James Notes

Outline:

A.      The value of trials 1:2-11

1.      The proper attitude toward trials 1:2

2.      The end product of trials 1:3-4

3.      Help in adopting this attitude 1:5-8

4.      The larger view of circumstances 1:9-11

B.      The options in trials 1:12-18

1.      The ultimate end of trials 1:12

2.      The source of temptation 1:13-14

3.      The progress of temptation 1:15

4.      The goodness of God 1:16-18

C.      The proper response to trials 1:19-27

1.      The improper response 1:19-20

2.      The essential response 1:21

3.      The complete response 1:22-25

4.      The external behavior 1:26-27

III.      Partiality and vital faith ch. 2

A.      The problem of favoritism 2:1-13

1.      The negative command 2:1

2.      The present improper practice 2:2-4

3.      The inconsistency of favoritism 2:5-7

4.      The Christian's duty 2:8-9

5.      The significance of partiality 2:10-11

6.      The implication of our own judgment 2:12-13

B.      The importance of vital faith 2:14-26

1.      James' assertion 2:14

2.      James' illustration 2:15-16

3.      James' restatement of his point 2:17

4.      An objection 2:18

5.      James' rebuttal 2:19-23

6.      James' final argument 2:24-26

IV.     Speech and divine wisdom ch. 3

A.      Controlling the tongue 3:1-12

1.      The negative warning 3:1

2.      The reason for the warning 3:2

3.      Examples of the danger 3:3-8

4.      The uncontrollable nature of the tongue 3:7-8

5.      The inconsistency of the tongue 3:9-12

B.      Controlling the mind 3:13-18

1.      The importance of humility 3:13

2.      The importance of graciousness 3:14-16

3.      The importance of loving peace 3:17-18

V.      Conflicts and humble submission ch. 4

A.      Interpersonal and inner personal tensions 4:1-10

1.      The source of conflict 4:1

2.      The explanation of the conflict 4:2-3

3.      The nature of the choice 4:4-5

4.      The resources to choose right 4:6-10

B.      Self-exaltation 4:11-12

C.      Self-reliance 4:13-17

1.      The self-centered person 4:13-16

2.      The concluding exhortation 4:17

VI.     Money and patient endurance 5:1-18

A.      Warnings for the rich 5:1-6

1.      The introduction of the problem 5:1

2.      The corrosive effect of wealth 5:2-3

3.      The misuse of wealth 5:4-6

B.      The proper attitude 5:7-12

1.      The exhortation to be patient 5:7-9

2.      Examples of endurance 5:10-11

3.      The evidence of patience 5:12

C.      The proper action 5:13-18

1.      The way of release 5:13

2.      The prescription for help 5:14-16

3.      The power of prayer 5:17-18

VII.     The way back to living by faith 5:19-20

PURPOSE

Purpose: The design of the Epistle is on the one hand to encourage those to whom it is addressed to bear their trials patiently, and on the other hand to warn them against certain errors of doctrine and practice."[27]

"The purpose of this potent letter is to exhort the early believers to Christian maturity and holiness of life. This letter deals more with the practice of the Christian faith than with its precepts. James told his readers how to achieve spiritual maturity through a confident stand, compassionate service, careful speech, contrite submission, and concerned sharing. He dealt with every area of a Christian's life: what he is, what he does, what he says, what he feels, and what he has."[28]

"The chief aim of the Epistle is to strengthen the faith and loyalty of the Jewish Christians in the face of persecution from rich and overbearing Jews who were defrauding and oppressing them."[29]

Purpose of Writing (Got questions)

 Some think that this epistle was written in response to an overzealous interpretation of Paul’s teaching regarding faith. This extreme view, called antinomianism, held that through faith in Christ one is completely free from all Old Testament law, all legalism, all secular law, and all the morality of a society. The Book of James is directed to Jewish Christians scattered among all the nations (James 1)). Martin Luther, who detested this letter and called it “the epistle of straw,” failed to recognize that James’s teaching on works complemented—not contradicted—Paul’s teaching on faith. While Pauline teachings concentrate on our justification with God, James’ teachings concentrate on the works that exemplify that justification. James was writing to Jews to encourage them to continue growing in this new Christian faith. James emphasizes that good actions will naturally flow from those who are filled with the Spirit and questions whether someone may or may not have a saving faith if the fruits of the Spirit cannot be seen, much as Paul describes in 

Theme: The theme of the book is "living by faith" or "spiritual maturity."

(V1) James began his letter, which is in many ways a lecture or sermon, by dealing with the problem of trials that all believers encounter. Jews who became Christians in the early history of the church experienced much antagonism and persecution from their unbelieving fellow Jews, as is clear in the Book of Acts. All Christians who take a stand for the Lord continue to have to deal with such trials. Thus James' inspired advice is permanently relevant.