James 1

Chapter 1

Read and summarize

Overview

Chapter one deals with trials. These trials can either be a test or a temptation depending on how we respond. These trials cover three areas: (1) our testing in time of suffering, (2) who we ultimately blame when going through a trial and (3) how we respond to God’s Word when we are in a trail.

Look for

— Prayers ( Blue )

— Promises ( Green )

— Warnings ( Red )

— Commands ( Purple )

Audience

Jewish Diaspora

— Christians living in the Roman Empire who had been scattered because of persecution

— Living outside Palestine

— Northern kingdom expelled by the Assyrians (2 Ki 17; 1 Chron 5)

— Southern kingdom expelled by Babylonians (2 Kin 24-25; 2 Chron 36)

— Here, those Jews fleeing current persecution once led by Saul of Tarsus (Act 8:1)

Manual

The book of James has been called the manual of Christian living. It is comparable to OT books of wisdom like

— Job

— Psalms

— Song of Solomon

— Ecclesiastes or Proverbs

— This is not a book primarily of doctrine but we will draw some out

Author

There are four (4) James mentioned in the bible

#1

— James, the son of Alphaeus

— James the Less (Mark 2:14)

— May have been the brother of Matthew (Matthew 10:3)

— Matthew was also the son of Alphaeus, we don’t know much about this James

#2

— James the father of Judas (Luke 6:16)

— This is not Judas Iscariot; obscure

#3

— James, son of Zebedee (Matt 4:21); older brother of John and first apostle to die

— James and John were called “sons of thunder”

— Part of the inner circle: Peter, James, John

— Martyred too early to have written James; Died in Acts 12

#4

— Jesus’ oldest half brother James and brother of Jude (Matt 13:55; Mark 6:3; Jude 1)

— Paul calls this James the Lord’s brother (Gal 1:19)

— James, Peter John were pillars of the early church (Gal 2:9)

— He became a key leader in the early church (Acts 12:17; 15:13; 21:18; Gal 2:12)

— James the “Just” because of his devotion to righteousness

Q: But doesn’t this fly in the face of the teaching of the Catholic Church?

— Mary was a virgin and before she had any sexual contact she became pregnant (Matt 1:18)

— First born (Matt 1:25) implies first of many; Jospeh did not have sex until after she delivered

— Who does he think he is (Jesus) we know his brothers and sisters (Matt 6:3)

— His family did not believe him (Matt 3:31-35); thought he was crazy

— His brothers did not believe and wanted to send him out (John 7:3-5)

Upper Room

— After Jesus ascended to heaven we see Mary and His brothers (Acts 1:14)

Brothers

— James, Judas, Joseph, Simon (Mark 6:3)

— He appeared to the apostles, 500 others and James (1 Cor 15:7)

Renown

— Go tell James, Sr. Pastor of the Jerusalem church, renown brother of Christ the Lord (Acts 12:16-17)

— Paul brings offerings from the Gentiles and visits with James (Acts 21:17)

Humility

( 1:1 ) James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.

— Shows humility

— Could brag; brother of Jesus

— Saw Him personally after the resurrection

Servant ( δοῦλος, doulos ) n. masc. slave, bondservant

— Absolute obedience and loyalty

— Master provided food, clothing and shelter

— Born a slave

Opposite Andropogon- made a slave

— They serve but this is not who they are

His Ministry

Starting point of salvation

— 1st beatitude “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt 5:3)

Testing to Prove your faith (1:2-12)

( 1:2-12 ) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits. 12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

— We live in a counterfeit world

— To have a right relationship with God is to posses the most valuable thing there is

— We should subject that to a process of testing to determine its validity

— Not everyone who calls me Lord will enter the Kingdom (Matt 7:21-23)

— You have tested my heart (Ps 17:3)

— Judge me O Lord, examine me (Ps 26:1,2)

— Search me, O God (Ps 139:23,24)

— Because he took stock of his life, looked deeply at his life (Ex 18:28)

— Let every man examine himself (1 Cor 11:28)

— Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves (2 Cor 13:5)

