James Intro
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4 Questions I always address before a deep dive into the book
4 Questions I always address before a deep dive into the book
Who Wrote?
When did they write?
Who did they write to?
Why did they write it (purpose)?
Look at the text. The answers are there
James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.
Which James? Who is James? 4 James in N.T. Scripture
James son of Zebedee brother John - Apostles one of the first chosen
Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them.
And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword.
History tells Agrippa died in 44 AD - a little early for this to be circulated in the early church
James the less - apostle appears in list of the apostles - no more seen about him. Only really know Andrew Peter James and John Judas Iscariot seems unlikely
James the Lord’s brother - mentioned Mt. 13:55
“Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?
“And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man get all these things?”
James possible the oldest being first - could be prominent Gen 9 Shem Ham Japheth prominent because the line is through Shem Ham is the youngest.
For not even His brothers were believing in Him.
Mark 3:21 came to collect him because he lost his senses
But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.
apostles? Not the 12 Acts qualifications as capital A
Philippian letter Epaphroditus - messenger apostles - 60 different men who according to early church fathers
apostles - one sent with a message
and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.
For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision.
elder in church in Jerusalem - history of early church fathers
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep;
then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles;
Jude is Judas - some of the brothers changed their mind after the resurrection
Acts 15:2,4, 13.
arguments against - never mentions his relationship. Doesn’t leverage his relationship. far more interested in teaching what Jesus taught. more interested in the spiritual than the physical relationship of Christ.
WHO TOO? verse 1 twelve tribes of Israel who are they today no longer in existence. James must have been writing to Jews.
For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes,
assembly = synagogue
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
our father Abraham - father of Jews not gentiles.
use of O.T. characters Rahab 2:25 harlot Job in 5:11 Elijah chapter 5.
Lord of Sabaoth - 5:4 - the Lord of Host or almighty - Jewish military leader of the angelic armies.
Brings Jewish baggage
Helps us understand the dating of this letter. Jerusalem council James is prominent in that council.
James doesn’t mention gentiles or circumcision or the conflict between gentiles. Paul mentioned conflict in almost every book.
early date before the gentile council 46-49 AD (Jerusalem council) makes it the first letter or document written to the early church. practical way of living the Christian living to new Christians - trials temptation and sin worldliness and mistreatment and the word.
late argument - just before James dies Josephus says he dies 63 AD - Jew gentile problem has settled down - yet Paul writes about it until he dies 65 AD
dispersed or scattered abroad - general epistle - not designed for a specific church 1 & 2 Peter Jude - catholic epistles - meaning universal.
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen
regions or area.
copied and sent around to all churches. scattered - diespora - scattered like seed
Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
“But be on your guard; for they will deliver you to the courts, and you will be flogged in the synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them.
“The gospel must first be preached to all the nations.
trials because of persecution.
purpose - how should a christian live in persecution, change of Judaism to Christianity. even in the face of persecution and Jewish and roman rejection of them.
themes
rich and poor - every chapter deals with this concept - haves and haves not - no middle class in ancient times. dealing with worldly issues - social divide
brother of humble circumstance James 1:9
But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position;
2:1ff prejudice teachers who have
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.
bigger congregations bigger following not teaching for the right reasons so they cause conflict they want the power the material wealth the influence worldly things.
What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?
You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.
NOTE: verse 4 both have been thinking worldly
social issues & worldliness & wisdom
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
being able to see earthly things the way God sees and acts accordingly
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.
This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.
comes from above
Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
they are not applying wisdom to certain situations
trials chapter 1
where temptation comes from - evil inclination
judge on external appearances chapter 2
2:14-26 faith and works
chapter 3 ungodly teachers not acting on Godly wisdom God wisdom does the opposite v. 13
chapter 4 quarrels lack of applying wisdom
business guys have not considered God in their plan
chapter 5 wealthy cheating their laborers - not applying wealth the way God sees it.
suffering need to be patient apply wisdom of God in that context.
“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
“Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.
But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
“The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
“You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?
Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
“Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.
“Do not judge so that you will not be judged.
Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten.
so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.
Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.
“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.
But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment.
“But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,
or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment.
where are most of those Matthew passages? sermon on the mount. How to live out the greatest sermon ever taught. how to live those principals out in real life.