James
Introduction to the book of James
How can we be faithful friends of God like Abraham? Can we resist the pressures of the world, our rebellious human impulses, and the influence of the devil? Can Christians live together in peace as we seek solutions to life’s problems? James addresses these issues in his letter as he seeks to motivate Christians to develop a mature and consistent faith and to show how Christians can have loyal friendships with God and with one another. The letter of James is a practical and pastoral book. James’ down-to-earth advice instructs believers on how to live wisely and with integrity. James tells Christians to endure whatever difficulties might come their way, with the knowledge that God will use their struggles to help them mature as Christians.Theme & Overview
The theme of the book of James is that genuine faith works on a daily basis by depending on the power of God. James briefly greets his audience, then instructs them about trials, the nature of true faith, the untamable tongue, heavenly wisdom, pride versus humility, warnings to the rich, and persevering patience. The “NASB Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible” says the book teaches that faith without works cannot be called faith. Faith must work, it must produce, and it must make itself visible. Verbal faith is not enough, and mental faith is insufficient. Genuine faith inspires and empowers godly action. Throughout his letter, James integrates true faith and every day, practical experience by stressing that true faith must manifest itself in works of faith. Otherwise, it is not real faith at all. James is all about faith and wisdom coming to life through action. Trust in God can’t be confined to one compartment of life; it has implications for everything. It affects how we speak and how we spend money. James says that if you can control your tongue, you can control your other actions as well. Wise speech leads to wise actions, including the wise use of time and resources (1:19–2:13; 5:1–6). We now live according to the leadership of Christ, whose words and message have become our new law of liberty (1:22–25). James also sees a close relationship between wisdom and testing (5:7–18). We grow through perseverance in the face of hardship—responding to our struggles with prayer and trust in God. In this way, suffering produces wisdom in us. The teachings of Jesus are echoed throughout the book of James, as he shows believers how to live a life that truly represents the good news of Christ (for example, compare 4:10 with Matt 23:12). Genuine faith produces a life that looks like Christ—and faith without works is dead (Jas 2:14–26). James’ driving concern is for believers to live in total allegiance to God. The letter proclaims that our lives should be marked by love for God and others. We should show Jesus to every person around us in every word we speak and every action we take.Author
James, the half-brother of Jesus, as identified in James 1:1. James was known as a pillar of the faith (Galatians 2:9). James was the also the brother of Jude, the author of the book of Jude (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3). The speech given by James in Acts 15 is similar to the points made in this letter. Additional church traditions credit this book to the half-brother of Jesus Christ. Tradition says James died in AD 62 as a martyr for the faith.Recipients
As a General Epistle, James was written "to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion" (James 1:1). The context indicates the audience was Jewish Christians throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. These believers would be encouraged by a letter from the leader of the Jerusalem church and half-brother of Jesus Christ. These believers faced various trials (James 1:2) and needed encouragement to live out the full expression of the gospel (James 1:22).Date
The book of James would have been written prior to his death in AD 62. This letter makes no mention of the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) which occurred around AD 49. As a result, many believe James was written between AD 44 and 49. However, any time between the AD 40s and AD 62 is possible. This opens the possibility for James to be the earliest-written book of the New Testament.Background
From the early church period forward, the James of this letter was often associated with James the brother of Jesus (Mark 6:3; Matt 13:55). This James is not one of the 12 disciples in the Gospels, yet according to Paul, the resurrected Jesus did appear to him (1 Cor 15:7). Paul indicates that James was identified with the apostles (Gal 1:19; 2:9; compare Acts 15:13; 21:18). James became a prominent leader among the Christians in Jerusalem, and the early church writer Hegesippus even describes him as the head of the Jerusalem church. However, there is some modern discussion of whether this letter was, indeed, written by James the brother of Jesus. It’s possible that it was written in James’ name after his death—perhaps with material that originated with James and was reworked later by an editor. If James wrote the letter, it probably dates to the late 40s, around the time of the Jerusalem Council (described in Acts 15). The latest it could have been written would be AD 62, when James was martyred in Jerusalem. The letter of James is addressed to the dispersed twelve tribes of Israel (Jas 1:1). This could be a way of describing the global church or Jewish Christians living outside Palestine (compare 1 Pet 1:1). James might have been writing to Jewish Christians who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out in Jerusalem after the stoning of Stephen (Acts 8:1). It seems the letter has two main concerns: the attitude of Christians in response to adversity and living with true wisdom “from above,” especially in manners concerning speech and wealth.The Purpose & Audience (Reasons for the letter)
