James 1 - Trials in Life

Introduction

Do you know James?

The author of James (a general epistle, not written to a specific church) is James, the brother of the Lord

How many brothers and sisters? What did Jesus’ family look like?

Mark 6:3 “3 Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And aren’t his sisters here with us?” So they were offended by him.”

Jesus (Joshua)

Jude (Judah)

James (Jacob)

Joseph

Simon - all good Biblical names

Plus, several sisters (2? 3? more?) In Israelite culture the inheritance passed through the male line, so recording the names of the females was not as important

But…something happened!

1 Corinthians 15:3–7 “3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. 6 Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.”

Acts 1:14 “14 They all were continually united in prayer, along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”

James: The Wisdom of the Brother of Jesus The Life of James

Jesus’ other brothers (Joseph, Judas and Simon) may also have seen the risen Lord, or else they believed through James’ testimony, for the next we hear of them they are travelling Christian missionaries: ‘Don’t we have the right’ asks the Apostle Paul, ‘to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas?’ (1 Corinthians 9:5). James, on the other hand, stayed in Jerusalem and over the next three decades rose to a prominence in the church that is rarely noted in popular Christian circles today. He presided over a church in Jerusalem of many thousands (Acts 2:41; 4:4).

James: The Wisdom of the Brother of Jesus The Life of James

If you were to ask mid-first-century Christians from anywhere in the Roman empire, ‘Who was the earthly figurehead of the church?’ they would almost certainly have said: ‘James, the brother of the Lord.’ Even Paul in Acts 21:18–25 defers to the authority of James. And in Galatians 2:9 he lists ‘those esteemed as pillars’ in the church as James, Peter and John. The order is not accidental.

Josephus writes of his death:

James: The Wisdom of the Brother of Jesus The Life of James

The younger Ananus, who had been appointed to the high priesthood, was rash in his temper and unusually daring. Possessed of such a character, Ananus thought that he had a favourable opportunity because Festus (Roman Governor) was dead and Albinus (new Roman Governor) was still on the way (62 AD). And so he convened the judges of the Sanhedrin and brought before them the one named James, the brother of Jesus who was called the Messiah, and certain others. He accused them of having transgressed the Jewish law and delivered them up to be stoned to death.

When was James written? No later than 62 AD, but probably much earlier (45?), making this the first book of the NT to be written!

There is no discussion of issues between Jewish and Gentile believers (e.g., meat offered to idols)

The Christians were still meeting in the temple and the synagogue; there had been no divorce/split from Judaism yet!

There is no awareness of potential conflict between James’ teaching (faith without works is dead) and Paul’s (justification by faith alone)

To whom was James written?

The diaspora - the Jews scattered abroad, some of whom had been converted at Pentecost

The Jews who were forced to flee Jerusalem on account of persecution

What books does James remind us of?

Proverbs - theme of wisdom; moving from one subject to another to another

The synoptic gospels (Did James know of some of the materials used by the gospel writers? Did he witness some of Jesus’ ministry firsthand?)

What is the theme of James?

James Adamson, 1976 - James’s task, like Paul’s in his Epistles, is mainly practical, to help the sincere to live up to their faith, and very often to correct errors, misunderstandings, and backslidings resulting in conduct unworthy of the Christian faith.

So in essence - Live up to your faith! (How can we do this?)

1. Enduring trials brings spiritual maturity

James 1:1–4 CSB

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings. 2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

v.1 “a servant of God” - literally a slave. Not “Pastor James, lead pastor of the First Baptist Church of Jerusalem”; not James, the brother of Jesus

“Lord” - Jesus' authority, sovereignty, and divine status. It acknowledges him as the ruler and master over all creation.

“Christ” - a title derived from the Greek word "Christos," which means "anointed one" or "chosen one." It signifies Jesus' role as the Messiah promised in the Old Testament, the fulfillment of God's promises, and his special anointing for his mission as the Savior and redeemer of humanity.

v.2 “great joy”? “various trials”?

“trials” - financial (poverty), legal, religious, (health?) - not unique to believers

The Atlantic - “The clocklike regularity of major life changes” - “transitions feel like an abnormal disruption to life, but in fact they are a predictable and integral part of it”

“pure joy” - trials should be an occasion for genuine rejoicing. Why? God does not waste a trial

Romans 8:28 “28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”

v.3 “testing” - process of refining silver, gold

“endurance” - but this is not the end goal

“mature and complete” - conformed to the image of God’s Son

2. Maturity requires wisdom, which God gives to all who ask in faith

James 1:5–8 CSB

5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, 8 being double-minded and unstable in all his ways.

v.5 “now if” - not really “if” but “when”.

How does God give wisdom? Generously, ungrudgingly

This is not new - Proverbs 2:6 “6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

Matthew 7:7 “7 “Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.”

v.6 “ask in faith” - not so much faith that God will answer, but faith that we are committed to obey what God does answer!

Similar to the person who prays to know God’s will to see whether it’s something he wants to do!

“without doubting” - in the Bible the opposite of belief is often doubting, not unbelief; “wavering and inconsistency of attitude toward God” (Moo)

Luke 9:62 “62 But Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.””

3. Both poor and rich Christians need to view themselves as God does

James 1:9–11 CSB

9 Let the brother of humble circumstances boast in his exaltation, 10 but let the rich boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field. 11 For the sun rises and, together with the scorching wind, dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance perishes. In the same way, the rich person will wither away while pursuing his activities.

v.9 “the brother of humble circumstances”

In the ancient world there were three classes of people:

The wealthy, who had land and investments and became increasingly rich

The common man, who would work today for their food tonight

The poverty stricken, who would beg for the day’s sustenance (e.g., Lazarus, begging at the rich man’s table)

The “middle class” as we know it would have been rare. By comparison both to other cultures today and to the culture back then, most of us would be considered wealthy.

The brother of humble circumstances - “boast in his exaltation” Luke 16:22 “22 One day the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s side.”

v.10 “the rich” (Christian) - the rich believer is to boast not in his wealth or his elevated social position, but in his identification with Christ and his people, a matter of “humiliation” in the eyes of the world (Moo). The wealth of this life is temporary.

Discussion Questions

Although it may sound overly simple to state God is good, why is this specific quality a necessary truth to embrace when going through a difficult circumstance?

What does this passage reveal about God’s goodness? How do trials show us who God is?

How would you describe the difference between trials and temptations? What is the result of each of these?

In verse 4 James says, “And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Unpack what this means. What does it mean for steadfastness to have its full effect? What does it mean to make us perfect and complete, lacking in nothing?

What promises or benefits did James say result from trials? How do trials provide a pathway to Christian maturity? How do trials make you aware of your need for God?

Two major struggles in relation to trials are doubt and comparison. How would you describe the struggle of doubt? The struggle of comparison? How can each of these struggles rob us of the joy we’re supposed to have?

What trial or temptation are you currently facing that you need God’s wisdom for? How will you seek Him in this?