Introduction To James THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF JAMES 1306; Introduction To James THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF JAMES Writer. James (Matt. 4:21, note), called "the Just," mentioned by Paul with Cephas and John as "pillars" in the church at Jerusalem (Gal. 2:9). He seems to have been, as a religious man, austere, legal, ceremonial (Acts 21:18-24). Date. Tradition fixes the martyrdom of James in the year 62, but his Epistle shows no trace of the larger revelations concerning the church and the distinctive doctrines of grace made through the Apostle Paul, nor even of the discussions concerning the relation of Gentile converts to the law of Moses, which culminated in the first council (Acts 15.) , over which James presided. This presumes the very early date of James, which may confidently be set down as "the first Epistle to Christians.: —Weston. Theme. By "the twelve tribes scattered abroad" we are to understand, not Jews, but Christian Jews of the Dispersion. The church began with such (Acts 2:5-11), and James, who seems not to have left Jerusalem, would feel a particular pastoral responsibility for these scattered sheep. They still resorted to the syna- gogues, or called their own assemblies by that name (Jas. 2:2, where "assembly" is "synagogue" in the Greek). It appears from James 2:1-8 that they still held the synagogue courts for the trial of causes arising amongst themselves. The Epistle, then, is elementary in the extreme. To suppose that James 2:14-26 is a polemic against Paul's doctrine of justification is absurd. Neither Galatians nor Romans was yet written. James' theme, then, is "religion" (Greek threskeia, "outward religious service") as the expression and proof of faith. He does not exalt works as against faith, but faith as producing works. His style is that of the Wisdom-books of the Old Testament. The divisions are five: I. The testing of faith, James 1:1-2:26. II. The reality of faith tested by the tongue, James 3:1-18. III. The rebuke of worldliness, James 4:1-17. IV. The rich warned, James 5:1-6. V. Hortatory, James 5:7-20. Detailed Introduction and Exposition by JFB. Alternative Intro to James Writer. James (Matt. 4:21, note), called "the Just," mentioned by Paul with Cephas and John as "pillars" in the church at Jerusalem (Gal. 2:9). He seems to have been, as a religious man, austere, legal, ceremonial (Acts 21:18-24). Date. Tradition fixes the martyrdom of James in the year 62, but his Epistle shows no trace of the larger revelations concerning the church and the distinctive doctrines of grace made through the Apostle Paul, nor even of the discussions concerning the relation of Gentile converts to the law of Moses, which culminated in the first council (Acts 15.) , over which James presided. This presumes the very early date of James, which may confidently be set down as "the first Epistle to Christians.: —Weston. Theme. By "the twelve tribes scattered abroad" we are to understand, not Jews, but Christian Jews of the Dispersion. The church began with such (Acts 2:5-11), and James, who seems not to have left Jerusalem, would feel a particular pastoral responsibility for these scattered sheep. They still resorted to the syna- gogues, or called their own assemblies by that name (Jas. 2:2, where "assembly" is "synagogue" in the Greek). It appears from James 2:1-8 that they still held the synagogue courts for the trial of causes arising amongst themselves. The Epistle, then, is elementary in the extreme. To suppose that James 2:14-26 is a polemic against Paul's doctrine of justification is absurd. Neither Galatians nor Romans was yet written. James' theme, then, is "religion" (Greek threskeia, "outward religious service") as the expression and proof of faith. He does not exalt works as against faith, but faith as producing works. His style is that of the Wisdom-books of the Old Testament. The divisions are five: I. The testing of faith, James 1:1-2:26. II. The reality of faith tested by the tongue, James 3:1-18. III. The rebuke of worldliness, James 4:1-17. IV. The rich warned, James 5:1-6. V. Hortatory, James 5:7-20. 1306_a; James 1:1, Janes, a servant of God and of the Lord Bondman. 1306_b; James 1:1b, twelve tribes which are scattered abroad in the dispersion. 1306_c; James 1:2, when ye fall into divers temptations i.e., testings. 1306_d; James 1:3, the trying of your faith worketh patience Patience, Romans 5:3. 1306_e; James 1:4, that ye may be perfect Becoming Perfect Striving to be To be mature and complete. 1306_f; James 1:4b, be perfect and entire, wanting nothing be complete 1306_g; James 1:5, let him ask of God, that giveth to all Proverbs 2:3-6. 1306_h; James 1:6, But let him ask in faith Faith. Mark 11:24. 1306_i; James 1:8, A double minded man is unstable Hot or Cold? Proverbs 3:5. 1306_j; James 1:9, Let the brother of low degree rejoce Down-trodden to be Exalted., James 2:5. 1306_k; James 1:10, But the rich, in that he is made low Isaiah 57:15. 1306_l; James 1:12, Blessed is the man that endureth temptation Temptation, Verses 2, 12-14. Genesis 3:1.) 1306_m; James 1:12b, he shall receive the crown of life Rewards, 1 Peter 5:4. (Daniel 12:3; 1 Corinthians 3:14.) 1306_n; James 1:12c, the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised Eternal Life, 1 Peter 3:7. (Matthew 7:14; Revelation 22:19.) 1307_1; James 1:14, But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away Temptation Temptation is used in two senses: (1) Soliciation to evil (e.g., Genesis 3:1-6; Matthew 4:1; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 11:3-4; James 1:14). (2) Testing under trial (e.g., Genesis 22:1; Luke 22:28; Luke 4:2). Cf. Matthew 6:13 (solicitation to evil) and 1 Peter 1:6 (testing under trial). 1307_a; James 1:15, it bringeth forth sin and sin, when it is finished Sin, Romans 3:23. For more, See Note Page 1194_2. 1307_b; James 1:17, Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above The Word "Gift" Two words are used in the original for "gift" The first meaning the act of "giving" The second, the thing "given" 1307_c; James 1:17b, from the Father of lights, with whom is not variableness variation. 1307_d; James 1:18, Of his own will begat he us with the word The "Word" as a gift, John 1:13; 1 Peter 1:23. 1307_e; James 1:20, wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God Romans 3:21. See Note Page 1194_1 1307_f; James 1:21, lay apart all filthiness and superfluiity Overflowing of wickedness. 1307_g; James 1:21, engrafted word, which is able to save your souls Salvation, Romans 1:16. See Note Page 1192_1. 1307_h; James 1:22, But be ye doers of the word Walk The Talk, Matthew 7:21. 1307_i; James 1:25, But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty 2 Corinthians 3:18. 1307_j; James 1:25, looketh into the perfect law of liberty Law Of Christ, 1 John 2:7-8, 15. (Galatians 6:2; 2 John 1:5.) 1307_k; James 1:26, seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue Greek, threskos = outwardly religious. 1307_l; James 1:26b, bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart Psalm 34:13. 1307_m; James 1:27, Pure religion and undefiled before God Matthew 25:34-36. 1307_n; James 1:27, and to keep himself unspotted oneself. 1307_o; James 1:27b, keep himself unspotted fro the world kosmos = world-system, James 4:4. (John 7:7; Revelation 13:3-8; See Note Page 1342_2.) 1307_p; James 2:1, ourlord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory the Glory, . . . in the sense of Hebrews 1:8, Cf. as taking the place of the shekinah. 1307_q; James 2:1b, The Lord of glory, with respect of persons The Presence Of Christ. In the presence of Christ the Glory, earthly distinctions disappear. 1307_r; James 2:4, Are ye not then partial in yourselves Have ye not made a difference among yourselves. 1307_s; James 2:4b, and are become judges of evil thoughts with 1307_t; James 2:5, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen John 7:48; 1 Corinthians 1:26-28. 1307_u; James 2:5b, the poor of this world rich in faith kosmos = mankind, Matthew 4:8. 1307_v; James 2:5c, this world rich in faith Luke 12:21; 1 Timothy 6:18. 1307_w; James 2:7, Do not they blaspheme that worthy name excellent, or, beautiful. 1307_x; James 2:8, according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour Leviticus 19:18. 1307_y; James 2:9, But if ye have respect to persons Cf. James 2:1. 1307_z; James 2:9b, ye commit sin, and are convinced of thelaw Sin, Romans 3:23. See Note Page 1194_2. 1307_aa; James 2:10, keep the whole law, and yet offend Law of Moses, Revelation 12:17. (Exodus 19:1; Galatians 3:1-29.) 1307_bb; James 2:10b, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all Matthew 5:19; Galatians 3:10. 1307_cc; James 2:11, Do not commit adultery Exodus 20:13-14. 1307_dd; James 2:12, shall be judged by the law of liberty James 1:25; 1 Peter 2:16. 1308_a; James 2:13, no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth Micah 7:18. 1308_b; James 2:13, and mercy rejoiceth against judgment glorieth over. 1308_c; James 2:14, can faith save him? can [that] faith save him? 1308_d; James 2:14, can faith save him? Romans 1:16. See Note Page 1192_1. 1308_e; James 2:16, And one of you say 1 John 3:18. 1308_f; James 2:17, Even so faith, if it hath not works is dead Faith, Verses 17-20. Cf. James 5:15. Genesis 3:20; Hebrews 11:39.) 1308_g; James 2:17, if it hath not works, is dead, bing alone Cf. James 2:17, 26; John 15:2. 1308_h; James 2:18, shew me thy faith without thy works Colossians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; Hebrew 6:10. 1308_i; James 2:19, believest that there is one God God is one. 1308_j; James 2:19b, the devils also believe, and tremble demons, Matthew 8:29. Mark 1:24; Acts 16:17; 19:15. 1308_k; James 2:20, that faith without works is dead Verses 17, 26. 1308_l; James 2:21, not Abraham our father justified by works Romans 4:2. See Note Page 1196_1. 1308_m; James 2:22, and by works was faith made perfect?; James 3:2, the same is a perfect man Matthew 5:48. See Note Page 1001_1 1308_n; James 2:23, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him Jehovah. Genesis 15:6. 1308_o; James 2:23, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness Imputation. (Leviticus 25:50.) 1308_p; James 2:23, it was imputed unto him for righteousness Romans 3:21. See Note Page 1194_1. 1308_q; James 2:23, and he was called the Friend of God 2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8. 1308_r; James 2:25, Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified Joshua 2:1; Hebrews 11:31. 1308_s; James 2:26, For as the body without the spirit Cf. verses 17, 20. 1308_t; James 3:1, My brethren, be not many masters, knoing that we shall receive Teachers Held To Account Teachers, knowing that we shall have the more severe judgemnt. Cf. Mark 12:40. Those that take positions in the church and pose false doctrine to their students will be harshly dealt with. 1308_u; James 3:2, For in many things we offend all we all offend. 1308_v; James 3:3, Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths Jesus, Lord Of Our Speech Psalm 32:9. 1308_w; James 3:5, Even so the tongue is a little member Cf. Proverbs 12:18; 15:2. 1308_x; James 3:6, And the tongue is a fire Proberbs 16:27. 1308_y; James 3:6b, that it defileth the whole body Matthew 15:18. 1308_z; James 3:6c, and it is set on fire of hell Matthew 5:22. See Note Page 1000_2. 1308_aa; James 3:7, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things of the sea creeping things 1308_bb; James 3:8, unruly evil, full of deadly poison Psalms 140:3; Romans 3:13. 1308_cc; James 3:9, Therewith bless we God, even the Father God, Genesis 1:27. 1308_dd; James 3:9c, which are made after the similitude of God Genesis 1:26; 5:1; 9:6. 1308_ee; James 3:12, Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries Matthwe 7:16-20. 1308_ff; James 3:13, let him shew out of a good conversation his works behavior. 1309_a; James 3:15, This wisdom descendethnot from above Philippians 3:19; James 1:17. 1309_b; James 3:15, not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish Or,natural. 1309_c; James 3:17, But the wisdom that is from above Seminary Wisdom vs. God's Wisdom 1 Corinthians 2:6-7. 1309_d; James 3:17b, without partiality, and without hypocrisy Romans 12:9; 1 Peter 1:22. 1309_e; James 3:18, And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace righteousness, John 1:37. 1309_f; James 3:18b, sown in peace of them that make peace for them 1309_g; James 4:1, even of your lusts that war in your members Romans 7:23; Galatians 5:17; 1 Peter 2:11. 1309_h; James 4:3, Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss 1 John 5:14. 1309_i; James 4:3b, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts evilly. 1309_j; James 4:4, know ye not that the friendship of the world 1 John 2:15. 1309_k; James 4:4b, friendship of the world is enmity with God kosmos = world system. 2 Peter 1:4. (John 7:7; Revelation 13:3-8, See Note Page 1342_2.) 1309_l; James 4:4c, whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God John 15:19; 17:14; Galatians 1:4. 1309_m; James 4:5, Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain speaketh in vain? 1309_n; James 4:5b, The spirit that dwelleth Doth the Spirit . . . desire enviously? 1309_o; James 4:5c, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy Holy Spirit, 1 Peter 1:2, 11, 12, 22. (Matthew 1:18; Acts 2:4.) 1309_p; James 4:6, But he giveth more grace Grace Imparted, 1 Peter 2:19. (Romans 6:1; 2 Peter 3:18.) 1309_q; James 4:6b, Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud Proverbs 3:34. 1309_r; James 4:7, Resist the devil, and he will flee from you Satan, 1 Peter 5:8. (Genesis 3:1; Revelation 20:10.) 1309_s; James 4:8, Draw nigh to God 2 Chronicles 15:2; Malachi 3:7; Hebrews 10:19-22. 1309_t; James 4:8b, Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify Sin, Romans 3:23. See Note Page 1194_2. 1309_u; James 4:10, Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord Job 22:29; Luke 14:11; 18:14; 1 Peter 5:6. 1309_v; James 4:11, Speak not evil one of another Ephesians 4:31; 1 Peter 2:1. 1309_w; James 4:12, There is one lawgiver, who is able to save Matthew 10:28. 1309_x; James 4:12b, who is able to save and to destroy Romans 1:16. See Note Page 1192_1. 1309_y; James 4:13, Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow James 5:1, Go to now ye rich Paraphrased: Come on, now! You don't mean to tell me . . .!, Proverbs 27:1; Luke 12:18. 1309_z; James 4:14, It is even a vapour, that appearth for a little time Job 7:7; Psalm 102:3; 1 Peter 1:24. 1309_aa; James 4:15, ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live Acts 18:21; 1 Corinthians 4:19. 1309_bb; James 4:17, to him that knoweth to do good Luke 12:47; 2 Peter 2:21. 1309_cc; James 5:1, Go to now, ye rich men Proverbs 11:28; Luke 6:24. See Note Page 1309_y. 1309_dd; James 5:2, Your riches are corrupted Jeremiah 17:11. 1309_ee; James 5:3, Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days in the last days 1309_ff; James 5:4, have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth Jehovah of hosts. 1309_gg; James 5:5, Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth luxuriously. 1309_hh; James 5:5b, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts indulged yourselves. 1309_ii; James 5:6, and he doth not resist you Matthew 5:39. 1309_jj; James 5:7, Be patient therefore, breathren Or, be long patient, or suffer with long. 1309_kk; James 5:8, for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh Christ Second Advent, Hebrews 10:37-38. (Deuteronomy 30:3; Acts 1:9, 11.) 1309_ll; James 5:9, Grudge not one against another, brethren complain. 1310_a; James 5:10, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience Hebrews 11:35. 1310_b; James 5:11, we count them happy which endure Psalm 94:12; Matthew 5:10. 1310_c; James 5:11b, Ye have heard of the patience of Job Job 1:21. 1310_d; James 5:11, and have seen the end of the Lord Job 42:10. 1310_e; James 5:12, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth Matthew 5:34. Much has been made these days (2005, no longer required in court to swear on the Bible) about the not requirement to hold one's hand on the Word when swearing to "tell the truth." Some think that is a bad thing. In the worldly courts of our day it is this writer's impression that it is a good thing. This verse would seem to support NOT swearing on the Bible, or anything else. Not because one would not tell the truth, but more because we have a mandate from Scripture not to swear on anything, heaven or earth. ~~b craig PS: It would seem to make a joke of the Word of God to swear on the Bible while standing in our Un-Godly judges and courts of today. 1310_f; James 5:13, Is any merry? let him sing psalms Faith, 1 Peter 1:5, 9. (Genesis 3:20; Hebrews 11:39.) 1310_g; James 5:14, Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders Local Churches, 3 John 1:6, 9-10. (Acts 2:41; Philippians 1:1.) 1310_h; James 5:14, Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders Elders, 1 Peter 5:1. (Acts 11:30; Titus 1:5-9.) 1310_i; James 5:15, And the prayer of faith shall save Faith, 1 Peter 1:5, 9. (Genesis 3:20; Hebrews 11:39.) 1310_j; James 5:15a, b, "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick . . . if ye have committed sins, they shall be forgeven him Sin, Romans 3:23. See Note Page 1194_2. 1310_k; James 5:16, The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much Or, fervent supplication. 1310_l; James 5:16b, The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much Romans 10:10. See Note Page 1204_1. 1310_m; James 5:17, subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly 1 Kings 17:1. 1310_n; James 5:18, And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain 1 Kings 18:42. 1310_o; James 5:20, and shall hide a multitude of sins Proverbs 10:12. 1204_1; See James 5:16, The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much Romans 10:10 Righteousness Righteousness here, and in the passages which refer to Rom. 10. 10, means that righteousness of God which is judicially reckoned to all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ; believers are the righteous. See Rom. 3. 21, note. 1308_1; James 2:23, and it was imputed unto him Imputation. Imputation is the act of God whereby He accounts righteousness to the believer in Christ, who has borne the believer's sins in vindication of thelaw. Philemon 17-18. See Note Page 1286_1. 1286_1; Philemon 17, 18, 17 "If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. 18 If he hath wronged the, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine (1) account;" Verses 17, 18 perfectly illustrate imputation: "Receive him as myself" -- reckon tohim my merit; "If he hath wronged thee or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account" -- reckonto me his demerit. See "Imputation," Leviticus 25:50; James 2:23; Note Page 1308_1. 1192_1; Romans 1:16, it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; James 1:21b, engrafted word, which is able to save your souls Salvation. Romans 1:16 The Hebrew and Greek words for salvation imply the ideas of deliverance, safety, preservation, healing, and soundness. Salvation is the great inclusive word of the Gospel, gathering into itself all the redemptive acts and processes: as "Justification, redemption, grace, propitiation, imputation, forgiveness, sanctification, and glorification. Salvation is in three tenses: (1) The believer has been saved from the guilt and penalty of sin (Luke 7:50; 1 Cor. 1:18; 2 Cor. 2:15; Eph. 2:5, 8; 2 Tim. 1:9) and is safe. (2) The believer is being saved from the habit and dominion of sin (Rom. 6:14; Phil. 1:19; 2:12, 13; 2 Thes. 2:13; Rom. 8:2; Gal. 2:19, 20; 2 Cor. 3:18). (3) The believer is to be saved in the sense of entire conformity to Christ (Romans 13:11; Heb. 10:36; 1 Pet. 1:5; 1 John 3:2). Salvation is by grace through faith, is a free gift, and wholly without works (Rom. 3:27, 28; 4:1-8; 6:23; Eph. 2:8). The divine order is: first salvation, then works (Eph. 2:9, 10; Tit. 3:5-8). 1194_1; Romans 3:21, But not the righteousness of God without the law; James 1:20, the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God Righteousnes of God The righteousness of God is neither an attribute of God, nor the changed character of the believer, but Christ Himself, who fully met in our stead and behalf every demand of the law, and who is, by the act of God called imputation (Lev. 25. 50; Jas. 2. 23), "made unto us ... righteousness" (1 Cor. 1. 30). "The believer in Christ is now, by grace, shrouded under so complete and blessed a righteousness that the law from Mt. Sinai can find neither fault nor diminution therein. This is that which is called the righteousness of God by faith." —Bunyan. See 2 Cor. 5. 21; Rom. 4. 6; Rom. 10. 4; Phil. 3. 9. See Rom. 3. 26. 