INTRODUCTION
to James
Why
Read James: If you
think you can live like you want as a Christian, James disabuses
us of this idea. This letter, written to the church wherever they
may be scattered, shows the reality of such a church in a pagan
world. First (ch.1), there are trials & temptations
to be overcome, recognising that such things develop maturity
in the believer. Second (ch.2), there is the
recognition that all believers are equal and so we should not
treat some more favourably than others. As a community of faith,
that faith should be seen by deeds, the good lives we lead. Third
(ch.3), there is the recognition that although
we are all imperfect we should be careful the way we speak as
God's representatives, with lives energized by heavenly wisdom
that develops humility in us that reveals our Christlike nature.
Fourth (ch.4), we should seek to be a peaceful
community, recognizing that conflicts arise because we sometimes
hold on to selfish attitudes; instead God's grace should develop
humility that accepts one another and is able to live contented
lives, trusting God. Finally (ch.5), he addresses
the affluent in the community of God's people who may ignore the
needs of their poorer brothers and sisters, or wrongly treat their
workers. The call is to be patient in the face of such sufferings,
living lives of prayer. Although many of the topics that James
had in mind were applicable in the wider church of the first century,
they are nevertheless relevant for any period.
FRAMEWORKS:
James 1
[Note:
Because it is sometimes difficult to follow the flow
of a letter like this, we have added a synopsis of each chapter
& passage to help clarify where James is going with his writing.]
v.1
Greetings
v.2-12
Facing Trials
v.13-18
Facing Temptations
v.19-27
Listening and Doing
[Chapter
1 Synopsis: We may be scattered but there are various
commonalities. We may be going through tough times – trials –
but they only serve to build perseverance in us. And don't confuse
trials with temptation because the latter come from our rampant
desires. All these things work to transform (mature) us, to create
peaceable, pure lives which is seen in practical ways, for example
how we use our tongue]
v.1
Greetings
v.1
(James to the scattered
people of God) James, a servant
of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered
among the nations:
Greetings.
v.2-12
Facing Trials
[Passage
Synopsis: As scattered believers in a fallen world, life
is often tough but it will develop perseverance and from that
spiritual maturity if you hang in there, not worrying about your
status, just your faithfulness.]
v.2,3
(facing trials – be blessed
because it produces perseverance) Consider
it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials
of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith
produces perseverance.
v.4
(perseverance produces
maturity) Let perseverance finish
its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
v.5
(but if you don't know
how to handle it, ask God for His wisdom) If
any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously
to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
v.6
(but asking believing
He'll give) But when you ask,
you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is
like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
v.7
(if you don't you don't
get) That person should not
expect to receive anything from the Lord.
v.8
(you say one thing but
believe another) Such a person
is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
v.9
(in a lowly position?
God has high regard for you) Believers
in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.
v.10
(beware affluence, it
goes so easily) But the rich
should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away
like a wild flower.
v.11
(just like plants that
die from lack of real resources) For
the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom
falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will
fade away even while they go about their business.
v.12
(but if you hang on in
through a trial, God will bless you) Blessed
is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the
test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord
has promised to those who love him.
v.13-18
Facing Temptations
[Passage
Synopsis: Rightly assess pressures – understand where
temptations come from, so have self control. God only brings good,
as your salvation proves.]
v.13,14
(don't blame God for
temptations, it's your own selfish desires) When
tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot
be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person
is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire
and enticed.
v.15
(if you let desire run
amok it will cause havoc) Then,
after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when
it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
v.16
(be clear in your understanding)
Don't be deceived, my dear brothers
and sisters.
v.17
(all good things
come from God) Every good and
perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the
heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
v.18
(and that includes the
eternal life he gave you to transform you) He
chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might
be a kind of first fruits of all he created.
v.19-27
Listening and Doing
[Passage
Synopsis: This transformation comes by responding to
God's word with obedience, and see by the gracious way we live
and speak and care for one another.]
v.19,20
(let that transformation
include your responses) My dear
brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick
to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human
anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
v.21
(so get rid of evil and
let God's word transform you) Therefore,
get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and
humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
v.22
(don't just listen to
God, obey Him) Do not merely
listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
v.23,24
(listening without acting
is like forgetting what you saw in a mirror) Anyone
who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone
who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself,
goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
v.25
(responding to God's
will through Jesus and administered by His Spirit will bring you
freedom) But whoever looks intently
into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not
forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed
in what they do.
v.26
(self-control is to include
the tongue) Those who consider
themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their
tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
v.27
(a
good heart before God is revealed through the way we care for
the needy) Religion that God
our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after
orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from
being polluted by the world.
Continue
to Chapter 2