A Test of Salvation

— The Sermon on the Mount is a test of salvation for the children of Isreal

— Despite what they thought, they were not right with with God

— Those in the kingdom are (Matt 5:3-12)— Poor in spirit

— mourning

— meek

— hungering for righteousness

— merciful— pure in heart

— peace makers

— endure persecution

Attitude

— Meekness, humility, sense of sinfulness

— Crying out to God to give you what you do not posses

Influence

Salt in the world (Matt 5:13)

— A positive influence

— The world is corrupt and decaying; we are to be salt and slow the decay

— In the ancient world salt was so important to preserve and transport food that it was used as currency

— Salary comes from the latin salt (salis); if you weren’t a good employee, you weren’t worth your salt

— The opposite is something non-functioning (μωρός moros) from which we get moron, a non-functioning human being

— If salt looses its ability to preserve it is because it has lost its purity like the salt around the dead sea

— To Romans salt was more valuable than Gold; we are the most valuable commodity the world has

Commitment to the Word of God

— Commitment to obey the Word (Matt 5:17-20)

Keep righteousness in your heart (Matt 5:21-48)

— 1st Test - your attitude

— 2nd Test - your influence

— 3rd Test - your obedience

— 4th Test - heart righteousness

Right Worship

— You give, you pray and you fast (Matt 6:1-18)

— Your relationship with money and material things (Matt 6:19-34)

True Relationships

— Right relationships mark a true believer (Matt 7:1-2)

— The narrow way, the right road (Matt 7:13-14)

— The sermon on the Mount is a test of true salvation which the Jewish people failed

The Book of James: a commentary on the Sermon on the Mount

The epistle of James is nothing more than a series of tests that show us the character of living faith

James 1:2 vs. Matthew 5:10-12

James 1:4 vs. Matthew 5:48

James 1:5 vs. Matthew 7:7-12

James 1:9 vs. Matthew 7:14

James 1:12 vs. Matthew 7:14

James 1:20 vs Matthew 5:22

James 1:12 vs. Matthew 7:21-27

James 2:5 vs. Matthew 5:3

James 2:13 vs. Matthew 5:7

James 2:13 vs. Matthew 6:14-15

James 2:14-16 vs. Matthew 7:21-23

James 3:6 vs. Matthew 5:22

James 3:10-12 vs. Matthew 7:15-20

James 3:17-18 vs. Matthew 5:9

James 4:4 vs. Matthew 6:24

James 4:10 vs. Matthew 5:3-5

James 4:11-12 vs. Matthew 7:1-5

James 5:2-3 vs. Matthew 6:19-20

James 5:10 vs. Matthew 5:12

James 5:11 vs. Matthew 5:10

James 5:12 vs. Matthew 5:33-37

Enduring Trials (1:1-3)

( 1:2-3 ) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

Q: James opens his book by emphasizing the reality of hard times. How do you usually respond to trials or setbacks in your life? Why?

The first test: The Believer’s response to trials

3 Soils

Luke 8:13-15 parable of the three soils

— Faith is dead or alive

— In time of temptation the dead faith falls away

Seed on rock

— “But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. “ ( Luke 8:13 )

Good Ground

— “But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.” ( Luke 8:15 )

Natural

Trouble is a natural consequence of our fallen world

— Man is born unto trouble (Job 5:7); trouble is near (Ps 22:11)

— Jesus said in this world you will have trouble (John 16:33)

— We can expect trouble because of our faith (John 15:20)

— All who desire to live godly will be persecuted (2 Tim 3:12)

A Joyful Attitude

( 1:2 ) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

Consider ( hegemomai, consider)

— imperative because joy is not the natural response to trails.

— Consider, reckon, evaluate

When ( οταν, Hotan, when) - subjunctive mood

— doubtful, starts with “If”

Trials ( πειρασμοις, peirasmos temptations)

— Trials, testing, sometimes translated tempted

— Testing for the purpose of determining the quality or nature

— As Christians if we didn’t have trials all of our problems would be over

Macarthur

A pastor once told his congregation about a man who had a dog, and the man was trying to train his dog to be obedient. And what he would do was to take a large piece of meat - good, red, juicy meat that dogs would normally like to eat - and he would put it in the middle of the floor near the dog, and then he would say “no”to the dog. Well, the first few times the no was an irrelevant suggestion. The dog proceeded to grab the meat and got whaled on; and after a few such results, when he said “no,” the dog no longer attacked the meat. But what the man noticed was this: the dog never looked at the meat. When he put the meat on the floor the dog never for a moment took his eyes off his master, seemingly feeling that if he did so the temptation to disobey would be too great. So he just maintained a steadfast gaze into the face of his master.

