Matthew Poole and continuators on James 1:25

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty , and continueth therein , he being not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work , this man shall be blessed in his deed .

Viz. intently and earnestly, searching diligently into the Mind of God. The Word signifies a bowing down of the Head to look into a thing; and is used of the Disciples looking into Christ's Sepulcher, Luke 24.12. Iohn 20.[illegible: 1 letter]. see 1 Pet. 1.12. and seems to be opposed to looking into a Glass, which is more slight, and without such prying and inquisitiveness.

The whole Doctrine of the Scripture, or especially the Gospel called a Law, Rom. 3.27. both as it is a Rule, and by reason of the Power it hath over the Heart; and a Law of Liberty, because it shews the way to the best Liberty, freedom from Sin, the Bondage of the Ceremonial Law, the rigour of the Moral, and from the Wrath of God; and likewise the way of serving God freely and ingenuously as Children; and because being received into the Heart, it is accompanied with the Spirit of Adoption who works this Liberty, 2 Cor. 3.17. It is called a perfect Law, not only as being intire and without any defect, but as directing us to the greatest Perfection, full conformity to God, and enjoyment of him, 2 Tim. 3.16, 17.

Perseveres in the study, belief, and obedience of this Doctrine, (Psal. 1.2.) in a l conditions, a nd under all temptations and afflictions. This seems to be opposed to him, who, when he hath looked in a Glass, goes away, v. 24. By which are set forth flight, superficial hearers, who do not continue in Christ's Word, Iohn 8.31.

Gr. hearer of forgetfulness, by an Hebraism for a forgetful Hearer; it answers to him in the former Verse, that forgets what manner of Man he was; and implies, not only, not remembring the Truths we have heard, but a not practising them, as appears by the next Clause.

Viz. which the Word directs him to do: The Singular Number is put for the Plural; he means, he that reduceth what he hears into practice, Psal. 103.18.

This is opposed to bare hearing, and the doer of the Work is said to be blessed in, or by his Deed, as the evidence of his present begun Blessedness, and the way to his future perfect Happiness.

Marginal references: Chap. 2.12.; Joh. 13.17.; Or, doing.