Today’s Reflection:
IT’S EASY TO MAKE a narcissistic career out of spiritual growth. After all, theology is fascianating. Kindred spirits are usually wonderful folks to be with; retreats are relaxing; books are compelling.
However, the beautiful process of spiritual growth moves in a cycle of blessing that doesn’t stop with me, mine, and my development. It moves outward in a dynamic flow.
As lofty as that sounds, we know from experience that sometimes decisions about where to invest our time, money, and energy can vex and overwhelm us. Ideally, our inner work energizes our outer work, and we become less attached to what others think, what they expect of us, and whether they approve of us. We become less chameleon-like in allowing others to dictate and define who we are.
Our decisions about intentional service need to emerge from a thoughtful, reflective place where we weigh the needs around us and see where they intersect with our gifts, graces, and passions. That sacred intersection points to our place of service at any given time. (Linda Douty, Rhythms of Growth)
From page 207 of Rhythms of Growth: 365 Meditations to Nurture the Soul by Linda Douty. Copyright © 2014 by Linda Douty. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org.
Today’s Question: Where is your place of service?
Today’s Scripture: Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2, NRSV)
This Week: pray for those who affected by natural disasters.
Did You Know?
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This week we remember: Hildegard of Bingen (September 17).
Hildegard of Bingen
September 17
St. Hildegard began having visions in 1101, when she was just three years old. When she was eight, she joined a Benedictine monastery, and took her vows there at age fifteen. In 1136 Hildegard was elected abbess, and began writing and composing hymns. Her most famous work is Scivias (short for Scito vias Domini, or "Know the Ways of the Lord"), in which she detailed twenty-six of her revelations.
Hildegard founded a monastery near Bingen, Germany, in 1147, a facility large enough to support fifty nuns. Visited by visions all her life, she used her insights to guide others on the proper spiritual path for nearly eighty years. Hildegard died in 1179, leaving behind her Scivias as well as a book on medicine and another on natural history.
If Hildegard had taken the Spiritual Types Test, she probably would have been a Mystic. Hildegard is remembered on September 17.
Lectionary Readings for Sunday, 23 September 2018(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Proverbs 31:10-31
Psalm 1
James 3:13 – 4:3, 7-8a
Mark 9:30-37
***
Proverbs 31:א 10 Who can find a capable wife?
Her value is far beyond that of pearls.
ב 11 Her husband trusts her from his heart,
and she will prove a great asset to him.
ג 12 She works to bring him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
ד 13 She procures a supply of wool and flax
and works with willing hands.
ה 14 She is like those merchant vessels,
bringing her food from far away.
ו 15 It’s still dark when she rises to give food to her household
and orders to the young women serving her.
ז 16 She considers a field, then buys it,
and from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
ח 17 She gathers her strength around her
and throws herself into her work.
ט 18 She sees that her business affairs go well;
her lamp stays lit at night.
י 19 She puts her hands to the staff with the flax;
her fingers hold the spinning rod.
כ 20 She reaches out to embrace the poor
and opens her arms to the needy.
ל 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
since all of them are doubly clothed.
מ 22 She makes her own quilts;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
נ 23 Her husband is known at the city gates
when he sits with the leaders of the land.
ס 24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
she supplies the merchants with sashes.
ע 25 Clothed with strength and dignity,
she can laugh at the days to come.
פ 26 When she opens her mouth, she speaks wisely;
on her tongue is loving instruction.
צ 27 She watches how things go in her house,
not eating the bread of idleness.
ק 28 Her children arise; they make her happy;
her husband too, as he praises her:
ר 29 “Many women have done wonderful things,
but you surpass them all!”
ש 30 Charm can lie, beauty can vanish,
but a woman who fears Adonai should be praised.
ת 31 Give her a share in what she produces;
let her works speak her praises at the city gates.
Psalm 1:1 How blessed are those
who reject the advice of the wicked,
don’t stand on the way of sinners
or sit where scoffers sit!
2 Their delight
is in Adonai’s Torah;
on his Torah they meditate
day and night.
