The Book of James. A Bible Study for Small Group or Individual Study.

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1 The Book of James A Bible Study for Small Group or Individual Study This Bible study provides daily study questions for you. You may compare your answers by accessing the Compare Your Answers link on the web pages of the same chapters you are studying at. This Bible Study may not be sold but all are encouraged to share it and give it away. May God bless and keep you.

2 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalms 119:

3 The Book of James Chapter One Workbook This Bible Study Workbook is designed to facilitate your study of Chapter One of the Book of James. Upon completion of the study, it is recommended that you discuss your answers and insights with other Bible Students who also completed the workbook. Further information is available at

4 Workbook James Chapter 1 James Chapter 1 (King James Version) 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. 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

5 Workbook James Chapter 1 DAY ONE James addresses this epistle to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad. Various commentators provide the following insights on this point: There were two great dispersions and to which of these classes this Epistle was directed is not known but the two dispersions were: o The Eastern Dispersion. The first had its origin about the time when the ten tribes were carried away to Assyria, and in the time of the Babylonian captivity. In consequence of these events, and of the fact that large numbers of the Jews went to Babylon, and other Eastern countries, for purposes of travel, commerce, etc., there were many Jews in the East in the times of the apostles. o The Western Dispersion. This commenced about the time of Alexander the Great, and which was promoted by various causes, until there were large numbers of Jews in Egypt and along Northern Africa, in Asia Minor, in Greece proper, and even in Rome. The phrase the twelve tribes, was the common term by which the Jewish people were designated, and was in use long after the ten tribes were carried away, leaving, in fact, only two of the twelve in Palestine. Many have supposed that James here addressed them as Jews, and that the Epistle was sent to them as such. But this opinion has no probability; because: o If this had been the case, he would not have been likely to begin his Epistle by saying that he was a servant of Jesus Christ, a name so odious to the Jews. o And, if he had spoken of himself as a Christian, and had addressed his countrymen as himself a believer in Jesus as the Messiah, though regarding them as Jews, it is incredible that he did not make a more distinct reference to the principles of the Christian religion; that he used no arguments to convince them that Jesus was the Messiah; that he did not attempt to convert them to the Christian faith. The phrase the twelve tribes became also a sort of technical expression to denote the people of God - the church. 1 James was addressing those who were scattered abroad due to persecution. 2 The dispersion of the Israelites, and their connection with Jerusalem as a center of religion, was a divinely ordered means of propagating Christianity. 3 1 Albert Barnes Commentary 2 John Macarthur Study Bible 3 Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary

6 Workbook James Chapter 1 1. James addresses his readers as the twelve tribes. What are two other ways he addresses them here in chapter one? One is a term of affection and the other is a vision of what they should become. 2. James tells us in verse 2 to consider it pure joy when we are surrounded by temptations. This is not a new idea at all for Christians. Paul said in Romans 5:3 that we should glory or be joyful in our tribulations. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said: 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Mat 5:11-12 We are not talking here only of our choices here, but of our attitudes and mindset toward the inevitable temptations we face in life. From the readings of Matthew 5:11-12, Romans 5:1-5, and James 1:2-4, how can we be joyful when we are tempted? 3. If you were to flowchart or map the words or concepts of James 1:3 and Romans 5:4-5 that are related it could look something like the chart below. Fill in the blank with the concept keywords from the verses as they build upon one another from left to right. What is the power that allows these concepts to work together and what is the end result? James 1:3 James 1:3 Romans 5:4 Romans 5:4 Romans 5:4 Concepts James 1:3-4 and Romans 5:4-5 (KJV)

7 Workbook James Chapter 1 DAY TWO 1. Verse 12 brings up the topic of trials or temptations we saw in verses 2, 3, and 4. The types of temptations and trials we face as Christians are either self-imposed or brought about by others. They can be in the form of persecutions by others for our faith; trials of our circumstances in this life such as poverty, sickness or disease; temptations to sin against God by thinking, saying or doing things that are contrary to His Word; or simply choosing to please ourselves rather than the God who created us and loves us. Here in verse 12 James tells us that some Christians who are tempted will receive a crown of life. Which Christians receive the crown from the Lord? Where else does the Bible talk about a crown of life? In that passage, what trials are Christians encouraged to endure? 2. Consider the instruction we receive in verses 5 through 8. Rewrite in your own words how one is to acquire wisdom based on this instruction. 3. What is the lesson of verses 9, 10 and 11? How can one who is poor be proud and one who is rich be humble?

