James Chapter 1 — Commentary on Verses 23-24

    Anyonewholistenstothewordbutdoesnotdowhatitsaysislikeamanwholooksathisfacein a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

    Here James enlarges on the previous argument about the vanity of superficial listening, with a simile taken from a man looking in a mirror.

    Anyonewholistenstothewordbutdoesnotdowhatitsays. That is, he is content with superficial listening and superficial knowledge about the Word of God and does not leave resolved to obey.

    Islikeaman. In the original the word for man is the word for the masculine sex. Some people criticize this. The apostle does not say, “like a woman”; women are more diligent. They look at themselves over and over again to remove every spot and deformity. But this is more clever than solid. The apostle uses the word man to mean both men and women, as in verse 12: Blessedisthe man who perseveres under trial”—the man or woman.

    Wholooksathisface. “The face of his nativity.” What is meant by that? Some say, the face as God made it at its birth, that he may behold God’s work in it, and so they condemn makeup; or his natural face, on which men bestow least care. I think face means his own face, the mirror representing the very face that nature gave him.

    Afterlookingathimself,goesawayandimmediatelyforgetswhathelookslike. He forgets his facial blemishes. A careless soul ignores what the Word exposes and is not repentant.

    Notes on Verses 23-24

    Note 1. The Word of God is like a mirror. But what does it show us?

    (1)      God and Christ. “We, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18). A mirror implies the clearest representation that we are capable of here on earth. I admit that a mirror sometimes represents a dark vision, as in 1 Corinthians 13:12 (“Now we see but a poor reflection; then we shall see face to face”). Someday we shall see God himself: “We shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). But now we have his image and reflection in the Word. Sometimes in Scripture the phrase “heart of flesh” stands for an earthly mind, and sometimes it stands for a tender heart. In contrast to “heart of stone,” “heart of flesh” is taken in a good sense. Similarly, in contrast to the shadows of the law, seeing in a mirror implies clear discernment.

    (2)      The Word is amirror to show us ourselves; it reveals the hidden things of the heart and all the deformities of the soul: “Whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed” (Mark 4:22). The Word reveals everything. Our sins are the blemishes that the law reveals; Christ’s blood is the water to wash them off and is revealed in the Gospel. The law reveals sins: “Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died” (Romans 7:9).

    Application. Here is a meditation for you. When you are looking into your mirror, think: the Word of God is a mirror; I must look after the complexion of my soul. Take part of the law and exercise yourself with it every day, and you will soon see the deformity of your own spirit. Do not look in a flattering mirror.

    Note2. The knowledge of formal professors is only slight and superficial. They are like people looking at their faces in a mirror, or like the glance of a sunbeam on a wave; it rushes into the thoughts and it is gone. Under the law, the beast that did not chew the cud was unclean. Meditation is very useful and sheds constant light. Some people know things but are loath to let their thoughts stay with them. Luke 2:19 tells us that “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” A slippery, vain mind will hardly hold on to truths.

    Note3. Proud men leave ordinances just as they go to them: they look and go away. Like the beasts in Noah’s ark, they go in unclean and come out unclean. So many come unhumbled and unmortified and go away the same. Let this never be said of you.

    Note4. Poor understanding makes a very weak impression. Things work when the thoughts are serious and deep; musing makes the fire burn: see Psalm 39:3. And David, when he expressed his deep feelings, said, “My sin is always before me” (Psalm 51:3). Men thoroughly affected say, I shall remember that sermon all my life. David says, “I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life” (Psalm 119:93). Others let good things slip because they never felt their power.