Bible Study James 1: 1-27

 

A Commentary of the Book of James

By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins

Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible

Bible Study James 1: 1-27

1917 Scofield Reference Bible Notes

James

Book Introduction

The General Epistle of James

WRITER James Cmt. on Mt 4:21, called "the Just" mentioned by Paul with Cephas and John as "pillars" in the church at Jerusalem Ga 2:9. He seems to have been, as a religious man, austere, legal, ceremonial Ac 21:18-24.

DATE Tradition fixes the martyrdom of James in the year 62, but his Epistle shows no trace of the larger revelations concerning the church and the distinctive doctrines of grace made through the Apostle Paul, nor even of the discussion concerning the relation of Gentile converts to the law of Moses, which culminated in the first council (Ac 15.), over which James presided. This presumes the very early date of James, which may confidently be set down as "the first Epistle to Christians."--Weston.

THEME By "the twelve tribes scattered abroad" we are to understand, not Jews, but Christian Jews of the Dispersion. The church began with such Ac 2:5-11 and James, who seems not to have left Jerusalem, would feel a particular pastoral responsibility for these scattered sheep. They still resorted to the synagogues, or called their own assemblies by that name (Jas 2:2, where "assembly" is "synagogue" in the Gr.). It appears from Jas 2:1-8 that they still held the synagogue courts for the trial of causes arising amongst themselves. The Epistle, then, is elementary in the extreme. To suppose that Jas 2:14-26 is a polemic against Paul's doctrine of justification is absurd. Neither Galatians nor Romans was yet written.

James' theme, then, is "religion" (Gr., threskeia, "outward religious service") as the expression and proof of faith. He does not exalt works as against faith, but faith as producing works. His style is that of the Wisdom-books of the O.T.

The divisions are five:

I. The testing of faith 1.1-2.26 II. The reality of faith tested by the tongue, 3.1-18 III. The rebuke of worldliness, 4.1-17 IV. The rich warned V. Hortatory

Text: 

Testing Your Faith

1 [a]James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes who are in the Dispersion: Greetings.

2 Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various [b]trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith brings about perseverance. 4 And let perseverance have its perfect work, so that you may be [c]perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and [d]without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, doubting nothing, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a [e]double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

9 But the [f]brother of humble circumstances is to boast in his high position; 10 and the rich man is to boast in his humiliation, because like [g]flowering grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with [h]a scorching heat 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.

12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has [i]been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted [j]by God”; for God cannot be tempted [k]by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully matured, it brings forth death. 16 Do not be [l]deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or [m]shifting shadow. 18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be [n]a kind of first fruits [o]among His creatures.

Doers of the Word

19 [p]Know this, my beloved brothers. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, laying aside all filthiness and all [q]that remains of wickedness, in gentleness receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But become doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his [r]natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he looked at himself and has gone away, [s]he immediately forgot what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of freedom, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in [t]what he does.

26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious while not [u]bridling his tongue but deceiving his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained [v]by the world.

Verse 1: “James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes who are in the Dispersion: Greetings.”

James states that he is  a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. One reason I like the Legacy translation is that it translates the Greek word doulos as slave not servant as most other translations. James is clear from the beginning that he is a slave and fully committed to his Lord. 

Verse 2: “Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials,”

James is in effect saying when you are having trouble, don’t start complaining as if something terrible has happened to you. You are to rejoice and count it all joy that God is allowing you to be tested in this way. God does tempt you to sin, but rather trials to strengthen your faith.

Verse 3: “knowing that the testing of your faith brings about perseverance.”

“Testing” can be considered pure joy only when there is knowledge that they are designed by a Sovereign God for a planned purpose. They are tests of faith given in order to develop perseverance. In turn, perseverance produces a mature Christian character.

Verse 4: “And let perseverance have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

It is patience which will make you a mature Christian, but how does God produce patience in you?  Patience is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. You will never become patient by trying to be patient, but neither will the Holy Spirit just hand it over to you and offer it to you as a gift. Patience comes through suffering, trials  and testing. The word translated “perfect” is better translated as “mature.”

