James 1:1-18 Lesson 437

James 1:1-18
Lesson 437

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

"The General Epistle of James"

"A practical guide to Christian life and conduct."

Authorship:

James was a common name in biblical times. Counting two of Jesus' disciples, there are five James mentioned in the New Testament. Although Bible scholars differ, tradition credits "James, the Lord's brother" (Mark 6:3; Galatians 1:19) as the author of this epistle (letter). James was not one of the original twelve disciples (Matthew 10:2-4). In fact, he did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah (John 7:5). It was not until after the crucifixion, when James had the honor of a private meeting with the resurrected Christ (1 Corinthians 15:7), that he converted. In time, he became one of the "pillars" of the Jerusalem church (Acts 12:17; 21:18; Galatians 2:9) and eventually succeeded Peter as its leader. James wrote
"The General Epistle of James," between AD 45-49, making it one of the earliest books in the New Testament. He was known for his conservative religious views and was called "James the Just." He was nicknamed "camel knees" due to the heavy calluses he earned from praying. As a member of the council at Jerusalem, James sided with Paul and put an end to the Judaizer's debate which threatened to tear the young church apart (Acts 15:13-29; 21:18-24). Historian Flavius Josephus records that the Jewish high priest Ananus ben Ananus had James put to death in AD 62. James was dragged to the top of the Temple in Jerusalem and thrown off. He was severely injured but survived the fall. An angry mob then stoned him until a fuller (launderer) stepped out of the crowd and clubbed him to death with a pole used to beat dirty laundry.

Purpose and Theme:

After the crucifixion, believers faced persecution and death (Acts 7:57-8:3; 12:1-4; 13:49-50; 14:19; 16:22-23; 17:5;
17:12-14; 18:12; 21:27-36). There also needed to be clarity over how Christians should live, what was expected of them,
and how they could know the difference between true doctrine and false teachings. "The General Epistle of James" is
an inspirational guide to Christian living. In his epistle, James urges believers to stand firm in their faith regardless of
outside pressures, and he sheds light on many misconceptions about proper Christian conduct. Written to "the twelve
tribes" of Israel (1:1) and all Christians. James tells believers how to turn their Christian faith into a Christian lifestyle. He shows Christians how to live their faith, overcome selfishness, and change their lives. James' epistle is a bridge between the Mosaic Law and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

James is divided into four main segments, each giving practical instructions for Christian behavior.

1) Verses 1:1- 1:18 - Trials and temptations.

2) Verses 1:19 - 4:12 - Faith at work; Faith and wisdom (1:2-8); True riches (1:9-11); The sources of good and evil (1:13-17); Hearing and obeying the word (1:19- 27); Favoritism towards the wealthy (2:1-13); Faith leads to action (2:14-26); Controlling the tongue (3:1-12); Earthly versus heavenly wisdom (3:13-18); Submit to God, say no to evil (4:1-12).

3) Verses 4:13-5:11 - Pride, plans, and possessions; Boasting (4:13-17); Face adversity with patience (5:7-11).

4) Verses 5:12-20 - Prayer (5:13-18); Faithfulness and Christian partnership (5:19-20).

Study Tip:

Writers use repetition to emphasize key points.
Whenever you see themes repeated in the Bible, God considers them important.
Hover over these passages a little longer to fully grasp their meaning.

The General Epistle of James

The King James Bible

James 1:1-18
Trials and temptations

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Margin notes:

"Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations." (1:2) - "Consider it good when various trials befall you." The Greek word (peirasmov) for "trials" and "temptations" is the same. Here, James addresses the trials Christians face and not the temptations that lure them from their faith. But why be joyful when trials befall you? Read Luke 6:23. Peter called trials more precious than gold (1 Peter 1:7).

"The trying of your faith worketh patience." (1:3) - "Testing your faith creates endurance." Enduring hardship helps believers grow and gives them a chance to prove themselves. Christians will face trials (John 16:33), but God will see them through, with prayer.

"Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire." (1:4) - "Let your endurance grow and develop, so you will grow and be entirely complete."

"If any of you lack wisdom." (1:5) - This refers to a lack of faith and spiritual wisdom and the will to apply God's truth to your life.  How do we gain wisdom? See Matthew 7:7-8 and 21:22.

"Upbraideth not." (1:5) - God won't scold us if we ask for more faith or knowledge.

"Ask in faith, nothing wavering." (1:6) - "Ask in faith, never doubting." Ask for God's help when in crisis or in need of spiritual guidance.  God answers prayers, but remember, God's answer may not be the one you were praying for. But it will always be in your best interest.

"Double minded." (1:8) - The opposite of a resolute, single-minded person. A double-minded person believes two contradictory ideas at the same time. They are weak-willed, wavering in faith, and unlikely to grow spiritually. Look for this recurring theme throughout James.  Read James 4:7-8 to see how to avoid being "double minded."

"Let the brother of low degree rejoice." (1:9) - "Let those in humble circumstances rejoice," because God doesn't measure us by our social worth.

"The grace of the fashion of it perisheth." (1:11) - "The beauty of it dies."

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation." (1:12) - Blessed, because they shall be saved.  This verse is similar to Matthew 5:10-12 and the sentiment expressed in Romans 5:3-5 and 1 Peter 1:6-7.

"For when he is tried." (1:12) - "For when he is tested."

"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God." (1:13) - God does not tempt us from our faith. Temptation has a different source (see the "Margin Notes" for verse 1:14).

"Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust." (1:14) - Temptation comes from evil thoughts and desires. How do we resist temptation? Read verse 1:5 above and Matthew 26:41. Rest assured, God will not allow you to be tempted beyond your ability to resist (1 Corinthians 10:13).

"When lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin." (1:15) - "Sinful thoughts lead to sin."

"And sin...bringeth forth death." (1:15) - "And sin leads to death." See Romans 6:20-21 and 7:5.

"Do not err." (1:16) - "Don't be fooled," God does not lure us into sin.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." (1:17) - "Every good thing comes from God (1 John 1:5), who is a constant in our life, reliable and never changing." Make a list of the gifts God has blessed you with. Additional note: This verse was written in the classical Greek hexameter style of poetry. It tells us that James was familiar with the Greek poets.  Another example of the Greek style can be found in verse 4:4.

"Firstfruits of his creatures." (1:18) - "The most important of all HIs creatures."

For more on the virtues of patience, see Romans 2:7; 5:3-5; 8:24-25; 2 Corinthians 6:3-7; and 2 Peter 1:2-9.

New Living Translation

James 1:1-18
Greetings from James

1 This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am writing to the "twelve tribes"-Jewish believers scattered abroad.

Greetings!

Faith and Endurance

2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.

7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

9 Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them.

10 And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field.

11 The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.

12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.

14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.

15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

16 So don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.

17 Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's question:

1. What is the crown of life? (1:12)



Study the Bible every day.

Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. "Drawing from the Greek custom of placing a wreath on the head of a winning athlete, James describes the reward given to believers who cross the finish line: eternal life, victory over death."

(The "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; page 1742)

Application thought for the day:

As we learned in verse 1:6, single-minded faith is important.
Unwavering faith can move mountains (Mark 11:22-26; Hebrews 11:6).
How strong is your faith?

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course, the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2024 evolke

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