Jam 1:25 | RWP | e4.org | He that looketh into ( ο παρακυψας ). First aorist active articular participle of παρακυπτω , old verb, to stoop and look into ( , ), to gaze carefully by the side of, to peer into or to peep into ( ). Here the notion of beside ( παρα ) or of stooping ( κυπτω ) is not strong. Sometimes, as Hort shows, the word means only a cursory glance, but the contrast with verse seems to preclude that here. The perfect law ( νομον τελειον ). For τελειον see . See for Paul's idea of the law of God. James here refers to the word of truth ( ), the gospel of grace ( ; ). The law of liberty ( τον της ελευθεριας ). "That of liberty," explaining why it is "perfect" ( also), rests on the work of Christ, whose truth sets us free ( ; ; ). And so continueth ( κα παραμεινας ). First aorist active articular participle again of παραμενω , parallel with παρακυψας . Παραμενω is to stay beside, and see for contrast with the simplex μενω . Being ( γενομενος ). Rather, "having become" (second aorist middle participle of γινομα to become). Not a hearer that forgetteth ( ουκ ακροατης επιλησμονης ). "Not a hearer of forgetfulness" (descriptive genitive, marked by forgetfulness). Επιλησμονη is a late and rare word (from επιλησμων , forgetful, from επιλανθομα , to forget, as in verse ), here only in N.T. But a doer that worketh ( αλλα ποιητης εργου ). "But a doer of work," a doer marked by work (descriptive genitive εργου ), not by mere listening or mere talk. In his doing ( εν τη ποιησε αυτου ). Another beatitude with μακαριος as in , like the Beatitudes in . Ποιησις is an old word (from ποιεω for the act of doing), only here in N.T.

‏ James 1:25

He that looketh into ( ο παρακυψας ). First aorist active articular participle of παρακυπτω, old verb, to stoop and look into (Joh 20:5, 11), to gaze carefully by the side of, to peer into or to peep into (1Pe 1:12). Here the notion of beside ( παρα ) or of stooping ( κυπτω ) is not strong. Sometimes, as Hort shows, the word means only a cursory glance, but the contrast with verse 24 seems to preclude that here.

The perfect law ( νομον τελειον ). For τελειον see 1:17. See Ro 7:12 for Paul's idea of the law of God. James here refers to the word of truth (1:18), the gospel of grace (Ga 6:2; Ro 12:2).

The law of liberty ( τον της ελευθεριας ). "That of liberty," explaining why it is "perfect" (2:12 also), rests on the work of Christ, whose truth sets us free (Joh 8:32; 2Co 3:16; Ro 8:2).

And so continueth ( κα παραμεινας ). First aorist active articular participle again of παραμενω, parallel with παρακυψας. Παραμενω is to stay beside, and see Php 1:25 for contrast with the simplex μενω.

Being ( γενομενος ). Rather, "having become" (second aorist middle participle of γινομα to become).

Not a hearer that forgetteth ( ουκ ακροατης επιλησμονης ). "Not a hearer of forgetfulness" (descriptive genitive, marked by forgetfulness). Επιλησμονη is a late and rare word (from επιλησμων, forgetful, from επιλανθομα, to forget, as in verse 24), here only in N.T.

But a doer that worketh ( αλλα ποιητης εργου ). "But a doer of work," a doer marked by work (descriptive genitive εργου ), not by mere listening or mere talk.

In his doing ( εν τη ποιησε αυτου ). Another beatitude with μακαριος as in 1:12, like the Beatitudes in Mt 5:3-12. Ποιησις is an old word (from ποιεω for the act of doing), only here in N.T.