Verse 5: “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

To be wise Biblically is to know and understand godliness and holiness, to do what is pleasing to God. We are to ask God because He is the source of all true wisdom. He grants it to those who sincerely ask it from Him.

Verse 6: “But he must ask in faith, doubting nothing, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”

Prayer is to be offered with confident trust in a Sovereign God Who Providentially directs the world according to His plan. “Doubting nothing”  refers to having one’s thinking divided within himself, not merely because of mental indecision but an inner moral conflict or distrust in God. Understand that to doubt God is to call Him a liar. What is your foundation in life? Is it the Word of God, or the wisdom from the world?

Verse 7: “For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,”

It is impossible to please God without faith. Faith leads one to salvation and walking in holiness. If you have a divided heart and allow that doubt to be the strongest motivation in your life, you will not receive anything from the Lord. You can’t expect anything from the Lord.

Verse 8: “being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

A divided heart (mind) is an unstable heart. You never really know what that person will do next. That instability will be manifest in all your life.”Double-minded man” means having one’s mind or soul divided between God and the world. A person in this condition will not receive anything from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 9: “But the brother of humble circumstances is to boast in his high position;”

The humble and poor church member is wealthy in spiritual treasure. He has high status in the kingdom of God. That is his boast. 

Verse 10: “and the rich man is to boast in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.”

“To boast in his humiliation” means to the rich believer’s being brought low by trials. Such difficult experiences help him to rejoice and to realize that real happiness and contentment depend on the true riches of God’s grace, not earthly wealth. It is the grace of God that brings true wealth. All, both rich and poor” will pass away the same.

Verse 11: “For the sun rises with a scorching heat 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.”

No matter how materially rich you are in this world, you can’t take your wealth and finances with you in death. The reference to “flower” is a picture of Palestine’s flowers and flowering grasses, which colorfully flourish in Feb. and dry up by May. So shall it be in our lives. The rich man loses his wealth at death.

Verse 12: “Blessed is a 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.”

Believers who successfully endure trials are truly happy. Those that persevere describe the passive, painful survival of a trial and focus on the victorious outcome. Such a person never relinquishes his saving faith in God. Those that are really saved will endure to the end. The word “approved” is literally “passed the test.” When the test is passed, a crown of life (meaning eternal life in glory) is promised. 

Verse 13: “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.”

We have seen in the preceding verses that God tests His own children, but now James makes it very clear that God never tests men with evil and with sin. There is an important difference between the concepts “test” and “tempt.” God tests people in their faith, but never tempts them in the sense of committing sin. Jesus, in the wilderness, was tested by God but tempted by Satan. There is also a difference between temptations that arise from our own sinful inclinations (sinful nature) and those coming from without (outside sources). The Lord Jesus Christ  was free of original sin, but was tempted externally but not internally. The testing of our faith may be the occasion for temptations to come, both internal and external, yet the temptations never have God as their source.

Verse 14: “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.”

The Greek word translated “carried away” describes wild game being lured into traps. Just as animals can be drawn to their deaths by attractive baits, temptation promises people something good, which actually leads to death. “Lust” is the strong desire of the human soul to enjoy or desire something to fulfill the flesh. “Enticed” is a fishing term that means “to capture” or “to catch with bait”.

Verse 15: “Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully matured, it brings forth death.”

Sin is not merely a spontaneous act, but the result of a process. It starts with lust that creates sin and ends in death. The Greek words for “has conceived” and “gives birth” describe the process of physical conception and birth. Thus, James personifies temptation and shows that it can follow a similar sequence and produce sin with all its deadly consequences. 

Verse 16: “Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.”

The word “deceived” is actually misled. Christians are not to be misled and blame God rather than themselves for their sinful ways.

