Yakobus 1

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Yakobus 1:1

Yakobus, hamba Allah dan Tuhan Yesus Kristus,
Kepada dua belas suku yang tersebar di luar negeri: Salam.

(a) Yakobus, Several men named James are mentioned in the New Testament, but it is traditionally believed that this James was James the Just, the step-brother of Jesus (Matt. 13:55, Mark 6:3, Gal. 1:19). As a younger man, James did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah (John 7:5). However, after the risen Lord appeared to him (1 Cor. 15:7), James became a new man. Later he became the letter-writing leader of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 15:13, 21:18, 25, Gal. 2:9). According to Josephus, James was martyred for his faith in AD62 (Barang antik, 20.9.1).

(b) Seorang hamba Tuhan. James’ humility is astonishing. Although he was an apostle (Gal. 1:19), he introduces himself as a servant (see masuk for Rom. 1:1). Although he grew up in the same household as Jesus, he says nothing about his pedigree. His performance and reputation do not matter. What matters is Jesus our Lord and Christ.

(c) Tuhan Yesus Kristus; Lihat masuk for Jas. 2:1.

(d) Kepada dua belas suku of Israel. The Jews were known as the twelve tribes because Israel had twelve sons (Rev. 21:12). James does not address his letter to a specific church but to the scattered Jews. He writes about subjects that were well-known to the Jews, including Abraham (Jas. 2:21–23), the law (e.g., Jas. 2:9–11), and faith in the one true God (Jas. 2:19). Yet it would be a mistake to dismiss James’ letter as irrelevant to our modern age. The themes James expounds on – faith, salvation, and wisdom – are timeless and universal. We all need to hear the gospel according to James.

(e) Tersebar di luar negeri. In New Testament times, there were Jews living all over the world, and many of them visited Jerusalem during the major festivals. On the Day of Pentecost, there were Jews “from every nation under heaven” (Acts 2:5). Jews who came to Jerusalem encountered Jewish Christians and heard about the Messiah who had risen from the dead. Some became believers who carried the good news back to their homes. These new believers needed training, so James, the leader of the Jerusalem church, wrote a letter that they could take with them. This letter would have been copied and circulated among the expatriate Jewish communities.

James expected that his letter would be read out in the assemblies or synagogues (see Jas. 2:2) because that’s where Jews met. For this reason, James wrote for two audiences; (1) those who had received the righteousness that comes by faith in Christ and are known as God’s friends (Jas. 2:1, 23), and (2) those foolish fellows (Jas. 2:20) and sinners (Jas. 4:8) who lack saving faith (Jas. 2:14) and remain enemies of God (Jas. 4:4). So one letter, two messages. Failure to distinguish between these two audiences and messages has led some to wrongly conclude that James was confused about grace or that he preached a message of grace plus works. Some have even suggested his letter should not be in the Bible!

What we take from James’ letter depends on which message we hear. Those who love the Lord are encouraged to rejoice and persevere in trials (Jas. 1:2–3), and patiently await the Lord’s return (Jas. 5:7–8) knowing that we will receive a crown of life (Jas. 1:12). In contrast, those who are relying on their own righteousness hear that their faith is dead and useless (Jas. 2:17, 4:4), and that they need to humble themselves, submit to God, and receive the word that can save their souls (Jas. 1:21, 4:7, 10).

(f) Salam. This customary salutation (Acts 15:23, 23:26) can be contrasted with the “grace and peace” greetings of the church epistles (see masuk for Rom. 1:7). Paul, Peter and Jude greeted fellow believers with warm affirmations of grace and peace. In contrast, those New Testament letters which were written for wider audiences (Hebrews, James, 1 John), lacked these affectionate greetings.

Yakobus 1:2

Anggaplah itu semua sukacita, saudara-saudaraku, ketika kamu menghadapi berbagai cobaan,

(a) Anggap saja itu semua kebahagiaan. Menderita melalui pencobaan bukanlah suatu hal yang menyenangkan; Sukacita datang karena menemukan hal-hal baru tentang kasih dan kebaikan Tuhan di tengah pencobaan yang kita alami.

From time to time, we all experience trials that test our faith. An immature believer sees only the trial, but a mature believer has learned to view trials as opportunities to grow in grace. They rejoice because they know that what the enemy intends for evil, God will repurpose for good (Gen. 50:20, Rom. 8:28).

(b) saudara-saudara; Lihat masuk for Jas. 1:16.

(c) Berbagai cobaan, ujian atau cobaan. Pencobaan adalah krisis yang akan menggoda Anda untuk mempertanyakan janji, perlindungan, dan penyediaan Tuhan.

A trial is Abraham wondering whether God told him to offer up his son (Jas. 2:21). Apakah Tuhan benar-benar mengatakan hal itu? It’s Rahab taking in the spies of Israel (Jas. 2:25). Akankah Tuhan menyelamatkanku? It’s Job losing everything (Jas. 5:11). Dimana Tuhan? Situasinya mungkin berbeda, namun pencobaan apa pun merupakan krisis iman jika hal itu menyebabkan kita bertanya, bisakah aku mempercayai Tuhan?

Yakobus 1:3

mengetahui, bahwa ujian terhadap imanmu menghasilkan ketekunan.

(a) Penuh arti. Di bawah perjanjian lama, penekanannya adalah pada sedang mengerjakan, namun dalam perjanjian baru penekanannya adalah pada penuh arti. Knowing Christ in your daily life is the essence of wisdom (1 Pet. 1:5).

(b) Ujian bagi keimananmu. Saat Anda melewati pencobaan, kualitas luar biasa dari iman yang diberikan Tuhan kepada Anda akan terungkap.

