James 1 Introduction (Part 1) The Practicality of the Christian Life

The author

• Not—James, son of Zebedee; James, son of Alpheus; James, the father of Judas

• The writer is the half brother of Jesus, Matthew 13:55

The date of writing

• Probably the earliest—AD 45 to 50

The audience

• James 1:1—“the scattered”—the diaspora

• Believers that are Jewish—“the 12 tribes” is mentioned

• They were driven out of Jerusalem by the persecution of Acts 8

The problems they faced

o The external problems: 1) Problems of persecution in general, 1:2-4; 2) Problems in particular, 5:1-6

o The internal problems: 1) Superficial formality in their Christian life: a) As to the Word, they were hearing but not doing, 1:22-24; b) They professed a faith not matched by conduct, 2:14; 2) The problem of unfair favoritism, 2:1-13; 3) The problem of bitterness: a) Bitterness of speech, 3:1-2, 5, 10; b) Bitterness of attitude, 3:13-14

The doctrinal value of the book

1. The doctrine of God. God is:

a. Generous, 1:5

b. The source of all good, 1:17

c. The only true God, 2:19

d. Our Father, 3:1

e. Sovereign, 4:15

f. Militant, 5:4

g. Compassionate, 5:11

2. The doctrine of sin

a. Sin is universal, 3:2

b. Sin indwells all, 1:14

c. Sin results in death, 1:14-15

d. Sin expresses itself:

• Anger, 1:20

• Blasphemy, 2:7

• Partiality, 2:9

• Hedonism, 4:1

• Wrong associations, 1:4

• Pride, 4:6

• Dishonesty, 5:4

• Self-indulgence, 5:5

3. The doctrine of prophecy. The end times will be:

a) A day of reward, 1:11-12

b) When God sets up His kingdom, 2:5

c) The time of judgment, 5:9

d) The time of the return of the Lord, 5:7