Verse 17: “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”

God is the ultimate Author of light. In Him there are no changes of brightness or clarity. There is no change or alteration in His character. God is the Source of all the good things in our lives. He provides air to breathe, a planet to live on and food to eat. Man, through his fallen nature, has done his best to destroy the goodness that He has given to us. We should focus on God as the source of our gifts.

Verse 18: “In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.”

“Brought us forth” is literally “gave birth to us.” This refers to the grace of regeneration by which we are adopted into God’s family. Both faith and repentance are gifts from God without which salvation would not occur. It is our responsibility to act on these gifts and repent and believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.

Verse 19: “Know this, my beloved brothers. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;”

Though the modern church places high value on the ability to give an eloquent speech, James places the emphasis on listening. It is the person who listens intently to the Word of God who progresses in godliness and sanctification.

Verse 20: “for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.”

“Anger of man” describes a deep, internal resentment and rejection, in this context, of God’s Word. The anger of man is contrary to the will and work of God. Your anger does not promote the Kingdom of God or His righteousness. We need to be mindful of our role as an ambassador and remember who we represent.

Verse 21: “Therefore, laying aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in gentleness receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

Both the Lord Jesus Christ and James focus on the proper hearing of God’s Word. In Hebrew thinking, you don’t “hear” something unless it impacts your actions.  One needs to hear that Word, for it is able to save your souls. Though this phrase accurately describes the Word’s work of producing initial salvation through Holy Spirit conviction, the result of the Word being preached, it is better in this context to understand it as the Word’s ability to preserve and mature the Christian’s life through trials. In other words, the Word of God will be used to bring you to initial salvation, but also, the Word is used to sanctify (set you apart and make you holy) as well. Salvation is of the Lord, but sanctification is a joint effort between you and the Holy Spirit.

Verse 22: “But become doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.”

This is consistent with Hebraic thinking. If you hear the Word, but don’t do the Word, you have not heard the Word. True hearing of the Word must lead to godly action and a holy lifestyle.

Verse 23: “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror;”

In Bible times, mirrors were made of polished metal, not glass. Scripture is a mirror of the soul’s need for grace. It reveals our true standing with God. The Greek word for “looks” means to look carefully and cautiously, as opposed to taking a casual glance. James is making a strong case for obedience to the Word of God.

Verse 24: “for once he looked at himself and has gone away, he immediately forgot what kind of person he was.”

James’ emphasis is “Don’t be so quick or be in a hurry as you look into the mirror.” What he is saying is, “Don’t treat it casually. Don’t go over it hurriedly like that.” Any man who is just a hearer of the Word and not a doer (his knowledge of the Bible doesn’t lead to action) is like a man beholding his natural face in the mirror, “he immediately forgot what kind of person he was.” James is directing us to take our time and have the Word of God shape and impact our lives.

Verse 25: “But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of freedom, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in what he does.”

James uses this phrase “perfect law” as a synonym for sacred Scripture, i.e. the Word of God. The Word brings “freedom” and sets us free. This is not a free pass to live as you deem right, but rather there is a moral law or code of conduct for believers to obey. Believers are enabled by the Spirit to keep it and be obedient.

Verse 26: “If anyone thinks himself to be religious while not bridling his tongue but deceiving his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.”

“Religious” refers to ceremonial public worship as opposed to a heartfelt relationship. This is a comparison between putting on a show versus a real relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. “Bridling the tongue” means "control,” or as another translation renders it, “keep a tight rein.” Purity of heart is often revealed by controlled and proper speech. What you say reveals the heart from which the words came forth. The tongue is like a thermometer, it can reveal sickness in the soul.

Verse 27: “Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”

James stresses concern for widows and orphans as a true measure of obedience that is pleasing to God. It reflects the concerns of God Himself. “Pure” is the positive side, and “undefiled” is the negative side. A child of God ought to be in personal contact with the sorrow of the world and the problems of the people of the world. Visiting the orphans is the positive side; keeping yourself free from the sin stains of the world is the negative side. As believers wwe should be on both the positive and negative sides. We are to reach out and help those in need, especially the orphans and widows.