Words and Law
Words and Law James 1:22-25 Excerpt What James referred to as the “ Word ” in vv. 18 , 21 , 22 , 23 he calls the “ law ” here. As the “ Word ” brings new life according to v. 18 , so “the law ” here is what sets us free ( lit . “the perfect law of freedom” ). The combination of law and freedom points to the free obedience of the Christ ian life and echoes Paul’s theology of freedom in Christ ( cf . Rom 6:18–22 ; 2 Cor 3:17 ; Gal 2:4 ; 5:1 , 13–14 ; 6:2 ). The law is “perfect” in that it participates in the goodness of God and is essential to his gifts bestowed in wisdom to believers. Richardson, Kurt A. James . Vol. 36 . Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1997. Print. The New American Commentary .