The trials of life are not to see whether we are made of the right stuff or whether we can manufacture iron-clad faith, for we can’t manufacture faith at all. Faith is something to receive (2 Pet. 1:1). Faith that endures is a gift from God, and we get it from hearing the good news of Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8). Because Christ endured, you will endure.

(c) Pengujian. Kata aslinya (dokimion) berarti membuktikan dengan cara seorang assayer menguji dan menyetujui emas.

God’s gifts are flawless and perfect (Jas. 1:17), but you won’t know how good God’s gifts are until their qualities have been revealed in the fire of life’s trials and hardships. It is only in the furnace of your afflictions that you discover your God-given faith is more precious than gold (1 Pet. 1:7).

(d) Menghasilkan daya tahan. Jesus is the Living and Enduring Word who gives you the strength to endure (1 Pet. 1:23). When you allow the word of the Lord to take root in your heart, you will endure.

Memimpin sebuah gereja di kota paling religius di dunia pastilah sulit bagi James. Meskipun dia dianiaya dan akhirnya dibunuh oleh para pemimpin agama yang korup, dia bertahan dan mempertahankan keyakinannya. Yakobus tidak bertahan bukan karena ia mempunyai kekuatan yang besar, tetapi karena ia telah belajar untuk bersandar pada kasih karunia Allah yang besar (lihat masuk for Jas. 4:6).

The apostle Paul had a similar testimony. He and his companions were tested far beyond their ability to endure. At times, their trials were so severe that they thought they were going to die (2 Cor. 1:8). Yet they endured because they had a revelation of the God who raises the dead (2 Cor. 1:9).

Bacaan lebih lanjut: "Ujian imanmu”

Yakobus 1:4

Dan biarlah ketekunan itu membuahkan hasil yang sempurna, supaya kamu sempurna dan utuh, tidak kekurangan apa pun.

(a) Ketahanan bukanlah hasil yang harus kita perjuangkan, melainkan buah yang kita hasilkan ketika kita bersandar pada kasih Bapa kita yang pantang menyerah.

The love of God endures all things (1 Cor. 13:7). As we abide in his love we endure too.
Kita tidak tahan untuk menjadi orang Kristen; kita bertahan karena kita adalah anak-anak Allah yang sangat kita kasihi dan kita tahu bahwa tidak ada yang dapat memisahkan kita dari kasih Bapa kita.

(b) Hasil yang sempurna. Ketika Anda telah belajar untuk memercayai Tuhan dalam pencobaan Anda, Anda akan menjadi dewasa sepenuhnya.

Sangat mudah untuk memercayai Tuhan di saat-saat yang menyenangkan, namun Penebus kita akan menggunakan cobaan hidup untuk mengungkapkan kasih dan anugerah-Nya kepada kita dengan cara yang baru dan lebih dalam. Itu tidak terjadi begitu saja. Ada proses yang terlibat dan itu dimulai dengan memiliki sikap yang benar (anggaplah itu semua sebagai kegembiraan; ayat 2), dan pola pikir yang benar (mengetahui bahwa ujian terhadap iman Anda membawa pada hal-hal yang baik; ayat 3). Idealnya kita akan mendapat tempat peristirahatan dalam kasih Bapa kita. Ini merupakan pernyataan kasih Allah yang besar bagi kita yang memberdayakan kita untuk bertumbuh dan bertahan.

(c) Sempurna dan lengkap. Kata asli untuk sempurna (teleios) adalah kata sifat yang artinya lengkap, jadi bisa dibaca “lengkap sepenuhnya dan tidak ada kekurangan apa pun”. Ketika Anda dengan sabar melewati pencobaan hidup dan percaya kepada Tuhan, Anda telah berkembang dan menjadi dewasa sepenuhnya.

(d) Tidak kekurangan apa pun. You are complete in Christ (Col. 2:10). In him, you lack nothing, but you may not realize you lack nothing until you’ve been tested by the trials of life. Sometimes we have to exhaust all our resources and strength before we realize just how strong we are in him (see 2 Cor. 12:10).

Yakobus 1:5

Tetapi jika ada di antara kamu yang kekurangan hikmah, hendaklah dia meminta kepada Allah yang memberikan segala sesuatunya dengan murah hati dan tanpa cela, niscaya akan diberikan kepadanya.

(a) Kebijaksanaan adalah kemampuan untuk membuat keputusan yang baik dan penilaian yang baik. Kebijaksanaan adalah mengetahui bagaimana berjalan sesuai dengan perkenanan dan kehendak Tuhan.

Wisdom is only as good as the knowledge on which it is based which is why we can distinguish between earthly and heavenly wisdom (Jas. 3:15–17). Wisdom that comes from above is informed by the supernatural insight and revelation of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13).

When we go through trials, it is easy to get disoriented and lose our way. The temptation is to take matters into our own hands and do what seems right in our own eyes, but in that way lie death and disaster (Pro. 14:12). A better option is to ask the Father for the wisdom that comes from above. His wisdom releases the righteousness and favor of heaven into our lives (1 Cor. 1:30).

(b) Tanya Tuhan. Asking is how we receive (Matt. 7:7).

Manmade religion says, “You do not have because you are not good enough.” To this wisdom replies, “You do not have because you do not ask” (Jas. 4:2). Religion says you need to get cleaned up before you approach the Lord. But grace replies, do not hesitate to come to the throne of grace in your hour of need (Heb. 4:16).

(c) Tuhan, siapa yang memberi. The devil wants you to think that God is a taker, but Jesus revealed a Father who loves to give us good things (John 3:16). Every good gift comes from him (Jas. 1:17). The only thing he’ll take from you is your sin, guilt and shame.

(d) Dengan murah hati. The One who gave us his Son will freely give you an abundance of what you need (Rom. 8:32).