8 Workbook James Chapter 1 DAY THREE 1. From a reading of verses 13 through 18, James was addressing a doctrinal error that stated that one is tempted by God to sin. Why does it not make sense to believe that one could be tempted of God? Why would someone wish to claim that he or she was tempted by God? 2. Why can t God be tempted? 3. The two possible consequences of our temptations as provided here in chapter one of the Book of James are a crown of life (verse 12) and death (verse 15). In verses 14 and 15 we learn that we are all tempted away from fellowship with God by our own lust or desires which lead to sin. What can we do to avoid sin? What does God s Word tell us to do?

9 Workbook James Chapter 1 DAY FOUR 1. What is meant by the term first-fruits in verse 18? 2. Why should we be swift to hear and slow to speak as James teaches us in verse 19? What are three things we can do to become faster hearers and slower speakers? To Become a Faster Hearer: To Become a Slower Speaker: Why is the analogy of the man in the mirror such an appropriate comparison of a hearer of the Word only?

10 Workbook James Chapter 1 DAY FIVE Study these verses from the Book of Psalms to fill in the concepts and whom is being spoken of with these references to evil or unbridled tongues (vs. 26). Do you see any patterns? Psalms Scripture Concepts Who is Being Spoken of 5:9 10:7 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue. His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. 50:19 Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. 52:2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. 52:4 Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. 109:2 120:2 For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. 120:3 What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?

11 Workbook James Chapter 1 DAY SIX Study these verses below. What are some ways we can use our tongues, our ability to speak, our mouths, and ability to communicate that are in alignment with the Word of God? Psalms Scripture Godly Use of Our Tongues 35:28 And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long. The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue 37:30 talketh of judgment. 39:1 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. 51:14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: 71:24 for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt. 119:172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. As we read in Romans Chapter 10, verses 9 and 10, the greatest thing we could ever do in our lives is to confess with our mouths that Jesus Christ is Lord in our lives. When we confess Him as our savior, because in our hearts we believe that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, we become righteous and we are born again, saved from eternal death and receive eternal life. If you have not confessed Jesus Christ as Lord, why don t you do it today? Romans 10:9-10 NIV 9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

12 The Book of James Chapter Two Workbook This Bible Study Workbook is designed to facilitate your study of Chapter Two of the Book of James. Upon completion of the study, it is recommended that you discuss your answers and insights with other Bible Students who also completed the workbook. Further information is available at

13 Workbook James Chapter 2 James Chapter 2 (King James Version) 1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? 7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? 8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

14 Workbook James Chapter 2 DAY ONE Many years ago, a man came into my church and he was obviously a poor and destitute man. He was unkempt, his clothes were dirty, and he was scruffy looking with tangled, uncombed hair and an unshaven, scraggly beard. His hands were dirty, he smelled bad, and apparently everything he owned was on his back. Our pastor took him and welcomed him into our church with loving kindness. I must admit, at the time I did not know what to do and was uncomfortable. Some simply stared while a few whispered. In another church on a Sunday morning back in the 1960 s, there was an elderly deacon at the rear of the church greeting folks as they arrived. It was very crowded that day and the deacon noticed that there were very few seats left. He was just about to go to his own seat and join the service when a young man entered the church. He was unlike anybody that had arrived that day. He had long flowing hair, wore beads around his neck, sandals without socks, and dirty jeans with patches and holes. While looking around to find him a seat, the deacon was surprised when the young man simply walked down the aisle and sat on the floor crosslegged squarely in front of the altar. The deacon soon followed him down the aisle. The congregation thought he would ask him to take a seat or perhaps show him to a seat. However, all were amazed when the elderly man sat, with some degree of difficulty, on the floor right next to him. In another church a man I would describe as down and out or destitute, similar to the man in the above story entered the church. Nobody greeted him when he entered. He sat down in the middle of the church where all could see him, and when he did, others near him moved away to other seats. No one offered him anything but curious or distrustful looks. Many wondered where the pastor was and why he did not confront the man and ask him to clean himself up before he entered the church. However, all were amazed when this man began walking to the front of the church. He reached the front pew and all wondered where he was going, several deacons began moving forward hurriedly when he started to ascend the podium. When he reached the pulpit and removed his wig and false beard the congregation let out a collective gasp as they recognized their pastor. He began his sermon in the Book of James, Chapter 2, verse 1. That is where this Bible study begins as well - James Chapter 2.

