The double minded man

ZNPaaneah · 09-22-2016, 04:19 AM

Consider James Actions as an example --

1:22-24 The Double-Minded Man Hears But Does Not Do

He heard of Paul's complaint concerning Peter that Paul recounts in the book of Galatians. He not only heard but responded by writing this epistle.

1:26 The Double-Minded Man Is Religious But Not Godly

His faith is not worthless. By taking this action he is putting everything he has given his life to on the altar. He was born a Jew, saw the Messiah as someone promised to the Jews, and saw the coming Kingdom as a fulfillment of the Jewish kingdom. But all of that is placed on the altar due to his faith that the Lord is a God of resurrection.

2:1-4 The Double-Minded Man Claims Impartiality But is Biased

This epistle is a strong expression of being truly impartial.

2:14-17 The Double-Minded Man Claims Faith But Has No Works

The works that express a faith in the God of Resurrection are similar to Abraham's faith in offering up his promised son in obedience to God and is similar to Rahab hiding the spies. This is the expression of this letter.

3:8-9 The Double-Minded Man Blesses God But Curses Man

This letter is a very strong blessing to both God and man.

OBW · 09-22-2016, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZNPaaneah

The Double-Minded Man Claims Faith But Has No Works

The works that express a faith in the God of Resurrection are similar to Abraham's faith in offering up his promised son in obedience to God and is similar to Rahab hiding the spies. This is the expression of this letter.

Z,

Did you mean to imply that works must be something extreme to be covered in this particular part of what James wrote about?

Is simple obedience in the small things just as much among the works that evidence faith?

ZNPaaneah · 09-22-2016, 02:20 PM

James 1:8 [For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides]. Amplified version

When you read about those who are perpetrating a scam, like box 13 with LBJ in Duval county, the description of those being investigated is “unstable, unreliable, uncertain” about everything. Salas, the man who certified the 200 bogus votes which bought the election for LBJ was uncertain about which box was box 13, uncertain about where the key documents were, and was completely unreliable in losing 2 of the 3 copies of the key documents, losing the keys to the boxes, etc.

These are not people who are hesitating between their conscience and temptation, these are people who have sold themselves to do evil. Being unreliable and uncertain in everything is merely a last ditch attempt to not be convicted of a crime. It is similar to the CEO on the witness stand whose constant refrain is “I cannot recall”. It has always astounded me that people paid millions of dollars a year, presumably for their expertise and professionalism, are in fact so uncertain and unreliable about very critical questions.

Barnes' Notes on James 1:8 A double minded man - The word here used, δίψυχος dipsuchos occurs only here and in James 4:8. It means, properly, one who has two souls; then one who is wavering or inconstant. It is applicable to a man who has no settled principles; who is controlled by passion; who is influenced by popular feeling; who is now inclined to one opinion or course of conduct, and now to another.

Is unstable in all his ways - That is, not merely in regard to prayer, the point particularly under discussion, but in respect to everything. From the instability which the wavering must evince in regard to prayer, the apostle takes occasion to make the general remark concerning such a man, that stability and firmness could be expected on no subject. The hesitancy which manifested on that one subject would extend to all; and we might expect to find such a man irresolute and undetermined in all things. This is always true. If we find a man who takes hold of the promises of God with firmness; who feels the deepest assurance when he prays that God will hear prayer; who always goes to him without hesitation in his perplexities and trials, never wavering, we shall find one who is firm in his principles, steady in his integrity, settled in his determinations, and steadfast in his plans of life - a man whose character we shall feel that we understand, and in whom we can confide. Such a man eminently was Luther; and the spirit which is thus evinced by taking firmly hold of the promises of God is the best kind of religion. (Albert Barnes, Notes on the whole Bible)

I don't think this is the same as being "otherwise minded". In that case you are being tempted with two souls, I think this term refers to someone like Balaam or Judas who has already determined within that he will have two souls. Jesus warned that you can't serve God and Mammon, this is a person who has chosen to ignore that and try. This word means "one who has two souls", not one who is being tempted to have two souls, or one who is hesitating between two souls. This term is only used in the book of James, so I don't think we should assume that it is equivalent to what others refer to.

