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Who did James send this letter to? vs.1
To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad.
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What does James want these Jewish believers to consider to be all joy and why? vs.2,3
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors [MSG]
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Faith that is tested produces endurance (vs.3). What are they to let endurance have in them and what will the result be? (vs.4) Name 3 things
- Let endurance have its perfect result
- so that you may be perfect
- and complete,
- lacking in nothing.
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If any one lacks wisdom, they are to ask of God who gives to all generously, and without reproach. (vs.5) What will be given them for the asking? vs. 5
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 don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. [MSG]
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However, the asking must be "in faith" without any doubting. What does he say the one with doubt is compared to? vs. 6
The one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
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What should the one with doubt, who is double-minded, and unstable in their ways, expect to receive from the Lord? vs. 7,8
That man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord.
Those who doubt should not think they will receive anything from the Lord; [TNIV]
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What should the brother of "humble" circumstances "glory" in? vs. 9
Glory in his high position;
Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation [ESV]
When down-and-outers get a break, cheer! [MSG]
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What should the "rich man" glory in and why? vs. 10
The rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.
And when the arrogant rich are brought down to size, cheer! Prosperity is as short-lived as a wildflower, so don’t ever count on it. [MSG]
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What happens to the rich man in the midst of his pursuits? vs. 11
For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.
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Who is the blessed man? vs. 12a
A man who perseveres under trial.
The man who remains steadfast under trial. [ESV]
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What will the man who has persevered receive? vs. 12b
Approval.
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What has the Lord promised to all who love Him and persevere? vs.12c
He will receive the crown of life.
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What did you learn about God's role in temptation? vs.13
God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.
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What stages of temptation did you learn about from James in vs.14,15 - Name 4 things
But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.
- Then when lust has conceived,
- it gives birth to sin;
- and when sin is accomplished,
- it brings forth death.
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Do you believe that any sin that is given in to over and over without repentance will finally bring a form of death, either to health, ministry, relationships, etc? How can you stop the process and get back on the path of God's best for your life?
Ask God for wisdom.
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We are not to be deceived by the enemy as Eve was when she thought God was holding out on her and took the fruit in disobedience to God's command. What are we to know comes from God? vs.17 - Name 2 things
- Every good thing given
- and every perfect gift
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What is God called in this verse and what do we learn about Him? vs. 17 We were brought forth by the excercise of His will by the Word of truth. (vs.18 )
God is called, "the Father of lights".
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What should we be quick to do? vs. 19
Be quick to hear.
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What should we be slow to do? vs. 19 - Name 2 things
- slow to speak
- slow to anger
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What does not achieve God's righteousness? vs. 20
The anger of man.
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What are we to put aside? vs.21a - Name 2 things
- putting aside all filthiness
- and all that remains of wickedness
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What are we to receive in humility and what is it able to do? vs. 21b
In humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.
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We are to prove ourselves by being "doers" of the Word and not just "hearers" who delude themselves. (vs.22) What is a person like who hears the word, but does not walk in the teaching? vs. 23-24
He is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.
Are like people who look at their faces in a mirror and, after looking at themselves, go away and immediately forget what they look like. [TNIV]
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How do we become an effectual doer and not a forget hearer? What do we need to look intently upon? What will the results be? vs.25
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.
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What does it mean if one cannot bridle their own tongue from wrong speech? vs. 26
If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.
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What is pure and undefiled religion? vs. 27 - Name 3 things
- to visit orphans
- and widows in their distress,
- to keep oneself unstained by the world.
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What have you been convicted by today? Your speech, your anger, your apathy of not doing the things you are prompted by the Spirit to do? Are you a hearer, but not a doer? I am sure all of us have some conviction today. Summarize your thoughts and post a prayer if you like.
ENDURING TRIALS (1:2–19A)
Trials, Wisdom, Faith (1:2–8 )
James’ opening section invites the readers to wrestle with the paradox of “rejoicing in affliction” The verb makes it plain that these trials are not such as the brothers would have chosen nor are they simply the ills the human lot is heir to. They are met with because of the believers’ loyalty to God, who permits such experiences to occur to test his people (a common OT idea: Gen 22:1; Exod 15:25; 16:4; Deut 8:2, 16; 2 Chr 32:31; Job 1–2; cf. Jud 8:25–27; Wisd Sol 3:4–6).
The situation of the readers who are facing trial is such that they need to know how to cope with these experiences. Hence there is the need of “wisdom” (σοφία ). The readers are facing some real problems arising from persecution, and it is the gift and application of wisdom to see these trials in their proper light and respond accordingly.
The theme of testing as linked with wisdom is a common feature in the Wisdom tradition. In time of trial (Wisd Sol 5:1–14) the righteous person will seek help from God (see Wisd Sol 7:7: “I prayed, and understanding was given me; I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me”; 8:21: “I perceived that I would not possess wisdom unless God gave her to me … so I appealed to the Lord and besought him with all my heart” ). These expressions underscore the teaching that wisdom is a divine gift. “Yahweh gives wisdom” (Prov 2:6).
James concentrates on the importance of prayer as the believer’s line of access to the fountain of help in time of need. He addresses the answer culled from Israel’s wisdom teachers; it is the appeal to God’s gift of wisdom based on faith in God’s overruling providence and grace.
Prayer arises from a sense of need (Luke 11:5, 6) and God’s answers often exceed what we ask for (11:8 ). Having stated the clear character of a beneficent and bountiful giver James moves on to stress how appropriate also is the human response in a faith that is wholehearted and loyal.
James enters a warning plea that, contrary to their premature abandoning of faith, God’s goodness is to be relied on. But only if their faith is centered in him alone. They must therefore resolutely turn to him and so turn away from the ways of folly and self-trust, to be outlined in 1:20; 3:13–18; 4:1–6, in reliance on God’s gift of heavenly wisdom.
Martin, R. P. (1998 ). Vol. 48: Word Biblical Commentary : James (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; Word Biblical Commentary (42). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.
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