A Study of the Book of James- Adapted from the commentary and workbook by Jim Everett- Practical Living INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF JAMES The date of the writing and the place of its recipients, along with the circumstance under which the author penned the epistle, all add color to the book. However, in this instance, none of that can be concretely established. There is probably no book whose acceptance has been questioned more than James. This is not to say that one should doubt its authenticity but that Christians should, at least, be aware of background evidence available to convict the gainsayers. You see, people sometimes wish to cast reflections on that which exposes and condemns their sin or which takes issue with their cherished, church doctrines. Luther, purportedly, questioned the authenticity of James because of the second chapter's essay on justification by works. He referred to it as a "right strawy epistle." Others, galled by James' destruction of their "salvation by faith only doctrine" have echoed Luther's sentiments. Did not Jesus say, "For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. but he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God"? (Jn. 3:20-21). JAMES 1:1 -- "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting." Who is this James? Was he the apostle James, the brother of John? Was he another apostle James who was the Lord's brother? Or was he some other James? There is no conclusive proof which identifies the writer except that his name is James and he refers to himself as a "servant of Jesus." No appellations are attached such as the apostle" or "James, the brother of John" or "James, the brother of the Lord," which would help us solve our problems of identification. Therefore, we are left with deductive reasoning to draw such conclusions as conform to general facts and circumstances. Macknight, among many other commentators, makes some good arguments for the writer being James, the apostle and brother of the Lord. I would like for the reader to explore the possibility that James, the apostle and brother of John could have written the book. While most better-known commentators immediately discount that possibility, and that within itself may be sufficient reason for some to reject it, I think the facts present some plausibility for his authorship. First of all, his prominence among the apostles could be an argument for his writing the book. However, the same could be said for James, the brother of the Lord (cf. Acts 15:13; Gal. 1:19, 2:9). Some immediately deny that James, the brother of John, could have penned the epistle, because that would make the epistle written very early in the first century. In fact, it would have been the first epistle ever written to Christians.
If this James wrote the book, it would have had to have been written prior to the account in Acts 12, for there Luke records the death of James: "Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword," (Acts 12:1-2). But why did Herod kill this James? Or why would he kill James and not Matthew or Andrew or one of the other apostles? Peter, James and John were always the "inner circle" of the apostles. They seem to be the most prominent; therefore, it would be natural for a ruler to attack the "ringleaders" of this "sect of the Nazarene," as they were called in derision. You will also notice that Peter was the next apostle afflicted by Herod and that Herod's intent was to kill him as well. But what about the time element? Could this have been the first epistle written? I believe that there is some information in the text, itself, which might help in answering those questions. For instance, the first verse speaks of "...the twelve tribes in the dispersion ("diaspora," Gr.)." It does not seem reasonable that James is writing to the dispersion of the Greeks alluded to in Jn. 7:35, nor to the Jews dispersed among the nations under the Babylonian Exile (Deut. 28:25; Jer. 41:17; 34:17). And while the phrase "twelve tribes" is definitely an allusion to fleshly Israel, these were more than fleshly brothers -- they were brothers in truth, in Jesus Christ (cf. Jas. 1:2; 2:1; 5:7; 5:19-20). Peter also writes to a dispersion. They are called "strangers of the dispersion of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia," (1 Pet. 1:1). There is no fleshly Israel connection made to this dispersion. Rather, the emphasis is upon Christians, who must not live as the world (1 Pet. 2:11-16), though they are scattered among worldly people (the nations). The verb form of "diaspora" is "diasparo." That verb form is found in Acts 8:1: "And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad (i.e. dispersed) through the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles." When Israel was dispersed among the nations under the Babylonian exile, they were called the "diaspora," i.e., the "scattered." When Jewish Christians were scattered abroad in the regions of Judaea and Samaria, logically, they could be called the "twelve tribes in the diaspora," (Jas. 1:1). The reader will also notice that there is no hint in the book of any peculiarly Gentile background problems nor of problems arising from Gentile opposition. It seems to have been written at a time prior to the general conversion of the Gentiles and not in an area comprised of Gentile influence. Those observations have caused me to lean toward a date sometime after the dispersion of Acts 8:1 ff, and just prior to James' death in Acts 12. Either of the two James's previously mentioned could be the author of the book, but I think it quite evident that the book was written from Jerusalem to Jewish Christians who were scattered throughout Judaea and Samaria very early (45-47 AD) in the history of the church.
