The Book of James - Part 2
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Introduction
Introduction
The Book of James is one of the most practical books in the New Testament. It is similar to what would be the “wisdom literature” of the Old Testament books.
CSB Study Bible: Notes (James)
James brings both testaments together to show that faith and works are integrally related in both the old and new covenants.
This small letter with only five chapters consists of many exhortations, ethical teachings, a call to “action,” and blunt statements. James is not a sugar-coating author; he calls believers to live out their faith in actions!
James’s purpose is for believers to live out their faith in concrete ways and to demonstrate the maturity that true faith brings.
One writer says, “Topics such as trials, money, words, favoritism, fighting, pride, planning, and prayer fill this epistle with useful instruction. For the individual believer and for communities of faith, James does what the epistle says ought to happen in Scripture in general: it provides a mirror by which Christians can take a long, hard look at themselves and then go away and make changes.”[1]
For an example of practical teaching, let us look at James 4:14. The text says, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
Author: The book of James was written by “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.” (Js 1:1).
Various individuals named “James” appear in the New Testament, including James the son of Alphaeus (also known as “James the less”), the James of Luke 6:16, James the son of Zebedee and brother of John, and James the half-brother of Jesus.
However, James the son of Zebedee was martyred in A.D. 44, and the early church generally attributed the letter to James the half-brother of Jesus.
Various resemblances between the book of James and materials associated with James the half-brother in Acts 15 (15:13-21) point toward James as the author.
James the half-brother of Jesus did not trust in the Lord during His ministry (John 7:5) but was converted by a personal appearance of the risen Lord (1 Cor 15:7).
For neither did his brethren believe in him.
After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
James became a “pillar” or important leader of the Jerusalem church (Acts 1:14; 12:17; 15:13-29; 21:17-18; Gal 1:19; 2:9, 12; Jude 1).
And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
James (and his book) remained very Jewish in character. This Jewish character is collaborated by materials about James the half-brother of the Lord found in Eusebius, the early church historian.
Provenance: As a leader of the Jerusalem church, James’ epistle would have been written from this city.
Date: James was probably composed in the late 40s (46-48). It must have been written before the martyrdom of James the half-brother of Jesus, around A.D. 62.
Audience: James wrote to “the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad.” He probably addressed Messianic Jews among the Jewish “diaspora.”
Theme: “Faith demonstrated by works in attitude, speech, and conduct.”
Occasion/Contents: James emphasizes Christian living and provides “paraenesis” (moral exhortation) in line with the Jewish wisdom tradition.
The book is filled with practical applications, including a summons to endurance in trials, the avoidance of partiality, the relationship of faith and works, the proper use of the tongue, a description of true wisdom, a condemnation of worldliness, the proper use of wealth, the importance of patience, the role of prayer, and the conversion of the erring. Imperative verbs (commands) occur with greater frequency in James than in any other New Testament book.
The epistle contains fifty-four imperatives, averaging one imperative for every two verses (there are 108 verses). James contains important parallels with the teachings of the historical Jesus, especially the Sermon on the Mount.
Practical Teachings of James
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
James 4:7-8 (KJV 1900)
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Controversial Topic in James
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Are works required to be saved?
Is James teaching that works are greater than faith? NO
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER ONE
I. ADDRESS AND GREETING (1:1)
I. ADDRESS AND GREETING (1:1)
Main Idea: Trails and testing are necessary for Christians because there is a divine purpose for them. Therefore, they should ask God for wisdom and respond to trials with joy, proper attitude, and prayer, because they would bring maturity in one’s life.
Key Themes:
1. Trials and tribulations are used by God to produce persevering faith.
2. We must ask God for wisdom to endure trials in our lives.
3. Enduring trials brings us blessings for now and for future.
I. Salutation (1:1)
I. Salutation (1:1)
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
Ancient letters typically began with an identification of the sender, a reference to the recipients, and a greeting. So, we see a similar pattern here in this letter.
Look at the text: “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Who is this James? The Scripture mentions at least three persons with this name. James is a Greek name for “Jacob” [Ya’akub, (יַעֲקֹ֑ב)] in the Hebrew language.
This James is identified as the brother of Jesus in Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3; and Galatians 1:19.
For example, look at Matt. 13:55
Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
Paul states that he saw James the Lord’s brother in Ga. 1:19
But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.
Though he was not a follower of Christ during his earthly ministry (Jn 7:3–5), a post-resurrection appearance convinced James that Jesus is indeed the Christ (Ac 1:14; 1Co 15:7).
His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.
For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.
For neither did his brethren believe in him.
However, James believed in Jesus post-resurrection
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
James later led the Jerusalem church (Gl 2:9, 12), exercising great influence there (Ac 1:14; 12:17; 15:13; 21:18; 1Co 15:7; Gl 2:9, 12).
What does it mean by James being a servant of God? What does it mean by the term “servant”?
The term “slave” means one who belongs to God or one who has a submissive relationship with the Lord, or who is dedicated to serving the Lord.
But the term “slave” should not be understood in a derogatory way; the term should not be understood from “our” perspective of what a “slave” is. Rather, we would see the Scripture from the Ancient perspective - the right perspective.
The term “slave” refers to one who was in slavery, for example, the slaves in Egypt. But, this term also has a meaning of “honor.” One writer says, “But being a “servant of God” — because it is God, the sovereign of the universe whom one serves — also carries great honor. For in the OT, this title is applied to the great leaders of the people of Israel, such as Moses (Deut. 34:5; Dan. 9:11) and David (Jer. 33:21; Ezek. 37:25). As do Paul (cf. Rom. 1:1; Gal. 1:10; Phil. 1:1; Tit. 1:1) and Peter (2 Pet. 1:1), James therefore identifies himself in the letter opening with a title that suggests his authority to address — and admonish — the readers.”[2]
Then James moves on to addressing the “recipients” of the letter - “to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting”
Some scholars believe that James was strictly writing for Jews. But this may not be the case. Again, taking into account of the believers in the first Church, we would say that this was intended for both Jew and Gentile believers of his time.
[1] Samra, Jim. 2016. James, 1 & 2 Peter, and Jude. Edited by Mark L. Strauss and John H. Walton. Teach the Text Commentary Series. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books: A Division of Baker Publishing Group.
[2] Douglas J. Moo, The Letter of James, Pillar New Testament Commentary. Accordance electronic ed. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000), 48-49.