Religion portrays God as mean and stingy, but our Father’s generosity has no limits. He who provides you with everything you need for life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3), has abundantly supplied you with an entrance into his kingdom (2 Pet 1:11).

(e) Tanpa cela. God will never judge you or condemn you. He will never withdraw his presence or withhold his favor from you. How can he when he has already blessed us with every blessing in Christ (Eph. 1:3)? The issue is not akan Tuhan berikan? Tetapi akankah kamu menerima?

Kadang-kadang Anda mungkin merasa telah gagal sedemikian rupa sehingga Anda tidak berani mendekat kepada Tuhan. “Saya mengacau. Saya harus memperbaikinya.” Tahan godaan itu! Prioritas Anda bukanlah bertindak tetapi bertanya. Sebelum Anda melakukan apa pun, mintalah hikmat kepada Tuhan. Bersandarlah pada Roh Kudus dan izinkan Dia membimbing Anda kembali ke jalan pemberi kehidupan.

(f) Akan diberikan. Tidak ada keraguan, kecuali, dan mungkin jika menyangkut anugerah Tuhan yang melimpah ruah. Ayahmu tidak mengharapkanmu untuk melewati rintangan atau berkorban untuk mendapatkan kebaikannya. Dia memberi karena sudah menjadi sifatnya untuk memberi.

Yakobus 1:6

Tetapi ia harus meminta dengan penuh keimanan dan tidak ada keragu-raguan, karena orang yang ragu-ragu itu bagaikan ombak laut yang terombang-ambing oleh angin.

(a) Mintalah dengan iman. The only condition for receiving is believing (Matt. 21:22, Mark 11:24). Faith is not wishful thinking, and asking in faith does not mean saying the right words or praying a special prayer or confessing your sins. Asking in faith is being confident of your Father’s goodness towards you (1 John 5:14). It is resting in his love knowing that your heavenly Father has great dreams and good gifts for you (Jer. 29:11, Jas. 1:17). See also the masuk untuk Iman.

(b) Tanpa ragu sedikit pun. Keraguan adalah pembunuh iman. Kita memberi makan iman kita dan menghilangkan keraguan kita dengan mengingatkan diri kita akan janji-janji Allah yang berharga. (melihat masuk for 2 Pet. 1:4).

(c) Ombak laut. Orang yang ragu-ragu dan bimbang dalam ketidakpastian mempunyai pikiran seperti lautan yang diombang-ambingkan badai.

Yakobus 1:7

Sebab orang itu tidak boleh berharap bahwa ia akan menerima apa pun dari Tuhan,

(a) Orang itu. Orang yang ragu (lihat ayat sebelumnya).

(b) Menerima. It’s not that God withholds his grace from doubters, for our Father is a generous giver who freely gives to all who ask in faith. But when we doubt his goodness, we have trouble receiving or enjoying what he provides. An example: The gospel declares that everything you need for life and godliness comes to you by grace through your knowledge of him who called us (2 Pet. 1:3). But if you doubt this good news, perhaps because you think you need to pray or confess more before God will bless you, then you will have trouble receiving the grace that has already been provided. The remedy is to abandon your dead works, renew your doubting mind, and receive in faith.

Yakobus 1:8

menjadi orang yang berpikiran ganda, tidak stabil dalam segala jalannya.

(a) Berpikiran ganda. Berada dalam dua pikiran berarti merasa tidak yakin, dan ketika Anda tidak yakin, Anda tidak dapat berjalan dalam iman.

When describing faith, the epistle writers use words like certain, sure, persuaded, and convinced (see Rom. 4:21, Heb. 11:1). But those who are trusting in their own goodness or religious performance are seldom certain or convinced about the grace of God. They may have a partial grasp. “I’ve been saved by grace.” But their dead works testify to their uncertainty and unbelief. “Now it’s up to me to maintain my salvation.” See also (see masuk for Jas. 4:8).

(b) Tidak stabil. Kata aslinya (akatastatos) is sometimes translated as restless (e.g., Jas. 3:8). Those who have not learned to abide in the love of God are restless and unstable. They are tossed and turned by every wind of teaching (Eph. 4:14). One day they’re thanking God for his grace; the next they’re back under law. Because they have not entered the rest of the Lord, they drift through life bearing little fruit.

Yakobus 1:9–10

Tetapi saudara yang keadaannya sederhana akan bermegah dalam kedudukannya yang tinggi; dan orang kaya akan bermegah dalam kehinaannya, karena ia akan mati seperti rumput yang berbunga.

(a) Saudara dari keadaan yang sederhana. Orang yang tidak punya apa-apa – tidak punya uang, tidak punya reputasi, tidak punya status.

(b) Kejayaan. Kata aslinya (Ayo) artinya menyombongkan diri. Kami bermegah karena Tuhan yang meninggikan orang yang rendah hati dan mengaruniakan rahmat kepada orang yang rendah hati.

(c) Posisinya yang tinggi. We boast because God has chosen the poor nobodies to shame the rich somebodies (1 Cor. 1:27–28, Jas. 2:5).

In the eyes of the world, the rich are winners and the poor are losers. But in the kingdom of grace, the losers have the advantage. “Blessed are you who are poor and woe to you who are rich” said Jesus (Luke 6:20, 24). It’s not that God has anything against the rich, but the rich are often too invested in the fleeting pleasures of this world to give much thought for the better life that Christ offers. “It is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:23).

(d) Orang kaya. Merekalah yang menjadi pemenang di mata dunia. Melihat masuk for Jas. 5:1.

