Matthew Henry Commentary James 1

Christianity teaches people to be joyful amidst troubles: such trials are sent from God's love, and trials in the path of duty will brighten our graces now, and our crown at last. Let us take care, in times of trial, that patience, and not passion, is put to work in us. Whatever is said or done, let patience be what says and does it. When the work of patience is complete, it will provide all that is necessary for our Christian race and warfare.

We should not pray so much for the removal of affliction as for wisdom to make a right use of it. And who does not need wisdom to guide them during trials, both in regulating their own spirit and in managing their affairs? Here is an answer to every discouraging turn of the mind when we go to God under a sense of our own weakness and folly.

If, after all, anyone should say, 'This may be the case with some, but I fear I will not succeed,' the promise is, To anyone who asks, it will be given. A mind that has a singular and prevailing concern for its spiritual and eternal interest, and that keeps steady in its purposes for God, will grow wise by afflictions, will continue fervent in devotion, and rise above trials and oppositions. When our faith and spirits rise and fall with second causes, there will be unsteadiness in our words and actions.

This may not always expose people to contempt in the world, but such ways cannot please God. No condition of life is such that it prevents rejoicing in God. Those of humble status may rejoice if they are exalted to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom of God; and the rich may rejoice in humbling providences that lead to a humble and lowly disposition of mind. Worldly wealth is a withering thing.

Then, let the one who is rich rejoice in the grace of God, which makes and keeps them humble; and in the trials and disciplines which teach them to seek happiness in and from God, not from perishing enjoyments.

It is not everyone who suffers who is blessed, but the one who with patience and constancy goes through all difficulties in the way of duty. Afflictions cannot make us miserable if it is not our own fault. The tested Christian will be a crowned one. The crown of life is promised to all who have the love of God reigning in their hearts.

Every soul that truly loves God will have its trials in this world fully recompensed in that world above, where love is made perfect. The commands of God, and the dealings of His providence, try people's hearts and show the dispositions that prevail in them. But nothing sinful in the heart or conduct can be ascribed to God.

He is not the author of the dross, though His fiery trial exposes it. Those who lay the blame for sin either on their constitution, or on their condition in the world, or pretend they cannot keep from sinning, wrong God as if He were the author of sin. Afflictions, as sent by God, are designed to draw out our graces, but not our corruptions.

The origin of evil and temptation is in our own hearts. Stop the beginnings of sin, or all the evils that follow must be wholly charged to us. God has no pleasure in the death of people, as He has no hand in their sin; but both sin and misery are owing to themselves.

Just as the sun is the same in nature and influences, though the earth and clouds, often coming between, make it seem to us to vary, so God is unchangeable, and our changes and shadows are not from any changes or alterations in Him.

What the sun is in nature, God is in grace, providence, and glory; and infinitely more. As every good gift is from God, so particularly our being born again, and all its holy, happy consequences, come from Him.

A true Christian becomes as different a person from what he was before the renewing influences of Divine grace as if he were formed over again. We should devote all our faculties to God's service, that we may be a kind of first-fruits of His creatures.

Instead of blaming God under our trials, let us open our ears and hearts to learn what he teaches by them. And if we would govern our tongues, we must govern our passions. The worst thing we can bring to any dispute is anger.

Here is an exhortation to lay apart, and to cast off as a filthy garment, all sinful practices. This must reach to sins of thought and affection, as well as of speech and practice; to everything corrupt and sinful.

We must yield ourselves to the word of God, with humble and teachable minds, being willing to hear of our faults, taking it not only patiently, but thankfully. It is the design of the word of God to make us wise to salvation; and those who propose any unworthy or superficial purposes in attending to it, dishonor the gospel, and disappoint their own souls.

If we heard a sermon every day of the week, and an angel from heaven were the preacher, yet, if we relied on hearing only, it would never bring us to heaven. Mere hearers are self-deceivers; and self-deceit will prove to be the worst deceit in the end. If we flatter ourselves, it is our own fault; the truth, as it is in Jesus, flatters no one. Let the word of truth be carefully attended to, and it will set before us the corruption of our nature, the disorders of our hearts and lives; and it will tell us plainly what we are.

Our sins are the spots the law discovers; Christ's blood is the cleansing basin the gospel shows. But we hear God's word in vain, and look into the gospel mirror, if we go away and forget our spots, instead of washing them off; and forget our remedy, instead of applying it. This is the case with those who do not hear the word as they should. In hearing the word, we look into it for counsel and direction, and when we study it, it benefits our spiritual life.

Those who keep the law and word of God are and will be blessed in all their ways. His gracious reward hereafter will be connected with his present peace and comfort. Every part of Divine revelation has its use in bringing the sinner to Christ for salvation, and in directing and encouraging him to walk at liberty, by the Spirit of adoption, according to the holy commands of God. And note the distinction: it is not for his deeds that anyone is blessed, but in his deed.

It is not talking, but walking, that will bring us to heaven. Christ will become more precious to the believer's soul, which by his grace will become more fitted for the inheritance of the saints in light.

When people take more effort to seem religious than to actually be so, it is a sign their religion is in vain. Not bridling the tongue, a readiness to speak of the faults of others, or to lessen their wisdom and piety, are signs of a vain religion. The person who has a slandering tongue cannot have a truly humble, gracious heart. False religion may also be known by its impurity and lack of charity.

True religion teaches us to do everything as in the presence of God. An unspotted life must accompany unfeigned love and charity. Our true religion is measured by the extent to which these things are present in our hearts and conduct.

And let us remember that nothing avails in Christ Jesus but faith that works by love, purifies the heart, subdues carnal lusts, and obeys God's commands.