Matthew 4

— Matthew 4 gives us an illustration of how to deal with temptation

Jesus faced temptation from Satan; He has faced temptation and yet was victorious (Heb 2:18)

— The greatest way to victory is a steadfast gaze into the face of the master

— “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” ( Mt 4:1 )

Q: This follows immediately after what event?

Baptism

This happens right after Christ’s baptism (Matt 3:13-17)

King

Matthew’s focus in this gospel is to present Jesus as KING

— That’s why the royal genealogy; the visit from the Magi oriental king makers

— Everything that Matthew does focuses on His kingship

— In the baptism He was commissioned as King

— Now He enters into testing to verify his worthiness as King

Mark

Matthew 4:1 says Jesus was led by the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted

— Mark adds: Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness.” ( Mark 1:12 )

Q: Have you noticed that sometimes our greatest temptations come after our greatest triumphs?

— At the moment of victory we are most susceptible to defeat

— Elijah defeated in complete loneliness all the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kin 18)

— One chapter later he is running as far and fast as he can in fear of his life - because of one women, Jezebel

— A man who was fearless against hundreds of enemies is in terror of one woman. There's a lesson there then.

Q: What do you think of when you heard the word “tempt”?

Temptation

This word is basically a neutral word, peiraz n, “to tempt”

— The Gr. word connotes trouble or something that something that breaks the peace, comfort, joy and happiness in one’s life

— A temptation (πειρασμοις, peirasmos ) is a temptation or a testing - it could be either one

Our thinking

We think of the word “tempt” as a bad thing

— to entice someone to do evil or sin

— Greek doesn’t carry that connotation

— It can mean a test of a positive nature; it can be positive or negative

God’s View

— The verb form of this word means “to put someone or something to the test,” with the intention of the person’s nature or something’s quality

— God brings such tests to prove and increase — the strength and quality of your faith and demonstrate its validity ( vv2-12 )

From God’s viewpoint it is a test to prove His Son is worthy

— From Satan’s viewpoint a temptation to prove the Son is unworthy

— The Bible talks about we are tempted; the Bible says that God also tests us

Both

— Here in James 1:2 we have both “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various peirasmos.”

— (Poikilos, various) like a polka dot, varied, many colored, all shapes and sizes of trouble

— “Into various” - certainly not temptations, not with a negative sense.

— "Knowing this, that the testing of your faith works patience. And let patience have her perfect work."— Now here is God's side of it. God allows testing. God allows things in our lives that give us opportunity to exercise spiritual muscle.

Response

Sometimes the temptation is the same thing that Satan would bring into our lives

— God’s intention is that we are proven righteous

— (1:13) Let no one say when he is peiraz, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone

— Same word but here it is negative

— God will allow a test to prove righteousness but never entice someone to sin

Q: When you have tests in your own life what do they prove?

— Does it prove righteousness or unrighteousness

— Do you pass or fail?

— Is it vindicated as a test from God because you proved righteousness ?

Understanding Mind ( 1:3 )

( 1:3 ) knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

To Know

( 1:3 ) We know that our faith is stronger after a trial

Knowing γινώσκω (ginōskō). vb. to know, understand, acknowledge

— comes from experience

— Not tempted beyond what we can handle (1 Cor 10:13)

Endurance ὑπομονή (hypomonē), steadfastness, endurance

— permanent inner quality, strength

A submissive Will ( 1:4 )

( 1:4 ) But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing

( 1:4 ) A third means to perseverance is a submissive will

— The only way out is through it

— Our willing submissiveness is required for God to do His perfect and complete work

Perfect τέλειος (teleios). adj. perfect, mature

— complete, initiated, fully developed

— Not morally perfect, sinless

— Fully developed, mature

— We all struggle in many ways, still sinners ( Jame 3:2; 1 John 1:10; Jer 48:11)

A believing Heart ( 1:5 )

( 1:5 ) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Ask God

( 1:5 ) Ask God for wisdom

— We need a special understanding of wisdom

— Strong faith based on wisdom

Q: How should believers respond to trials?