A Study of the Book of James- by Jim Everett KEY TO UNDERSTANDING JAMES: "CHAINS OF THOUGHT." There is a unique style that belongs to the writer James that, while used by other inspired writers, is not so frequently employed as by James. James commonly links words together to make ideas interrelated and interdependent -- "chains of thought," if you please. For instance in ch. 1:2-3, 12, the chain looks like this: temptation - endurance-perfect and entire - crown of life. James puts it this way so that one's attitude toward times of temptation can be joy instead of discouragement. In this way, the one whose faith is being tested is able to see the desired end from the beginning. It is also implied that if the chain is broken, then one cannot count different forms of temptations as joyous. Notice that if the middle link is broken thusly: temptation - no endurance - the chain of thought is destroyed. In such instances temptation causes grief. In a different way James forms another chain in vv. 14-15: desire - enticement - conceived sin - death. THIS CHAIN MUST BE BROKEN! While it is not a sin to be tempted, the wise man knows that he can control sin by avoiding sources of enticement which would cause the unlawful expression of desires. However, if he succumbs to enticement so that sin is conceived, he must break that link by repentance, for he knows that the next link is inevitable -- "the wages of sin is death..." (Rom. 16:23; cf. Gal. 6:7-8). Some chains must be strong others must be broken. Look for the "chains of thought" as you read. It will enrich your understanding of James. All additions by me (G.S.) are in italics both normal and bold type. Questions were originally from the KJV, but additions and rewording have been added from the ESV. As in all of our studies, please give Bible passages as proof of your answers.
Lesson 1 - JAMES 1:2-11 Theme-- RESPONSE TO TEMPTATION 1. Trial / Temptation - 2. Steadfastness / Patience - 3. Full effect/perfect (Note- used twice in vs. 4) 4. Entire - 5. Doubts/Wavering - 6. "Double minded" - 1. How can it be counted "joy" to fall into various kinds of temptations? 2. Find the "chain of thought" pursued by James in vv. 2-4, and tie the thoughts together. 3. Are temptations of any value if we succumb or if we complain and are not submissive to acting in the right way in times of temptation? Explain your answer. 4. In the context, is the wisdom we are to ask for, wisdom in general or does it have a specific reference to a specific insight to our trials? 5. What assurance do we have that God will give that for which we ask? 6. How are we to ask? (Answer negatively and positively). 7. Explain vv. 9-11. How do these verses fit in a context about temptations?
Lesson 2 - JAMES 1:12-18 Theme "BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT ENDURES TEMPTATION." 1. Blessed - 2. Lust - 3. Enticed - 4. Sin - 5. Death - 6. Variation / Variableness - 7. Firstfruits - 1. How is a man blessed who endures temptations? 2. Why can man not say that God tempts him? 3. How is man tempted? 4. What does lust conceived produce? 5. What is the end result of temptation which overcomes man? (List the sequences of events here as though they were a chain and think about how the chain can be broken if one link is broken). 6. Rather than being tempted by God, so that evil would come from God, what do we receive from Him? 7. Explain v. 18, as it relates to the greatest of all gifts received from God.
Lesson 3 - JAMES 1:19-27 Theme -- WE NEED THE WORD 1. Filthiness 2. Rampant wickedness/superfluity of naughtiness 3. Mirror/Glass 4. Religious and Religion 5. Fatherless 6. Oneself/Himself 1. Why should we be swift to hear and slow to speak? 2. Do vv. 19-20, refer to our conduct with one another or to our relationship and attitude toward God and His word? Explain your answer. 3. How are we to receive the word? 4. Paraphrase the figure James uses which illustrates the difference between the hearer and the doer of the word. 5. What is vain religion? 6. What is pure religion? 7. Do these verses in this context relate to our collective, together relationship or do they teach how each of us is to conduct himself?
