The Book of James

Among the hallmarks from this letter by James is that faith produces a change in the person you
become. While this book has 60 imperatives in 108 verses - which is more than any other NT book
- a list of do's and do not's should not be the conclusion for any reader. The lesson is perspective.
There is a change in the person on a spiritual level and there needs to be a dynamic change that
takes place in your spiritual life; i.e. the hidden man in the heart (1Pet 3.4).
Once you become a kingdom citizen, the devil will not allow you to become a satisfied
saint and the Lord will not allow you to become a satisfied sinner. The purpose of the book
of James is not to maintain the caterpillar and hope for the butterfly; rather, this is the book about
how to take a caterpillar and transform it into a butterfly.

James, the brother of our Lord

Considered by the early church as a son of Mary and Joseph. (So Jerome, Augustine, et al.)
cf Matt 12.46, 47; 13.55; Mark 3.31, 32; Luke 8.19, 20; 1Cor 9.5
Unbeliever before the resurrection: John 7:5.
The Lord appeared to James: 1 Cor 15:7; thus Gal 1:19.
Prominent as outstanding leader in the Jerusalem Church (Acts 15); those going to other
churches founded by Paul are said to have come from James (Gal 2.12). [Note that in 2.9,
James is named first (although he had already disavowed having authorized them to use
his name as an endorsement of their legal teachings: Acts 15.24)].

One
Greeting
1 James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ:
To the 12 tribes in the Dispersion.
Greetings.
Trials and Maturity
2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience
various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces
endurance. 4 But endurance must do its complete work, so that
you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. 5 Now if any of
you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously
and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask
in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea,
driven and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to
receive anything from the Lord. 8 An indecisive man is unstable in
all his ways.

9 The brother of humble circumstances should boast in his

exaltation, 10 but the one who is rich should boast in his
humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field.
11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and dries up the grass;
its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance is destroyed. In the
same way, the rich man will wither away while pursuing his
activities.
12 A man who endures 2trials is blessed, because when he
passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God has
promised to those who love Him.
13 No one undergoing a trial should say, I am being tempted by
God. For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesnt tempt
anyone. 14 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away
and enticed by his own evil desires. 15 Then after desire has
conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives
birth to death.
16 Dont be deceived, my dearly loved brothers. 17 Every generous
act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the
Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by
turning. 18 By His own choice, He gave us a new birth by the
message of truth so that we would be the firstfruits of His
creatures.
Hearing and Doing the Word
19 My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be
quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, 20 for mans
anger does not accomplish Gods righteousness. 21 Therefore,
ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil, humbly receive the
implanted word, which is able to save you.
22 But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving
yourselves. 23 Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a
doer, he is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror. 24 For he
looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of
man he was. 25 But the one who looks intently into the perfect
law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer
2

but one who does good worksthis person will be blessed in what
he does.
26 If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue,
then his religion is useless and he deceives himself. 27 Pure and
undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after
orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained
by the world.

~James Chapter One Notes~

1- 12 tribes - Even before the Assyrian captivity, many from the northern kingdom identified
themselves with the House of David (1Kng 12.16-20; 2Chr 11.16-17.) Upon the northern
kingdoms turn to idolatry under Jeroboam, the faithful from all tribes migrated southward (2Chr
19.4; 30.1, 10-11, 25-26; 34.5-7, 22; 35.17-18, etc.) Levites and others migrated south: 2Chr
11.14-17). Later, when Asa reigned in the south, another great company migrated from the north
(2Chr 15.9). Calls were then extended by Hezekiah and Josiah to all Israelincluding Manasseh
and Ephraimto worship at the Temple (2Chr 30.5, 6, 10, 11, 21; 34.9.) God addresses all 12
tribes: 2Chr 11.3. [Also, when the Babylonians took over the Assyrian slaves were absorbed.]
We settle where our lifestyle is comfortable for our living and the living of those around us.
1- dispersion: diaspora

