The Epistle of James Faith in Action. James in the New Testament Gospel (4) Matthew Mark Luke John...

The Epistle of JamesFaith in Action

James in the New TestamentGospel (4)Matthew

Mark

Luke

John

History (1)Acts

Epistle (21)Paul (13)

Romans

1 and 2 Cor.

Galatians

Ephesians

Philippians

Colossians

1 and 2 Thess.

1 and 2 Tim.

Titus

Philemon

Epistle (21)General (8)

Hebrews

James

1 Peter

2 Peter

1 John

2 John

3 John

Jude

Prophecy (1)Revelation

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Preparation for the Church / Life of Christc. A.D. 1 – 30

( Matthew through John )

Establishment of the Churchc. A.D. 30 – 60

( Acts through Philemon )

Latter Developments in the Churchc. A.D 60 – 90

( Hebrews through Revelation )

Time Period in NT History

3

Period 1

Period 2

Period 3

Book BackgroundTitle: James

1. The title “James” is taken from the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew “Jacob” (Iakobos), a common Jewish name in the first century.

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Book BackgroundAuthor: James

1. Which James is the author? There are four mentioned in the NT: a) James, the son of Zebedee (Mt. 4:21; Mk. 1:19; 5:37; 9:2; 10:35; Lk. 5:10; Acts 12:1-2); b) James, the son of Alphaeus (Mt. 10:3; Mk. 3:18; Mk. 15:40); c) James, the father of Judas (Lk. 6:16); and d) James, the brother of Jesus (Mt. 13:55; Mk. 6:3; Jn. 2:12; 7:2-10; Gal. 1:19; 2:1,9,10,12; Acts 1:13-14; 12:17; 15:13; 21:18; 1 Cor. 9:5; 15:7; Jude 1).

2. James, the brother of Jesus is likely the author.5

Book BackgroundAudience: Jewish Christians

1. Like the book of Hebrews, the book of James was written to Jewish Christians

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Book BackgroundPurpose:

1.

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Book BackgroundDate:1.

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Book BackgroundTheme: Faith in Action1. The theme of the book of James is “faith in action”.

James emphasizes hearing and doing God’s word

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Keys to the Book• Key verses: 1:22-25• Key word: “faith” (1:3, 6; 2:1, 5, 14-26; 5:15)

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Outline of the BookFaith in Action

• Greeting (1:1)• The Tests of Faith (1:2-18)• The Characteristics of Faith (1:19 – 4:17)• The Responsibilities of Faith (5:1-20)

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• Greeting (1:1)• The Tests of Faith (1:2-18)

– Faith tested by outward trials (1:2-12)

– Faith tested by inward temptations (1:13-18)

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Chapter 1 Themes• Greeting (1:1)

• Joy in trials (1:2-4)

• Asking for wisdom (1:5-8)

• Poor and rich (1:9-11)

• Temptations (1:12-18)

• Hearing and doing (1:19-27)

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Trials and TemptationsJames 1:2-15

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Trials (vv. 2, 12) Temptations (vv. 13-15)

Gr. peirosmos Gr. peirazo

Outward tests that lead to maturity

Inward tests that lead to sin

Endurance needed Self-control needed

Trials According to James and Paul

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James (1:2, 12) Paul (Rom. 5:3-5)

1. Joy in trials 1. Joy in tribulation

2. Endurance 2. Steadfastness

3. Approved 3. Approvedness

4. Crown of life 4. Hope

5. Love him 5. Love of God

From Desire to DeathJames 1:13-15

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Action Result

1. Desire receives a suggestion

Enticement

2. Desire meditates on the enticement

Drawn toward the bait

3. Desire gives birth to sin

God’s law is broken (1 Jn. 3:4; 5:17)

4. Sin grows up and brings forth death

Separated from God (Isa. 59:1-2; Eph. 2:1-4)

The Wrath of ManJames 1:19-20

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Wrath of Man Wrath of God

1. Flairs up, violent, outbursts

1. Settled

2. Leads to sin 2. Punishes sin (Rom. 1:18)

3. Impatient 3. Longsuffering (Rom. 9:22)

4. Does not work the righteousness of God

5. Display of God’s righteous character (Rom. 2:5)

Hearers of the WordJames 1:21-22

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Action Attitude

1. Put away Sin is removed first

2. Receive The Word is received

3. Doers of the word Application

Hearers and DoersJames 1:23-27

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Hearers Only Hearers and Doers

1. Looks by forgets 1. Looks and continues doing

2. Deluded / deceived 2. Honest

3. Not blessed 3. Blessed

4. Vain religion 5. Pure and undefiled religion


• Greeting (1:1)• The Tests of Faith (1:2-18)• The Characteristics of Faith (1:19 – 4:17)

– Faith hears and does (1:19-27)– Faith removes discrimination (2:1-13)– Faith works (2:14-26)– Faith controls the tongue (3:1-12)– Faith follows heavenly wisdom (3:13-18)– Faith draws near to God (4:1-10)– Faith does not judge (4:11-12)– Faith is dependent upon God (4:13-17) 20

James 1Lessons for Today

1. Christians can have joy in trials because they know they will be perfected by them and be rewarded one day for their steadfastness (1:2; Mt. 5:12; Rom. 5:3-4; 1 Pet. 1:6-9; 4:12-13).

2. Patience (endurance) has its “perfect work” – salvation (1:4; 5:10-11; Lk. 21:19; Rom. 2:7).

3. God is liberal in his giving and good in his giving (1:5, 17; 2 Cor. 9:8-15).

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4. Both poverty and riches can test a person (1:9-10; Prov. 30:7-9; 1 Tim. 6:9-10, 17-19).

5. The Christian’s reward is a “crown of life” (1:12; 2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Pet. 5:4; Rev. 2:10).

6. We should not blame God for temptation (1:13; Gen. 3:12-13)?

7. Sin brings spiritual death (1:15; 5:20; Rom. 6:16, 23; 7:5).

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8. We are brought forth (begotten, born again) by God’s word when we obey it and are baptized (1:18; Jn. 3:5; Eph. 5:26; Tit. 3:5; 1 Pet. 1:22-23).

9. Guard your tongue and be “slow to speak” (1:19, 26; Prov. 10:19; 17:27-28).

10. God’s word saves souls (1:21; Lk. 8:12; Ac. 11:14; Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:18; 15:2).

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11. Hearing and doing God’s word, not just hearing, is what God wants (1:22-25; Mt. 7:24-26; Lk. 6:46).

12. Christians are under the Law of Christ, the perfect law of liberty (1:25; 1 Cor. 9:21; Gal. 6:2).

13. Christians, individually, should take care of orphans and widows as they have opportunity (1:27; Gal. 2:9; 6:10). Christians are to keep themselves unspotted from the world of sin as they go through life (1:27; 1 Jn. 2:15-17).

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Chapter 2 Themes

• No respect of persons (2:1-13)

• Faith without works is dead (2:14-26)

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Respect of PersonsJames 2:1-13

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Favoritism / Discrimination

James 2:1-13

1. It is inconsistent with the teaching of Christ

Verse 1

2. It results from judging with evil thoughts

Verse 2-4

3. It dishonors others Verses 5-74. It lacks love Verse 85. It is a sin Verses 9-116. It lacks mercy Verse 12-13

Paul and James On Works

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Paul: Not Justified by Works (Rom. 3:19-28)

James: Justified by Works (Jas. 2:14-26)

Issue: How will a sinner be saved?

Issue: How will a saint remain saved?

The basis of the sinner’s justification is not works of law-keeping, but faith

The basis of the saint’s justification is a faith that works, not faith apart from works (not faith only)

Paul says “No!” to the legalist who trusts in his law-keeping works of merit

James says “Yes!” to the intellectualist who abandons his obedient works of faith


1. Being a respecter of persons (prejudice, favoritism) is a sin (2:1, 9; Acts 10:34).

2. We must not be “judges with evil thoughts” (2:4; Mt. 12:24ff; 1 Tim. 6:4).

3. Poor brethren are rich in faith (2:5; Mt. 5:3; Rev. 2:9).

4. We must love our neighbor as our self (2:8; Lev. 19:18; Mt. 22:39; Lk. 10:27-28; Gal. 5:14).

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5. Breaking God’s law with just one sin is a serious matter (2:9-11; 1 Jn. 3:4; 5:17).

6. The New Testament Law of Christ is the “law of liberty” (2:12; James 1:25; 1 Cor. 9:21; Gal. 5:1; 6:2).

7. The person who shows no mercy to others will be shown no mercy from God (2:13; Mt. 5:7; 18:32-35; Lk. 6:37ff).

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8. Christians must say and do with regard to their benevolence or any activity of the Christian life (2:12, 14-16; Mt. 7:21-23; 1 Jn. 3:17-18).

9. Good works are a part of the Christian’s life (2:14-26; Eph. 2:10; Tit. 2:14; 3:8). Faith and works are not mutually exclusive. Faith is made perfect (complete) when faith actively works to obey God’s word (2:22; Gal. 5:6; 1 Thess. 1:3).

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10. Salvation by “faith only” is a man-made doctrine that does not come from God’s word (2:24). Faith alone apart from obedient works is dead (2:17-20, 26; Rom. 1:5; 16:26).

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Chapter 3 Themes

• Controlling the tongue (3:1-12)

• Earthly wisdom vs. heavenly wisdom (3:13-18)

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Wise Use of the Tongue

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A Little Member Used for Good Used for EvilTongueMouthLips


1.

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Chapter 4 Themes

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1.

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• Greeting (1:1)• The Tests of Faith (1:2-18)• The Characteristics of Faith (1:19 – 4:17)• The Responsibilities of Faith (5:1-20)

– Faith’s duty in riches (5:1-6)– Faith’s duty in waiting (5:7-11)– Faith’s duty in speech (5:12)– Faith’s duty in prayer (5:13-18)– Faith’s duty in conversion (5:19-20)

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Chapter 5 Themes

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1.

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The Epistle of James Faith in Action. James in the New Testament Gospel (4) Matthew Mark Luke John...

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