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11 For [gar] we hear [akouo] that there are some [tis] which walk [peripateo] among [en] you [humin] disorderly, [ataktos] working [ergazomai] not at all, [medeis] but [alla] are busybodies. [periergazomai]KJV-Interlinear
11 For
we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at
all, but acting like busybodies. NASB
James defines work, or
spiritual work, and Paul here defines and
distinguishes spiritual work from temporal activity.
The student of the Word
of God needs to understand the difference between the two.
Spiritual work is the
effort and function of the spiritual life and spiritual growth, which enhances
and builds up your soul, while in felowship.
Temporal work is the
physical effort which pursues whatever physical, or verbal activities you have
in life, while out of fellowship.
Spiritual work is efficacious.It is effective and beneficial to your
soul.It sponsors spiritual growth and
spiritual production which exists within your soul.
Physical work is
anything that any unbeliever can do, but without spiritual benefit.
Paul calls such
unproductive folks, not busy or workers ergazomenous,
but busybodies periergazomenous. Not workers of the
doctrine within their soul, but people who are busy imitating what they believe
is spiritual activity, ut is not.
They think that they
are doing the work of the Lord, but are in fact are doing their own self
defined work.
The foundation of your life, exists in the content of your soul.Doctrine in the soul means a good foundation
in the thought behind your words and actions.Lack of doctrine in the soul means your thoughts and words and actions
are empty activity.
The test is
simple.If you do not or have not
pursued a daily study (not on your own as you see fit) while under the guidance
of qualified instruction, then your soul will be terribly lacking.
If you have committed
to a daily study of the scriptures and have learned, and come to the
understanding, and use of what you have learned, then your foundation of
doctrine will yield spiritual production in your life.
What is spiritual
production?All
activity that you do, while in fellowship.The Bible calls it, gold, silver, and
precious stones.
What is temporal or
carnal production?Any and all, even the
same, activity which is done while out of fellowship.The Bible calls it, wood, hay and stubble.
Spiritual production
glorifies God.Carnal production
glorifies yourself.
Spiritual production
gives all credit to God.Carnal
production seeks credit for ones self, but says it is
for God.
Spiritual production is
maintains responsibility in ones life.Carnal production disregards responsibility,
finds excuses, rationalizes ones actions, so that you can do Gods work as you
see fit.
Spiritual production is
humble. Carnal production is arrogant.
Spiritual production is
approached with order.Carnal production,
activity, work, is disorder.
Disorder here is the
same word as used in verse six, ataktos. It approaches life with disorientation,
inconsistency, and guided by ones arrogance, rather than by Gods mandates.
The
busybody emphasizs their physical activities as their
basis for advancement in their spiritual life.
The believer
functioning properly within their spiritual life,
looks to spiritual growth through doctrine made resident in their soul.The production of wisdom,
follows learning and understanding, not the reverse.
God uses prepared
believers those who learn and understand doctrine and then life.
Those who reject Gods
mandates, and mechanism for advancing in ones spiritual life, walk, peripateo, action with
movement that is not movement, walk in place, walk in circles getting nowhere,
occupied with ones meaningless travel while disregarding the destination or
purpose that is never reached.
They are busybodies,
doing more damage to the Christian image, while seeking to advance themselves
with disregard to the repercussions they cause on the attitudes, distaste, annoying
disgust in others who observe them.
1 Tim. 5:13
13 And at the same time
they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not
merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper
to mention. NASB
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