Lesson 4 - JAMES 2:1-13 Theme -- THE ROYAL LAW IS VIOLATED BY SHOWING RESPECT OF PERSONS. 1. Assembly 2. Distinctions/Partial 3. Royal 4. Convicted/Convinced 1. How can a person "have the faith of our Lord with respect of persons?" Put, in your own words, what "respect of persons" means. 2. How were they judges of evil thoughts? 3. What is the difference between God's view of the poor and man's view? 4. How did the rich treat them? 5. What is the royal law? Why is it called "royal?" 6. As men view sins, is "respect of persons" a venial sin or a mortal sin? 7. Does God view sin in the same way man does? Explain.
Lesson 5 - JAMES 2:14-26 Theme -- THE ROYAL LAW IS EXPRESSED BY DOING, NOT BY SAYING. 1. Lacking/Destitute - 2. Demons/Devils - 3. Justified - 4. Counted/Imputed - 5. Dead - 1. Is the royal law expressed by SAYING or DOING? 2. How is faith really shown? 3. Why does James speak of the belief of demons? 4. When was Abraham justified (note v. 23; cf. Rom. 4:1-ff; Heb. 11:8-11; and read Gen. 12-15)? 5. What makes faith completed/perfect? 6. Verse 24, is the only place in all the Bible which uses the expression "faith only/alone." What does it mean? 7. Explain what justification "by works" means and what it does not mean.
Lesson 6 - JAMES 3:1-18 Theme -- LOVE LABOR RATHER THAN LORDSHIP. 1. Teachers/Masters - 2. Stumble/Offend - 3. Will of the Pilot/Governor - 4. Desires/Listeth - 5. Conduct/Conversation - 6. Earthly - 7. Unspiritual/Sensual - 8. Demonic/Devilish - 9. Peaceable - 10. Gentle - 11. Open to reason / Easy to be intreated 12. Impartial / Without partiality - 1. Why is there a warning against being "masters" (teachers)? 2. List the two illustrations about small things controlling big things. 3. Illustrate how a little fire (the tongue) kindles a great matter. 4. Explain v. 6. 5. What can man not tame? 6. Is nature consistent? List the ways used by James to prove his point from nature. 7. Is man inconsistent in his use of the tongue? Should that be so? 8. How is a man to be wise? 9. How does one be false to the truth? 10. Contrast the two kinds of wisdom.
Lesson 7 - JAMES 4:1-17 Theme -- PROUD FIGHTERS 1. Quarrels/War - 2. Wrongly/Amiss - 3. Spend it/consume - 4. Submit - 5. Resist - 6. Be wretched/be afflicted - 7. Mourn - 8. Humble - 9. Boastings - 1. What is the source of quarrels/wars and fighting(s)? 2. How do lusts war in our members? 3. Why did they not receive when they asked? 4. What does friendship with the world produce? What does it mean to be a friend of the world? 5. Explain v. 5. 6. How does God react to the proud? 7. The scriptures teach that Christians are to rejoice. In view of that, explain James' command in v. 9. 8. Are we to be judges of the law or doers of the law? If we speak evil of our brother, which are we? 9. In vv. 9-16, is James condemning preparation for the future via life insurance, etc.? Explain your answer. 10. How should we make our plans? 11. V. 17 -- how is it to be explained in its context?
Lesson 8 - JAMES 5:1-20 Theme -- JUDGMENT AGAINST UNGODLY RICH. 1. Evidence / Witness - 2. Wages / Hire - 3. Fraud - 4. Lord of hosts / Sabaoth - 5. Grumble / Grudge - 6. Swear - 7. Suffering / Afflicted - 8. Sick (v. 14) - 9. Sick (v. 15) - 10. Wanders / Err - 11. Brings him back / Convert - 12. Cover / Hide - 1. What would be a witness against these rich? 2. How had they obtained, at least, some of their riches? 3. What does "fattened/nourished your hearts in a day of slaughter" mean? 4. How does the allegory in v. 7, apply to their needs? 5. Why does James refer to both the prophets and Job? 6. Write down as many different positions as you can find which have been espoused with reference to James 5:14-16. (For instance, the Catholic position, the Pentecostal position, etc.) 7. Now that you have defined all the words in the context of verses, look at how key words are used in other passages and try to decide, first of all, if the sickness under consideration is spiritual in nature or physical. Conclusion 1. What were your favorite parts of this letter? 2. What new things did you learn in this study?