Lexical Summary poiésis: Making, doing, creation, workmanship Original Word: ποίησις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance deed. From poieo; action, i.e. Performance (of the law) -- deed. see GREEK poieo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom poieó Definition a making, a doing NASB Translation what...does (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4162: ποίησιςποίησις, ποιήσεως, ἡ (ποιέω); 1. a making (Herodotus 3, 22; Thucydides 3, 2; Plato, Demosthenes, others; the Sept. several times for מַעֲשֶׂה). 2. a doing or performing: ἐν τῇ ποιήσει αὐτοῦ (in his doing, i. e.) in the obedience he renders to the law, James 1:25; add Sir. 19:20 (18). Though occurring only once in the Greek New Testament, the noun ποίησις (Strong’s 4162) carries a rich backdrop from classical and Septuagint usage where it denotes concrete action, production, or accomplishment. In Scripture it embodies the movement from hearing divine revelation to embodying it, stressing the tangible expression of faith through obedient practice. Biblical Usage: James 1:25 James 1:25 situates ποίησις at the heart of true religion: “But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and continues to do it—not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.” Here ποίησις underscores that blessing is not attached merely to comprehension but to enacted obedience. James contrasts the self-deception of passive listeners (James 1:22-24) with the spiritual wholeness of the believer whose life becomes an ongoing “doing.” The expression “in his doing” frames obedience as the arena in which divine favor is experientially known. Theological Themes 1. Unity of Faith and Works: ποίησις echoes the canonical call that saving faith necessarily produces observable fruit (Matthew 7:24-27; Galatians 5:6; James 2:17). Historical Interpretation • Early Church: Patristic writers such as Chrysostom read ποίησις in James as safeguarding the gospel from antinomian distortion, insisting that grace issues in virtuous action. Practical Ministry Application • Discipleship: ποίησις invites churches to craft teaching that immediately channels Scripture into concrete obedience—service projects, ethical accountability, and relational reconciliation. Integration with Pauline Emphasis Although the noun does not appear in Paul, its cognate verb ποιέω saturates his letters. Ephesians 2:10 affirms believers are “created in Christ Jesus to do good works,” aligning perfectly with James. Thus, ποίησις in James 1:25 complements, rather than competes with, the Pauline proclamation of grace by displaying the transformative outcome of that grace. Implications for Personal Spiritual Formation Meditation upon Scripture should culminate in intentional planning for action—turning insights into specific, measurable steps (Psalm 119:59-60). An examination of conscience framed by ποίησις asks, “Where have I obeyed what I know, and where must knowledge become action today?” Summary Strong’s 4162, though a solitary occurrence, crystallizes the biblical conviction that divine revelation seeks embodiment. ποίησις bridges the gap between hearing and doing, doctrine and discipleship, proclaiming that the blessed life is discovered “in the doing.” |
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