Sin’s Opposite
Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin. James 4:17 NASB
Right thing – Two factors are immediately apparent from James’ statement. First, sin attaches to what I know, not what I don’t know. And second, if I know what is the right thing to do, it is assumed that I am able to do it. Knowledge and ability are essential to the concept of sin. Let’s examine these factors more carefully.
James is Jewish, of course. In the Jewish context, it is possible for me to commit a sinful act and not know it. Sins like this are covered in Leviticus. There are ritual atonements for unintentional sins. No man is held accountable for sins he was unaware of committing – until he is aware of them! As soon as awareness dawns, he is guilty. But God has made provision for such a dawning. Atonement is available. When James states that sin is attached to what is known to be disobedience, he is not pointing toward unintentional acts. He is pointing toward a much more serious problem – sins that I willfully commit! James chooses a Greek word to describe this moral choice before us. The word is kalos. In classical Greek this word is connected to agathon, the idea of the divine. In Greek thought this word expresses the ideal life. Kalos is Plato’s concept of the Good (with a capital G). For Plato, and for the Greeks, the Good is what is naturally beautiful, moral and true. Kalos connects men with the realm of the divine. Of course, this raises a crucial question: How do I determine what is naturally beautiful, moral and true? And that becomes the quest of Greek ethical debate for the next 2500 years.
But James isn’t Greek. He is Jewish. He uses this powerful Greek word, kalos, as a translation of the Hebrew yafah (lovely, beautiful, healthy, useful, and by extension, morally good). However, the Hebrew is a far cry from the robust Greek idea of kalos, a word connected directly to the eternal. In Hebrew thinking, there is no human ideal life apart from the will of God revealed in Torah. If anything, the Hebrew ideal is connected to the Greek word doxa (glory), not to a word that expresses human utopia. Therefore, when James uses kalos, he is referring to what is morally good according to the Jewish standard of Torah. James does not have a problem with determining what is ethically proper because James already has the final word on this matter. He does not have to enter into 2500 years of ethical debate about what is ultimately right. He already knows. God told him. Perhaps 1 Maccabees 4:24 gives us the best Jewish connection between what is good and what is holy. Good is thanksgiving, praise and enduring mercy.
If we read James within the Jewish context of his time, we realize that his statement is a reiteration of Torah observance. I know what is right because Torah directs my behavior. If I do not do what I know from Torah, then I sin. This assumes that Torah is known, and that is precisely what James advocates in Acts 15. Teach Torah and men will know what to do. Teach Torah and men will be accountable. Teach Torah and sin will be obvious. It is not a matter of my inner conscience or my particular slant on what I consider right. James is a Torah observant Jew. What is right is what God has revealed. What I think about it doesn’t really matter. The only thing that matters is whether or not I do what God tells me to do.
By the way, most Christian ethics is Platonic. By adopting an anti-Torah view, Christians are thrust into the same Greek debate about a basis for ethical action. Without Torah they must determine for themselves what constitutes the Good. Thus you find all kinds of proposals for determining moral behavior – the “law” of love, the moral “situation,” the cultural conditions, political correctness, some abridged version of the Ten Commandments, the “do no harm” rule. On and on it goes. Why? Because just like Plato, Christians without Torah must produce a human solution to a divine problem.
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8 NIV).
Topical Index: James 4:17, Micah 6:8, good, sin, kalos, right thing
“Because just like Plato, Christians without Torah must produce a human solution to a divine problem.”
Maybe these Christians are singing the wrong songs. They need to go to a performance of “Man of La Mancha” and come home singing “The Impossible Dream.”
Nice analogy. Christians without Torah do have an answer. We see it in the present day culture. It is called relativism. It is exhibited in the “I have my beliefs and you have yours” theology. But even Plato rejected this solution. Once revelation is excluded from epistemological discussion, Man is left to himself. The result is either belief by compulsion (Islam) or denial of the world as it is (Hindu, Buddha) or some form of Bible-olotry (the Bible without its cultural component). The epistemological result is “many ways to God” nonsense. Left to himself, Man just shoots in the dark.
Someone once wrote: “Either modern man will have to admit that he knows everything or else he will have to admit that he knows nothing. The only alternative to this is that the claims both absurdities at the same time.”
