Who is that Masked Man?

BySkip Moen, Ph.D. January 26, 2013

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. James 3:17 NASB

Without hypocrisy – Who is a hypocrite? Someone who says one thing but does another? Someone who acts in one way under some circumstances but in another way when the circumstances change? Someone who plays to the crowd rather than holding to principle? Maybe you think James’ choice of anypokritos (genuine, sincere) rests on all of these explanations. But maybe James has something a bit deeper in mind.

This word appears for the first time in the LXX (Wisdom 5:18 and 18:16). This Hellenistic text contains material familiar with other texts of that era, exhorting readers to adopt a particular way of life. The two verse we wish to examine are:

“he will put on righteousness as a breastplate and wear impartial justice as a helmet” (5:18) and

“bearing your irrevocable command as a sharp rapier; standing, it filled all things with death, and while it touched heaven, it stood on the earth” (18:16).

The context of both uses of anypokritos is God’s eschatological consummation of His righteousness, the establishment of the Kingdom on earth and the punishment of the wicked. The word is used in 1 Peter 1:22 to speak of “unfailing” love of the heart and in 1 Timothy 1:5 of the “sincere” faith. From these uses we may draw the conclusion that this word is not simply about a difference between outward display and inward motivation. It is also about a sacred transparency; a complete lack of alternative motives. Anypokritos means that we display God’s character and God’s actions without any other purpose or intention than to honor Him. When others see us, we are nothing more than the transparent vehicle of YHWH. “If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father” are words that echo in the background of anypokritos.

James has reached the end of his description of wisdom from above. Consider the order of the words: hagnos, eirenikos, epieikes, eupeithes, meste eleous, karpos agathos, adiakritos, anypokritos: pure, characterized by shalom, proven, immediately compliant, with great hesed, productive, impartial, and finally, transparent. So, there it is. One short sentence. One lifetime of obedience.

Wisdom from above. Do you qualify?

Topical Index: James 3:17, anypokritos genuine, sincere, impartial, unfailing, 1 Peter 1:22, I Timothy 1:5

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Thomas Elsinger

In a society consumed by a search for ever-increasing stores of knowledge, wisdom is the rare gem. Thank you, Skip, for this study. The brevity of the lessons belies the enormity of the application!

Sondra

I think this puts the difference in Greek thought and Hebrew thought very well. Greek thought always is separating man into parts, like one can really be separated from another easily. Hebrew thought sees the whole man as one entity, you are what you are. A tree is known by its fruit.

carl roberts

The wisdom from above. Do you qualify? In a word, “no.” It is (again) “the gift of God.”

~ But put on our Lord Yeshua The Messiah ~ (Romans 13.14) ~ who became God-given wisdom for us–our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption …(1 Corinthians 1.30)

Want wisdom? “put on the LORD Yeshua (who is the) Messiah”

Want righteousness? “put on the LORD Yeshua (who is the) Messiah”

Want sanctification? (the process of holiness or growth) “put on the LORD Yeshua (who is the) Messiah”

Want or need redemption? “put on the LORD Yeshua (who is the) Messiah”

Wisdom has a Source. That source is the Messiah (Himself), the resurrected-living-reigning Christ. ~ whatever He says unto you- do it..~ This is wisdom: choose to obey and follow Him. This is foolishness: disobey. Rebel. Refuse. Reject. Sin.

Either we are “in Christ,” or we are “without” or outside. Are you part of the “in” crowd? Are you part of the family of God? Can you lawfully, legally, legitamately say.. But God, you are my Father? – and I am your son? LORD, you are my Redeemer-Savior-Intercessor-Friend? And are we (all-sinners only) now able, because of the torn veil of the Temple, that is the torn flesh of the ONE who came to save us, are we now able and have we (all) been invited to come boldly before His throne of grace that might find help in time of need? And if He is our wisdom-righteousness-sanctification-redemption, when, exactly, are we not in need? Was it not our Savior who said, ~ without Me (Carl)- you can do nothing? ~ Is Christ in you- the hope of glory? ~What do the scriptures say? ~

~ This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil..

~ But now, LORD, what do I look for? My hope (confident expectation) is in You ~ (Psalm 39:7)

~ Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him ~ (Psalm 62:5)

And rest? it also has it’s Source-What did He say? What were/are His words? ~ Come unto Me..

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?

When the strong tides lift and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift, or firm remain?