3 They are like trees planted by streams —
they bear their fruit in season,
their leaves never wither,
everything they do succeeds.
4 Not so the wicked,
who are like chaff driven by the wind.
5 For this reason the wicked
won’t stand up to the judgment,
nor will sinners
at the gathering of the righteous.
6 For Adonai watches over
the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked
is doomed.
who reject the advice of the wicked,
don’t stand on the way of sinners
or sit where scoffers sit!
2 Their delight
is in Adonai’s Torah;
on his Torah they meditate
day and night.
3 They are like trees planted by streams —
they bear their fruit in season,
their leaves never wither,
everything they do succeeds.
4 Not so the wicked,
who are like chaff driven by the wind.
5 For this reason the wicked
won’t stand up to the judgment,
nor will sinners
at the gathering of the righteous.
6 For Adonai watches over
the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked
is doomed.
James 3:13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him demonstrate it by his good way of life, by actions done in the humility that grows out of wisdom. 14 But if you harbor in your hearts bitter jealousy and selfish ambition, don’t boast and attack the truth with lies! 15 This wisdom is not the kind that comes down from above; on the contrary, it is worldly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where there are jealousy and selfish ambition, there will be disharmony and every foul practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is, first of all, pure, then peaceful, kind, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 And peacemakers who sow seed in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
4:1 What is causing all the quarrels and fights among you? Isn’t it your desires battling inside you? 2 You desire things and don’t have them. You kill, and you are jealous, and you still can’t get them. So you fight and quarrel. The reason you don’t have is that you don’t pray! 3 Or you pray and don’t receive, because you pray with the wrong motive, that of wanting to indulge your own desires., 7 Therefore, submit to God. Moreover, take a stand against the Adversary, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and he will come close to you. Clean your hands, sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded people!
Mark 9:30 After leaving that place, they went on through the Galil. Yeshua didn’t want anyone to know, 31 because he was teaching his talmidim. He told them, “The Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of men who will put him to death; but after he has been killed, three days later he will rise.” 32 But they didn’t understand what he meant, and they were afraid to ask him.
33 They arrived at K’far-Nachum. When Yeshua was inside the house, he asked them, “What were you discussing as we were traveling?” 34 But they kept quiet; because on the way, they had been arguing with each other about who was the greatest. 35 He sat down, summoned the Twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all.” 36 He took a child and stood him among them. Then he put his arms around him and said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the One who sent me.” (Complete Jewish Bible).
4:1 What is causing all the quarrels and fights among you? Isn’t it your desires battling inside you? 2 You desire things and don’t have them. You kill, and you are jealous, and you still can’t get them. So you fight and quarrel. The reason you don’t have is that you don’t pray! 3 Or you pray and don’t receive, because you pray with the wrong motive, that of wanting to indulge your own desires., 7 Therefore, submit to God. Moreover, take a stand against the Adversary, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and he will come close to you. Clean your hands, sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded people!
Mark 9:30 After leaving that place, they went on through the Galil. Yeshua didn’t want anyone to know, 31 because he was teaching his talmidim. He told them, “The Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of men who will put him to death; but after he has been killed, three days later he will rise.” 32 But they didn’t understand what he meant, and they were afraid to ask him.
33 They arrived at K’far-Nachum. When Yeshua was inside the house, he asked them, “What were you discussing as we were traveling?” 34 But they kept quiet; because on the way, they had been arguing with each other about who was the greatest. 35 He sat down, summoned the Twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all.” 36 He took a child and stood him among them. Then he put his arms around him and said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the One who sent me.” (Complete Jewish Bible).
Proverbs 31:10-31
Verse 10
[10] Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
A virtuous woman — Here he lays down several qualifications of an excellent wife, which are delivered in alphabetical order, each verse beginning with a several letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
Verse 11
[11] The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
No need — He shall have no need to use indirect courses to get wealth.
Verse 13
[13] She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
Flax — That she may find employment for her servants.
