Bible Commentaries

James 1:4

"But let patience have her perfect work." James 1:4

Patience then has its work; and what is that?

1. To ENDURE all trials, live through all temptations, bear all crosses, carry all loads, fight all battles, toil through all difficulties, and overcome all enemies.

2. To SUBMIT to the will of God, to own that he is Lord and King, to have no will or way of its own, no scheme or plan to please the flesh, avoid the cross, or escape the rod; but to submit simply to God's righteous dealings, both in providence and grace, believing that he does all things well, that he is a Sovereign, "and works all things according to the counsel of his own will."

Now until the soul is brought to this point, the work of patience is not perfect; it may be going on, but it is not consummated. You may be in the furnace of temptation now, passing through the fiery trial. Are you rebellious or submissive? If still rebellious, you must abide in the furnace until you are brought to submission; and not only James 1:4

The word "perfect" in the Scripture does not mean, as applied to a saint of God, anything approaching to the usual idea of perfection, as implying spotless, sinless holiness, but one who is "matured" and ripened in the life of God, no longer a child but a grown man. As a tree grown to its full stature is said to have attained perfection; so when the Lord the Spirit has brought forth the work of patience in your soul, as far as regards that work you are perfect, for it is God's work in you; and so far you are "entire," that James 1:18

"Of his own will he begat us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." James 1:18

If we look at the work of the Spirit on the heart, we shall see how, in all his sacred dealings and gracious movements, he invariably employs truth as his grand instrument. Does he pierce and wound? It is by the truth; for the "sword of the Spirit is the word of God," and that we know is "the word of truth." If he mercifully heals, if he kindly blesses, it is still by means of truth; for the promise Ephesians 1:18-19). Has he ears? It is to hear the truth ( Isaiah 55:3; Luke 9:44). Has he hands? It is to lay hold of and embrace the truth ( Proverbs 4:13; Isaiah 27:5; Hebrews 6:18). Has he feet? It is that he may walk in the truth ( Psalm 119:45; Luke 1:6; 3:1-38; John 1:4). Has he a mouth? "Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it." It is that he may feed upon the truth, the living truth, yes, upon His flesh who is truth itself ( John 6:35 ,6).