy to hum that hath shewed no mercy. Both A. V. and Rev. omit the article “the judgment,” that, namely, which is coming. Lath shewed, or, lit., shewed (aorist tense). The writer puts himself at the stand-point of the judgment, and looks backward.
Rejoiceth (cataxavyata). The simple verb Kavydopat means to speak loud, to be loud-tongued ; hence, to boast. Better, therefore, as Rev., glorieth. Judgment and mercy are personified. While judgment threatens condemnation, mercy interposes and prevails over judgment. “ Mercy is clothed with the divine glory, and stands by the throne of God. When we are in danger of being condemned, she rises up and pleads for us, and covers us with her defence, and enfolds us with her wings” (Chrysostom, cited by Gloag).
14. What doth it profit ? (ri 7d ddedos). Lit., what is the profit? “Oderos, profit, only here, ver, 16, and 1 Cor. xv. 82.
15. Be (irdpyoow). The distinction between this word and the simple edvaz, to be, is very subtle. The verb iTapx® origi- nally means to make a beginning ; hence, to begin or to come into being ; and, though used substantially as a synonym of elvat, of a thing actually existing and at hand, it has a back- ward look to an antecedent condition which has been protracted into the present. Thus we might paraphrase here, “If a brother or sister, having been in a destitute condition, be found by you in that condition.” Eivas, on the other hand, would simply state the present fact of destitution. See on 2 Pet. i. 8.
Destitute (evmipevor). Lit., left behind ; and hence lacking, as Rev. Compare ch. i. 4,5. This usage of the word occurs in James only.
Daily (épnpépov). Only here in New Testament.
16. Depart in peace (imdyere €v eipijvy). Compare wrrarye or Tropevou eis eipnuiy, go into peace, Mark v. 84; Luke vii. 50.
744 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. (Cu. IL.
Be filled (yoptdfec9e). See on Matt. v. 6.
Those things which are needful (7a ézut#deva). Only here in New Testament.
17. Being alone (ca éavrjv). Wrong. Rev., correctly, m aself. The phrase belongs to dead. It is dead, not merely in reference to something else, but absolutely.
18. Without (ywpis). Rev., more literally, apart from.
And | will shew thee, etc. The Rev. brings out the an- tithesis more sharply by keeping more closely to the Greek order: L by my works will shew, ete.
19. Tremble (¢piccovew). Only here in New Testament. It means, originally, to be rough on the surface s to bristle. Hence, used of the fields with ears of corn; of a line of battle bristling with shields and spears; of a silver or golden vessel rough with embossed gold. Aeschylus, describing a crowd holding up their hands to vote, says, the air bristled with right hands. ence, of a horror which makes the-hair stand on end and contracts the surface of the skin, making “ goose- flesh,” Rev., much better, shudder.
20. Vain (xevé). Lit., empty, without spiritual life.
Dead (vexpd). But the best texts read apyy, idle; as of money which yields no interest, or of land lying fallow.
21. When he had offered (avevéyxas). Incorrect. For the participle states the ground of his justification. By works gives the general ground ; offered, ete., the specific work. Com- pare Gen. xxii. 16, 17. Rev, correctly, in that he offered. The word dvevéyxas is, lit., brought up to; and means, not actually to offer up in sacrifice (though Tsaac was morally sacri- ficed in Abraham’s will), but ¢o bring to the altar as an offering. See on 1 Pet. ii. 5,