25. looketh into--literally, "stoopeth down to take a close look
into." Peers into: stronger than "beholdeth," or "contemplated,"
Jas 1:24.
A blessed curiosity if it be efficacious in bearing fruit
[BENGEL].
perfect law of liberty--the Gospel rule of life, perfect and
perfecting (as shown in the Sermon on the Mount,
Mt 5:48),
and making us truly walk at liberty
(Ps 119:32,
Church of England Prayer Book Version). Christians are to aim at
a higher standard of holiness than was generally understood under the
law. The principle of love takes the place of the letter of the
law, so that by the Spirit they are free from the yoke of sin, and free
to obey by spontaneous instinct
(Jas 2:8, 10, 12;
Joh 8:31-36; 15:14, 15;
compare
1Co 7:22;
Ga 5:1, 13;
1Pe 2:16).
The law is thus not made void, but fulfilled.
continueth therein--contrasted with "goeth his way,"
Jas 1:24,
continues both looking into the mirror of God's word, and doing
its precepts.
doer of the work--rather, "a doer of work"
[ALFORD], an actual worker.
blessed in his deed--rather, "in his doing"; in the very
doing there is blessedness
(Ps 19:11).
JFB.
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