(e) Kemuliaan dalam penghinaannya. Direndahkan bukanlah akhir dari dunia. Kebangkrutan, skandal, dan cobaan hidup dapat membawa hasil yang baik jika hal-hal tersebut membuat Anda kehabisan sumber daya dan membuat Anda berseru kepada Tuhan. Hal terburuk yang terjadi pada kita bisa menjadi titik balik yang mulia jika hal itu menuntun kita untuk bersandar pada Tuhan.

(f) Meninggal. Life is short (Jas. 4:14). Don’t invest in treasure that rusts, but live with eternity in mind.

Yakobus 1:11

Sebab matahari terbit disertai angin terik dan rumput layu; dan bunganya rontok dan keindahan penampilannya hancur; demikian pula orang kaya yang sedang sibuk mengejarnya akan lenyap.

(a) Matahari brings heat and hardship (Jon. 4:8). Money and power offer no real security against life’s trials. Just as the sun withers the grass, the hardships of life undo us all.

(b) Membuat rumput layu. The rich man fades away because his heart is bound to the transitory treasures of this earth. In contrast, those whose hearts have embraced the word of the Lord endure forever (Is. 40:7–8).

(c) Orang kaya; Lihat masuk for Jas. 5:1.

(d) Di tengah pengejarannya. While the rich are busy pursuing wealth and influence, death will come (Luke 12:20–21).

(e) Akan memudar. Akan menjadi tua, mati, dan dilupakan.

Yakobus 1:12

Berbahagialah orang yang bertekun dalam pencobaan; karena sekali dia telah disetujui, dia akan menerima mahkota kehidupan yang telah Tuhan janjikan kepada mereka yang mengasihi Dia.

(a) Berbahagialah orang yang bertahan dalam pencobaan. The trials of life teach us to rely on God (Jas. 1:3), and the more we rely on God the more we experience his peace, joy, and all his blessings.

Ketekunan Kristen tidak ada hubungannya dengan sikap tabah dalam menghadapi kesulitan. Iman Kristen aktif; ia mempertimbangkan (ayat 2), ia mengetahui (ayat 3), ia bertanya (ayat 5). Iman bersandar pada Tuhan, menerima rahmat-Nya dan makmur. Lihat juga masuk for Jas. 5:11.

(b) Disetujui. Kata aslinya (dokimo) adalah versi kata sifat dari pengujian kata benda (dokimion) from verse 3. It means proving in the way an assayer tests and approves gold. Just as life’s trials prove that your faith is good-as-gold (Jas. 1:3), they also prove that Anda are as good-as-gold and safe in the Lord’s mighty hands (John 10:28–29, 1 Cor. 1:8, 2 Cor. 1:21). Nothing life throws at you can separate you from your Father’s great love (Rom. 8:38–39).

(c) Menerima. In the old covenant you gave, but in the new covenant we receive. We receive the word (Mark 4:16), we receive love (1 John 4:19), we receive grace (Rom. 5:17), we receive faith (2 Pet. 1:1), we receive salvation (Rom. 6:23), we receive Christ (Col. 2:6), we receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), we receive righteousness (Rom. 5:17), we receive peace (John 14:27), we receive wisdom (Jas. 1:5), we receive the crown of life (Jas. 1:12), we receive the reward of our inheritance (Col. 3:24), and we receive rest (Matt. 11:28–29). Every blessing comes to us as a free gift from God (Eph. 1:3, Jas. 1:17).

(d) Mahkota kehidupan adalah kehidupan kekal yang Anda miliki dalam persatuan dengan Raja Yesus. Berbeda dengan karangan bunga kekayaan duniawi yang semakin memudar, mereka yang mengasihi Tuhan dimahkotai dengan kehidupan abadi.

Jika Anda dibesarkan dengan pola pikir religius, Anda mungkin membaca bagian ini sebagai semacam ujian keselamatan. “Jika aku tersandung, aku tidak akan menerima mahkota kehidupan.” Dengan kata lain, Anda harus tampil dan menang untuk memenangkan mahkota. Namun dalam perjanjian baru kita berpegang pada kinerja Kristus. Kami diuji dan disetujui di dalam Kristus. Kita dibenarkan di hadapan Allah karena apa yang telah dilakukan Kristus. Performa Anda tidak berpengaruh. Bagian Anda adalah menerima dengan rasa syukur mahkota yang telah dipersembahkan.

(e) Kepada mereka yang mencintainya. Mahkota kehidupan kekal diberikan kepada mereka yang mengasihi Tuhan, apapun cobaan yang kita hadapi dan seberapa baik kita menghadapinya.

Bacaan lebih lanjut: "Apakah ras Kristen adalah maraton?”

Yakobus 1:13

Janganlah seorang pun berkata ketika ia dicobai, “Aku dicobai oleh Allah”; karena Allah tidak dapat dicobai oleh kejahatan, dan Dia sendiri tidak mencobai siapa pun.

(a) Tergoda. Kata aslinya (peirazo) is sometimes translated as tested (e.g., Rev. 2:10).

(b) “Saya sedang dicobai oleh Tuhan.” Jangan salahkan Tuhan atas masalahmu.

Saat kita menderita kerugian, kita mungkin berpikir, “Tuhan sedang mengujiku.” Dia tidak. Allah adalah Pemberi, bukan pencuri (lihat masuk for Jas. 1:5).

(c) Dia sendiri tidak menggoda siapa pun. Jika sesuatu yang jahat menghampiri Anda, bisa dipastikan itu bukan dari Tuhan. Mereka yang mencobai atau menguji Anda sedang melakukan pekerjaan si Penggoda (yaitu, iblis, lihat masuk for Matt. 4:3).

Bacaan lebih lanjut: "Apakah Tuhan pencipta kejahatan?”

Yakobus 1:14

Tetapi masing-masing dicobai ketika dia terbawa dan dipikat oleh nafsunya sendiri.