15 Workbook James Chapter 2 1. What is it about man that makes us uncomfortable with situations such as this? Why do we show partiality based on outward appearances? Why do we make assumptions and judge people by what we see? Read Luke 18: Does the story Jesus tells in this scripture provide an idea or clue as to the reason that we might not treat others the same? What is it? 2. Do you wear your best available clothing for church services? Do you pay more attention to what you wear to church compared to other events? Why or why not?

16 Workbook James Chapter 2 DAY TWO 1. For the following verses from James Chapter 2, what are the arguments James provides for not showing partiality: Verse 4: Verses 5 through 7: Verses 8 through 13: 2. In James Chapter 2 the author reminds his readers who were typically poor, that the rich are exploiting them, dragging them to court, and slandering the noble name of Jesus Christ. Is James encouraging his poor brethren to disrespect the rich members of the assembly? Why or why not?

17 Workbook James Chapter 2 DAY THREE 1. How can you be guilty of the whole law when you only break one point of the law? Why does it say in James Chapter 2 verse 10 that if you offend in one point or you break just one law you are guilty of the entire law? What is the point of James Chapter 2 verses 10 through 13? 2. Was there ever a time in your life where you were loved by someone that would demonstrate the idea of love your neighbor as yourself? How can we love your neighbors as ourselves? (Remember as Jesus pointed out in Luke 10 that our neighbor is anyone who needs our help.)

18 Workbook James Chapter 2 DAY FOUR 1. Does the second half of James Chapter 2 say that one is saved by works or good deeds and not by faith? What is the main point of the second half of James Chapter 2? 2. Considering the main point, if you were to choose the main verse or phrase of James Chapter 2 verses 14 through 26, what would it be?

19 Workbook James Chapter 2 DAY FIVE 1. What did Jesus Christ teach us about the concept of faith and works? Please cite a Scriptural example. 2. Besides Abraham and Rahab, who from Scripture best illustrates this concept of faith with works? How or why did you choose this person s life as your citation?

20 Workbook James Chapter 2 DAY SIX Does James statement in James Chapter 2 verse 18 that one can demonstrate his faith by his works contradict Paul s statement in Romans 3:28 that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law?

21 The Book of James Chapter Three Workbook This Bible Study Workbook is designed to facilitate your study of Chapter Three of the Book of James. Upon completion of the study, it is recommended that you discuss your answers and insights with other Bible Students who also completed the workbook. Further information is available at

22 Workbook James Chapter 3 James Chapter 3 (King James Version) 1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. 13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

23 Workbook James Chapter 3 DAY ONE 1. In Word Pictures in the New Testament A.T. Robertson related that verse one could properly be translated Stop being many teachers and states that There is thus a clear complaint that too many of the Jewish Christians were attempting to teach what they did not clearly comprehend. Robertson also observes that this soon became an acute question, as one can see in 1 Cor. 12 to chapter 14. I Corinthians 12:28 tells us that God appoints teachers in the church. Does a reading of the first ten verses of Chapter 23 of the Gospel of Matthew give us an idea of why so many in the early church would want to become teachers? 2. James includes himself as teacher in James Chapter 3 verse 1 and states that teachers will be judged more strictly. Why should teachers be judged more severely? Does a reading of Mark 12:38-40 give us any insight?

