LOOKING AT THE PERFECT LAW: JAMES 1:25

  
VERSE 25
But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

In contrast to the man who contemplates his ‘face at birth’ in the mirror (1:23), we now consider the man who ‘looks intently’1 at the perfect law. The Greek word for looks intently “denotes penetrating absorption;”2 To stoop down near or by something, [to] bend forward or near in order to look at something more closely.3

   And when ‘looks intently’ is connected with the action verb ‘abides by it’4 it is “clear that this is not a fleeting glance.”5 So, instead of reflecting upon himself, this man makes a serious effort to examine the Word of God and then continuing to employ his attention and energy to the application of what he learns.

   The ‘word implanted’ in verse 21 is now further defined as ‘the perfect law of liberty.’ It is deemed perfect because it is complete and sufficient for all of the believers’ needs. It is the righteous principles divinely designed to guide the believer in how to live the Christian life. Since only a God Who is perfect is able to devised a perfect plan for salvation, it stands to reason that He would also provide a perfect set of principles that would enable the believer to successfully live a life that is pleasing to Him.

   To broaden its meaning, this ‘perfect law’ is a law that is characterized by liberty – freedom from an oppressive legalistic system, like the Jewish rabbinical laws, or the system of taboos in some Christian denominations today. Further, it is “the freedom which stands in contrast to the constraint of the Mosaic law, looked upon as slavery Galatians 2:4; 5:1.”6 The freedom we have today in this age is based upon the grace provision of God. We do not work to earn our salvation – He already provided the work necessary – and He freely gives us all things (Romans 8:32).

   James says that this person who looks intently at the perfect law has not become a forgetful hearer. This act of hearing is not limited to a person listening to the teaching of the Word from a pastor-teacher. Whenever a believer reads the Word, it is the same as ‘hearing’ the voice of God, since, as Jesus stated, the Word comes from “mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). The genius of God’s plan for teaching His Word rests in the fact that when the believer believes what he is taught, then his understanding becomes clearer when reading God’s Word.

   Of equal importance, this person is characterized as one who has become an effectual doer. The word ‘effectual’ conveys the idea of capable, effective or successful. Certainly, our work of service for the Lord should ideally be effectual, but the use of the word ‘effectual’ here is a translator’s interpretation. The literal translation is: a doer who acts.7 In particular, it signifies one who is obedient in thought, word and deed to the revealed plan of God for his life. Combine this obedience with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, and the ideal of producing effectual work can be realized.

   And finally, there is a promise that the doer who acts “will be blessed in what he does.” It might be asked as to what this mean to “be blessed.” To be blessed is not someone being sprinkled with holy water or a verbal praise as some might suppose. But Albert Barnes has aptly stated what it means:

It will produce peace of conscience; it will impart happiness of a high order to his mind; it will exert a good influence over his whole soul.8

   These three verses, James 1:23-25, are a validation of how essential it is for the believer not to look inward for truth, but to be engaged intently with the Word of God to discover the freedom and essential empowerment that is crucial for becoming an effective member of the Body of Christ.

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[1] Parakúptō in the Greek [παρακύπτω] an Aorist Active Participle

[2] G. Kittel, G. W. Bromiley, G. Friedrich, G. W. Bromiley & G. Friedrich, Ed. (1964). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 5.815.

[3] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, G3869

[4] Paraménō in the Greek [παραμένω] an Aorist Active Participle

[5] Kittel, 5.815.

[6]Arndt, W., Gingrich, F. W. & Bauer, W. (1957). A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, p. 250.

[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, James 1:25.

[8] Barnes, Albert (2005) Notes on the New Testament, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, James 1:25.

 

© 2023 David M. Rossi