(a) Masing-masing tergoda. We are all tempted from time to time. Even Jesus was tempted in all things yet remained without sin (Heb. 4:15). It is not a sin to be tempted, but when we yield to temptation it can lead to sin.

(b) Terbawa pergi. Kata aslinya (excelko) bisa berarti diseret. Hawa nafsu bisa memancing kita ke dalam masalah hingga terseret seperti ikan yang terpancing.

(c) Tertarik. Kata aslinya (deleazo) means entrap. It is the desires of our flesh that ensnare us. This is why we are exhorted to present our bodies as slaves to righteousness (Rom. 6:19), and as holy and living sacrifices (Rom. 12:1). Your “body of sin” is not evil, but it is the battleground where you engage with sin (see masuk for Rom. 6:6). By the grace of God, it is a battle you can win (see Tit. 2:11–12).

(d) Terpikat oleh nafsunya sendiri. Keinginanmu tidak dapat menggodaku dan keinginanku tidak dapat menggodamu. Saat kita terjatuh dalam dosa, kita tidak bisa menyalahkan siapapun kecuali diri kita sendiri dan keinginan kita sendiri.

Yakobus 1:15

Kemudian ketika nafsu telah dibuahi, ia melahirkan dosa; dan ketika dosa selesai, itu menghasilkan kematian.

(a) Melahirkan dosa. Sin doesn’t spring out of thin air but is conceived and birthed within. The best way to avoid giving birth to sin is not to get pregnant in the first place. When your flesh remembers old desires that you once had, remind yourself that you are a new creation with new desires (2 Cor. 5:17). Reckon yourself dead to sin and alive to God in Christ (Rom. 6:11). Remind yourself that you are done with that inferior way of life (Gal. 5:24, 1 Pet. 1:14), and you are righteous in him (2 Cor. 5:21).

(b) Itu melahirkan kematian. Sin comes with a price tag (Rom. 6:23).

Jika kita menabur dalam daging, kita akan menuai kehancuran. Selingkuhlah pasangan Anda dan Anda mungkin menghancurkan pernikahan Anda. Curang pemasok Anda dan Anda dapat menghancurkan bisnis Anda. Akibat-akibat ini sepenuhnya disebabkan oleh diri sendiri dan tidak ada hubungannya dengan hukuman Tuhan.

While sin may destroy you and everything you love, it will never cause God to kick you out of his family. Since you were not qualified by your good works, you cannot be disqualified by your bad works. The Holy Spirit within you is God’s pledge or guarantee that he will bring to completion the good work he has begun in you (2 Cor. 1:22, Php. 1:6).

Yakobus 1:16

Jangan tertipu, saudara-saudaraku yang terkasih.

(a) Jangan tertipu. Jangan tertipu. Jangan percaya pada kebohongan yang mengatakan “Tuhan membuatku menderita.” Jangan seperti Ayub yang menyalahkan Tuhan atas penderitaannya (lihat masuk for Jas. 1:19).

(b) Saudara-saudara terkasih. James menulis dari tempat cinta.

Although James says some hard things in his letter, occasionally referring to people as foolish, adulterers, and enemies of God (Jas. 2:20, 4:4), his words are motivated by love. He cares deeply for his readers, and his tone reminds us of Jesus.

(c) saudara. Dalam surat-surat Perjanjian Baru, kata saudara laki-laki often implies Christian brothers and sisters, but not always (e.g., Heb. 2:17, 7:5). When James is commending his brethren for holding to the faith of Christ (Jas. 2:1), he is speaking to his Kristen kakak beradik. Namun ketika dia menantang saudara-saudaranya karena kurangnya iman mereka atau ketidakmampuan mereka untuk menaati Hukum Musa, dia sedang berbicara kepada saudaranya yang belum diselamatkan. Yahudi brothers (Jas. 2:14, 4:11). As usual, context matters (see masuk for Jas. 1:1).

Yakobus 1:17

Setiap hal baik yang diberikan dan setiap pemberian yang sempurna adalah dari atas, turun dari Bapa segala terang, yang pada-Nya tidak ada perubahan atau bayangan yang berubah.

(a) Setiap hal baik diberikan. Tuhan adalah Pemberi di balik setiap pemberian yang baik. Dia adalah Sumber utama kehidupan dan cinta, kedamaian dan kegembiraan, istirahat dan kepuasan, kenyamanan dan kesenangan, harapan dan keamanan, keluarga dan teman, bintang dan matahari terbenam. Semua hal baik mempunyai sidik jarinya.

(b) Setiap hadiah yang sempurna. Tuhan memberi Anda cinta yang sempurna, pengampunan yang sempurna, dan kekudusan yang sempurna. Dan Tuhan memberi Anda kebenaran-Nya yang sempurna yang tidak dapat diperbaiki. Pekerjaan atau pengorbanan apa pun yang mungkin Anda tambahkan pada pemberiannya hanya akan mengurangi kesempurnaannya. Tetapi jika Anda menerima karunia-Nya yang sempurna, Anda akan menjadi sempurna di dalam Kristus, lengkap dalam segala hal

(c) Bapak segala terang. God is our Father (Jas. 3:9), and his children shine like lights in a dark world (Matt. 5:14, Php. 2:15).

(d) Tidak ada variasi. God never changes (Heb. 13:8). “For I, the Lord, do not change” (Mal. 3:6). God does not bless you one day and curse you the next. He does not give good gifts only to take them away again (Rom. 11:29). He is good all the time.

Yakobus 1:18

Dalam melaksanakan kehendak-Nya, Dia melahirkan kita dengan firman kebenaran, sehingga kita menjadi anak sulung di antara makhluk-makhluk-Nya.

