Henry Krabbendam - James - World Evangelical Alliance

8:38) (Moo, 1985, 143). Because Christ is her bridegroom (2 Cor. 11:2; Eph.
5:22-25; Rev. 21:9), this is appropriate language. At any rate, in that case
“adulterers and adulteresses” is an emendation of the original text by a copyist
to make crystal clear that no one can claim an exemption to James’ indictment!
If, on the other hand, the double vocative is the correct reading, the
author himself makes this point directly. Ultimately, however, it does not
make a substantial difference in James’ argument which version is original.
The content applies to the Church “as a whole” (PDavids, 100, 104), to men
and women alike (Mitton, 152). They are an “adulterous people” (Moo, 1985,
143) with a radically and totally secular set of standards and values (Burdick,
193). Incidentally, what a contrast with the Church as a “chaste virgin,” the
grand objective of Paul’s ministry (2 Cor. 11:2), fully in the footsteps of
James (Calvin, 331)!
Undoubtedly, the terminology must be understood in a figurative sense.
James does not accuse his readers of literal, physical, adultery (Mt. 12:39;
16:4). Nevertheless, it points out the extreme seriousness of the situation! All
of them are guilty of spiritual adultery, or idolatry.
Adultery is a ground for divorce in the New Testament, in fact, the only
ground (Mt. 19:9). It replaces the death penalty of the Old Testament, which
is tantamount to divorce (Lev. 20:10). The implication is that the spiritual
adultery in view in this passage is a ground for the dissolution of the marriage
between God and his people (Ps. 73:27). In physical adultery, a husband or
wife prefers someone else to his or her spouse, and becomes a member of the
other person (1 Cor. 6:15). In spiritual adultery man prefers something or
someone else to God. There is nothing that provokes the anger of God more
than this sin ... which is essentially the sin against the First Commandment,
“You shall have no other gods before me.”
In the sin of idolatry, the sinner has a greater thirst and hunger for someone
or something within God’s creation, than he has for God himself. The
passion of the heart is directed toward something or someone other than God.
This description, which places the emphasis upon the thirst of the heart, is
better than the usual textbook definition, in which idolatry is said “to place
one’s ultimate trust upon someone or something besides or instead of God.”
Not many people will (have to) admit that they explicitly place their ultimate
trust upon someone or something instead of God. However, every
Christian will (have to) admit that his life is often riddled with idolatry, in
terms of the thirst of the heart. How often does not a Christian postpone his
time of prayer and his reading of Scripture? How often does not his heart
wander away from his Savior? How often does he not get more excited about
a sports event, such as a football game or a baseball game, than about the
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