In this article we will be looking at another text in which the article “the” appears in the Majority Text but not in our King James Version. More than likely it does not appear in the other versions as well. The passage is James chapter one and verse three.
The article “the” in this text changes the whole meaning of the text, but when viewed in the passage, in one way does not change the totality of the meaning of the passage in the whole. So what text is it that has the definite article “the” that changes the meaning, yet when looked at in the whole, does not change the meaning of the text? It is, of course, James chapter one and verse three. This is written to get your mind on the text, to see what you generally see within it, then, putting the definite article “the” before the word “faith?” Now, it is time to read the text, James wrote: “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:1-3). Most of us have read and heard these read in many sermons and Bible chasses over the years. We have been taught the word “faith” is addressing our “faith.” Certainly, this is true but there is a greater meaning in this text that has gone unnoticed in such teaching!
So, as we read verse three again, we will put the definite article before the word “faith,” and see if it has a deeper meaning than is generally taught! Now verse three with the definite article before the word “faith.” James wrote: “Knowing this, that the trying of your the faith worketh patience.” The part we are interested in are these words: “the trying of your the faith working patience.” Where do we start? It is “the faith” working in you, which requires “the faith” within you! In other words, just how does “the faith” work within you? You see, we must start with “the faith” in you before it can work within you! This would require study on our part, hearing the word preached and taught as this in “the faith” within us! If “the faith” is not in us, nothing takes place; there is no growing in “the faith” which Peter demands, as he wrote: “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Pet. 3:18). “The faith” must first be within us before it can work within us. Put a Bible on the coffee table, never open it, as you just look at it over the years! Does it put “the faith” within us? No, no, nothing happens to us, “the faith” never will grow within us unless the Bible is studied and as we study “the faith” grows in us, then, we know that “the faith” will work in our minds, hearts, and “patience” will grow with in us. The word “patience” is the Greek “hupomone,” and means “endurance.” If “the faith” is not in us, there will be no “endurance,” within us!
We may have many things within us, but only “the faith” has the ability to produce “endurance” as is necessary! This is so true in all that God requires of us, but it all begins with “the faith” in your heart/mind and study is the only way we can get “the faith” in our minds/hearts!
James has written what we all knew but had never put it into words, “From faith as in the faith” which once for all time was delivered unto the saints in the first century! Now think on this, it is “from the faith unto our faith!”
When you study “the faith” keep these thoughts in mind and see if your faith will grow and you will become a more mature child of God!
Frank R. Williams