The Epistle of James Faith in Action

James in the New Testament Gospel (4) Matthew Mark Luke John History (1) Acts Epistle (21) Paul (13) Romans 1 and 2 Cor. Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 and 2 Thess. 1 and 2 Tim. Titus Philemon Epistle (21) General (8) Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Prophecy (1) Revelation 2

Preparation for the Church / Life of Christ c. A.D. 1 – 30 ( Matthew through John ) Establishment of the Church c. A.D. 30 – 60 ( Acts through Philemon ) Latter Developments in the Church c. A.D 60 – 90 ( Hebrews through Revelation ) Time Period in NT History 3 Period 1 Period 2 Period 3

Book Background Title: James 1. The title “James” is taken from the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew “Jacob” (Iakobos), a common Jewish name in the first century. 4

Book Background Author: James 1. Which James is the author? There are four mentioned in the NT: a) James, the son of Zebedee (Mt. 4:21; Mk. 1:19; 5:37; 9:2; 10:35; Lk. 5:10; Acts 12:1-2); b) James, the son of Alphaeus (Mt. 10:3; Mk. 3:18; Mk. 15:40); c) James, the father of Judas (Lk. 6:16); and d) James, the brother of Jesus (Mt. 13:55; Mk. 6:3; Jn. 2:12; 7:2-10; Gal. 1:19; 2:1,9,10,12; Acts 1:13-14; 12:17; 15:13; 21:18; 1 Cor. 9:5; 15:7; Jude 1). 2. James, the brother of Jesus is likely the author. 5

Book Background Audience: Jewish Christians 1. Like the book of Hebrews, the book of James was written to Jewish Christians 6

Book Background Purpose: 1. 7

Book Background Date: 1. 8

Book Background Theme: Faith in Action 1. The theme of the book of James is “faith in action”. James emphasizes hearing and doing God’s word 9

Keys to the Book Key verses: 1:22-25 Key word: “faith” (1:3, 6; 2:1, 5, 14-26; 5:15) 10

Outline of the Book Faith in Action Greeting (1:1) The Tests of Faith (1:2-18) The Characteristics of Faith (1:19 – 4:17) The Responsibilities of Faith (5:1-20) 11

Outline of the Book Faith in Action Greeting (1:1) The Tests of Faith (1:2-18) – Faith tested by outward trials (1:2-12) – Faith tested by inward temptations (1:13-18) 12

Chapter 1 Themes Greeting (1:1) Joy in trials (1:2-4) Asking for wisdom (1:5-8) Poor and rich (1:9-11) Temptations (1:12-18) Hearing and doing (1:19-27) 13

Trials and Temptations James 1: Trials (vv. 2, 12)Temptations (vv ) Gr. peirosmosGr. peirazo Outward tests that lead to maturity Inward tests that lead to sin Endurance neededSelf-control needed

Trials According to James and Paul 15 James (1:2, 12)Paul (Rom. 5:3-5) 1. Joy in trials1. Joy in tribulation 2. Endurance2. Steadfastness 3. Approved3. Approvedness 4. Crown of life4. Hope 5. Love him5. Love of God

From Desire to Death James 1: ActionResult 1. Desire receives a suggestion Enticement 2. Desire meditates on the enticement Drawn toward the bait 3. Desire gives birth to sin God’s law is broken (1 Jn. 3:4; 5:17) 4. Sin grows up and brings forth death Separated from God (Isa. 59:1-2; Eph. 2:1-4)

The Wrath of Man James 1: Wrath of ManWrath of God 1. Flairs up, violent, outbursts 1. Settled 2. Leads to sin2. Punishes sin (Rom. 1:18) 3. Impatient3. Longsuffering (Rom. 9:22) 4. Does not work the righteousness of God 5. Display of God’s righteous character (Rom. 2:5)

Hearers of the Word James 1: ActionAttitude 1. Put awaySin is removed first 2. ReceiveThe Word is received 3. Doers of the wordApplication

Hearers and Doers James 1: Hearers OnlyHearers and Doers 1. Looks by forgets1. Looks and continues doing 2. Deluded / deceived2. Honest 3. Not blessed3. Blessed 4. Vain religion5. Pure and undefiled religion

Outline of the Book Faith in Action Greeting (1:1) The Tests of Faith (1:2-18) The Characteristics of Faith (1:19 – 4:17) – Faith hears and does (1:19-27) – Faith removes discrimination (2:1-13) – Faith works (2:14-26) – Faith controls the tongue (3:1-12) – Faith follows heavenly wisdom (3:13-18) – Faith draws near to God (4:1-10) – Faith does not judge (4:11-12) – Faith is dependent upon God (4:13-17) 20

James 1 Lessons for Today 1. Christians can have joy in trials because they know they will be perfected by them and be rewarded one day for their steadfastness (1:2; Mt. 5:12; Rom. 5:3-4; 1 Pet. 1:6-9; 4:12-13). 2. Patience (endurance) has its “perfect work” – salvation (1:4; 5:10-11; Lk. 21:19; Rom. 2:7). 3. God is liberal in his giving and good in his giving (1:5, 17; 2 Cor. 9:8-15). 21

James 1 Lessons for Today 4. Both poverty and riches can test a person (1:9-10; Prov. 30:7-9; 1 Tim. 6:9-10, 17-19). 5. The Christian’s reward is a “crown of life” (1:12; 2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Pet. 5:4; Rev. 2:10). 6. We should not blame God for temptation (1:13; Gen. 3:12-13)? 7. Sin brings spiritual death (1:15; 5:20; Rom. 6:16, 23; 7:5). 22

