The Chapters – Quick Access

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Basics

BOOK: James

Description: A letter by the leader of the Jerusalem church to Christians scattered by persecution.

Author: James, possibly the brother of Jesus

Date written: Probably late 50’s, early 60’s AD. Possibly one of the earliest letters

Chapters: 5

Brief Synopsis

• Reaching out to scattered Christians James gives specific guidance for understanding handling trials an temptations that may come with persecution.
• Much of the rest of the letter is given over to guidance on how to live as a Christian in the world, holding to God’s teaching.
• The latter part of the final chapter exhorts the Christian to be patient while he or she waits for the lord’s return and he finishes with a series of very practical aspects of living the Christian life, that may be seen as acts of faith for the spiritual person.

Why Read James

If you think you can live like you want as a Christian, James disabuses us of this idea. This letter, written to the church wherever they may be scattered, shows the reality of such a church in a pagan world.

First (ch.1), there are trials & temptations to be overcome, recognizing that such things develop maturity in the believer.

Second (ch.2), there is the recognition that all believers are equal and so we should not treat some more favorably than others. As a community of faith, that faith should be seen by deeds, the good lives we lead.

Third (ch.3), there is the recognition that although we are all imperfect, we should be careful the way we speak as God’s representatives, with lives energized by heavenly wisdom that develops humility in us that reveals our Christlike nature.

Fourth (ch.4), we should seek to be a peaceful community, recognizing that conflicts arise because we sometimes hold on to selfish attitudes; instead God’s grace should develop humility that accepts one another and is able to live contented lives, trusting God. 

Finally (ch.5), he addresses the affluent in the community of God’s people who may ignore the needs of their poorer brothers and sisters, or wrong treat their workers. The call is to be patient in the face of such sufferings, living lives of prayer. Although many of the topics that James had in mind were applicable in the wider church of the first century, they are nevertheless relevant for any period.

Outline

• 1:1 Greetings
• 1:2-18 Handling Trials, Testings, and Temptations
  • 1:2-4 Rejoice in trials that build perseverance & maturity
  • 1:5-8 Seek God’s wisdom to handle trials
  • 1:9-11 Accept your place in life
  • 1:12 Perseverance will be rewarded
  • 1:13-15 Understand temptation
  • 1:16-18 Realize who you are and receive God’s goodness in it all
• 1:19-5:6 Behavioral Issues for the Christian
  • 1:19-27 Chosen people obey God’s teaching
  • 2:1-12 Believers don’t show Favoritism
  • 2:14-26 Real Faith is seen in its Deeds
  • 3:1-12 Good acts include our speech
  • 3:13-18 Good acts flow out of godly wisdom
  • 4:1-6 Beware worldly attitudes and behavior
  • 4:7-10 Getting right with God
  • 4:11-12 Speak well of others
  • 4:13-17 Beware making rash plans
  • 5:1-6 The perils of wealth
• 5:7-20 Miscellaneous Exhortations
  • 5:7-11 Be patient & steadfast waiting for the Lord
  • 5:12-20 Examples of practical faith as a Christian   

Concluding Comments

The letter of James has strong Jewish overtones but is clearly for believers and specifically for those scattered. The opening, “ To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations,” has been taken by some to mean scattered Jews but if they were they were clearly Christian believers. It is more like the simply mean, to all Christians scattered because of the persecutions.

It is strong on faith and strong on action and clearly wants Christians to stand out because of their goodness.

It’s teaching is specific and direct and there are a number of similarities with the Sermon on the Mount. Compare

• Jas 2:5 with Mt 5:3
• Jas 3:10-12 with Mt 7:15-20;
• Jas 3:18 with Mt 5:9;
• Jas 5:2-3 with Mt 6:19-20;
• Jas 5:12 with Mt 5:33-37

There is an intriguing mix of teaching with deep insight, and very basic straight forward teaching.

Insight passages might include:

• Good aspects of trials and tests 1:2-4
• Understanding temptation 1:13-15
• The need to obey and not merely listen to God’s word 1:22-25
• On not showing favoritism 2:1-9
• The relationship between faith and deeds 2:14-26
• On the need to control the tongue 3:3-12
• On godly wisdom 3:13-18

Simple instructions include:

• 2:1 don’t show favoritism (but then goes on with teaching why)
• 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil (simple spiritual warfare!)
• 4:11 do not slander one another
• 5:9 Don’t grumble against each
• 5:12 do not swear (make oaths)

James also has a strong ‘holiness’ aspect and an aversion for godless thinking – ‘the world’ – very similar to John’s thinking in his first letter (see 1Jn 2:15,16) e.g.

• 1:21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
• 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world
• 4:4 don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.