A Brighter Day Begins with His Word.

Bengel, Johann Albrecht, 1687-1752 • SECTION 31

James I. 2, 3.

← Gnomon of the New Testament — Volume 5

4. "Epyov rsXnoV) perfect work) This is followed by rsXs/og, u a perfect man.” The man himself is characterised (as reXs/os, perfect) from his actions, and the work in which he is engaged. For the attainment of this character, there is need of joy. TsXuog is equiva- lent to hoiufiog in ver. 12. Compare the note on 2 Tim. ii. 15. — eyeru) let it have) He uses exhortation as in ver. 2, u count it all joy.” The patience which rejoices is perfect. — rsXs/o/ zed oXozXripoi) perfect and entire) This expression denotes something absolute : iv ^§sv/ as/ttousvo/) u wanting nothing is a relative expression ; for the word XeiKscQui) u to be in want ,” is opposed to crXeoi vezreTv, u to abound.” 3

5. E/, if) The connection of the subjects mentioned in the first and following verses, and in the first and following verses of ch.

1 From whom it may have been interpolated here. — E.

2 And indeed Beng. preferred this fuller reading afterwards in the margin of the Ed. 2 ; and it is expressly given in the Germ. Vers. — E. B.

B and later Syr. support the omission of rijg vitrreag : and so Tiscli. But AC Vulg. support the words ; and so Lachm. and Rec. Text. — E.

3 Men of the world, or even men of letters, if at any time they desire to honour any one with the greatest praise, adorn him with the praise of a perfect (omnibus numeris absoluti) or accomplished man. We may see from the passage itself with what sort of characters this description truly corresponds : probation is required, and perfect work. That which is complete in the eyes of the world is nothing in the sight of God, in the absence of faith. — German Version .

Public domain historical edition (1859); scan/OCR from Internet Archive.

Project Gutenberg source record →