24 Workbook James Chapter 3 THE TOP REGRETABLE QUOTES OF ALL TIME The following is a list of statements made many years ago by experts in their fields. They couldn t hit an elephant at this dist- Last words of Gen. John Sedgwick, spoken as he looked out over the parapet at enemy lines during the Battle of Spotsylvania in 1864 I m sorry, Mr. Kipling, but you just don t know how to use the English language. The San Francisco Examiner, rejecting a submission by Rudyard Kipling in 1889 The phonograph has no commercial value at all. Thomas Edison, American inventor, 1880s Sensible and responsible women do not want to vote. Grover Cleveland, U.S. President, 1905 "Airplanes are interesting toys but of no military value." Marshal Ferdinand Foch, French Military Strategist and Future World War 1 Commander, in 1911 "(Man will never reach the Moon) regardless of all future scientific advances." Dr Lee De Forest, inventor of the Audion Tube and Father of Radio, in 1926 There is not the slightest indication that nuclear energy will ever be obtainable. It would mean that the atom would have to be shattered at will. Albert Einstein, 1932 You better get secretarial work or get married. Emmeline Snively, director of the Blue Book Modelling Agency, advising would-be model Marilyn Monroe in 1944 "(Television) won't be able to hold on to any market it captures after the first six months. People will soon get tired of staring at a plywood box every night." Darryl F. Zanuck, head of 20th Century-Fox in 1946 Just so-so in center field. New York Daily News after the premiere of Willie Mays, 1951 If excessive smoking actually plays a role in the production of lung cancer, it seems to be a minor one. W. C. Heuper, National Cancer Institute, 1954 "We don't like their sound. Groups of guitars are on the way out." Decca Records rejecting the Beatles, in 1962 With over fifteen types of foreign cars already on sale here, the Japanese auto industry isn t likely to carve out a big share of the market for itself. Business Week, August 2, 1968 "For the majority of people, the use of tobacco has a beneficial effect." Dr. Ian G. Macdonald, Los Angeles Surgeon, as quoted in Newsweek, November 18, 1969 "There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in their home." Kenneth Olsen, President and founder of Digital Equipment Corporation, in 1977 Source:

25 Workbook James Chapter 3 DAY TWO 1. We all have regrettable quotes. The preceding examples are regrettable in the sense that the speakers had bad business sense or judgment regarding the subjects of their purported expertise. The examples in this third Chapter of the Book of James are not about business judgment or expertise. What is the context of James writings on the tongue or verbal communication in the early church? 2. What are the analogies of the tongue from the following verses of James Chapter 3: Verse 3: Verse 4: Verses 5-6: Verses 7-8: Verses 11-12: Verses 12: 3. James mentioned the tongue or a manner of speaking earlier in this epistle 3 times. Cite the three verses. 1) 2) 3)

26 Workbook James Chapter 3 DAY THREE 1. What are the descriptions and the dangers of the tongue that we see in James Chapter 3 verses 6 and 8? Verse Descriptions Dangers Exam your life. Could you make a list of the top ten regrettable things you have said to other people? Why was it regrettable? Why do we say these things?

27 Workbook James Chapter 3 DAY FOUR 1. What can we do to avoid future regrets and control our tongues? Look at the following verses. What advice do they offer? Mathew 15:19 and Romans 12:2-3 Proverbs 13:3 Proverbs 14:7 and 20:19 Ecclesiastes 3:7 - Tis slander; Whose edge is sharper than the sword; whose tongue Outvenoms all the worms of Nile; whose breath Rides on the posting winds, and doth belie All corners of the world: kings, queens, and states, Maids, matrons, nay, the secrets of the grave This viperous slander enters. Shakespeare in Cymbellna 2. Sins of the tongue are so common they have been categorized. What is the sin of the tongue from the following examples from Scripture? Exodus 20:7 Exodus 20:16 Psalm 10:7 Psalm 109:2 Proverbs 10:18 Proverbs 11:13 I Timothy 5:13 II Peter 2:3

28 Workbook James Chapter 3 DAY FIVE 1. What are the great things we can do to please God with our mouths and with our tongues or speech? List five. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 2. In the last five verses of James Chapter 3 the author contrasts the wisdom of man with the Wisdom of God. Compare the wisdom of God and the wisdom of man in the chart below. Vs Mans Wisdom Vs God s Wisdom 15 17

29 Workbook James Chapter 3 DAY SIX 1. What are the two factors that occur in James Chapter 3 verses 14 and 16 and what is their result shown in James Chapter 3 verse 16? 2. What is the result of Godly wisdom we see in James Chapter 3 verse 18?

30 The Book of James Chapter Four Workbook This Bible Study Workbook is designed to facilitate your study of Chapter Four of the Book of James. Upon completion of the study, it is recommended that you discuss your answers and insights with other Bible Students who also completed the workbook. Further information is available at

31 Workbook James Chapter 4 James Chapter 4 (King James Version) 1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. 11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? 13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