The letter is intended for Jewish Christians living away from Israel in various parts of the Empire. During their history, the Jewish people were often conquered and subsequently dispersed to different countries. They were also a nation of traders and businessmen, so they settled in many different nations. During their Babylonian captivity (597 BC), the Jews, having no access to the temple in Jerusalem for worship, began to gather in homes and other places to pray, read Scripture, praise, and enjoy fellowship. This was the beginning of the synagogue or house of prayer movement that started while they were in captivity but continued even after their return to Judah 70 years later. Those Jews, dispersed for various reasons throughout the Roman Empire, would gather and build a synagogue for their weekly meetings. These local synagogues became the network that Paul used to preach to the Jews in his early mission work.13Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem. 14But going on from Perga, they arrived at Pisidian Antioch, and on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15After the reading of the Law and the Prophets the synagogue officials sent to them, saying, "Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it."- Acts 13:13-15
It is to one of these groups that James is writing to with the hope that his letter will be copied and passed on to other Jewish Christians living abroad.First, these Christian Jews feel alienated because of their faith:They are surrounded by a pagan, sinful and unsympathetic people.The world's thinking and attitude are influencing them.Their Hebrew countrymen rejected them and even attacked them for their faith in Jesus. They have, however, defended their stand with Christ but have done so at a high cost.
They felt alienated from their homeland, former religion, and culture and now were drifting away from Christ. The way of the world seemed clearer and easy, so many were faltering under this kind of pressure. This, then, is the historical background that influenced the writing of this letter, a letter that teaches how one can achieve "practical Christian living" in an unbelieving world.Key Verses (ESV)
James 1:2–3: "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness."
James 1:19: "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger."
James 2:17–18: "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
James 3:5: "So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!"
James 5:16: "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."Key Passages (NLT)
James 1:1–5:20: “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! Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great…”Summary
This epistle, therefore, is a valuable study for several reasons:It explains, in easy-to-understand language, using simple examples, how one can live a practical Christian life.It covers many critical ideas in five short chapters.Christians often find themselves rejected by family or society because of their beliefs and require similar encouragement.
James' message is timeless in the sense that it is as easily accessible to the modern reader as it was for the first-century Christian.Outline 1
The body of the letter begins with a call for the readers to remain faithful in the trials they are experiencing (1:2–18). Then James offers them practical guidance for living out their faith (1:19–3:12). In particular, he is concerned about believers neglecting to care for the impoverished (2:1–13), failing to take action (2:14–26), and speaking carelessly (3:1–12). The next large section of the letter (3:13–5:6) deals with wisdom in action. The wise are not arrogant, boastful, and ambitious, but rather pure, humble, and peaceful. Finally, James counsels his readers to be patient in their suffering and to rely on God and each other (5:7–20). • Faithfulness in trials (1:1–18) • Faith and works (1:19–3:12) • Acting wisely and unwisely (3:13–5:6) • Endurance and prayer (5:7–20)Outline 2
The five chapters of James address many smaller teaching sections, which can be grouped in many different ways. However, five key themes can be identified. The first theme involves enduring trials (James 1:1–18). James teaches his readers to endure trials with joy (James 1:2–4), asking God for wisdom (James 1:5–8), with the right perspective (James 1:9–11). Believers must also understand the power of temptation (James 1:12–15) and be thankful for God's goodness (James 1:16–18). The second section focuses on living out God's truth (James 1:19–2:26). This includes handling anger well (James 1:19-21), being actual "doers" of God's words (James 1:22–27), not showing favoritism (James 2:1–13), and showing faith by righteous actions (James 2:14–26). The third section focuses on wisdom and controlling one's words (James 3). The tongue is said to be powerful, yet also dangerous (James 3:1–12). James also distinguishes between heavenly and human wisdom (James 3:13–18). The fourth section emphasizes humility (chapter 4). Many live opposed to the Lord as His enemy (James 4:1–6). In contrast, believers are to draw near to God and humble themselves before Him so they may be lifted up (James 4:7–17). The fifth section emphasizes patience and prayer (James 5). James speaks against rich oppressors (James 5:1–6), extols patience (James 5:7–12), encourages faithful prayer (James 5:13–18), and teaches the need to show love to those in error (James 5:19–20).