09-22-2016, 04:19 AM	#1
ZNPaaneah Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 7,105	Re: The double minded man Consider James Actions as an example -- 1:22-24 The Double-Minded Man Hears But Does Not Do He heard of Paul's complaint concerning Peter that Paul recounts in the book of Galatians. He not only heard but responded by writing this epistle. 1:26 The Double-Minded Man Is Religious But Not Godly His faith is not worthless. By taking this action he is putting everything he has given his life to on the altar. He was born a Jew, saw the Messiah as someone promised to the Jews, and saw the coming Kingdom as a fulfillment of the Jewish kingdom. But all of that is placed on the altar due to his faith that the Lord is a God of resurrection. 2:1-4 The Double-Minded Man Claims Impartiality But is Biased This epistle is a strong expression of being truly impartial. 2:14-17 The Double-Minded Man Claims Faith But Has No Works The works that express a faith in the God of Resurrection are similar to Abraham's faith in offering up his promised son in obedience to God and is similar to Rahab hiding the spies. This is the expression of this letter. 3:8-9 The Double-Minded Man Blesses God But Curses Man This letter is a very strong blessing to both God and man.

09-22-2016, 02:20 PM	#3
ZNPaaneah Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 7,105	Re: The double minded man James 1:8 [For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides]. Amplified version When you read about those who are perpetrating a scam, like box 13 with LBJ in Duval county, the description of those being investigated is “unstable, unreliable, uncertain” about everything. Salas, the man who certified the 200 bogus votes which bought the election for LBJ was uncertain about which box was box 13, uncertain about where the key documents were, and was completely unreliable in losing 2 of the 3 copies of the key documents, losing the keys to the boxes, etc. These are not people who are hesitating between their conscience and temptation, these are people who have sold themselves to do evil. Being unreliable and uncertain in everything is merely a last ditch attempt to not be convicted of a crime. It is similar to the CEO on the witness stand whose constant refrain is “I cannot recall”. It has always astounded me that people paid millions of dollars a year, presumably for their expertise and professionalism, are in fact so uncertain and unreliable about very critical questions. Barnes' Notes on James 1:8 A double minded man - The word here used, δίψυχος dipsuchos occurs only here and in James 4:8. It means, properly, one who has two souls; then one who is wavering or inconstant. It is applicable to a man who has no settled principles; who is controlled by passion; who is influenced by popular feeling; who is now inclined to one opinion or course of conduct, and now to another. Is unstable in all his ways - That is, not merely in regard to prayer, the point particularly under discussion, but in respect to everything. From the instability which the wavering must evince in regard to prayer, the apostle takes occasion to make the general remark concerning such a man, that stability and firmness could be expected on no subject. The hesitancy which manifested on that one subject would extend to all; and we might expect to find such a man irresolute and undetermined in all things. This is always true. If we find a man who takes hold of the promises of God with firmness; who feels the deepest assurance when he prays that God will hear prayer; who always goes to him without hesitation in his perplexities and trials, never wavering, we shall find one who is firm in his principles, steady in his integrity, settled in his determinations, and steadfast in his plans of life - a man whose character we shall feel that we understand, and in whom we can confide. Such a man eminently was Luther; and the spirit which is thus evinced by taking firmly hold of the promises of God is the best kind of religion. (Albert Barnes, Notes on the whole Bible) I don't think this is the same as being "otherwise minded". In that case you are being tempted with two souls, I think this term refers to someone like Balaam or Judas who has already determined within that he will have two souls. Jesus warned that you can't serve God and Mammon, this is a person who has chosen to ignore that and try. This word means "one who has two souls", not one who is being tempted to have two souls, or one who is hesitating between two souls. This term is only used in the book of James, so I don't think we should assume that it is equivalent to what others refer to.