32 Workbook James Chapter 4 DAY ONE 1. James asks the question what s causing the fights and quarrels among you? One commentator speculated that the context may have been those fights and troublemaking among the Jews that eventually led to rebellion against Roman authority. He then speculates that it was more likely fights among families and Jewish sects. He provides an analysis that James was warning the Christian converts not to become affected by the Jewish culture of that time that was predisposed to strife. 1 Another commentator cites evidence of the Jews in Egypt, Syria and other places the epistle would be read were killing those who were not Jewish because they would not convert to Judaism. 2 Perhaps a survey of the Greek words used here will help us to understand the context. The Greek words for wars and fightings in the King James or fights and quarrels in the NIV are polemos and mache respectively. Polemos means the chronic state or campaign of a war while mache means the separate conflicts or battles in a war. 3 The Greek word for members is melos which means a limb such as an arm or leg. 4 New Testament Christians are likened to the members of the body collectively; that is, the body itself as the seat of the desires and passions. (See Romans 6:13,19; Romans 7:5,23; and Colossians 3:5) 5 So putting this all together, we see that the probable context of the wars and fightings James speaks of are those that were occurring between and amongst the members or Christians of the early church. These Christians were members of one body who were fighting and quarreling among themselves. This was occurring thousands of years ago, but still occurs even today in the Christian church. Why can t we stop quarrelling and fighting amongst ourselves? Why does it still continue? Will it ever stop? When? 1 Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible 2 Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible 3 Word Pictures in the New Testament 4 Strong s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries 5 Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible

33 Workbook James Chapter 4

34 Workbook James Chapter 4 DAY TWO 1. How do these ideas already provided in the first three chapters of James help the reader avoid quarreling and fighting? James 1:19-20 James 2:8-9 James 3:8 James 3: In the King James Version James tells us in verse one that the wars and fighting among the believers come from their lust. He then uses the word lust as a verb in verse two and again in verse five. In verse three he says that they do not receive the things they ask for because they ask wrongly and because they would consume the things they ask for upon their lusts. In verse one the Greek word for lust is he done and means sensual pleasure, and by implication, desire. It is same word used in verse 3, but in verses 2 and 5 a different Greek word is used which denotes an intense craving or coveting for something. This same Greek word occurs in the first chapter of James where we read about lust in verses 14 and 15: 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. James 1:14-15 KJV

35 Workbook James Chapter 4 What is the result of lusting or lust in the following verses? VERSE James Chapter 1 verse 14 RESULTS OF LUST James Chapter 1 verse 15 James Chapter 4 verse 1 James Chapter 4 verse 2 James Chapter 4 verse 3 James Chapter 4 verse 5

36 Workbook James Chapter 4 DAY THREE 1. Lust and the results of lust is the theme or main idea of James Chapter 4 verses 1 through 5. What is the theme of verses 6 through 10? 2. How does the theme of lust in James Chapter 4 verses 1 through 5 relate to the theme or main idea of verses 6 through 10?

37 Workbook James Chapter 4 DAY FOUR 1. List the commands and our results if we follow these commands from James Chapter 4 verses 7 through 10. Vs Command Results from Following the Commands

38 Workbook James Chapter 4 DAY FIVE 1. James tells us not to slander one another in verse 11 and that when we judge our brothers or sisters we are judging the law. He says this is wrong for us to slander and judge one another. What do the following verses help us understand about this Biblical truth? James 4:12 Matthew 7:1-2 Romans 2:1 Romans 14:10-12 I Corinthians 4: As Christians are we never to judge actions or behavior of others? Can we judge others and yet not sin? What about the judges in our civil and criminal court systems and Christians on jury duty; do they sin when carrying out these duties?

39 Workbook James Chapter 4 DAY SIX 1. What exactly is the evil James speaks of in verses 13 through 16? Why is this evil? 2. Is James saying in verse 17 that we can sin by not doing something?

40 The Book of James Chapter Five Workbook This Bible Study Workbook is designed to facilitate your study of Chapter Five of the Book of James. Upon completion of the study, it is recommended that you discuss your answers and insights with other Bible Students who also completed the workbook. Further information is available at

41 Workbook James Chapter 5 James Chapter 5 (King James Version) 1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. 3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. 4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. 5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. 6 Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you. 7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. 10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. 12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. 13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. 14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. 19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