Worketh — She encourages them to work by her example; which was a common practice among princesses in those first ages. Not that it is the duty of kings and queens to use manual operations, but it is the duty of all persons, the greatest not excepted, to improve all their talents, and particularly their time, which is one of the noblest of them, to the service of that God to whom they must give an account, and to the good of that community to which they are related.
Verse 14
[14] She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
From afar — By the sale of her home-spun commodities she purchases the choicest goods which come from far countries.
Verse 15
[15] She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
Giveth — Distributes all necessary provisions.
Verse 16
[16] She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
Considereth — Whether it be fit for her use.
The fruit — With the effects of her diligence.
Planteth — She improves the land to the best advantage.
Verse 17
[17] She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
Girdeth — She uses great diligence and expedition in her employment; for which end, men in those times used to gird up their long and loose garments about their loins.
Strengtheneth — Puts forth her utmost strength in her business.
Verse 18
[18] She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
Perceiveth — She finds great comfort in her labours.
Her candle — Which is not to be taken strictly, but only signifies her unwearied care and industry.
Verse 19
[19] She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She layeth — By her own example she provokes her servants to labour. And although in these latter and more delicate times, such mean employments are grown out of fashion among great persons, yet they were not so in former ages, neither in other countries, nor in this land; whence all women unmarried unto this day are called in the language of our law, Spinsters.
Verse 21
[21] She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
Not afraid — Of any injuries of the weather.
Are clothed — She hath provided enough, not only for their necessity, but also for their delight and ornament.
Verse 22
[22] She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
Tapestry — For the furniture of her house.
Silk — Which was agreeable to her high quality.
Verse 23
[23] Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
It known — Observed and respected, not only for his own worth, but for his wife's sake.
Sitteth — In counsel or judgment.
Verse 24
[24] She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Girdles — Curiously wrought of linen, and gold, or other precious materials.
Verse 25
[25] Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
Strength — Strength of mind, magnanimity, courage, activity.
Her clothing — Her ornament and glory.
Rejoice — She lives in constant tranquillity of mind, from a just confidence in God's gracious providence.
Verse 26
[26] She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
Openeth her mouth — She is neither sullenly silent, nor full of impertinent talk, but speaks discreetly and piously, as occasion offers.
In her tongue — Her speeches are guided by wisdom and grace, and not by inordinate passions. And this practice is called a law in her tongue, because it is constant and customary, and proceeds from an inward and powerful principle of true wisdom.
Verse 27
[27] She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Looketh well — She diligently observes the management of her domestick business, and the whole carriage of her children and servants.
Verse 30
[30] Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Favour — Comeliness, which commonly gives women favour with those who behold them.
Deceitful — It gives a false representation of the person, being often a cover to a deformed soul; it does not give a man that satisfaction, which at first he promised to himself from it; and it is soon lost, not only by death, but by many diseases and contingencies.
Verse 31
[31] Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Give her — It is but just, that she should enjoy those praises which her labours deserve.
Let her works — If men be silent, the lasting effects of her prudence and diligence will trumpet forth her praises.
In the gates — In the most publick and solemn assemblies.
Psalm 1
Verse 1
[1] Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Blessed — The Hebrew words are very emphatical: O the blessedness of that man! Counsel - That doth not lead his life according to their counsel, or manner of living.
Standeth — Which notes a more settled abode in it.
Way — In their manner of conversation.
Seat — Which notes a constant and resolved perseverance in their wicked courses.
Scornful — Of those who make a mock of sin, and scoff at goodness and goodmen. Divers observe a gradation in this verse; the following clause still exceeding the former, for standing is more than walking, and sitting more than standing; and sinners in scripture use, are worse than the ungodly, and the scornful are the worst of sinners.
Verse 2
[2] But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Day and night — Not seldom and slightly, but diligently, and constantly.
Verse 3
[3] And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Whither — His happiness is not short and transitory, but, like those trees which are continually green and flourishing.
Verse 4
[4] The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
Ungodly — Their condition is far different.
