17. First. Emphasizing its inner quality, pure, as distin- guished from its outward expressions. The idea is not first numerically, but first essentially. The other qualities are sec- ondary as outgrowths of this primary quality.
Gentle (ézvevxys). See on 1 Pet. ii. 18.
On. IV.] THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF JAMES. 155
Easy to be intreated (edmei9ys). Only here in New Testa- ment.
Without partiality (aScdxpuros). Only here in New Testa- ment and very rare in classical Greek. Rev., without vard- ance or doubting. See on ch. i. 6.
1, Lusts (jSovdv). Lit., pleasures, as Rev. Properly, sen- sual pleasures. The sinful pleasures are the outgrowths of the lusts, ver. 2.
That war (ctpatevouévav). The thought of wars and fight- ings is carried into the figurative description of the sensuality which arrays its forces and carries on its campaign in the mem- bers. The verb does not imply mere fighting, but all that is included in military service. A remarkable parallel occurs in Plato, “ Phaedo,” 66: “For whence come wars and fightings and factions? Whence but from the body and the lusts of the body?” Compare 1 Pet. ii. 11; Rom. vii. 23.
2. Ye lust. See on desire, 1 Pet. i. 11; Mark iv. 19.
Desire to have (&odre). Rev., covet, and are jealous, in margin. See on ch. iii. 14.
3. Ye ask (aire?re). See on ypwrer, besought, Matt. xv. 23.
Amiss (xaxés). Lit., evilly : with evil intent, as explained by the following sentence.
Consume it upon (Samravnoyjre év). More correctly, as Rev., spend it in. The sense is not lay out expense upon your pleas-
ures, but spend in the exercise of; under the dominion of.
4, Ye adulterers (wovyol). All the best texts omit
756 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu. IV.
Adulteresses (uovyadides). The feminine term is the gen- eral designation of all whom James here rebukes. The apos- tate members of the church are figuratively regarded as un- faithful spouses ; according to the common Old-Testament fig- ure, in which God is the bridegroom or husband to whom his people are wedded. See Jer. iti; Hos. ii., iii, iv.; Isa. hives Ixii. 4, 5. Also, Matt. xii. 39; 9 Cor. xi. 2; Apoc. xix. 7; OEY)
Will be (Sovdn 94 eivas). More correctly, as Rev., would be. Lit., may have been minded to be.
Is the enemy («a9icrata). Thereby constitutes himself. Rev., maketh himself. See on ch. iii. 6.
5. Do ye think (Soxeire). See on ch. i. 26.
The scripture (7 ypady). See on Mark xii. 10. Properly, a passage of scripture.
In vain (xevds). Only here in New Testament. 6. Resisteth. See on 1 Pet. v. 5.
Proud. See on Mark vii. 22.
Humble. See on Matt. vii. 29.
7. Submit yourselves (imordynte). Rev., be subject. The verb means to place or arrange under ; as resist (ver. 6) is to array against. God sets himself in array against the proud ;
therefore, array yourselves under God, that ye may withstand the devil.
8. Pu rify (dyvicare). One of the three instances in the New Testament in which the word is not used of ceremonial purifi- cation. The others are 1 Pet. i.22; 1 John iii 3.
Double=minded (dApuyor). Compare ch. 1. 8.
Cx. IV.] THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF JAMES. 7D7
9: Be afflicted (taXaurapyoate). Only here in New Tes- tament. The kindred noun radairapia, misery, occurs ch. v. 1.
Mourn (revSijcare). Used of grief that is manifested. So mostly in New Testament, and very commonly joined, as here, with weep. So Mark xvi. 10; Luke vi. 25, etc. In the next sentence occurs the kindred noun zrév$os, mourning, into which laughter, also something manifest, is to be changed.
Heaviness (xatrjpevav). Properly, a casting down of the eyes. Compare Luke xviii. 18. Only here in New Testa- ment.
12. There is one lawgiver (cfs éotlv 6 vopodérns). The A. V. fails to note the emphatic position of one. Better, Rev., one only is the lawgiver. Nopodérns, lawgiver, only here in New Testament.