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— daipoviudrisy devilish) such as even devils have : ii. 19 : not that which Christ gives.
16. ’Ex-sT acraratfraova, there ps] confusion) contrary to peace, ver.
17. What is the character of that wisdom, is known by the effect. James thinks it unworthy of the name of fruit. Comp. ver. 17 and
18. — ftuv (pauXov Kpay/jju, every evil work) The force of the word every , is plain, if the sentence is thus put : Every work which arises from that source is evil. The antithesis is, full of mercy and of good fruits , etc.
17. Upurov fisv ayvri sffnv , first of all is pure) Pure from earthly, animal, and devilish defilements. He here anticipates, as it were. Being about to commend peace , he first removes that unholy peace with the world, which collects together and cements in one indiscri- minate mass everything that comes in its way : i. 27, at the end, and iv. 4 throughout. Thus also, cleanse your hands , etc. : iv. 8 ; 1 Pet. i. 22. — fi'sv, indeed) in ver. 18, ds, hut , follows. — e/p'/ivixii, peaceable) The whole ; the parts follow. — i'Kiux^g) gentle (indulgent), lenient, not harsh in cases where the question is as to the duties of a neigh- bour (the duties which a neighbour owes to us). — suer u6r\g) tractable , easy, not morose, where the question is as to the fault of a neigh- bour.— / istTY) iXsovg , full of mercy) where the question is as to the misery of a neighbour. — xapnuv dyotdwv, of good fruits) There follow two more distinguished fruits, and worthy of special commendation to those whom he addresses: not judging and without pretence. — u&idxpi- rog, not judging) It does not make a difference (discrimination or dis- tinction) where it is not necessary ; for instance, between the great and the humble. Hesychius adidupopov, udidxpirov. It embraces all things which are good and just : it rejects all things which are evil. It acts without any difference (partiality), not harshly esteeming one in preference to others.— dvvffoxpirog, without pretence) removed from pretence and flattery, which is exercised directly towards the power- ful, indirectly towards the humble, by harshness.
18. K ctpffbs ds bixuioGvvTig iv eipvjvri, but the fruit of righteousness ps] in peace) So Heb. xii. 11, note. The fruit of righteousness is most abundant ; although that fruitfulness does not immediately appear at the beginning. Righteousness is peaceable ; peace is fruitful. — iv eipijvri ffrtiip&rai, is sown in peace) The expression, is sown , is in accord- ance with the word, fruit. Peace is described, ver. 17. Respecting the sowing and the righteous , see Ps. xcvii. 11, in the Hebrew. — roTg 'Toiovtiiv iiprivriv, for them that make peace) The dative expressing an advantage, with the force of limitation. See the opposite, iv. 1, 2.
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