— Trust in the Lord ( Prov 3:5-7; Acts 5:40-41; 1 Thes 5:16-18; Heb 12:2-3)

Proverbs 3:5–7 NKJV

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

( 1:6 ) But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

Ask

( 1:6 ) An imperative, command. Not advice

— Trials should drive us to prayer; otherwise God may intensify the trial (Jer 29:11-13; John 14:13)

— We have to ask for wisdom

(1:6) with no doubting

— Some people doubt God - others argue with God

— Why did He allow this to happen in the first place?

We should not doubt because

— “But without faith it is impossible to please Him” ( Heb 11:6 )

— “I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;” ( 1 Tim 2:8 )

— “So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. 22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”” ( Matt 21:21-22 )

But the Person who doubts is like (1:6)

( 1:6 ) But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

( 1:6 ) is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind

— The wavering person is like Israel whom Elijah rebuked (1 Kings 18:21)

— The Lord rebuked the church of Laodicea (Rev 3:16)

— A condition: not to argue, debate, dispute, waver or doubt

( 1:7 ) For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

( 1:7 ) A sad picture of a person who is an emotional basket

— Can’t trust God

— Can’t pray

— Unable to experience rest, joy in the Lord

( 1:8 ) he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

— Sums it up

— A double minded man/women is really a hypocrite

— Di two sychos (soul)

Double-minded δίψυχος (dipsychos), double-minded; doubting

— two souls, two minds

— Trusting and not trusting

— Believing and not believing

— (4:8) Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God

Bunyan

Mr. Facing both ways (Pilgrim’s Progress) (Ps 12:2; Deut 6:5 )

— “They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; With flattering lips and a double heart they speak” ( Ps 12:2 )

— “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” ( Deut 6:5 )

( 1:9 ) Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation,

— The poor man; socially low position; commanded to rejoice

Lowly ταπεινός (tapeinos). adj. lowly, undistinguished

— common as opposed to — proud” ( 1 Pet 5:5), “rich” (Jas 1:9–10), and “mighty” (Luke 1:52)

— Like Joseph & Mary, Zechariah & Elizabeth

— Excited spiritually, don’t find your joy in worldly treasures

— So many trials related to money and possessions

( 1:10 ) but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away.

— Rich to rejoice in his humility

— Riches cannot buy you what you really need

— Rejoice rich & poor; rejoice in God’s provisions equally

— My true resource is God

Q: How do trials act as an equalizer of the rich and the poor?

( 1:11 ) For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.

— Riches are temporary

— The loss of material things ought to drive us to the Lord

— Drive us to the Lord for greater spiritual maturity, blessing, satisfaction

Q: How do trails prove that our faith is genuine ?

—It proves who and what we really love

— Trials prove to us what we really love and proves to ourselves that our faith is genuine

— Trouble should not rob us of our joy

“ In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.” ( 1 Peter 1:6-9 )

( 1:12 ) Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

— Perseverance brings God’s approval

— His approval brings the “crown of life”

— Temptation better translated trials (NIV)

Blessed — μακάριος (makarios). adj. blessed, fortunate

— profound inner joy, satisfaction

Whose fault is our temptation? - The Second test of a believer: Response to temptation

( 1:13 ) Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.

— Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”

Tempted (πειρασμοις, peirasmos temptations)

— Trials, testing, sometimes translated tempted

— Testing for the purpose of determining the quality or nature

— It can be either a trial or a temptation; same word

Right

The right response (2-12) leads to endurance, righteousness, wisdom

Wrong

The wrong response (15) leads to death

A promise

— We are promised by God that we will not receive more than we can handle

— “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” ( 1 Cor 10:13 )

Q: If God brings trials then is He responsible? Can God lead us into temptation?