And what is the “right thing to do?” How do we know? How does “any man” know?
What are The Messiah’s instructions to us? What did He say? And since His words never fail or falter, never perish or grow old and are still exceedingly (yes) “revelant” (and revelatory!) for today- shall we then say- “that was then and this is now?” That was for that culture and for “those” people..- or may we say the “word of the LORD”- endures/abides/remains “forever…?”
Is the word of G-d “revelant” for today? Is it “revelant” for the Jew? (oy vay!) or is is “revelant” for the Gentile? Or is it, dear brothers and sisters- “revelant” for the sinner? Does our Bible, the word of G-d, “reveal” the way to G-d?
And for that matter, does our Bible, (G-d’s Book)- written by men and authored by G-d Himself reveal the will of G-d? and the wisdom of G-d? and the ways of G-d? And (just askin’) does the written word of G-d reveal the living Word of G-d?
Yes, let’s talk Torah. But I refuse to talk Torah until I first hear about the tslav. What is the purpose of G-d’s Torah?
The Law (G-d’s Law) was (and is) our SchoolMaster to bring us (all of us) to Christ. Let’s stop the dance and do the Selah thing- right here. Draw the line in the sand, stop the debate and talk Torah.
But friends, I’ll only speak about the Torah revealed within the word(s) of G-d. ←
The word of G-d is quite sufficient to speak for itself. The disciple (talmudim)- were (and are) students/learners who followed/follow Christ. The words of our Master Himself were (and are) “follow Me.” – Looking for a Rabbi to follow? to learn from? – Then you (dear student) have come to the right place…- “Follow Him”- Become a follower of the Way- a disciple/learner of the LORD Jesus (who is the) Christ. “Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me- for I am meek and lowly of heart and you (you) will find rest unto your souls”. – Whose words are these? Who said this? Was it me? No. It was Him. These are the words of the Christ. – Are we listening to Him? And friends- do we “shema” (I love this word!) the Savior?
Who is our Teacher? (go ahead,- I’ll wait…) He is! The Living Resurrected Christ (Himself) is our Teacher- through the power of the Ruach HaKodesh Who brings into our remembrance all He
has said unto us. – Now don’t go to thinking either- I am a “red-letter” Christian, for this Man, this “second ADAM” is the ONE who wrote the Book! ( This is THE Messiah, G-d who humbled Himself and became one of us,- a man. The Creator became the creature. G-d became a man a lived among us and we beheld His glory- the glory as of the only begotten of the Father- full of grace and truth.
~But His subjects hated Him and sent a delegation after Him to say, ‘We will not have “this Man” to be our King”~ Yes, He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not ~
And “lo and behold”- we still (to this very day) reject and despise Him. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure and one man’s Treasure is another man’s trash. – Amazing.
~For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: ~ Allright then, let’s see if we could provide them a sign.. How about one that reads (in three languages…) – “This is Jesus- King of the Jews?” The sign that was nailed above the Sign. Here’s your sign. The sign of the prophet Jonah.
Ok Greeks, – it’s your turn. (I really have no problem with this- for “all” have sinned,- both Jew and Greek.) Apart from Christ- none of us have any hope (at all). Seeking wisdom? Good. You have come to the right place for Christ is the wisdom of G-d.
~ but to those who are (the) called, “both” Jews and Greeks, Christ, God’s power and God’s wisdom ~(1 Corinthians 1.24)
~ For I (also) am not ashamed of the gospel (good news) of Christ: for it is the power of G-d unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek ~ (Romans 1.16)
~ Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! ~
~ For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires ~ (Hebrews 4.12)
~ There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not accept My words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day ~ (John 12:48)
~ Moses himself told the people of Israel, ‘God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people.’ (Deuteronomy 18.15) This is He who was in the assembly in the wilderness with The Angel who had spoken with Him and with our fathers at the mountain of Sinai, and He was receiving the living words which He would give to us ~ (Acts 7.37,38)
Sing them over again to me,
Wonderful words of life,
Let me more of their beauty see,
Wonderful words of life;
Words of life and beauty
Teach me faith and duty.
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life;
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life.
