Title: The Devout - Commentary on James (5)
Contents
(James 1:26-27) “If anyone considers himself religious and does not bridle his tongue and deceives his heart, this man’s religion is vain. This is what he looks after and keeps himself unstained from the world.”
1. The meaning of godliness in words
1) Dictionary Meaning: Korean Dictionary → Respect and be careful
English (Godliness, Piety) → Faithful Personality: Spirituality
2) Biblical meaning: Man's inner attitude toward God and forming concrete life through him.
That is, godliness is related to spirituality.
3) Correct understanding of godliness through linguistic meaning
- Piety is not a form of outward appearance. That is, it is not a form.
* It is not godliness to be learned, to be dignified, to teach, to be dignified, and to have authority.
* May be a requirement for a part of godliness, but it is not godliness in itself.
It is a social demand for godliness, and it can never be determined to be godliness. Pharisee, scribe, scribe
* Religion is not a position, office, honor, authority, or learning itself, but a form of practical life according to righteous demands.
- It is not godliness to dress modestly and go to church with a bible in one hand. : It's just an imitation of godliness.
- The meaning contained in the language: with respect and caution
* It is to humble yourself and give enough consideration to the other person (for environment, situation, condition). : altruism
* Lowering oneself is not an unconditional bow to the other person, but a self-sacrificing attitude.
* To refrain from doing things that hurt and disturb those around you with wrong words and actions.
3) Godliness can be imitated, but never smells.
The imitation of godliness is the difference between harmony and life.
* It has a form, but has no ability (actual action).
2. The meaning of godliness in the Bible (James 1:26-27)
1) The piety of the one who bridles his tongue
- Those who consider themselves to be godly are those who have been born again by faith.
① There is an odor emanating from people.
- Body odor: a unique body odor
* It is caused by food eaten, cleanliness, physical characteristics, or clothing.
- Smell of personality: Smell emitted through words and actions
* Get to know the other person's information through conversation.
* Knows occupation, hobbies, family life, surrounding relationships, personality, level of knowledge, level of personality, and character.
* Distinguish between scent and odor through each individual's words and actions.
* The fragrance of a person's personality is not what he or she feels, but what others always feel.
* The smell of arrogance, the smell of frivolity, the smell of petty, the smell of pride, the smell of greed, the smell of selfishness
The smell of lewdness, the smell of impatience, the smell of disobedience
* Gagging the tongue means that these odors are purified through the teachings of the Word and appear as fragrances.
* A godly person must be consistent with his words and actions.
* A godly person must be one who responds to God.
* The language of the godly should heal wounds, bring peace to the community, teach with God's precepts, and set an example for yourself.
2) Those who do not deceive themselves
(James 4:17) “Therefore, if a man knows how to do good and does not do it, it is sin.”
(James 1:22) “Be ye doers of the Way, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
- Knowing what is right and not doing it is a sin.
* It is a sin to deceive oneself.
* Hearing the word of God and knowing it but not doing it is deceiving.
- A godly person is one who practices the right morality.
3) Possessing practical faith in relationship with God: a godly person
- Be pure and undefiled before God. : the eleven commandments
(1 Timothy 4:8) “Physical exercise is of little benefit, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise in this life and in the life to come.”
* Trying to look right in front of people is just physical exercise. : There are some benefits.
* A truly godly person always acts as he does before God.
4) Have practical faith in those around you and yourself
“This is to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
- Mercy, compassion, altruism, and self-sacrificing faith: imitating Jesus and his teachings
* Practical life to look after and take care of those who are weaker and more difficult than ourselves
* Leadership role to set up those who are weak in faith
* Practical life of caring and serving those around
5) The role of true light and salt in a dark world
- to keep oneself unstained by the world
* Light and salt affect themselves rather than being affected by others.
* Living with a clear attitude as a Christian.