James 1
James is an outstanding book found in the latter half of the New Testament. This book was written around 50 AD by the brother of Christ, James (Matthew 13:55). Another brother also wrote a book in scripture. That was Jude.
Both James and Jude didn’t believe in Jesus originally. In fact, they thought he was insane (John 7:5). But after the resurrection, Jesus appeared to James (1 Corinthians 15:4-8). From that point on James became one of Christ’s most ardent followers. He became the leader of the Church of Jerusalem and was known as Camel Knees, because of his devotion to prayer. Eventually he was martyred by the Jewish leaders. He was thrown off the church of Jerusalem but the fall didn’t kill him. The Jewish authorities and Roman guards then stabbed and threw rocks at him until he died.
This is all important to know because this book is first of all aimed at Jews who have converted to Christianity. His book is filled with what is known as practical faith. James writes in a very down-to-earth way, doesn’t pull any punches, and shows us how our faith must be active in order for it to be sure and authentic.
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
Greetings.
It is important to note that James considers himself a servant of Jesus. In KJV it is translated as bondservant (Doulous) which means slave, or permanent servitude.
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
This is one of the most complex and necessary passages in scripture. So we need to understand what James is trying to say. If we dismiss the “pure joy” part first, and start at brothers and sisters, it may make it clearer.
Brothers and sisters
This tells us who James is talking to. He is talking to Christians. This is important because salvation isn’t the issue here. Salvation is already guaranteed through an authentic relationship with Christ. So this is a behavior he is talking of.
Whenever you face trials of many kinds
He doesn’t say if we go through trials, but when. We have to understand that life isn’t about getting through without adversity. Life itself is adversity. We don’t learn any other way. But why would God have us live life like this?
because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance
The trials in our life are there for a reason. It isn’t to torture us, but to teach us. Temptations also come into our life. God wants to teach us how to be stronger. A trial teaches us temperance. It teaches us patience. Every trial is teachings something, perhaps many things, and when we may go through a similar trial or know someone going through the trial we have been through, it equips us for strength for ourselves and others. Perseverance roughly means patient endurance. We have to weather through the trial to learn what God wants to teach us.
Our faith is tested through trials. To make something stronger means it has to go through stress. Faith is revealed through trials, not produced. A trial shows us what faith we have. So, if trials don’t produce faith, what does? (Romans 10:17). Our diligence in seeking God is what produces our faith.
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Why does God want to produce perseverance in us? To make us mature in our faith. To make us fully the person we are supposed to be.
How are we supposed to view this process?
With pure joy! The mature response is to understand that God cares to build us during our trials. It is a loving God who takes such an active role in our lives. He wants us to be strong, tempered through fire to become steel, so we can stand mightily for him. God doesn’t allow trials to break us down, but to build us up.
With trials, however, there is an inherent problem. A trial can produce in us a return to sin, a chance to soothe and shut off our responses to God. This is the physical response to dealing with hurt. James reminds us to turn toward God to remember the source during a trial, and it will help us to focus on why we are going through it.
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. 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. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
Trials bring a cry for wisdom. James tells us that if we ask for wisdom, God will give it to us generously, without despising our request. Our first inclination should be to check in with God But we often seek wisdom elsewhere.
Verse 9 tells us how to ask for wisdom. First, we must not doubt that we’ll hear from God. If you doubt, don’t expect to receive. He compares this with an unstable, or weak, character. He calls it double-mindedness. We can’t take the middle ground on this. If we are to pray, James is telling us to pray with faith.
9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 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.
The lowly (poor), should take pride in their position, as they know they need to rely on God. But the rich should take pride in humiliation, which is designed to bring them to the same place as the poor. God doesn’t want anyone to perish, so when he allows a mighty person to fall, it is a display of love. It equalizes the mighty with the weak, under the umbrella of grace.
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.
Blessed is the one who endures. This is very important, it’s the reason why we go through trials. Because God wants us to endure. He wants us to work our way, all the way, through trials in our life, because if we endure a trial, then we are approved by God. Testing proves genuine and strong faith.
He also says that when we endure, we will receive the crown of life. The wording he uses implies an athlete receiving a wreath on his head for winning a competition. In James’ viewpoint, the crown is given to those who love him. Those who keep his commands. And those commands are to love God fully and love others. The love for God is the motive for resisting temptation.
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
These verses are the most eloquent place in scripture that tells us how sin operates.