Christ, the blessed One, gives to all
Wonderful words of life;
Sinner, list to the loving call,
Wonderful words of life;
All so freely given,
Wooing us to heaven.
Sweetly echo the Gospel call,
Wonderful words of life;
Offer pardon and peace to all,
Wonderful words of life;
Jesus, only Savior,
Sanctify forever,
Beautiful words, wonderful words,
Wonderful words of life.
~ Oh, how I love Your teachings! They are in my thoughts all day long ~ (Psalm 119.97)
~ The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. ~ (Psalm 19.7-10)
~ Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path ~ (Psalm 119.105)
Happy Birthday, Skip! 🙂
I see that local time for the server puts that birthday greeting a day early, but when I wrote it it was already May 9th here. 🙂
Thanks, Rodney. I will consider it as a greeting form the other side of the world. Besides, I am not sure anymore what time zone I am in.
If I have to keep all the rules in Torah, –some written & some needing interpretation, & some implied, some far over my head, goodness they are all over the place –, I shall never see heaven even tho I gratefully accept that Jesus did it ALL in my place and took my punishment for sin, AND THE HEAVENLY FATHER IS SATISFIED. He covers me in Jesus’ righteousness, my own we don’t want to discuss.
*BIG SIGH* Reading here day after day, one would think it useless to send copies of the New Testaments to villages, that it doesn’t have the power alone to get one all the way to the Savior. I don’t believe that.
Sometimes I feel that many with greater learning have a harder time with salvation, justification, & works. I happen to think the Gospel is perfect enough to save a thief on the cross, –he surely had no time to study the Torah, nor be baptized!
I happen to think it is simple enough for a young child to grasp it & place his whole faith in Jesus.
I think much learning causes some of you to put more burdens on a person than God does. God is so tender He won’t crush a smoldering reed.
He judges on intentions, He looks at the intention of our h e a r t s, people!
Do I love God with my whole heart? No, I’m imperfect, but if he asks do I want to, and mean to, love Him with my whole heart? Oh, YES!
We even have the blessed Holy Spirit to show us if we miss something (I Cor 2:12).
Hebrews calls the New Covenant a ‘better’ covenant. And it is the GOSPEL that declares to us how the New Covenant is so much better than the Old.
We are given ALL the promises of God (II Cor 1:20). Lawyers call this a ‘unilateral covenant.’ We are BENEFICIARIES- of the new, not parties to the old.
When the Son of man comes, shall he find FAITH on the earth? Luke 18: 8 (what does Jesus look for on His return the same way my son always looks for lemon pie when he comes home?) FAITH.
Faith in His finished work for our souls, of course.
He certainly clearly told us “It is finished!”
Carl, your daily posts encourage me a lot.
Dearest Dorothy,
I think you have missed the point. 1. You don’t have to keep ALL the rules. In fact, most of them don’t apply to you at all. Go read the 613 and see. In addition, the idea that these are RULES is mistaken to begin with. These are God’s instructions for how to live fully, how to be completely human, how to experience all that He meant for you. Rules? No, I don’t think so. These are the guidelines for how to get the most out of the life God gives. You can ignore them, reject them, be ignorant of them, but they express the fundamental design of the universe, so if you don’t display them you are missing out. 2. The thief on the cross was not ignorant of Torah. After all, he was being crucified by the Romans, which means he was probably Jewish, probably a zealot, probably NOT a thief, and certainly aware of his culture and the rumors that surrounded Yeshua, a Jew who claimed to be the Messiah. You must factor all that in before you claim that nothing else was needed. Without the cultural background, his declaration is meaningless, as is Yeshua’s reply. 3. Study is the key to understanding the Bible. While God does in fact work with all who come to Him, there is NO suggestion whatsoever that “simple” faith is the objective. And few young children grasp anything of significance. 4. God looks at intentions, but it is a mistake to say that He “judges” on intentions. Consider the parable of the two sons. The one who said, “NO” but actually did what the father asked is the one who is rewarded. ALL Scripture is about obedience IN ACTION and IN HEART. One without the other is useless. What is faith without works? A grave! 5. Your comment that you do not love God with your whole heart (but that is enough – implied?) is the result of listening to Luther too long. If you take every opportunity to express your devotion to God through His instructions, nothing more is needed. If you don’t take every opportunity, atonement is provided. It has nothing to do with the Platonic-Lutheran idea of being always “imperfect.” Read Matthew 5:48 again, only this time read it from the Leviticus text. 6. Your exegesis of the passage in Hebrews is inadequate as it ignores the cultural background. The passage is idiomatic Hebrew translated into Greek. A “better” covenant does NOT suggest that other one is inadequate. The “better” one simply expresses more clearly what the original one said. 7. For many years now I have tried to show readers that the replacement theology (the “new” replaces the “old”) is a result of Greek philosophy, not Scripture. This I can PROVE if you read the text of “God, Time and the Limits of Omniscience.” The historical record is quite clear in spite of the teaching of the church to the contrary. When you really investigate where Christian doctrine comes from, you will discover that it arises from Gentile, post-Platonic (perhaps even gnostic) converts between 175 and 300 AD, long after the end of the Jewish apostles. These men began a deliberate crusade to re-identify “Christianity” as non-Jewish. Again, the historical record is indubitable. But few look at it. They are much more comfortable with what they think they already know to be true.