(a) Dia melahirkan kita. You have been sired or born into new creation life by God the Father.

Just as sin gives birth to death (Jas. 1:15), God gives birth to new life. You are not a Christian because you attend Sunday School or prayed a prayer. You are a Christian because you opened your heart to the Lord and he gave you his life-giving Spirit (Rom. 8:9, 2 Cor. 1:22). You have been born again of the imperishable word (1 Pet. 1:23).

(b) A kind of first fruits among his creatures. You are a brand new creation.

In Christ, you are part of what Paul called the “new man” or the new humanity. You are part of a new species known as the new creation (Gal. 6:15, 2 Cor. 5:17), or the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27), or the church (Col. 1:18).

(c) Kata kebenaran adalah Firman Hidup atau Yesus Kristus.

The word of truth is synonymous with the word of the kingdom (Matt. 13:19) or the word of God (Luke 8:11) or the word of life (1 John 1:1). The word of truth is revealed in the gospel (Col. 1:5). Jesus is the Truth that comes from God and saves us (John 1:14, 14:6, Jas. 1:21).

(d) Buah pertama. Semua ciptaan akan ditebus mulai dari kita.

God is making all things new, and the outcome will be new heavens and a new earth (Rev. 21:5). In the present age, the church is a prophetic picture of what is to come. See masuk for 2 Pet. 3:13.

Yakobus 1:19

Ketahuilah, saudara-saudaraku yang terkasih. Tetapi setiap orang harus cepat mendengar, lambat berbicara dan lambat marah;

(a) Saudara-saudara terkasih; Lihat masuk for James 1:16.

(b) Cepat untuk mendengar. Listen before talking. Several Old Testament proverbs make a similar exhortation (e.g., Pro. 10:19, 13:3, 15:2, 17:27).

(c) Lambat untuk berbicara. When we are hurting or going through trials, the temptation is to complain and give voice to anger and bitterness. But when we do that we are articulating unbelief in the Redeemer. We are essentially saying, “I don’t trust God to bring good out of my situation.” We are speaking like Job when he voiced his fears (Job 3:25), expressed self-pity (Job 10:1), and wished himself dead (Job 7:15, 17:13–16). Like others who have gone through intense pain, Job blamed God for his suffering (Job 2:10, 6:4, 7:20, 27:2).

Job later came to regret his words. “Surely I spoke of things I did not understand” (Job 42:3). Like Job, we do not have the full picture. In the midst of our trials, we can’t see all the good things God has planned. This is why we should be slow to speak and quick to hear what the Lord says.

Bacaan lebih lanjut: "Sepuluh fakta yang sedikit diketahui tentang Ayub”

(d) Lambat untuk marah. Anger is a lit stick of dynamite that can hurt us if we cling to it and hurt others if we let it loose (see Job 5:2, Pro. 16:32). Anger is a powerful emotion that needs to be handled with care (Eph. 4:26). When we allow anger to dictate our actions, it is easy to stumble and give place to the devil (Eph. 4:27).

Ada ketidakadilan di dunia yang patut mendapat respons yang penuh semangat, namun setiap kali kita bereaksi dengan emosi, kita merespons dengan cara lama yang bersifat kedagingan. Dipimpin oleh roh berarti tidak mudah marah dan tidak mudah terprovokasi.

Yakobus 1:20

karena kemarahan manusia tidak mencapai kebenaran Allah.

(a) kemarahan manusia. Saat kita marah, kita membuat keputusan yang buruk, mengatakan hal-hal bodoh, dan membuat orang lain marah. Kemarahan adalah emosi yang sah, namun itu bukanlah alat yang Tuhan gunakan. Kerajaan Allah dibangun di atas kedamaian dan kebenaran, bukan kemarahan dan kemurkaan.

Yet some think anger is useful for getting people to repent. For this reason, angry preachers portray an angry God who is angry at you and your sin. But the God Jesus revealed is not like this. God reaches out to us in love, not anger. It is his kindness that leads us to repentance (Rom. 2:4).

(b) Kebenaran Tuhan dapat dikontraskan dengan kebenaran buatan manusia (lihat masuk for Matt. 6:33). Our righteousness will never qualify us for the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:20), but anyone, even the worst sinner, can receive the gift of God’s righteousness (see masuk for Rom 5:17).

Yakobus 1:21

Karena itu, singkirkan semua kekotoran dan semua yang tersisa dari kejahatan, dalam kerendahan hati terimalah firman yang ditanamkan, yang mampu menyelamatkan jiwamu.

(a) Singkirkan semua kekotoran. We put aside the old life, and put on the new self which has been created in the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (Eph. 4:22–24).

(b) Kekotoran… kejahatan. We lay aside anger, rage, malice, deceit, hypocrisy, enmity, hatred, drunkenness, immorality, bitterness, jealousy, envy, covetousness, slander, profanity, tantrums, etc. (e.g., Gal. 5:19–21, Eph. 4:31, Col. 3:8, 1 Pet. 2:1). All these things proceed from a selfish and unregenerate heart (Mark 7:20–23).

(c) Kerendahhatian adalah satu-satunya sikap yang dapat menerima kasih karunia Allah (lihat masuk for Jas. 4:6).

(d) Untuk menerima firman of truth is to believe in your heart the good news about Jesus (Rom. 10:9). It is not merely hearing about the grace of God, but receiving it by faith (2 Cor. 6:1, Heb. 4:2). It is working out, in your circumstances, the grace and power which God has provided (2 Pet. 1:3).

(e) Kata itu ditanamkan dianalogikan dengan “benih yang ditabur” atau “berita yang diberitakan”. Itu adalah kabar baik tentang Yesus Kristus.