James 1 Lessons for Today 8. We are brought forth (begotten, born again) by God’s word when we obey it and are baptized (1:18; Jn. 3:5; Eph. 5:26; Tit. 3:5; 1 Pet. 1:22-23). 9. Guard your tongue and be “slow to speak” (1:19, 26; Prov. 10:19; 17:27-28). 10. God’s word saves souls (1:21; Lk. 8:12; Ac. 11:14; Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:18; 15:2). 23

James 1 Lessons for Today 11. Hearing and doing God’s word, not just hearing, is what God wants (1:22-25; Mt. 7:24-26; Lk. 6:46). 12. Christians are under the Law of Christ, the perfect law of liberty (1:25; 1 Cor. 9:21; Gal. 6:2). 13. Christians, individually, should take care of orphans and widows as they have opportunity (1:27; Gal. 2:9; 6:10). Christians are to keep themselves unspotted from the world of sin as they go through life (1:27; 1 Jn. 2:15-17). 24

Outline of the Book Faith in Action Greeting (1:1) The Tests of Faith (1:2-18) The Characteristics of Faith (1:19 – 4:17) – Faith hears and does (1:19-27) – Faith removes discrimination (2:1-13) – Faith works (2:14-26) – Faith controls the tongue (3:1-12) – Faith follows heavenly wisdom (3:13-18) – Faith draws near to God (4:1-10) – Faith does not judge (4:11-12) – Faith is dependent upon God (4:13-17) 25

Chapter 2 Themes No respect of persons (2:1-13) Faith without works is dead (2:14-26) 26

Respect of Persons James 2: Favoritism / Discrimination James 2: It is inconsistent with the teaching of Christ Verse 1 2. It results from judging with evil thoughts Verse It dishonors othersVerses It lacks loveVerse 8 5. It is a sinVerses It lacks mercyVerse 12-13

Paul and James On Works 28 Paul: Not Justified by Works (Rom. 3:19-28) James: Justified by Works (Jas. 2:14-26) Issue: How will a sinner be saved? Issue: How will a saint remain saved? The basis of the sinner’s justification is not works of law-keeping, but faith The basis of the saint’s justification is a faith that works, not faith apart from works (not faith only) Paul says “No!” to the legalist who trusts in his law-keeping works of merit James says “Yes!” to the intellectualist who abandons his obedient works of faith

James 2 Lessons for Today 1. Being a respecter of persons (prejudice, favoritism) is a sin (2:1, 9; Acts 10:34). 2. We must not be “judges with evil thoughts” (2:4; Mt. 12:24ff; 1 Tim. 6:4). 3. Poor brethren are rich in faith (2:5; Mt. 5:3; Rev. 2:9). 4. We must love our neighbor as our self (2:8; Lev. 19:18; Mt. 22:39; Lk. 10:27-28; Gal. 5:14). 29

James 2 Lessons for Today 5. Breaking God’s law with just one sin is a serious matter (2:9-11; 1 Jn. 3:4; 5:17). 6. The New Testament Law of Christ is the “law of liberty” (2:12; James 1:25; 1 Cor. 9:21; Gal. 5:1; 6:2). 7. The person who shows no mercy to others will be shown no mercy from God (2:13; Mt. 5:7; 18:32-35; Lk. 6:37ff). 30

James 2 Lessons for Today 8. Christians must say and do with regard to their benevolence or any activity of the Christian life (2:12, 14-16; Mt. 7:21-23; 1 Jn. 3:17-18). 9. Good works are a part of the Christian’s life (2:14-26; Eph. 2:10; Tit. 2:14; 3:8). Faith and works are not mutually exclusive. Faith is made perfect (complete) when faith actively works to obey God’s word (2:22; Gal. 5:6; 1 Thess. 1:3). 31

James 2 Lessons for Today 10. Salvation by “faith only” is a man-made doctrine that does not come from God’s word (2:24). Faith alone apart from obedient works is dead (2:17-20, 26; Rom. 1:5; 16:26). 32

Outline of the Book Faith in Action Greeting (1:1) The Tests of Faith (1:2-18) The Characteristics of Faith (1:19 – 4:17) – Faith hears and does (1:19-27) – Faith removes discrimination (2:1-13) – Faith works (2:14-26) – Faith controls the tongue (3:1-12) – Faith follows heavenly wisdom (3:13-18) – Faith draws near to God (4:1-10) – Faith does not judge (4:11-12) – Faith is dependent upon God (4:13-17) 33

Chapter 3 Themes Controlling the tongue (3:1-12) Earthly wisdom vs. heavenly wisdom (3:13-18) 34

Wise Use of the Tongue 35 A Little MemberUsed for GoodUsed for Evil Tongue Mouth Lips

James 3 Lessons for Today 1. 36

Chapter 4 Themes 37

James 4 Lessons for Today 1. 38

Outline of the Book Faith in Action Greeting (1:1) The Tests of Faith (1:2-18) The Characteristics of Faith (1:19 – 4:17) The Responsibilities of Faith (5:1-20) – Faith’s duty in riches (5:1-6) – Faith’s duty in waiting (5:7-11) – Faith’s duty in speech (5:12) – Faith’s duty in prayer (5:13-18) – Faith’s duty in conversion (5:19-20) 39

Chapter 5 Themes 40

James 5 Lessons for Today 1. 41