James 3:17 - But the wisdom from above is first of all chaste, then peaceable, reasonable, ready to obey, full of mercy and good fruits, not making partial distinctions, not hypocritical. (NWT)
MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTARY:
Observe here, True wisdom is God's gift. It is not gained by conversing with men, nor by the knowledge of the world (as some think and speak), but it comes from above. It consists of these several things:-
1. It is pure [chaste NWT] , without mixture of maxims or aims that would debase it: and it is free from iniquity and defilements, not allowing of any known sin, but studious of holiness both in heart and life...
MY OBSERVATIONS / EXPERIENCES OPINION:
The WTBTS / Jehovah's Witnesses are full of maxims and corporate aims. For example: "theocratic order", "reaching for privileges"; "universal sovereignty"; "listen, obey, and be blessed" to name but a few.
The aim is to magnify the importance of the governing body, obey bodies of elders, and remain loyal to the organisation.
It is replete with cases of child abuse which it maintains it is dealing with adequately as an institution and does not seek expertise on the matter to protect children.
It is studious of it's own eisegetical publications rather than that “which is holy”.
Thus, I cannot see this organisation as exemplifying James' teachings re purity / chastity. I cannot possibly provide any support for its activities / teachings as being based on wisdom from above.
MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTARY:
2. The wisdom that is from above is peaceable. Peace follows purity, and depends upon it. Those who are truly wise do what they can to preserve peace, that it may not be broken; and to make peace, that where it is lost it may be restored. In kingdoms, in families, in churches, in all societies, and in all interviews and transactions, heavenly wisdom makes men peaceable.
MY OBSERVATIONS / EXPERIENCES OPINION:
My experience is that this organisation is far from peaceable. Their BoEs (in my experience) behave as though they were the temple police typified under the leadership of Caiaphas in the 1st century. They, and the organisation are heavily reliant on guilt tripping, are highly directive, and practice and enforce separatism. Hardly a peaceful experience / paradigm.
The BoE are complicit in projecting a corporate productivity paradigm of more ministry hours, more RV's, more BSs, more meeting participation. They are part of a restless human machine which is never satisfied or content. Hardly peaceable!
MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTARY:
3. It is gentle (reasonable NWT) , not standing upon extreme right in matters of property; not saying nor doing anything rigorous in points of censure; not being furious about opinions, urging our own beyond their weight nor theirs who oppose us beyond their intention; not being rude and overbearing in conversation, nor harsh and cruel in temper. Gentleness may thus be opposed to all these.
MY OBSERVATIONS / EXPERIENCES OPINION:
This organisation is far from
reasonable / gentle. It has a judicial committee system founded upon its
own legalisms and in practice, such are elevated above scripture.
It has been a nihilistic and divisive influence in the lives of many
families. See how cruel it can be in this video broadcast from Radio
Canada....
How reasonable is it for a group of males in New York USA to presume to publish with the intention of directing family life when the head of every man is the Christ and when the Bible advises all to "lead a quiet life and mind your own business" - 1 Th 4:11?
MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTARY:
4. Heavenly wisdom is easy to be entreated (ready to obey NWT), (eupeitheµs); it is very persuadable, either to what is good or from what is evil. There is an easiness that is weak and faulty; but it is not a blamable easiness to yield ourselves to the persuasions of God's word, and to all just and reasonable counsels or requests of our fellow-creatures; no, nor to give up a dispute, where there appears a good reason for it and where a good end may be answered by it.
MY OBSERVATIONS / EXPERIENCES OPINION:
The WTBTS is far removed from being able to be entreated. It is staunchly hierarchical and accustomed to prescription rather than listening. It directs that JW's should be "ready to obey" - an eisegetical translation and code meaning that JW's are to follow the institutional leadership / be followers of men. Nevertheless they cherry pick scriptures and are focussed on what their literature claims of scripture rather than yielding to scripture itself and acknowledging context.
No, they are not easily entreated but are extremely rigid and nonchalant. They ignore their own platitudes re obedience by striving to avoid court direction. Their disposition evidences that they are predisposed to being oleaginous. This part of James 3:17 (“ready to obey”) is willfully taken out of context by the JW leadership and is held to be a qualification for being appointed as an elder. This despite their Benefit book chapter 22 which lauds proper application of scripture / acknowledging context. So they’re not even true to what they themselves publish!
MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTARY:
5. Heavenly wisdom is full of mercy and good fruits, inwardly disposed to everything that is kind and good, both to relieve those who want and to forgive those who offend, and actually to do this whenever proper occasions offer.
MY OBSERVATIONS / EXPERIENCES OPINION:
You can be disfellowshipped for disagreeing with them despite the recent acknowledgement that the GB are not perfect/inspired and get things wrong. How is that merciful?
How is the changing of doctrines good fruit? How is their reliance on legal rebuttals in response to child molestation lawsuits good fruitage?
How is their requiring the sacrifice of life rather than a blood transfusion good fruitage?
They are not disposed to forgiveness. Pre-emptive shunning is widely practiced for such little things as...
- - irregular meeting attendance
- - not answering up
- - not using the NWT Bible
- - refusing "privileges"
- - irregular ministry
- - questioning BoE decisions
None of the above are wrong and require being forgiven mind you! But when pre-emptive shunning is the response to such, how is this being "inwardly disposed to everything that is kind and good"?
MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTARY:
6. Heavenly wisdom is without partiality [partial distinctions NWT] . The original word, adiakritos, signifies to be without suspicion, or free from judging, making no undue surmises nor differences in our conduct towards one person more than another. The margin reads it, without wrangling, not acting the part of sectaries, and disputing merely for the sake of a party; nor censuring others purely on account of their differing from us. The wisest men are least apt to be censurers.
MY OBSERVATIONS / EXPERIENCES OPINION:
This organisation is riddled with partial distinctions. How many hirsute individuals hold "privileges" or are appointed men?
How many individuals do you see behind the lectern who do not wear a suit?
If you usually do wear a suit but with a slim fitting cut (eg tight pants as they say in the USA) then how will you be treated? Supposing you like hair gel?
Isn't it the case that this organisation is exemplary of intolerance?
What about the treatment of women? No scriptural precedent for a sister being prohibited from roving microphone, attendant, literature desk etc. Why are they prohibited from wearing trousers? Trousers are surely "modest and well arranged"! Theresa May and Angela Merkel look fine in them! Why such a problem with the GBoJW?
See this OP....
https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/5678288265543680/wtbts-partial-distinctions-james-3-17
MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTARY:
7. That wisdom which is from above is without hypocrisy. It has no disguises nor deceits. It cannot fall in with those managements which the world counts wise, which are crafty and guileful; but it is sincere and open, steady and uniform, and consistent with itself.
MY OBSERVATIONS / EXPERIENCES OPINION:
It is reliant on graduates of law schools in a shameful endeavor to protect it from the onslaught of lawsuits from child abuse victims. Yet it disdains the higher education which is the ultimate source of such professionals.
Similarly, it needs graduates to provide for its branch and other building / real estate plans despite the antipathy for higher education.
Indeed, if you are a JW and pursue a higher education you will be socially censured. Your father will have his elder qualifications reviewed if he is on the BoE.