(f) Selamatkan jiwamu. Itu kata yang menyelamatkan is not the Bible but the word of truth or the word of Christ (Jas. 1:18). It is Jesus, the Living Word revealed in the gospel of grace. See masuk for Acts 4:31.

Yakobus 1:22

Tapi buktikan dirimu pelaku firman, dan bukan hanya pendengar yang menipu diri sendiri.

(a) Pelaku firman. Do the work of God and believe in the One he sent (John 6:29).

To prove yourself a doer of the word is to live in total dependence on the grace of God. It’s refusing to rely on yourself and your righteousness and leaning wholly on Jesus, the word of truth (Jas. 1:18).

(b) Bukan sekedar pendengar. Jangan hanya mendengarkan tetapi lakukan apa yang dikatakan firman. Percayalah kepada Yesus dan izinkan Roh Kristus meyakinkan Anda bahwa Yesus adalah penebusan dan kebenaran Anda dari Allah.

(c) Menipu diri mereka sendiri. Mereka yang menganggap Injil tidak relevan atau tidak diperlukan, menipu diri mereka sendiri.

Many people consider themselves good or godly, but if they reject the word of truth they are living under a lie. They may believe in God, as the Jews did, and they may even have some kind of faith. But if their faith is unaccompanied by the “work” of believing in the One he sent, theirs is a dead and useless faith (Jas. 2:14).

Why do some harden their hearts to the word of truth? Sometimes it’s because they cannot accept that their good works and sacrifices count for nothing in the economy of grace. To hear that God justifies sinners makes them angry. When Paul proclaimed the gospel of grace in the synagogues, the religious Jews often turned on him (e.g., Acts 17:1–5, 18:4–6, 19:8–9). They were hearers of the word but not doers. They refused to accept his message.

To those who have heard the gospel but not responded to it in faith, James presents a clear call to action: Receive the word (see previous verse). In other words, draw near and submit to God (Jas. 4:8, 10). Humble yourself and receive his grace (Jas. 4:6).

Yakobus 1:23–24

Sebab jika ada orang yang mendengar firman dan tidak menjadi pelaku, maka ia seperti orang yang memandang wajah aslinya di cermin; karena sekali dia melihat dirinya sendiri dan pergi, dia langsung lupa orang macam apa dia sebenarnya.

(a) Bukan pelaku. Mereka tidak melakukan apa yang Tuhan minta. Mereka menolak untuk percaya kepada Dia yang diutusnya.

To be a doer of the word is to heed the call of God. The Lord says “Come” and we come (Matt. 11:28). The Lord says “Repent and believe the good news” and we repent and believe (Mark 1:15). The Lord says, “This is my beloved Son, listen to him” and we listen (Matt. 17:5).

(b) Cermin. To look in the mirror is to see your true state. When Jesus told the self-righteous Laodiceans that they were “wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,” he was showing them their true condition (Rev. 3:17). In our natural state, we are all wretched and miserable, stained with sin and without hope. We all need grace.

(c) Terlupakan. Melihat dan melupakan berarti tidak mengambil tindakan. Ia mendengarkan kabar baik tetapi tidak berbuat apa-apa.

(d) Orang macam apa dia. Unless the Lord cleans us we remain dirty sinners (Jas. 4:8). Unless we make up our minds about God and receive from his abundant supply, we remain graceless and double-minded (Jas. 1:8, 4:8).

Yakobus 1:25

Tetapi orang yang memperhatikan dengan seksama hukum yang sempurna, hukum kebebasan, dan mematuhinya, tidak menjadi pendengar yang pelupa tetapi pelaku yang efektif, orang ini akan diberkati dalam apa yang dia lakukan.

(a) Hukum yang sempurna. Pemerintahan Yesus Kristus yang tanpa cela dan sempurna.

Look into the mirror of the old covenant law, and you will see all your flaws and imperfections. Use this mirror to make yourself clean, and you will not succeed, for the law makes nothing perfect (Heb. 7:19). But when you see what Christ has done – by one offering he has perfected those who are sanctified (Heb. 10:14) – you will discover that you are complete in him (Col. 2:10).

(b) hukum kebebasan is another name for the word of truth (Jas. 1:18) or the implanted word that can save you (Jas. 1:21). It is the Lord Jesus, the Living Word of God whose rule sets us free. The law of liberty describes what Jesus has done (perfectly fulfilled or completed the law) and the fruit he will bear in our lives (liberty) when we yield to him.

Under the old covenant, people looked into the mirror of the law and saw their faults. But in the new covenant, we look to Jesus and see his glory. The old law demanded perfection but the law of liberty is perfect on your behalf. The Law of Moses bound people with heavy demands (Acts 15:10), but the law of liberty makes us free (John 8:36, Gal. 5:1).

(c) Patuhi itu. Tinggal berarti berdiam atau beristirahat di dalam Yesus.

Under the old covenant, to abide by the law meant keeping all the rules. But in the new covenant, to abide in the law of liberty is to abide or dwell in Christ (1 John 4:15).

To abide in Christ is to rest in his love (John 15:9). It’s living with the complete dependence that a branch has for a vine and realizing that apart from him we can do nothing. The opposite of abiding is trusting in yourself, relying on your own efforts, and trying to make things happen. It’s striving in your own strength instead of looking to the Lord as your source and supply.

Lihat masuk untuk Abadi.

(d) Seorang pelaku yang efektif adalah seseorang yang menaruh imannya kepada Kristus dan memperoleh kehidupan ilahi dari kesatuan rohaninya dengan Dia (lihat masuk for Jas. 1:22).

(e) Diberkati. Those who trust in the Lord are blessed and fruitful, while those who rely on themselves are cursed and barren (Jer. 17:5–8).

