James Pt2

What can we assume about James from his introduction of himself in verse 1?

To whom is James writing and how does he refer to them ? (James 1:1-2)

James tells his readers to, “count it all joy when ye fall into divers (various) temptations (trials),”. Discuss your own experiences and how you have or haven’t applied James’ words (James 1:2).

What does patience look like in real world practice? Share some examples! (James 1:3-4)

In verses 5-8 James gives some instructions in prayer, both how to pray and what to pray for. Summarise those instructions.

What is the application of the illustration James gives in verses 9-11?

What can we assume about James from his introduction of himself in verse 1?

James 1:1 KJV 1900

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

James described himself simply as a bond-servant (Gr. doulos) of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Only he and Jude, another half-brother of the Lord, described themselves simply as bond-servants in their epistles. This probably indicates that they were so well known in the early church that they did not need to describe themselves in more detail.

James did not refer to himself as Jesus' brother or as the church's leader. He evidently purposed not to know Jesus after the flesh (2 Cor. 5:16) but only as his Lord and God.

Being a bond-servant of God was his most important relationship (cf. Rom. 1:1; Phil. 1:1; Titus 1:1; 2 Pet. 1:1; Jude 1; Rev. 1:1). He placed Jesus on an equal level with God by saying that he was the bond- servant of both God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 6:24 KJV 1900

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

To whom is James writing, and how does he refer to them? (James 1:1-2)

The 12 tribes (cf. Matt. 19:28; Acts 26:7) scattered abroad most naturally refer to Jewish Christians of the Diaspora, namely, those who were living outside Judea. "The 12 tribes" was a synonym for the Jewish race.

Since this is a catholic epistle (one addressed to a general audience as opposed to a particular church or individual), some scholars have concluded that James wrote to both unbelieving Jews and Christian Jews. However what he proceeded to write is aimed at believers, not unbelievers, as is clear from the contents of this epistle.

James knew nothing of the ten so-called "lost tribes." He regarded Israel, in its unity and completeness, as consisting of 12 tribes. These Jews were very likely members of the Jerusalem church who had left Jerusalem shortly after Stephen's martyrdom (cf. Acts 8:1, 4; 11:19-20).

It is unnatural to take the 12 tribes as descriptive of the so-called "new Israel," the church, as some interpreters do.

Israel can, and always does, refer to the physical descendants of Jacob whenever it occurs in the New Testament, just as it does in the Old Testament.

Furthermore there is no other Scriptural teaching that the church consists of 12 parts like the nation of Israel did.

James tells his readers to, “count it all joy when ye fall into divers (various) temptations (trials),”. Discuss your own experiences and how you have or haven’t applied James’ words (James 1:2).

JAMES 1:2-12 - THE VALUE OF TRIALS

James 1:2–12 KJV 1900

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. 9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: 10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. 11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. 12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

James begins his book by telling his readers to expect trials, “count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations,” The word translated temptations here would be better rendered trials.

And notice it’s not if you encounter trials but when you do, they are on the agenda for every believer. Jesus warned His disciples, “in the world ye shall have tribulation.” Paul told his converts “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

Some trials are as a result of our humanity, such as sickness, accidents, disappointments, tragedies and such like. Other trials come because we are believers as Peter points out in 1Pet 4v12-14&16-18.

Sometimes it’s the world that persecutes us and sometimes it’s the Satan that buffets us, but at other times it’s the Lord who allows or brings adversity on us so that our faith can be tried and tested, our character strengthened and our trust in Him extended.

A faith the cannot be tested cannot be trusted.

As James here indicates our trials are many and varied, “divers temptations,” means different trials.

Like a tapestry the many coloured threads viewed from the back seem to be formless and obscure but when viewed from the front they all fit perfectly together forming a beautiful pattern, the dark threads proving as needful as the bright ones. Our Christian lives are just like a tapestry a mixture of dark trials and bright times, but the dark are as needful as the bright to make a beautiful portrait.

Trials are for our benefit if used correctly, but trials are also difficult, that’s why James gives us three means to endure them and benefit from them.

Praise v2

James 1:2 “2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;”

According to James here the first thing to do when faced with trials is to, “count it all joy.” The word translated count is a financial term meaning to evaluate.

The apostle Paul uses it in Phil 3 where he explains that when he became a Christian he evaluated his life and things that were once important to him he now considered to be rubbish. When we face trials, we need to evaluate them in light of what the Lord is doing through them for us. And when we realise that “all things work together for good” then we see how it’s possible to praise through our problems.

What does patience look like in real world practice? Share some examples! (James 1:3-4)

Patience v3-4

James 1:3-4 “3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

James says in v3 that it’s important that believers “Know” that “the trying of their faith worketh patience.” A better rendering of “trying” would be approval,

By patience we mean though, not a passive acceptance of circumstances but a courageous perseverance in the face of difficulty.

Patience is gleaned by experiencing life’s trials and properly responding to them.

So in order to benefit from our trials it’s imperative that we surrender to the sovereignty of God in our lives and as James says here, “let patience have her perfect work,” or as it would be better rendered, “let patience have its full effect.” What is patience full effect? “That ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing,” in other words maturity.

It’s through the trials of life that God matures us and fits us for service. If we resist his will we remain juvenile and immature, if we submit to his will we will grow in grace as mature Christians.

Trials are hard and patience in the midst of them is not easy, but we can be patient in our trials when we know that God is using them to develop our faith and character, both for our good and His glory.

In verses 5-8 James gives some instructions in prayer, both how to pray and what to pray for. Summarise those instructions

Prayer v5-8

James 1:5-8 “5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

Another thing that can help us endure trial is prayer. In this section James tells us what we should pray for and how we should pray for it.

What should we pray for v5?

We should pray for wisdom for wisdom is the right application of knowledge. In asking for wisdom James assures us that God will answer us liberally and generously and not be angry with us for asking.

How should we pray v6-8?

We should “ask in faith, nothing wavering.” There should be no doubting that He will answer, fear and doubt are the enemies of faith. James compares the doubting believer to a wave in the water driven by the wind, blown about with no direction. Paul uses a similar illustration in Ephesians “tossed about with every wind,” he says. Such Christians are unstable v8, “a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” Double minded believers lacking in faith will not receive answers to their prayers, “for let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” Ultimately as scripture says, “without faith it is impossible to please Him.”

What is the application of the illustration James gives in verses 9-11?

The application of all of this is given in v9-11.

James 1:9-11 “9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: 10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. 11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.”

Here James applies these truths he has been teaching to two different types of Christian, rich believers and poor believers. The point James is making here is that trials have a way of levelling us. The poor man should submit under his trials and rejoice that he is rich in Christ v9. The rich man when tested should likewise submit and rejoice, for although his earthly wealth may pass away as the grass of the field his treasures in heaven are secure, v10-11.

One commentator says, “not everybody that grows old grows up,” but growing up to be mature in Christ is God’s purpose for us therefore it’s high time we did so.

"After over a quarter century of ministry, I am convinced that spiritual immaturity is the number one problem in our churches." Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Mature