Lesson 24 July 18

Review intro:

 

 

 

 

1:21 Preparation and reception of the Word

First the necessary preparation:   [for taking in the Word so that it has meaning]

Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness,

 

- James in effect is telling them that they can't produce the righteousness of God if they have yet not dealt with the SIN NATURE ruling.

 

-  putting aside   - apotithimi (aor mid ptc) - to put off - to strip off;  used of stripping off of one's  garments  Acts 7:58

- Most often used metaphorically in ethical exhortations of the responsibility of divesting oneself of undesirable qualities or actions.

(from God's vpt)  Eph 4:22; Rom 13:12; Col 3:8; 1 Pet 2:1

 

 

James says very emphatically that we must put these things off - there must be a spiritual cleansing before we can effectively welcome the word into our lives i.e. SIN must be dealt with.

 

all filthiness  -  ruparia - (lit used of dirty clothes) used here metaphorically of general moral defilement - uncleanness - impurity

 

and all that remains of wickedness   perisseia kakia  (gen) an overabundance or excess of evil, wickedness

 

- James emphasizes very clearly that the sin nature and its effects in the life must be handled before we can Rx the Word.

 

-  If there is no change in thinking you will be right back in the soup, under the sin nature's rulership very quickly.

 

 

in humility receive the Word implanted which is able to save your souls. 

-  in humility   evn prau<thj - describes a very important characteristic that we should have as we approach the study of the Word.

 

-  It describes an inner MA toward the Word, the things of God.

-  Would emphasize an attitude of being teachable.

 

 

- receive   - de,comai - means more than just the simple act of receiving (lambanw); it includes the idea of welcoming - ready reception  (pos vol - diligence - zeal)

 

- The idea is to welcome as an active living working force in the life  i.e. the act of one who takes God and His word seriously.

 

the implanted word   -  o`  e;mfutoj  logoj (verbal adj) denotes that which has been planted within; not at salvation but subsequent - as part of the growth process

 

- The figure here is of a seed planted - within the fertile soil of the soul of the positive believer. Rem: parable of the seed and the sower (Mk 4:20)

 

See next the dynamic character and impact of the Word

which is able to save your souls 

 

-  du,namai - Pres articular ptc stands in apposition to logos - the Word;  so it describes for us a characteristic of the Word.

 

GOD'S WORD ISN'T TRUE BECAUSE IT WORKS; IT WORKS BECAUSE IT IS TRUE!!   

 

-  Present tense of   du,namai  affirms the Word of God's continuing ability to deliver the Believer.

 

-  sw,|zw   - Aor act inf of purpose - to save - deliver - rescue

- This is not referring to Ph 1 salvation,  not in view

 

- The deliverance is of believers who plant the word and  let it grow and use it in the battle of the destructive consequences of sin.

 

your souls   -  ta.j yuca.j u`mw/nÅ -  Hebraism to denote the whole person which puts the emphasis on the spiritual aspect of the deliverance.

 

1:21  For this reason put aside all moral defilement and the overabundance of evil, in humility (teachability) receive the implanted word which is able to deliver your souls.