Adam

— Adam woke up one day and was married (Gen 3:9)

— He blamed God; He made the women

— God tests our faith

— “And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” ( Matt 6:13 )

— Immature believers could fall, be overtaken

— Asking God not to test our faith because it could be unbearable

The Nature of Man (1:14)

( 1:14 ) But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

Of υπο, upo, of, by, agent not used here

— Don’t say God is indirectly tempting me

— Not even the remote cause

— This is universal, continuing, repeated present reality

Drawn ἐξέλκω ,exelkō, drag away, carried away

Tempted δελεάζω, deleazō), lure; entice, to bait a fish

“own lust”

— Our lusts make sin attractive

— We cannot blame God

— The near and direct agent is our lust (cf. Jer 17:9; Matt 15:18-19 )

— “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” ( Jer 17:9 )

Food & Sleep

— Gluttony & Indulgence

— Food and sleep are good

— Can be corrupted

Own Lust

— What bothers you may not tempt me

— it is our own lusts that we have to concern ourselves

Lust ἐπιθυμία, epithymia. n. fem. strong desire, longing, passion

— neither good nor bad; spiritually neutral

— The object of the desire and the purpose give it meaning

The nature of lust (1:15-16)

( 1:15-16 ) Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren

Q: Describe the progression from temptation to sin

Progression

— The progression from temptation to sin

— James uses a new metaphor

— Sin is not spontaneous; it is a process

Q: At what point do we sin?

Desire (lust)

— Before salvation we were all slaves to lust (Eph 2:1-3; Eph 4:17-19; 1 Thess 4:5)

Deception

— We rationalize

Design

— Our will, conscious decision

Disobedience

— Gives birth

— Sin is the result

— Desired, rationalized, willed

— Actually done, committed, accomplished

— The sooner you stop; better chance

Guard your minds

— We are to guard our minds ( Rom 12:2; Phil 4:8; Ps 119:9-11 )

— “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” ( Ro 12:2 )

— “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” ( Phil 4:8 )

The Blame Game ( 1:16 )

( 1:16 ) Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

Q: One of the chief characteristics of sin the propensity to pass the blame. What are some creative “excuses” you have heard people give for doing something that is clearly wrong?

Blame Game

Stop blaming other people

— Stop blaming God

Holy

— God is Holy has no experience with evil

— Satan is always before God accusing (Rev 12:10)

— If you could loose your Salvation then God is a sinner and fallen to a temptation from Satan

— Profound

— But Satan makes accusations; like dandelions in a hurricane (doesn’t stand a chance)

Q: What does James mean when he says that in God there is “no variation” or shadow of turning” (v.17)?

( 1:17 ) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

— God is not responsible for our temptation

— What comes from God is good

— Perfect, flawless gifts, holiness, truth, no variation ( Mal 3:6; 1 John 1:5 )

—“For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.” ( Mal 3:6 )

Born to Holiness (1:18)

( 1:18 ) Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

— God is not directly or indirectly responsible for temptation

— Proof is redemption

— God’s didn’t save us to tempt us; He saved us to make us like Himself

( 1:18 ) Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth

— By His own will

—God does all the work

— Removes the heart of stone (Ezek 36:25-26)

— You were dead in sin (Eph 2:1-3)

— Dead don’t know that they are dead; dead can’t change

— We can’t change the color of our sin

— “Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil.” ( Jer 13:23 )

How can we change?

One way

— The only way we can change is if God changes us (Jn 6:44; Jn 15:16 )

No Say

— We have in whether we are born

Nicodemus

— Great teacher of the law but he was not in the kingdom

— You must be born again (John 3:3)

— How can a man be born again when he is old ? (John 3:4)

— How can I unravel everything I have learned and start over spiritually ?

You can’t

You can’t do it; it is outside yourself (John 3:5)

— Water and spirit

Salvation

— Water of salvation

— “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.” ( Ezek 36:25 )

More You

If you try it, you’ll just produce more you (3:6)

— Has to come from outside of you

Spirit

— The wind blows where it wants

— Wind is the spirit

— The Holy Spirit is sovereign and goes where He wants

Birth

( 1:18 ) He brought us forth by the word of truth

— Birth, miracle of God

— by the Word of Truth

— Regeneration happens when we acknowledge the gospel ( Rom 10:17; 1 Thess 2:13 )

— “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” ( Ro 10:17 )

Born again

— With respect to the church ( Eph 5:26 )

— The Word is an agent of regeneration ( 1 Peter 1:23 )

First Fruits (1:18)

( 1:18 ) Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

The Best

Israel had to bring the first fruits to the Lord as worship

— The best of the crop

— A framer might want hoard the first fruits in case of a drought

— No, the Lord wants it as a sign of faith

— We are the first of the harvest of God

— There will be a new heaven and earth and we are the first fruits

Q: Does God tempt us to sin?