Chaff — They are restless and unquiet: their seeming felicity, hath no firm foundation, but quickly vanishes and flees away as chaff before the wind.
Verse 5
[5] Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
Not stand — Not endure the trial.
Judgment — In the great and general judgment of the world.
Verse 6
[6] For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Knoweth — He approves, loves, and delights in them, and therefore will recompence them.
Perish — All their designs and courses shall come to nothing, and they shall perish with them.
James 3:13 – 4:3, 7-8a
Verse 13
[13] Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
Let him show his wisdom as well as his faith by his works; not by words only.
Verse 14
[14] But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
If ye have bitter zeal — True Christian zeal is only the flame of love. Even in your hearts - Though it went no farther.
Do not lie against the truth — As if such zeal could consist with heavenly wisdom.
Verse 15
[15] This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
This wisdom — Which is consistent with such zeal.
Is earthly — Not heavenly; not from the Father of Lights.
Animal — Not spiritual; not from the Spirit of God.
Devilish — Not the gift of Christ, but such as Satan breathes into the soul.
Verse 17
[17] But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
But the wisdom from above is first pure — From all that is earthly, natural, devilish.
Then peaceable — True peace attending purity, it is quiet, inoffensive.
Gentle — Soft, mild, yielding, not rigid.
Easy to he entreated — To be persuaded, or convinced; not stubborn, sour, or morose.
Full of good fruits — Both in the heart and in the life, two of which are immediately specified.
Without partiality — Loving all, without respect of persons; embracing all good things, rejecting all evil.
And without dissimulation — Frank, open.
Verse 18
[18] And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
And the principle productive of this righteousness is sown, like good seed, in the peace of a believer's mind, and brings forth a plentiful harvest of happiness, (which is the proper fruit of righteousness,) for them that make peace - That labour to promote this pure and holy peace among all men.
Verse 1
[1] From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
From whence come wars and fightings — Quarrels and wars among you, quite opposite to this peace? Is it not from your pleasures - Your desires of earthly pleasures.
Which war — Against your souls.
In your members — Here is the first seat of the war. Hence proceeds the war of man with man, king with king, nation with nation.
Verse 2
[2] Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Ye kill — In your heart, for "he that hateth his brother is a murderer." Ye fight and war - That is, furiously strive and contend.
Ye ask not — And no marvel; for a man full of evil desire, of envy or hatred, cannot pray.
Verse 3
[3] Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
But if ye do ask, ye receive not, because ye ask amiss - That is, from a wrong motive.
Verse 7
[7] Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Therefore by humbly submitting yourselves to God, resist the devil - The father of pride and envy.
Verse 8
[8] Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Then draw nigh to God in prayer, and he will draw nigh unto you, will hear you; which that nothing may hinder, cleanse your hands - Cease from doing evil.
And purify your hearts — From all spiritual adultery. Be no more double minded, vainly endeavouring to serve both God and mammon.
Mark 9:30-37
Verse 30
[30] And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it.
They passed through Galilee — Though not through the cities, but by them, in the most private ways.
He was not willing that any should know it: for he taught his disciples — He wanted to be alone with them some time, in order to instruct them fully concerning his sufferings.
The Son of man is delivered — It is as sure as if it were done already. Matthew 17:22; Luke 9:44.
Verse 32
[32] But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.
They understood not the word — They did not understand how to reconcile the death of our Saviour (nor consequently his resurrection, which supposed his death) with their notions of his temporal kingdom.
Verse 33
[33] And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
Luke 9:46.
Verse 34
[34] But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
Who should be greatest — Prime minister in his kingdom.
Verse 35
[35] And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
Let him be the least of all — Let him abase himself the most.
Verse 36
[36] And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
Matthew 18:2; Luke 9:47.
Verse 37
[37] Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
One such little child — Either in years or in heart. (John Wesley's Explanatory Notes).
Verse 10
[10] Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
A virtuous woman — Here he lays down several qualifications of an excellent wife, which are delivered in alphabetical order, each verse beginning with a several letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
Verse 11
[11] The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
No need — He shall have no need to use indirect courses to get wealth.
