"Do not err, my beloved brethren." - What Does It Mean to Err?

James 1:16

“16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.”

What does “Err” mean?

The word “err” in this verse is the Greek word “planao” meaning:

metaphorically, to lead away from the truth, to lead into error, to deceive; From plane; to cause to roam from safety, truth, or virtue; go astray, deceive, err, seduce, wander, be out of the way.

This term nearly always conveys the sin of roaming. (Strong’s Concordance)

James is telling us NOT to be led away from the Truth, NOT to be deceived by those who would seduce us into thinking the Truth is wrong or changed. He is telling us NOT to be out of the Way of God.

We are to serve God in sincerity and In Truth:

Joshua 24:14

“Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.”

What does “Truth” mean in Hebrew?

The Hebrew word for “truth” is “emeth” which means:

faithfulness, reliableness; walk in faithfulness, faithfully; assuredly, establishment, faithful, right, sure, true (Strong’s Concordance).

What is the Truth?

·         Psalm 51:6 “Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.”

·         John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (Spoken by Yeshua, about the disciples and all who would believe on Him, while praying to our Father).

What is the Way of God?

·         Psalm 18:30 “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.”

·         Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

We must keep in mind, ALL of the disciples were Hebrew and spoke Hebrew. They used words that had specific meanings in Hebrew that vary from the Greek interpretations.

What is the Hebrew word for “planao”?

The Hebrew word for “planao” is “maal” which means:

A primitive root; properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e. Treacherously -- transgress, (commit, do a) trespass(-ing) (Strong’s Concordance).

So from the Hebrew word “maal”, we can see that the original meaning of this verse (in the Hebrew context as it was meant to be understood) is:

Do not cover up, or act covertly. Do not treacherously transgress or commit a trespass.

What does the Bible say about “trespass” and “transgress”?

Transgress:

·         Numbers 14:41 “And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the Lord? but it shall not prosper.”

·         1 John 3:4 “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”

Trespass:

We can see from the following verses that “trespass” means to sin by committing any of the forbidden things in the commandments of God. We can also see that disobeying the Word of God (Torah) is sinning against God.

Leviticus 5:17-19

“17 And if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the Lord; though he wist it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.

18 And he shall bring a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his ignorance wherein he erred and wist it not, and it shall be forgiven him.

19 It is a trespass offering: he hath certainly trespassed against the Lord.”

Matthew 6:14-15

“14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

The “bottom line” is:

We are to follow God’s Torah. To do otherwise, or to teach otherwise, is to transgress the law (Torah) of God. Yeshua confirms this…

Matthew 5:17-20

“17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”