No

— Our own sin nature tempts us

New

— God gave us a new birth

— Washed us by His spirit

— Cleansed us from all unrighteousness

— Sets us apart as first fruits

— Transforms us on the inside

— Is preparing a new heaven and new earth

— No way that He wants us to sin

The Proper Reception of the Word (1:19-21)

( 1:19-21 ) So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

3rd Test

— The 1st test was a believer’s response to trials ( 1:2-12 )

— The 2nd test was a believers’s response to temptation ( 1:13-18 )

— The 3rd test is a believer’s response to the Word ( 1:19-27 )

Hunger, Abide

— We will hunger ( Ps 42:1 ) and wish to abide ( Jn 8:31 )

— If you are a real Christian you will have a hunger for God’s Word

— “ As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.” ( Ps 42:1 )

— “ Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” ( Jn 8:31 )

— Look at a few verses in Psalm 119

“Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord. . . . With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me stray from Your commandments.”

— Another one: “I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches.”

— This is what is rising out of the psalmist’s heart.

— Contrast that with verse 155 of that psalm: “Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek Your statutes.” That is the distinguishing mark: the attitude toward Scripture.

— If you walk in the Word, it’s evidence of a transformed life through salvation; if you do not, it’s evidence that you haven’t been transformed.

Desire

— A believer knows God, obeys God

— An unbeliever disregards God and disobeys ( 1 Jn 3:10 )

James Emphasizes the Word

— ( 1:18 ) The word of truth

— ( 1:21 ) The implanted word

— ( 1:23 ) A mirror

— ( 1:25 ) Perfect law of liberty

Purpose

— The word will bring you to salvation but also profitable for teaching ( 2 Tim 3:16-17 )

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NKJV

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

How are we to to listen to Scripture

— Submission

— Purity

— Humility

— Obedience

Listen with submission

( 1:19 ) So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;

— If you are part of the beloved brethren you know that you have to hear scripture

— I don’t have to tell you the power of the word but you already know that because you are in the beloved

— You already know (v. 18) that we are new creations

— You have that the spirit of God changed us (cf. 1 Pet 1:23 )

Since we already know the power of scripture we need to be a continual hearer

— Swift to hear

— The Word of God is our food, our meat

— And if you recognize it is true then you can’t get enough, right?

— A distinguishing mark of a true Christian is that he is quick to hear

— Slow to speak

— Don’t be in a rush to explain Scripture

— If you are teaching the Word make sure you get it right

— “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” ( 3:1 )

— We can listen without God but we should not speak without God (H. Eller)

— Pay attention; get the message right

— “Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” ( Prov 29:20 )

— There’s honestly far too little caution in our world about speaking and teaching—supposedly teaching the Bible. There’s a lack of reluctance where there should be reluctance

— Don’t be in a hurry to put people into positions of spiritual leadership ( 1 Tim 5:22; 2 Tim 2:15)

— One of the ways you can literally be responsible for sin is to rush someone into a responsibility to teach the Scripture who is not prepared

There’s an old story about Socrates. There were always young men wanting to learn from Socrates, and supposedly a young man came to him one day and introduced himself, said he wanted to be a part of Socrates’s group and learn from him. But according to the old story, the moment that he met Socrates, he started talking, and he never stopped. And finally Socrates stopped him and said, “Young man, if I do teach you, I’ll have to charge you a double fee,” to which the young man supposedly replied, “A double fee? Why is that?” And Socrates said, “Because I have to teach you two sciences: how to keep your mouth shut and how to use it.”