42 Workbook James Chapter 5 DAY ONE In Sketches of Jewish Social Life, 1 Dr. Alfred Edersheim gives us a picture of the Jewish history and attitudes towards commerce. He states: There can be no question that, according to the Divine purpose, Israel was not intended to be a commercial people. The many restrictions to the intercourse between Jews and Gentiles, which the Mosaic law everywhere presents, would alone have sufficed to prevent it. Then there was the express enactment against taking interest upon loans (Lev_25:36-37), which must have rendered commercial transactions impossible, even though it was relaxed in reference to those who lived outside the boundaries of Palestine (Deu_23:20). In the era of the Old Testament, Dr. Edersheim notes that the seaboard was, except for a short time during Solomon s reign, in the hands or foreigners. This along with the requirements of the Jubilee year and the characteristics of the land were not conducive to trade between the Jews and Gentiles. Dr. Edersheim quotes the Jewish historian Josephus on the matter of the Jewish attitudes towards commerce: As for ourselves, we neither inhabit a maritime country, nor do we delight in merchandise, nor in such a mixture with other men as arises from it; but the cities we dwell in are remote from the sea, and having a fruitful country for our habitation, we take pains in cultivating that only. But eventually Dr. Edersheim notes the attitudes gradually changed along with the changing circumstances of the people with the main object to restrict and regulate commercial occupations with rabbinical oversight. Long before the Babylonian captivity, a great number of Jews were living in Egypt and Dr. Edersheim notes that they... controlled Egypt s large export trade, especially in grain--and Egypt was the granary of the world--was entirely in their hands. Considering to whom this epistle was written, perhaps James had these rich traders in mind in these first five verses of chapter five, perhaps not. What should our attitude be towards the wealthy? 1 Sketches of Jewish Social Life, Dr. Alfred Edersheim

43 Workbook James Chapter 5

44 Workbook James Chapter 5 DAY TWO 1. How do the first five verses of James Chapter 5 fit with the last five verses of James Chapter four? 2. In chapter two James was speaking to the poor about the rich, but now James is addressing the rich directly in this last chapter. What is the main point of verses 1-5? Is it the same message Jesus provided in Luke 12, verse 15-22? Main Point? Same Message?

45 Workbook James Chapter 5 DAY THREE 1. Analyze the verses below from James Chapter 5. What did the rich do with their wealth that was wrong and sinful? Verse 2 - Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Verse 3 - Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. 2. Read the parable Jesus tells in Luke 12: What advice can we glean from this so that we can avoid hoarding our wealth?

46 Workbook James Chapter 5 DAY FOUR 1. In verse five of James Chapter 5, James declares the rich have lived in luxury or pleasure on the earth, that they have been wanton or selfindulgent. In verse six he goes on to say the rich have killed the just or innocent who were not opposing them. Now in verses seven through eleven what is the advice given, to whom is it given, who was offered as an example, and why is this advice given? 2. How does the advice of James Chapter 5 verse nine fit in the context of the chapter?

47 Workbook James Chapter 5 DAY FIVE 1. James says in verse twelve of James Chapter 5 that above all things that the brethren should not swear either by heaven or by earth or anything else or they will be condemned. Does a reading of Matthew 5:33-37 help us understand why we should not swear by heaven or earth? Does this include the use of profanity? 2. Again and again James calls for control of one s speech or tongue. We have seen a call for control of our speech in James 1:26, 2:12, 3:2-11, and 4:11. Finally he calls for control of our speech in verse twelve. Why does James emphasize this so much? 3. What are the two things in verse fourteen James tells believers to do when they are sick? What are the two results that are promised in verse fifteen of James Chapter 5? Verse 14 Verse 14 Verse 15 Verse 15

48 Workbook James Chapter 5 DAY SIX Do the lessons from the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew shown below also occur in the Book of James? Can you cite the verses? Fill the boxes below with the verses from James. James Matthew Lesson 5:10-12 When your life is full of difficulties and persecutions, be glad a reward awaits you. 5:48 When you endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect, mature, and complete. 7:7-12 5:3 5:22 5:7; 6:14 7:21-23 Ask God and He will answer. Those who are humble (who don t amount to much by the worlds standards) should rejoice in their position as those whom God loves. Watch out for your anger, it can be dangerous. Be merciful to others, as God is merciful to you. Your faith must express itself in helping others. 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, they sow in peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. 6:24 You cannot serve God and money, pleasures or evil. Friendship with the world is hatred toward God. 5:3-4 When you humble yourself and realize your dependence on God, he will lift you up. 7:1-2 Don t slander or speak evil against others,; these go against God s command t o love one another. 6:19 Treasures on earth will only rot and fade away store up eternal treasures in heaven. 5:12 Be patient in suffering; as God s prophets were patient. 5:33-37 Be honest in your speech; just say a simple yes or no so that you will always be trusted.

49 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalms 119: