James Study pt. 1

Introduction

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 1:1

In order to attain Christian maturity and holy conduct it is essential to have a firm foundation. The believer must be able to stand with confidence. He dare not be pushed down by trials. He must not be pulled over by temptation. “Push, pull—stick, stick” must be his motto. How can such stamina be achieved? A believer can stand by pursuing, perceiving, and practicing the Word of God. Trials from without and temptations from within are no match for a Christian who stands in the truth from above.

James is the half brother if Jesus.

Jesus Brothers did not believe Him.

Greeting

James 1:1 AV 1873

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

What is serving?

Who is serving whom?

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter of James I. Address and Greeting (1:1)

But if James the Lord’s brother wrote this letter, why does he not mention his special relationship to Jesus? Probably because being a brother of Jesus gave James no authority to admonish other Christians as he does in this letter. What qualified James to write such a letter was not his physical relationship to Jesus but his spiritual relationship.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 1:1

In order to attain Christian maturity and holy conduct it is essential to have a firm foundation. The believer must be able to stand with confidence. He dare not be pushed down by trials. He must not be pulled over by temptation. “Push, pull—stick, stick” must be his motto. How can such stamina be achieved? A believer can stand by pursuing, perceiving, and practicing the Word of God. Trials from without and temptations from within are no match for a Christian who stands in the truth from above.

Coping in Trials

James 1:2 AV 1873

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

Testing Produces Joy

What is a temptation?

What is a trial?

How do we have joy in trials?

Outcome In Trials

James 1:3–4 AV 1873

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 1:3-4

Patience

Power

Provision

How To: Trials

Help is available.

James 1:5

James 1:5 AV 1873

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.

What does God’s generosity look like?

What does God’s generosity look like?

Faithful stability is a virtue.

James 1:6 AV 1873

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.

James 1:6-8

James 1:6–8 AV 1873

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.

What does it mean to “ask in faith”?

What does it mean to be double minded?

How are you sometimes double minded?

Romans 8:15 AV 1873

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

2 Timothy 1:7 AV 1873

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Equality in trials.

James 1:9-

James 1:9–11 AV 1873

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.

Who is the lowly brother?

How long is prosperity perceived to be valuable?

How long is poverty perceived to be disgraceful?

Acts 10:34 AV 1873

34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

Romans 2:11 AV 1873

11 for there is no respect of persons with God.

Ephesians 6:9 AV 1873

9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

Victory comes with a cost and a crown.

James 1:12 AV 1873

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.

Endurance:

2 Timothy 2:3 AV 1873

3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 2:10 AV 1873

10 Therefore I endure all things for the elects’ sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

2 Timothy 2:5 AV 1873

5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

Reward:

What is the “crown of life”?

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 1:12

This “crown” consists of life, that is, the crown is life (cf. Rev. 2:10). “The life which is promised is probably life here and now, life in its fullness, life in its completeness” (cf. James 1:4) (Curtis Vaughan, James: Bible Study Commentary, p. 28). (Other crowns are referred to in 1 Thes. 2:19; 2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4.) God promises such life to those who love Him. Love for God enables believers who undergo trials to rest confidently in Him. Their steadfastness reveals their love. (Some, however, say the crown refers not to full life now but to eternal life, for all true believers do in fact love God; 1 John 4:8.) Asking for wisdom with faith (James 1:6–8), hope (vv. 9–11), and love (v. 12) brings not only the blessing of wisdom but also the blessing of winning.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 1:12

To have the right attitude in trials, one must see the advantage of trials, but if it is difficult to see the advantages, one can ask for aid and, if one asks correctly, God will give him the right attitude in trials. He can rejoice in trials (v. 2) and be blessed (v. 12) by enduring them.