JAMES—NOTE ON JAMES 1:1 Greeting. Jesus chose 12 disciples to symbolize the TWELVE TRIBES of Israel. Thus he identified the church as the new Israel (see Matthew 10:1). James reminds these Jewish Christians of their spiritual heritage as God’s people, gathered by Jesus the Messiah. IN THE DISPERSION... [ Continue Reading ]
JAMES 1:2 The Testing of Faith. Trials are part of God’s “good gifts” (v. James 1:17) to his people, to strengthen them in their faith. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JAMES—NOTE ON JAMES 1:3 TESTING OF YOUR FAITH. Just as Jesus was “tested” in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1), believers are tested to make their faith “genuine” (1 Peter 1:7). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JAMES—NOTE ON JAMES 1:4 Believers are growing in holiness but are not yet perfected in it. This perfection will come only when Jesus returns. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JAMES—NOTE ON JAMES 1:5 WISDOM. As in the OT, wisdom is a God-given and God-centered understanding of the practical issues in life. WITHOUT REPROACH. God knows that his people need to grow in wisdom, and he is willing to give it. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0... [ Continue Reading ]
JAMES—NOTE ON JAMES 1:6 FAITH. A settled trust and confidence in God, based on his character and promises revealed in Scripture (see Hebrews 11:1). DOUBTING. Being torn between trusting God or trusting the world or one’s own natural abilities. A WAVE OF THE SEA. A picture of instability and constant... [ Continue Reading ]
JAMES—NOTE ON JAMES 1:7 A person who doubts is a DOUBLE-MINDED MAN. He has “two minds,” torn between God and the world (compare v. James 1:6). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JAMES—NOTE ON JAMES 1:9 Given the context, James seems to be saying that the challenges of both poverty and wealth may be among the greatest “trials” for Christians (see v. James 1:12). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JAMES—NOTE ON JAMES 1:12 James returns to the theme introduced in v. James 1:2. CROWN OF LIFE. The laurel wreath given to winners in athletic games (1 Corinthians 9:25) and to victorious emperors. The reward for faithful endurance is eternal life and its blessings (see Revelation 2:10). ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
JAMES—NOTE ON JAMES 1:13 James turns to the other side of trials, when testing becomes temptation. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JAMES—NOTE ON JAMES 1:14 LURED AND ENTICED. A fishing metaphor for drawing prey away from shelter. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JAMES—NOTE ON JAMES 1:15 The picture changes to a birth/rebirth metaphor. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
JAMES—NOTE ON JAMES 1:17 Nothing in this world is truly good unless it comes FROM ABOVE, heaven, DOWN FROM THE FATHER OF LIGHTS (see Psalms 74:16; Psalms 136:7). God’s character never changes. He always gives good gifts. This contrasts with the VARIATION of the night changing to day or the shifting... [ Continue Reading ]
JAMES—NOTE ON JAMES 1:18 BROUGHT US FORTH BY THE WORD OF TRUTH speaks of spiritual salvation. “Us” refers to believers. The “word of truth” is the gospel. Being “brought... forth” (from the womb) is a metaphor for the new birth. The FIRSTFRUITS of the harvest (compare Exodus 23:16; Leviticus 23:9) a... [ Continue Reading ]
JAMES—NOTE ON JAMES 1:19 Hearing and Doing the Word. This section focuses on living as a Christian directed by “the word of truth,” the gospel (v. James 1:18). Christian living includes both “hearing” and “doing” the truth. Obedience is the mark of the true child of God. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document... [ Continue Reading ]
JAMES—NOTE ON JAMES 1:20 Not all human anger is sinful (see Ephesians 4:26). However, the quick-tempered, selfish ANGER OF MAN shows a lack of trust in God and a lack of love for others. Even when directed against wrongdoing, anger cannot change another person’s heart. Thus it DOES NOT PRODUCE THE R... [ Continue Reading ]
JAMES—NOTE ON JAMES 1:21 PUT AWAY ALL FILTHINESS pictures taking off dirty clothes (compare Romans 13:12; Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:8). The person wants nothing to do with the dirt (moral evil) ever again. In place of filthy behavior, the IMPLANTED WORD must take root in God’s people (see Deutero... [ Continue Reading ]
JAMES—NOTE ON JAMES 1:23 It is useless for a man to look INTENTLY AT HIS NATURAL FACE IN A MIRROR and then forget WHAT HE WAS LIKE. This shows the foolishness of examining oneself in God’s “mirror,” the “implanted word” (v. James 1:21), but not changing one’s behavior based on what one sees there (v... [ Continue Reading ]
JAMES—NOTE ON JAMES 1:25 THE LAW OF LIBERTY. In James, the “law” and the “word” are two ways of describing the same thing. The “law” here refers to the OT as it has been interpreted and fulfilled in Christ. Together with the power of the Holy Spirit, it can change hearts. See note on 2:12. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ va... [ Continue Reading ]
JAMES—NOTE ON JAMES 1:27 ORPHANS and WIDOWS were particularly helpless in ancient culture, usually lacking anyone to support them (see Deuteronomy 10:18; Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 7:5). UNSTAINED FROM THE WORLD. James uses the sacrificial language of “the lamb without blemish” (Exodus 12:5;... [ Continue Reading ]