One of the great lies of religion is that you will be blessed if you keep the rules. But those who rely on their law-keeping curse themselves (Gal. 3:10), because to live under the law is to live under a ministry of condemnation and death (2 Cor. 3:7, 9). Those who look into the law of liberty are blessed because their sins have been forgiven and all demands against them have been fully satisfied in Christ (Rom. 4:7–8). Those who abide in Christ are blessed with the blessings of Abraham (Gal. 3:9). Indeed, all the blessings of heaven are theirs (Eph. 1:3).

Yakobus 1:26

Jika seseorang menganggap dirinya religius, namun tidak mengekang lidahnya tetapi menipu hatinya sendiri, agama orang ini tidak berharga.

(a) Keagamaan. Menjadi religius berarti berada dalam perbudakan. Ketika Paulus mengatakan kepada orang-orang Atena, “Saya lihat kamu sangat religius,” maksudnya adalah “Saya lihat kamu percaya takhayul dan banyak menyembah berhala” (lihat masuk for Acts 17:22). He was saying they were in bondage. The Jews to whom this letter was addressed were not idol-worshippers, but they were the most religious people on earth. They were bound by the Law of Moses, the traditions of the elders, and their fear of divine punishment.

Bacaan lebih lanjut: "10 cara agama buruk bagi Anda”

(b) Tidak mengekang lidahnya. Since no one can tame the tongue (Jas. 3:8), an untamed tongue proves that our attempts at self-improvement are futile.

(c) Menipu hatinya sendiri. Dia membodohi dirinya sendiri.

(d) Agama, whether based on idols or rules, is no substitute for faith in the Risen Christ. Paul used the word “religion” to describe the ritualized worship of the Jews (Acts 26:5), and that is the same meaning that is implied here.

(e) Agama tidak ada gunanya karena tidak mempunyai kekuatan untuk mengubah hati. Lidah adalah buktinya. Tidak ada orang beragama, betapapun baiknya niatnya, yang berhasil menjinakkan lidahnya. Melihat masuk for Jas. 3:8.

Yakobus 1:27

Agama yang murni dan tidak ternoda di hadapan Tuhan dan Bapa kita adalah ini: mengunjungi anak yatim dan janda dalam kesusahan mereka, dan untuk menjaga diri tidak ternoda oleh dunia.

(a) Agama yang murni dan tidak tercemar. If you consider yourselves religious, take care of the poor and downtrodden. Don’t get so hung up on minor issues of ritual and ceremony that you neglect larger issues of mercy and justice (Matt. 23:23).

James is not trying to balance grace with works; he’s raising funds for starving widows and orphans. When James led the church in Jerusalem, Judea experienced a severe famine (see entry for Acts 11:28). Paul collected money from the Gentile churches for the starving saints in Jerusalem (1 Cor. 16:1–4; 2 Cor. 8:1–7, 9:1–15; Rom. 15:14–32), while James challenged the scattered Jews to contribute as well.

Bacaan lebih lanjut: "Agama murni”

(b) Ayah. Like Jesus before him, James refers to God as our heavenly Father (Jas. 3:9).

Religious people tend to view God as a lawgiver and judge (Jas. 4:12). James writes so that we might know that God is our Father who delights to give us good gifts (Jas. 1:17). All the New Testament writers referred to God as Father (See masuk for Matt. 5:16).

(c) anak yatim. Anak yatim piatu adalah seseorang yang tidak mengenal ayahnya.

We are all lost orphans in need of a Father, and Jesus shows us the way (John 14:6). When Jesus told the disciples, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18), he was referring to the revelation of God the Father that comes to us via the Holy Spirit (Gal. 4:6).

(d) Janda dalam kesusahan. Orang-orang Yahudi yang religius diwajibkan membantu para janda dan anak yatim piatu, namun mereka mengeksploitasi mereka. Dengan berbuat demikian, mereka memperlihatkan bahwa agama mereka adalah agama palsu yang tidak berguna.

Under the old covenant, there were strong laws protecting widows (e.g., Ex. 22:22, Deu. 14:28–29, 16:10–11, 24:19–21, 26:12–13). These laws had teeth. If you neglected to care for widows, you could be punished with death making your wife a widow (Ex. 22:22–24). Yet instead of protecting widows, the law teachers of Jesus’ day exploited them (Luke 20:46–47). Instead of giving to widows, the religious leaders took money from them (Mark 12:41–42).

Then Jesus came along and made a point of helping widows. The first time he met a widow, he raised her son from the dead (Luke 7:12–14). He told a story about a widow who got no justice (Luke 18:2–8). Jesus championed widows and the church he built did likewise (e.g., Acts 6:1, 1 Tim. 5:3). The contrast was clear: the best religion in the world failed to help widows and orphans, but those who had been arrested by the love and grace of God became their defenders.

Bacaan lebih lanjut: "Apakah kasih karunia merupakan izin untuk bermalas-malasan?”

(e) Tidak ternoda. Tidak bercacat dan tidak dirusak oleh dunia.

James’ call for pure and undefiled religion should not be interpreted as a challenge to make yourself holy. Just as no one can tame the tongue (Jas. 3:8), no one can live unstained by the world. Only the blood of Jesus can wash us white as snow (1 John 1:7, Rev. 7:14).

(f) World; Lihat masuk for Jas. 4:4.

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3 komentar

  1. Wow! Thankyou, that was a thorough and full message, of our Lord’s total grace, in context of the truth. 🙏♥️

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  2. I believe you need to make a correction about James in your commentary. He would not have been Jesus’ “step-brother” but His half-brother. They had the same mother. A step-brother would be the child of a step-parent (Joseph in this case) who had a different mother. Jesus and James were related by blood through their mother.

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