Please set yourself the task of digging before you decide that you know the answers. Most of us are still trying to discover the right questions.
I think I have come into the classroom too late to intellegently participate in discussion.
Thank you for taking the extra effort to correct me. I will read “God, Time and the Limits of Omniscience”
I wish you a happy birthday.
Ah, but it’s never too late. God is incredibly patient, especially with someone like me.
Hang in there Dorothy. You are so right when you stated “He looks at our heart…”. The one who seeks the Truth shall find it and it will continue to nourish you as Living Water…the deeper you desire to go, the more He supplies. Blessings.
Some in my church reject ‘sola scriptura’ for ‘sola christus’. Anything ascribed to God that they find in the “OT” – is rejected, if it seems contrary to what they imagine as Jesus’ character.
The key text for me was:
“For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words ?” John 5:46,47
I want to understand Moses so I can understand Jesus. The two clarify each other.
My church does not reject anything in the Bible that I know about. For me, I believe all of God’s Word, but don’t know when it has been translated wrong of course, so that’s where I listen to Skip. I believe he knows.
I’m not sure I know which books are included in the WHOLE WORD, tho, so that makes for difficulties. I have been reared on 66, as in the KJV. That did not include Maccabees, etc. I am nervous accepting those–for I just don’t know. But Skip uses it. (what to do, what to do…my dilemma)
I have been on a study of Moses for the past 3 months ! — using the Matthew Henry commentary, and online searches for sermons, I listen, and I simply ask God to teach me.
The latest thing that I am marveling on is how life spans were shortened right after Moses. Since God gave him the written Word, it is no longer is on a pass-down basis, we can accept the Word, and God expects us to.
I do know Matt. 5: 17-18, Col 2: 14, and Eph. 2: 14. I’m aware that Jesus lived under Moses’ Law–Gal. 4:4
and that His teaching extended our understanding beyond what we thought it was before, Matt. 5: 21-48
Now to decide which books are really the Word and why some folks claim some are and others claim some books aren’t. Heaven help me!
I will be here trying to learn. I may try to listen quieter tho, as I have plenty honest ignorance that probably gets in the way of the advanced students. lol :/
Thank you, Skip, Mary, & Gabe for your care. I’ve learned from everyone.
Dorothy,
May God richly bless your studies. God preserved His Word (through fallen humans), and the cannon we have today is here because of this. It is surprisingly UN-marred, and we should praise God for that. The apocryphal writings can add some great context to what we already have, but no need to make it into more than that.
Dorothy,
I sure understand! My motto has become “the more I learn, the less I know”!!
Dorothy, thats a great motto and perfectly fits how most of us feel. The one thing I can encourage you on is that this is a journey. And even greater, this journey is for all of us to get to our destination together. no first place prizes, no trophies for second place, but instead arrival, together.
Keep digging, searching and wrestling with the text, the historical culture and new ways to understand that original text. I would also encourage putting down Matthew Henry for awhile and pick up David Stern’s commentary.
Enjoy the journey.
Shalom
Thanks for the recommendation, — from the reviews, I’m convinced that I do myself a disservice unless I purchase this for my studies! So I shall.