Verse 13
[13] She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
Flax — That she may find employment for her servants.
Worketh — She encourages them to work by her example; which was a common practice among princesses in those first ages. Not that it is the duty of kings and queens to use manual operations, but it is the duty of all persons, the greatest not excepted, to improve all their talents, and particularly their time, which is one of the noblest of them, to the service of that God to whom they must give an account, and to the good of that community to which they are related.
Verse 14
[14] She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
From afar — By the sale of her home-spun commodities she purchases the choicest goods which come from far countries.
Verse 15
[15] She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
Giveth — Distributes all necessary provisions.
Verse 16
[16] She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
Considereth — Whether it be fit for her use.
The fruit — With the effects of her diligence.
Planteth — She improves the land to the best advantage.
Verse 17
[17] She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
Girdeth — She uses great diligence and expedition in her employment; for which end, men in those times used to gird up their long and loose garments about their loins.
Strengtheneth — Puts forth her utmost strength in her business.
Verse 18
[18] She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
Perceiveth — She finds great comfort in her labours.
Her candle — Which is not to be taken strictly, but only signifies her unwearied care and industry.
Verse 19
[19] She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She layeth — By her own example she provokes her servants to labour. And although in these latter and more delicate times, such mean employments are grown out of fashion among great persons, yet they were not so in former ages, neither in other countries, nor in this land; whence all women unmarried unto this day are called in the language of our law, Spinsters.
Verse 21
[21] She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
Not afraid — Of any injuries of the weather.
Are clothed — She hath provided enough, not only for their necessity, but also for their delight and ornament.
Verse 22
[22] She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
Tapestry — For the furniture of her house.
Silk — Which was agreeable to her high quality.
Verse 23
[23] Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
It known — Observed and respected, not only for his own worth, but for his wife's sake.
Sitteth — In counsel or judgment.
Verse 24
[24] She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Girdles — Curiously wrought of linen, and gold, or other precious materials.
Verse 25
[25] Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
Strength — Strength of mind, magnanimity, courage, activity.
Her clothing — Her ornament and glory.
Rejoice — She lives in constant tranquillity of mind, from a just confidence in God's gracious providence.
Verse 26
[26] She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
Openeth her mouth — She is neither sullenly silent, nor full of impertinent talk, but speaks discreetly and piously, as occasion offers.
In her tongue — Her speeches are guided by wisdom and grace, and not by inordinate passions. And this practice is called a law in her tongue, because it is constant and customary, and proceeds from an inward and powerful principle of true wisdom.
Verse 27
[27] She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Looketh well — She diligently observes the management of her domestick business, and the whole carriage of her children and servants.
Verse 30
[30] Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Favour — Comeliness, which commonly gives women favour with those who behold them.
Deceitful — It gives a false representation of the person, being often a cover to a deformed soul; it does not give a man that satisfaction, which at first he promised to himself from it; and it is soon lost, not only by death, but by many diseases and contingencies.
Verse 31
[31] Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Give her — It is but just, that she should enjoy those praises which her labours deserve.
Let her works — If men be silent, the lasting effects of her prudence and diligence will trumpet forth her praises.
In the gates — In the most publick and solemn assemblies.
Psalm 1
Verse 1
[1] Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Blessed — The Hebrew words are very emphatical: O the blessedness of that man! Counsel - That doth not lead his life according to their counsel, or manner of living.
Standeth — Which notes a more settled abode in it.
Way — In their manner of conversation.
Seat — Which notes a constant and resolved perseverance in their wicked courses.
Scornful — Of those who make a mock of sin, and scoff at goodness and goodmen. Divers observe a gradation in this verse; the following clause still exceeding the former, for standing is more than walking, and sitting more than standing; and sinners in scripture use, are worse than the ungodly, and the scornful are the worst of sinners.
Verse 2
[2] But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Day and night — Not seldom and slightly, but diligently, and constantly.
Verse 3
[3] And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Whither — His happiness is not short and transitory, but, like those trees which are continually green and flourishing.