— slow to anger

— Slow to anger attaches itself to slow to speak

— You hear something that the bible says and when you are confronted to the truth it can cause hostility

— The context is one of hearing and teaching the Word of God

—This implies anger toward the teacher; people are hostile to the truth ( cf. Gal 4:16; John 7:7 )

( 1:20 ) for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

— Anger, bitterness never serves God

Listen with Purity

( 1:21 ) Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls

— If you want to receive the Word of God and all the marvelous, saving work in your life, you must receive it in purity

— Pre-condition: before God’s word can produce righteousness we need to lay aside sin and renounce it (cf. 1 Pet 2:1)

Lay Aside ἀποτίθημι , apotithēmi), lay aside; take off, aorist middle participle. It means you have put it off.

— aorist, understood to have already happened

— Lit. “having put aside”

If you’re cultivating sin in your life, if you’re harboring sin in your life, if you’re actively sinning in your life and you’re not dealing with it, setting it aside, you are in no position to hear from heaven. You will probably not like it; you may decide not even to come around; you may be angry.

— Paul says the same thing (Eph 4:22-24; Col 3:8-10)

Ephesians 4:22–24 NKJV

22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Colossians 3:8–10 NKJV

8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,

filthiness ῥυπαρία , rhyparia, moral uncleanness

— filthiness, wax in the ear (cf. Eph 5:4 )

— If you don’t get the wax out of the ear you wouldn’t be able to hear anything

— If you want maximum impact from the word, you have to get rid of “all filthiness”—“all that remains,” all that is still there, that prevalent evil attached to your fallenness, must be confessed and repented of and removed, and then the word of God will produce the righteousness of God in you.

Wickedness κακία , kakia, wickedness; evil; malice

— Hidden sins that only the Lord knows

Listen with Humility

( 1:21 ) and receive with meekness

— humility, gentle, meek

— A heart that is teachable and longs to be taught by God

— When the Word comes to you, you humbly receive it because when it is planted in your life it bears fruit (cf. Josh 1:8 )

Joshua 1:8 NASB95

“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.

Listen with Obedience

( 1:22 ) But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

— It’s not enough to hear

— It’s not enough to take a taste of a sermon or a Bible study or even the reading of the Bible. It’s not enough.

— If that’s all there is on your part, then you have been deluded. You are deceived.

— We have to take the Word and put it to work. “Prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers.”

It’s a very dangerous thing to be nothing but a hearer. Same sun that melts the wax hardens the clay. Biblical truth can come to the heart of one who is a doer by characterization, and it is fruitful and brings blessing. And the same Word of God can come to a hearer who doesn’t apply it, and that hearer by constant failure to apply the Word of God hardens his own heart against it. While it melts the heart of the doer, it hardens the heart of the hearer.

Very dangerous to be used to hearing the Word of God without obeying it. That is a bad, bad habit. You need to be doers. That’s a noun rather than a verb because a noun brings the force of a characterization. It ought to be true of you like if you were a builder, somebody would call you a builder. If you’re a teacher, they don’t say you’re someone who teaches, they call you a teacher. If you’re in the military, you’re a soldier. And if you’re an obedient believer, you’re a doer; it’s who you are. It’s a favorite word of James, by the way—three times in this text, and once again in chapter 4.

(1:22) But be doers of the word

Doer ποιητής, poiētēs, doer; maker

— Your whole being, mind, soul and spirit

— Like the difference between full-time and part-time

Part Time Full-Time

Spiritual Battle A few days a month A professional soldier

Fix things Change a light bulb A professional contractor / builder

( 1: 22 ) and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Hearer ἀκροατής ,akroatēs), hearer

— Auditor in a class

— Listens but doesn’t turn in homework or write papers or take tests

— Churches are full of auditors

“Not merely hearers.” You’re not an auditor. You’re not just auditing the truth. You’re not just sitting and listening, you’re taking it in; and in all of its promise and privilege and purpose, the Word of God is setting a fire on your heart, and it shows up in your actions. You don’t want to be deluded.

Character

— Our character is on display by our conduct (Matt 12:34-35)

Matthew 12:34–35 NKJV

34 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.

