JAMES 2:22

Victor M. Eskew

 

Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

 

1.    Seest

A.   Strong (991):  to look at (literally or figuratively)  :- perceive

B.    Thayer:  to see, discern…to see with the mind’s eye, to have (the power of) under-standing, to discern mentally, observe, perceive, discover, understand.

C.   Vine:  …to perceive…expressing a more intent, earnest contemplation (II Cor. 7:8)

 

2.    Faith

A.   Strong (4102):  persuasion…moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession

B.    Thayer:  conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or  belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the

 included idea of trust and holy fervor born of faith and joined with it.

C.   Vine:  firm persuasion, a conviction based upon hearing; is used in the NT always of faith in God or Christ or things spiritual

 

3.    Wrought with

A.   Strong (4903):  to be a fellow worker, that is, co-operate  :- help (work) with, work    (-er) together

B.    Thayer:  to work together, help in work, be partaker in labour, to put forth power together with and thereby assist

C.   Vine:  to work with or together, to help in work, to co-operate, be a co-worker

 

4.    Works

A.   Strong (2041):  to work; toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication an act

B.    Thayer:  an act, deed, thing done:  the idea of working emphasized in opposition to that which is less than work

C.   Vine:  work…denotes every activity undertaken for Christ’s sake

 

5.    Perfect

A.   Strong (5048):  to complete, that is, (literally) accomplish

B.    Thayer:  to make perfect, complete, to complete (perfect), add what is yet wanting to render a thing full

C.   Vine:  to bring to an end by completing or perfecting