Verse 4
[4] The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
Ungodly — Their condition is far different.
Chaff — They are restless and unquiet: their seeming felicity, hath no firm foundation, but quickly vanishes and flees away as chaff before the wind.
Verse 5
[5] Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
Not stand — Not endure the trial.
Judgment — In the great and general judgment of the world.
Verse 6
[6] For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Knoweth — He approves, loves, and delights in them, and therefore will recompence them.
Perish — All their designs and courses shall come to nothing, and they shall perish with them.
James 3:13 – 4:3, 7-8a
Verse 13
[13] Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
Let him show his wisdom as well as his faith by his works; not by words only.
Verse 14
[14] But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
If ye have bitter zeal — True Christian zeal is only the flame of love. Even in your hearts - Though it went no farther.
Do not lie against the truth — As if such zeal could consist with heavenly wisdom.
Verse 15
[15] This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
This wisdom — Which is consistent with such zeal.
Is earthly — Not heavenly; not from the Father of Lights.
Animal — Not spiritual; not from the Spirit of God.
Devilish — Not the gift of Christ, but such as Satan breathes into the soul.
Verse 17
[17] But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
But the wisdom from above is first pure — From all that is earthly, natural, devilish.
Then peaceable — True peace attending purity, it is quiet, inoffensive.
Gentle — Soft, mild, yielding, not rigid.
Easy to he entreated — To be persuaded, or convinced; not stubborn, sour, or morose.
Full of good fruits — Both in the heart and in the life, two of which are immediately specified.
Without partiality — Loving all, without respect of persons; embracing all good things, rejecting all evil.
And without dissimulation — Frank, open.
Verse 18
[18] And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
And the principle productive of this righteousness is sown, like good seed, in the peace of a believer's mind, and brings forth a plentiful harvest of happiness, (which is the proper fruit of righteousness,) for them that make peace - That labour to promote this pure and holy peace among all men.
Verse 1
[1] From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
From whence come wars and fightings — Quarrels and wars among you, quite opposite to this peace? Is it not from your pleasures - Your desires of earthly pleasures.
Which war — Against your souls.
In your members — Here is the first seat of the war. Hence proceeds the war of man with man, king with king, nation with nation.
Verse 2
[2] Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Ye kill — In your heart, for "he that hateth his brother is a murderer." Ye fight and war - That is, furiously strive and contend.
Ye ask not — And no marvel; for a man full of evil desire, of envy or hatred, cannot pray.
Verse 3
[3] Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
But if ye do ask, ye receive not, because ye ask amiss - That is, from a wrong motive.
Verse 7
[7] Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Therefore by humbly submitting yourselves to God, resist the devil - The father of pride and envy.
Verse 8
[8] Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Then draw nigh to God in prayer, and he will draw nigh unto you, will hear you; which that nothing may hinder, cleanse your hands - Cease from doing evil.
And purify your hearts — From all spiritual adultery. Be no more double minded, vainly endeavouring to serve both God and mammon.
Mark 9:30-37
Verse 30
[30] And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it.
They passed through Galilee — Though not through the cities, but by them, in the most private ways.
He was not willing that any should know it: for he taught his disciples — He wanted to be alone with them some time, in order to instruct them fully concerning his sufferings.
The Son of man is delivered — It is as sure as if it were done already. Matthew 17:22; Luke 9:44.
Verse 32
[32] But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.
They understood not the word — They did not understand how to reconcile the death of our Saviour (nor consequently his resurrection, which supposed his death) with their notions of his temporal kingdom.
Verse 33
[33] And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
Luke 9:46.
Verse 34
[34] But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
Who should be greatest — Prime minister in his kingdom.
Verse 35
[35] And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
Let him be the least of all — Let him abase himself the most.
Verse 36
[36] And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
Matthew 18:2; Luke 9:47.
Verse 37
[37] Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
One such little child — Either in years or in heart. (John Wesley's Explanatory Notes).
The Upper Room of The United Methodist Church
P.O. Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
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