Here in James

— Same principle here in James a few chapters later

— “Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? “ ( 3:11 )

Scripture

— Consistent teaching in Scripture

— meditate on it day and night and do ( Josh 1:8 )

— Mouth speaks the heart ( Matt 7:16-17 )

— Keep your heart - issues of life ( Prov 4:23 )

— spring can’t have good and bad water ( James 3:11 )

— You call me Lord and do not do ( James 3:11 )

—You are my friend if you do ( John 15:14 )

— If you love me, keep my word ( John 14:23 )

— We know we have come if we keep ( 1 John 2:3 )

— If we do not love, we do not keep ( John 14:24 )

— A liar if we say but do not do ( 1 John 2:4 )

( 1:23-24 ) For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

Mirrors

— in the NT age mirrors were polished brass or bronze, dim distorted reflection

— glass mirrors introduced in 14th century

Observing κατανοέω , katanoeō, consider; contemplate

— careful observation

This person carefully looks at God’s word but does not apply it

( 1:25 ) But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

Looks παρακύπτω ,parakyptō), stoop;

— bend over to look, look intently

— Not curiosity like the forgetful man

— When he discovers the truth he abides by it

( 1:26 ) If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.

— trusting in outward signs sooner or later exposes faithlessness with the tongue

—No inner power to bridle the tongue

— If the heart is not controlled by God, neither is the heart

( 1:27 ) Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

— Apply your life without selfishness, concern for others

— “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” ( Jn 13:35 )

Visit ἐπισκέπτομαι, episkeptomai), look after; visit

— Help in whatever is needed

— Matt 25:35-36 And you visited me

( 1:27 ) and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

— Another test, our attitude towards the world

— We should be characterized by moral purity (James 4:4)

— Not sinless perfection; we cannot (Eccl 7:20; Rom 7:18-19 )

The purpose of Trials

Strengthen our Faith

Abraham

— Faced an unthinkable trial

— “Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” ( Gen 22:1 )

Unthinkable

— Take your son, your only son, the son of the promise, Isaac, who you love and offer him as a burn offering!

— Hebrews offers a commentary on the testing of Abraham

— By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,” ( Heb 11:17 )

Expose our heart

— God tests us to expose our hearts

—Not that God needs to know our heart

— But that we know what is in our heart

— “However, regarding the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, whom they sent to him to inquire about the wonder that was done in the land, God withdrew from him, in order to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart.” ( 2 Chron 32:31b )

2. Trials humble us

Humility

— Trials will humble us, teach us humility

— “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.” ( 2 Cor 12:7 )

— (NIV) to keep me from becoming conceited

3. Wean us from worldly things

Doesn’t help

— When trials come none of these worldly things help

— Jesus tests Philip

— ”Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” ( Jn 6:5 )

4. Our heavenly hope

Heaven is sweeter

— We long for heaven

— We say like John in Revelation, “Come Lord Jesus” (Rev 22:20)

— Paul did not consider the sufferings of this age to be comparable to what awaited in heaven (Ro 8:18)

Pressed

— Paul was pressed on every side; death (2 Cor 4:12), trouble everywhere (2 Cor 4:8)

— (2 Cor 4:16) eternal glory awaits

Trials Serve a purpose

1. Test the strength of our faith > 2. Humble us > 3. Wean us off the world > 4. Call us to a heavenly hope

5. Reveal what we really love

Abraham loved God

— Did he love Isaac more than God?

— Do you love yourself more than God?

— If you love yourself more than God you will be bitter with God, question him. Why?

— The Lord tests you

— “you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.” ( Deut 13:3 )

6. Value the blessings of God

Obey / Blessings

— In a trial you obey and are blessed

Jesus

— Jesus is an example

— Suffered in the garden

— Prayers

— Blood

— Obedient and exalted

7. Help others

— When you come through this you can help others

— A parent with a sick child can minister in a unique way to others

Jesus to Simon

— “31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” ( Lk 22:31-32 )

8. Enduring faith

— Permanent inner quality, strength increases with each successful trial

—”for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” ( 1:3 )

Steadfast ὑπομονή ,hypomonē), steadfastness

( 1:3 ) Patience (NKJV)

— Perseverance (NIV)

— Steadfastness (ESV)

Additional Resources

John MacArthur, The Crisis of Temptation, Part 1: https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/2191/the-crisis-of-temptation-part-1

MacArthur, John. James: Guidelines for a Happy Christian Life. Thomas Nelson, 2016.

MacArthur, John. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary. Moody Press, 1983.

MacArthur, John. Hears and Doers. https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/81-153/hearers-and-doers