1) a scattering, dispersion
a) of Israelites dispersed among foreign nations
b) of the Christians scattered abroad among the Gentiles
2- trials - When Gods people are called upon to pass through great trials, it is not evidence of
Gods displeasure. (Cf. Job: that book is not about why do the innocent suffer? If it was, it really
wasnt answered. The reader is let in on a conversation that Job had not overheard. It is about
attempting to maintain the Divine Viewpoint; the larger picture.)
When you fail, this is the time to pray and ask whether you are being punished or purified. Being
'passed through the fire' tells the LORD nothing about you He doesn't already know ('I know your
works' cf Is 66.18; Rev 2.2, 9, 13, 19, 23; 3.1, 8, 15); however, you may well learn things about
you that you won't believe.
3- testing daily, the Lord asks you, "Do you trust me?" Your daily walk is your answer to that
question! All professions of faith will be put to the test and we answer that question to our Lord
daily.
4- endurance: Gr hypomon an extremely popular state of being almost anyone wakes up early to
enjoy! WAITING. We are, by nature, fretful and impatient. We rebel against the ways of God and
want our own way. Hopefully, the Lord has taught you that there is something worse than waiting
regretting.
5- wisdom: Gr sophia something everyone wants, but few want to earn. Nearly anything
mastered in life is a function of time rather than talent; cf 1Kng 3.9; Prov 2.3-6; Matt 7.7.
6- surging sea - cf. Ps 32.6; 46.3; 77.16; 93.4; Is 17.12, 13; 57.20, 21; Rev 17:1, 15. The Lord
leads us to the 'still waters' (Ps 23.2)
8- indecisive: Gr dipsychos double minded; those who look to the Lord for their guidance are
certain of their path; cf Ps 119.105. Have you had your 'Joshua moment'? (Josh 24.15)
9- humble = exaltation / rich = humiliation; notice the parallelism and paradox. Humility is a sign
of an exalted character (Ps 25.9) and the wealth is a sign of the need for humbleness (Ps 39.5)
9- pass away like a flower 1Pet 1.24;
11-the rich will wither away Ps 39.6; 90.15
12- is has become
12- blessed = happy, representing the Heb 'ashrey (not baruk, blessed).
'Ashrey (fig. beatitudo, not benedictio). The Aramaic equivalent for 'ashrey is tob; Gr makarios =
happy (not eulogetos, which = blessed, and is used only of God (Mark 14.61; Luke 1.68; Rom
1.25; 9.5; 2Cor 1.3; 11.31; Eph 1.3; 1Pet 1.3). This applies to the Beatitudes in Matt 5 as well.
An accurate translation is "happy is he "
12- passes - Gr. dokimos; elsewhere as "approved"; cf Rom 14.14-18
12- crown of life - The Crown of Life: the Martyrs Crown (Rev 2.10).
There are (at least) five:
1) Crown of Life (here)
James 1.12; Rev 2.10
2) Crown of Rejoicing
1Thess 2.19
3) Crown of Righteousness
2Tim 4.8
4) Crown of Glory
1Pet 5.4
5) Incorruptible Crown
1Cor 9.24-27
12- love Gr agapao = to regard with favour, to make much of a thing or a person, on principle.
cf; Is 32.20: "Those who sow seed are happy beside abundant waters; they let ox and donkey
range freely." This is not a God-like love that only can is capable of. YOU are commanded to love
your neighbor.
Who is your neighbor? any other person, and where two are concerned, the other.

This is not simply a love you should expect from the Lord; it's a love the Lord expects from
you!
14- tempted - The most serious danger is not what is being done to you, but the wrong that may
be done by you!
14- drawn away - a hunting term, as dragged away by a predator.
15- desire the battlefield in every person is the mind (Prov 23.7). That war within our being may
be less of a struggle when we apply Rom 6.11-13: ' 11 So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin

but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you
obey its desires. 13 And do not offer any parts of it to sin as weapons for unrighteousness. But as
those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God, and all the parts of yourselves to God
as weapons for righteousness.'
15- death cf Ezek 18.4 => the solution? Ps 25.4-5, 20-21. The newer believer depends upon the
prayer of "Lord, keep me safe." The maturing believer understands that the needed prayer is,
"Lord, keep me pure." Who do you allow in your circle.
17- variation this is the promise of eternal security for the believer; cf. Mal 3.6
18- new birth compare v15 for parallelism; cf John 1.13 for meaning in our life; salvation is not
the climax of what we are about as Christians. It is the beginning.
18- firstfruits - Firstfruits was a Jewish feast held in the early spring at the beginning of the grain
harvest. It was observed on 16th of Nissan, which was the third day after Passover and the second
day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Firstfruits was a time of thanksgiving for Gods provision.
(Lev 23.9-14; Deut 26.1-10)
No grain was to be harvested at all until the firstfruits offering was brought to the Lord. (Lev
23.14)
The day of the firstfruits offering was also used to calculate the proper time of the Feast of Weeks.
(Lev 23.15-16)
In the New Testament, the firstfruits offering is mentioned seven times, always symbolically. Paul
calls Epaenetus and the household of Stephanas the firstfruits of Achaia (Rom 16.5; 1Cor 16.15).
His meaning is that, just as the firstfruits offering was the first portion of a larger harvest, these
individuals were the first of many converts in that region. James calls believers a kind of firstfruits
of His creatures (James 1.18). Just as the sheaf of grain was set apart for the Lord, so are
believers set apart for Gods glory.
[Read more: [Link]
19- quick to hear open and willing to listen
19- slow to speak Prov 17.28; we represent the Kingdom by our conduct and we represent the
King by our reaction to the conduct of others; remember, you are the ambassador to the King and
as such, it is more important to be prayerful about the harm you may do to others than the harm
which may come to you.
19- slow to anger Gen 17.1; how to become blameless? Cf Ps 15.2.
20- moral filth and evil most of our cries for deliverance or safety is because we seldom pray for
purity because we dont see impurity as harmful to our spiritual well being. Scriptural repentance is
not simply 'turning away' from sin when we are in bondage to sin; it is acknowledging, "I don't
want to be this way anymore!"
20- save you lit. save your souls. What do you do when the rains come into your life? (Matt
7.24-27. Do not minimize the things in your life that are impure. 22- doers cf Matt 7.24-27;
Rom 2.13; James 2.14-20; why claim salvation from death; yet, live in the sin which kills? cf; Acts
17.11
22- hearers the howto guide:

make irrelevant comparisons; e.g alcoholics who debate the topic of 'wine' in Scripture'.

being superstitious; do you need your horoscope 'fix' for guidance? Is there something 'magical'
you are waiting for meant to change your life; the lottery ticket, water from Lourdes, a crucifix cf;
1Sam 4.3

emotion rather than understanding and theoretical analysis without a commitment to obedience;
e.g. once I get my stuff together blahBlahBLAH cf; 1Pet 1.23
25- law of freedom
How liberty?
John 8.36; Matt 7.21-24; Ps 19.7-11
By keeping us from falling into
a pit
Ps 119.85
or snare
Ps 119.110
or into bondage
Ps 119.92, 93; 133
It illuminates our path
Ps 119.105

25- does cf John 13.17

26- controlling Gr chalinagogeo to bridle, hold in check; cf Ps 141.3-4
26- tongue Ps 34.13; 39.1; 141.1-3; James 3.2-3; 1Pet 3.10. One of the most ignored vices
among Christians is gossip! cf Lev 19.16; Prov 11.13; 18.8; 20.19; 26.20-22. Gossip is the most
common example and the most extreme violation of Exod 20.16. Those who partake in gossip
depend on casual and common conversation to carry out their betrayal. The sole purpose of gossip
is to take deceit and season it with a sprinkle of truth then let the imagination assume the worst. It
is generally behind your back and seldom includes an eyewitness. (Remember, you are either an
eyewitness or a false witness; there is no other type of witness). Taming your tongue will
demonstrate a maturity that few lifelong Christians can claim in their own life.
The 'there's talk' crowd are the most harmful and hurtful in the Christian body. Repetition brings
reputation and the more reputable, the more it is repeated!
What is a true friendship?
One that doesnt require explanations.
One that gives the benefit of the doubt.
One that is loyal and shuns any form of betrayal
NOTE TO SELF 'ride or dies' are sin buddies or sin partners; friendship is a term used to make it
more sacred than it really is*
27- religion True religionpractice of pietyis active obedience in two ways:
1) to manifest real concern for others, esp. for the needy; (Ps 146.7-9; Jer 7.1-8; cf Matt 25.36,
43) and
2) to walk personally in holy separation from all uncleanness, and rise above the worlds sinful
pleasures and standards.
You are not to become a moralist. Your commitment is to become a representative of the
King; to whom you owe everything.