James 1:
[Note: Because it is sometimes difficult to follow the flow of a letter like this, we have added a synopsis of each chapter & passage to try to help clarify James’ train of thought and where he is going with his writing.]
[Chapter 1 Synopsis: We may be scattered but there are various commonalities. We may be going through tough times – trials – but they only serve to build perseverance in us. And don’t confuse trials with temptation because the latter come from our rampant desires. All these things work to transform (mature) us, to create peaceable, pure lives which is seen in practical ways, for example how we use our tongue]
- v.1 Greetings
- v.2-12 Facing Trials
- v.13-18 Facing Temptations
- v.19-27 Listening and Doing
v.1 Greetings
v.1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.
[Note: James to the scattered people of God.]
v.2-12 Facing Trials
[Passage Synopsis: as scattered believers in a fallen world, life is often tough, but it will develop perseverance and from that spiritual maturity if you hang in there, not worrying about your status, just your faithfulness.]
v.2-4 Let trials be seen positively
v.2,3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
v.4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
[Note: Facing trials? – be blessed because it produces perseverance and perseverance produces maturity.]
v.5-8 Ask positively for God’s wisdom to handle life, the ‘how to’
v.5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
v.6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
v.7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
v.8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
[Note: But if you don’t know how to handle it, ask God for His wisdom, but ask believing He’ll give. If you don’t, you don’t get; you say one thing but believe another.]
v.9-11 Whether rich or poor appreciate the life God has given you
v.9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.
v.10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.
v.11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
[Note: In a lowly position? God has high regard for you. Beware affluence, it goes so easily, just like plants that die from lack of real resources.]
v.12 Hang on in there!
v.12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
[Note: But if you hang on in through a trial, God will bless you.]
v.13-18 Facing Temptations
[Passage Synopsis: Rightly assess pressures – understand where temptations come from, so have self-control. God only brings good, as your salvation proves]
v.13,14 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
v.15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
v.16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.
v.17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
v.18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.
[Note: Don’t blame God for temptations, it’s your own selfish desires the enemy plays on. If you let desire run amok it will cause havoc so be clear in your understanding: all good things come from God and that includes the eternal life he gave you to transform you.]
v.19-27 Listening and Doing
[Passage Synopsis: This transformation comes by responding to God’s word with obedience, and seen by the gracious way we live and speak and care for one another]
v.19,20 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
v.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.
v.22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
v.23,24 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
v.25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
v.26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
v.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.
[Note: Let that transformation include your responses to others so get rid of evil and let God’s word transform you. Don’t just listen to God, obey Him! Listening without acting is like forgetting what you saw in a mirror; responding to God’s will through Jesus and administered by His Spirit will bring you freedom. And remember, self-control is to include the tongue, and a good heart before God is revealed through the way we care for the needy.]
For those who may wish to make a study of this chapter, to perhaps think some more about what you have been reading, use the link below: