The Engrafted Word James 1:21

The “twelve tribes scattered abroad” were exhorted by James, the “servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” to be “swift to hear, slow to speak” and “slow to wrath” because “the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God.” In chapter one and verse twenty-one of his letter, James continued his urging by telling them to “receive with meekness the engrafted word” where we read:

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

The verse begins, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness,...” James began with the word, “Wherefore” which is a conclusion word that means “on account of, through, consequently and therefore” “lay apart” or “put off, aside or away” “all filthiness” which means “each, every, any, the whole, everyone, all things, everything that is filthy, befouled and dishonored” “and superfluity” or “abundance, superiority, preference, pre-eminence, gain, profit, superabundantly and superfluously” “of naughtiness” which refers to “malignity, malice, ill-will, desire to injure, wickedness, depravity, evil and trouble”. Because “the wrath of man” does not “work the righteousness of God”, James' readers were to draw the conclusion to “put away” everything that was “foul, dishonorable and abundant in malice and ill-will”.

The verse goes on to say, “...and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” James continued, “and receive” or “take with the hand, take hold of, take up or get” “with meekness” which means “mildness of disposition and gentleness of spirit” “the engrafted” or “inborn, implanted by nature and by others instruction” “word” which means “speech, utterance, conception, decree, mandate, discourse or idea”, “which is able” or “has power whether by virtue of own's own ability, resources, state of mind or capability” “to save” which means “keep safe and sound or rescue from danger, destruction, injury or peril” “your souls” or “the seat of feelings, desires, affections and aversions”. Rather than involve themselves in ungodly activities, the people within the “twelve tribes scattered abroad” were to “take in” with “gentleness of spirit” God's “nature and instruction” through the “utterance, conception, mandate and discourse” of His “word”. This would “divert” them from “danger, destruction, injury and peril” to the “seat of their feelings and affections”.

When we meditate upon these words of James, we see the value of putting aside “evil manners and ways” and embracing the “word of God”. God desires for us to know His ways and live in a manner that pleases Him. We do this best by “receiving” His “inborn and implanted” “word” and by following His instructions. Jesus Christ wants us to have a relationship with Him, and as we hear the direction of the Lord, we will flee from “filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness” and live in a manner that is delightful to Him.

Next time James tells his readers to “be doers of the word and not hearers only”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.