1194_2; James 2:9, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors James 1:15, it bringeth forth sin: and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death; Romans 3:23, For all have sinned, and come short John 9:2f, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents Acts 1:25, which Judas by transgression fell; Romans 3:23, For all have sinned, and come short 1 John 2:1, write I unto you, that ye sin not Romans 3:23 Sin, Summary: The literal meanings of the Heb. and Gr. words variously rendered "sin," "sinner," etc., disclose the true nature of sin in its manifold manifestations. Sin is transgression, an overstepping of the law, the divine boundary between good and evil (Psa. 51. 1; Luke 15. 29); iniquity, an act inherently wrong, whether expressly forbidden or not; error, a departure from right (Psa. 51.9; Rom. 3. 23); missing the mark, a failure to ireet the divine standard; trespass, the intrusion of self-will into the sphere of divine authority (Eph. 2. 1); lawlessness, or spiritual anarchy (1 Tim. 1. 9); unbelief, or an insult to the divine veracity (John 16. 9). Sin originated with Satan (Isa. 14. 12-14) Sin entered the world through Adam (Rom. 5. 12) Sin was, and is, universal, Christ alone excepted (Rom. 3. 23; I Pet. 2. 22) Sin incurs the penalties of spiritual and physical death (Gen. 2. 17; Gen. 3. 19; Ezek. 18. 4, Ezek. 13. 20; Rom. 6. 23); Sin has no remedy but in the sacrificial death of Christ (Heb. 9. 26; Acts 4. 12) availed of by faith (Acts 13. 38-39). Sin may be summarized as threefold: An act, the violation of, or want of obedience to the revealed will of God; a state, absence of righteousness; a nature, enmity toward God. 1196_1; Romans 4:2, For if Abraham were justified by works James 2:21, Was not Abraham our father justified by works Justification by Faith Cf. Romans 4:2; James 2:24. These are two aspects of one truth. Paul speaks of that which justifies man before God, viz.: faith alone, wholly apart from works; James of the proof before men, that he who professes to have justifying faith really has it. Paul speaks of what God sees—faith; James of what men see—works, as the visible evidence of faith. Paul draws his illustration from Gen. 15:6; James from Gen. 22:1-19. James' key-phrase is "ye see" (James 2:24), for men cannot see faith except as manifested through works. 1342_2; John 16:33, In the world ye shall have tribulaton Revelation 13:8, Lamb slain from the foundation of the world Kosmos, Summary: In the sense of the present world-system, the ethically bad sense of the word, refers to the "order," "arrangement," under which Satan has organized the world of unbelieving mankind upon his cosmic principles of force, greed, selfishness, ambition, and pleasure (Matt. 4:8,9; John 12:31; John 14:30; John 18:36; Eph. 2:2; Eph. 6:12; 1 John 2:15-17). This world-system is imposing and powerful with armies and fleets; is often outwardly religious, scientific, cultured, and elegant; but, seething with national and commercial rivalries and ambitions, is upheld in any real crisis only by armed force, and is dominated by Satanic principles. 1000_2; James 3:6, and it is set on fire of hell See Note Page 1308_z Matthew 5:22 Hell Greek word Geenna = Gehenna, the place in the valley of Hinnom where, anciently, human sacrifices were offered (2 Chr. 33:6; Jer. 7:31). The word occurs, Matt 5:22, 29, 30; Matt. 10:28; Matt. 18:9; Matt. 23:15, 33; Mark 9:43, 45, 47; Luke 12:5; James 3:6. In every instance except the last the word comes from the lips of Jesus Christ in most solemn warning of the consequences of sin. He describes it as the place where "their" worm never dies and of fire never to be quenched. The expression is identical in meaning with "lake of fire" (Rev. 19:20; Rev. 20:10, 14, 15). See "Death, the second" (John 8:24; Rev. 21:8); also Luke 16:23, note. Additional Resources  â€¢ Burton Coffman  â€¢ Barnes' New Testament  â€¢ Darby's Synopsis  â€¢ Gill's Exposition  â€¢ Geneva Study Bible  â€¢ David Guzik's Commentaries  â€¢ Jamieson, Fausset, Brown  â€¢ Matthew Henry Complete  â€¢ Matthew Henry Concise  â€¢ People's New Testament  â€¢ Robertson's Word Pictures  â€¢ Treasury of Scripture  â€¢ Wesley's Explanatory Notes Top of SRB References ^ Top of JFB Comentary ^ Top Of Adam Clarke Commentary ^ Top of Page ^ Copyright Statement The Adam Clarke Commentary is a derivative of an electronic edition prepared by GodRules.net. Bibliography Information Clarke, Adam. "Commentary on James 1". "The Adam Clarke Commentary". <http://www.studylight.org/com/acc/view.cgi?book=jas&chapter=001>. 1832.