The Book Of James Chapter James 1:1-8 1. Outline: 1. Greeting: James 1:1 2. Rejoicing Under Pressure: James 1:2 3. Wisdom For Trials: James 1:5 4. Confidence In Prayer: James 1:6-8 5. Poverty And Wealth In Perspective: James 1:9-11 6. The Root Of Temptation: James 1:12-15 7. What God Does Se... [ Continue Reading ]
'James,. bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad, greetings.' 'James,. bond-servant of God' -Some have contended that if the brother of Jesus had written this letter, then it is strange that James didn't mention that relationship. But Roberts n... [ Continue Reading ]
The Christian's Attitude Toward Trials James 1:2 'Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,' 'Consider it' -to consider, deem, account, think (Thayer p. 276); 'regard, "deem it pure joy, when" (Arndt p. 343); 'first aorist middle imperative, "Do it now and once for all... [ Continue Reading ]
'knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.' 'knowing that' -'recognize that, accept the fact that' (Roberts p. 42) The above "joy" is based on knowledge of certain truths. During trials, the Christian needs to remain calm and have their mind focused on the promises of God. The Chri... [ Continue Reading ]
'And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.' 'let endurance' -The language of choice, 'present active imperative, let it keep on having' (Robertson p. 12). 'But wait. moment----we have all known people who have grown _impatient_ under testin... [ Continue Reading ]
Wisdom In Trials The connection between the following verses James 1:5-8 and the previous verses appears to be: 'James has just told his readers that, if they use all the testing experiences of life in the right way, they will emerge from them with that unswerving constancy which is the basis of al... [ Continue Reading ]
'But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.' 'But let him ask in faith' -(Matthew 21:21; James 5:15). God has. ready answer for the Christian who complains that God hasn't answered their prayer, or that they have... [ Continue Reading ]
'For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord', 'let not that man expect' -Don't even entertain the thought that God will answer any of your prayers if this is your spiritual condition. The only encouragement that should be given to such an individual is to change their w... [ Continue Reading ]
'being. double-minded man, unstable in all his ways' 'double-minded' -lit., having two souls. 'double-headed people who stagger helplessly here and there in their thinking, doubting, hesitating.' (Arndt p. 201) We often talk about the person who has one foot in the world and one foot in the Church.... [ Continue Reading ]
In keeping with what has been previously said about trials and wisdom, James passes to the subject of poverty and wealth. Both circumstances can bring their own temptations, and wisdom is needed to live godly in both situations. 'The last chapter (section of verses) talked about the double-minded ma... [ Continue Reading ]
'and let the rich man glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.' 'rich man' -It would seem very clear that the rich man under consideration is. Christian. There were wealthy Christians in various congregations (1 Timothy 6:17). 'glory in his humiliation' -'The man wh... [ Continue Reading ]
'For the sun rises with. scorching wind, and withers the grass; and its flower falls off, and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.' 'scorching' -'burning heat' (Thayer p. 342) In the land of Palestine, there were times when. hot... [ Continue Reading ]
Successful Testing: James 1:12 'Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.' 'Blessed' -'Fortunate, happy, usually in the sense, privileged recipient of divine favor' (Arndt p. 4... [ Continue Reading ]
The Truth About Temptation In Jewish thought there were many ideas concerning the source of temptation. Some said it started with Satan, or fallen angels were responsible. Some even argued that since God was the Creator of all things, that God must be responsible for evil. Draper notes, 'Testing an... [ Continue Reading ]
'But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.' 'is tempted' -Obviously, the word "tempted" here means to be enticed to sin. Carefully note that the idea of entire sanctification wherein one rises above the possibilities of sin by the eradication of evil tendency in h... [ Continue Reading ]
'Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.' 'when lust has conceived' -'The will yields to lust and conception takes place' (Robertson p. 18). 'sin occurs following the arousing of sinful desires and the attraction to some tempting lur... [ Continue Reading ]
'Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren'. 'Do not be deceived' -'make no mistake' (Arndt p. 665). It includes the idea of deceiving yourself. Christians are often warned against being deceived (1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Corinthians 15:33; Galatians 6:7). 'Make no mistake about this' (Mof). 'my beloved... [ Continue Reading ]
'Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.' 'Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift' -'Every beneficent gift and every perfect present' (Ber). "Good"-useful, being good in its... [ Continue Reading ]
Speaking Of Gifts: Our Salvation James 1:18 'In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we might be, as it were, the first fruits among His creatures.' 'In the exercise of His will' -'Of his set purpose' (NEB); 'Voluntarily' (Ber); literally, having willed. Let t... [ Continue Reading ]
Our Attitude Towards The Word of Truth James now makes. quick shift from God's word, to our words. This is something which people in every generation need to heed. For we often rely upon our own human wisdom rather than the wisdom available to us in the Scriptures. In addition, seeing that we live... [ Continue Reading ]
'for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.' 'anger of man' -as opposed to righteous opposition to sin (Romans 12:9; Psalms 119:104). 'does not achieve the righteousness of God' -'does not further the righteous purpose of God' (Mon); 'does not produce the uprightness God wishe... [ Continue Reading ]
'Therefore putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.' 'Therefore' -In light of the trials and pressures of life (James 1:2), our own lusts (James 1:14), and the fact that the wrath of man doesn't achiev... [ Continue Reading ]
Doers Of The Word Far from the idea of 'let go and let God'. James wants us to realize that the word is God's communication to us. Merely listening and waiting for something to happen, merely listening and waiting for some influence to overwhelm us---doesn't accomplish anything. We must cooperate w... [ Continue Reading ]
'For if anyone is. hearer of the word and not. doer, he is like. man who looks at his natural face in. mirror;' 'if anyone' -This isn't. hypothetical situation. This really could and does happen among some professed Christians (Matthew 7:24). This can happen to "anyone". And there is never. time in... [ Continue Reading ]
'for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.' 'has immediately forgotten' -'The departure from the mirror resulted in an immediate forgetfulness of what the mirror revealed. Since the look into the mirror produced no results, the episode... [ Continue Reading ]
'But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become. forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does.' 'But' -in contrast to the above mere listener, this is the type of person all of us can become. 'looks intentl... [ Continue Reading ]
'If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless.' 'If anyone' -God is no respector of persons (Romans 2:11). And yet in the world people often will excuse the profanity of someone who is successful. We tend t... [ Continue Reading ]
'This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.' 'This is' -In contrast to. religion that is worthless. But let the reader note that. pure religion is possible for even imperfect peop... [ Continue Reading ]