James 1:24

James 1:24

For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

a. NLT: You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

b. ASV: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth away, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. [Thomas Nelson & Sons first published the American Standard Version in 1901. This translation of the Bible is in the public domain.]

c. YLT: For he did view himself, and hath gone away, and immediately he did forget of what kind he was; [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.] 

d. Classic Amplified: For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

e. Peshitta Eastern Text: For he sees himself and goes his way and forgets how he looked.  [HOLY BIBLE FROM THE ANCIENT EASTERN TEXT.Copyright  Ⓒ 1933 by A.J. Holmon Co.; copyright  Ⓒ renewed 1961 by A.J. Holmon Co.; Copyright  Ⓒ 1939 by A.J. Holmon Co.; copyright  Ⓒ renewed 1967  by A.J. Holmon Co.;  Copyright  Ⓒ 1940 by A.J. Holmon Co.; copyright  Ⓒ renewed 1968 by A.J. Holmon Co.; Copyright  Ⓒ 1957 by A.J. Holmon Co. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. HarperCollins Publishers, 195 Broadway, New York, NY 10007.]

f. NIV: And, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. [THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.]

1. “For he beholdeth himself…”

a. For [Strong: 1063. gar gar a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]

b. [he] beholdeth [Strong: 2657. katanoeo kat-an-o-eh'-o from 2596 and 3539; to observe fully:--behold, consider, discover, perceive.] [Zodhiates: To observe, notice, consider, contemplate.]

 

c. himself [Strong: 1438. heautou heh-ow-too' from a reflexive pronoun otherwise obsolete and the genitive case (dative case or accusative case) of 846; him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.:--alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves).]

1). I believe this verse contains a word play about the steps of disobedience to God’s Word. It is obvious that the glass is the word of God. It is also obvious the man is considering and contemplating about himself, he is contemplating about what manner of man he is, a Christian.

2. “…and goeth his way… 

a. and [Strong: 2532. kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. goeth his way [Strong: 565. aperchomai ap-erkh'-om-ahee from 575 and 2064; to go off (i.e. depart), aside (i.e. apart) or behind (i.e. follow), literally or figuratively:--come, depart, go (aside, away, back, out, ... ways), pass away, be past.]

1). Perhaps instead of going the way of thy commandments as in Psalm 119:32, of the way of the Spirit, this man goeth his way. 

3. “…and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.”

a. and [Strong: 2532. kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. straightway [Strong: 2112. eutheos yoo-theh'-oce adverb from 2117; directly, i.e. at once or soon:--anon, as soon as, forthwith, immediately, shortly, straightway.]

c. forgetteth [Strong: 1950. epilanthanomai ep-ee-lan-than'-om-ahee middle voice from 1909 and 2990 [epilanthanomai; epi-upon; lanthano-to escape notice;] to lose out of mind; by implication, to neglect:--(be) forget(-ful of).]  [Bullinger: To forget upon, in consequence of something else.]

d. [what] manner of man [Strong: 3697. hopoios hop-oy'-os from 3739 and 4169; of what kind that, i.e. how (as) great (excellent) (specially, as an indefinite correlative to the definite antecedent 5108 of quality):--what manner (sort) of, such as whatsoever.] [Zodhiates: Of what kind or sort.]

e. [he] was [Strong: 2258. en ane imperfect of 1510; I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were):--+ agree, be, X have (+ charge of), hold, use, was(-t), were.]

1). Surely, a precursor to forgetting the commandments of God is walking in our own way.  

a). Psalm 78:7-11 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

78:8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

78:9 The children of Ephraim, being armed, and carrying bows, turned back in the day of battle.

78:10 They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law;

78:11 And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them. 

2). Instead of saying he forgets what he looked like, it says he forgot what manner of man he was. The man saw in the mirror, i.e., the word, that he is Christlike. He though, went his own way, and forgot what manner of man he was. He did not set his heart aright. His spirit was not steadfast with God.

a). Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard last at any time we should let them slip.