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;
James lays out that temptation has nothing to do with God. He allows it, but is not the source of it. In God, there is no darkness (1 John 1:5).
but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
Each person succumbs to their desires. It starts in the head. In a thought that you allow. We cultivate it first in our minds. It is us who begins the decision to sin.
Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;
When we given room inside us, we ultimately run toward action. Sin starts in the mind but is birthed into action.
Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
When we birth sin and practice it, it grows inside, until it is part of us. It becomes lifestyle. And that leads to spiritual death.
16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 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. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
All good gifts come from God. It doesn’t come from sin or anything else that belongs to the world. God’s goodness is constant and He doesn’t change. The gift of salvation is from God. When we understand this, we must understand that God’s plan is to produce us as God’s best.
Listening and Doing
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
How do we avoid angry reaction? James says to be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry. Essentially he is saying to listen first and process what you are hearing. When we react, we don’t produce the righteousness that God wants to build in us. It also promotes our own desires.
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.
How do we stand against earthly lusts? Get rid of the impurity of life. If there is a habit or a sin that gets in the way, work to get rid of it. Maybe you like it. It doesn’t matter. The stakes are too high. If you truly want the relationship, then you will have to come to a conclusion about what stands in the way.
Our defense against lust of the world is to receive what God has built in us. We must turn to the word (truth) and understand that the purity of God’s word can save us in an impure world.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 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.
We can’t just hear the word and not practice it (Matthew 7:24-27). When a man looks in a mirror and doesn’t remember what the reflection looks like, it’s just like hearing the word and not practicing it. The information does not penetrate. Many people do this through their entire lives. They go to church, tithe, help at the church, go through the motions of a faith but never really understand what faith is. If we aren’t really “doing,” or living in Christ, then what is what we’re doing worth? If we study the word of God with passion and follow it (live by it), we will be blessed.
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 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.
Real religion is not just hearing it, but doing it. One way to live God’s truth is to think before you speak. Hypocrisy rides along with the tongue. If you want to understand real religion, you must have a heart for others. He also tells us not to be polluted by the world. Even though we must have interaction with the world, we must remain in deep connection with the truth. Both of these tenants are in complete unity with Jesus’ Royal Law: Love God with all your Mind, Heart and Spirit and love others as yourself.
James is an outstanding book found in the latter half of the New Testament. This book was written around 50 AD by the brother of Christ, James (Matthew 13:55). Another brother also wrote a book in scripture. That was Jude.
Both James and Jude didn’t believe in Jesus originally. In fact, they thought he was insane (John 7:5). But after the resurrection, Jesus appeared to James (1 Corinthians 15:4-8). From that point on James became one of Christ’s most ardent followers. He became the leader of the Church of Jerusalem and was known as Camel Knees, because of his devotion to prayer. Eventually he was martyred by the Jewish leaders. He was thrown off the church of Jerusalem but the fall didn’t kill him. The Jewish authorities and Roman guards then stabbed and threw rocks at him until he died.
This is all important to know because this book is first of all aimed at Jews who have converted to Christianity. His book is filled with what is known as practical faith. James writes in a very down-to-earth way, doesn’t pull any punches, and shows us how our faith must be active in order for it to be sure and authentic.
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
Greetings.
It is important to note that James considers himself a servant of Jesus. In KJV it is translated as bondservant (Doulous) which means slave, or permanent servitude.
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
This is one of the most complex and necessary passages in scripture. So we need to understand what James is trying to say. If we dismiss the “pure joy” part first, and start at brothers and sisters, it may make it clearer.
Brothers and sisters
This tells us who James is talking to. He is talking to Christians. This is important because salvation isn’t the issue here. Salvation is already guaranteed through an authentic relationship with Christ. So this is a behavior he is talking of.
Whenever you face trials of many kinds
He doesn’t say if we go through trials, but when. We have to understand that life isn’t about getting through without adversity. Life itself is adversity. We don’t learn any other way. But why would God have us live life like this?
because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance
The trials in our life are there for a reason. It isn’t to torture us, but to teach us. Temptations also come into our life. God wants to teach us how to be stronger. A trial teaches us temperance. It teaches us patience. Every trial is teachings something, perhaps many things, and when we may go through a similar trial or know someone going through the trial we have been through, it equips us for strength for ourselves and others. Perseverance roughly means patient endurance. We have to weather through the trial to learn what God wants to teach us.
Our faith is tested through trials. To make something stronger means it has to go through stress. Faith is revealed through trials, not produced. A trial shows us what faith we have. So, if trials don’t produce faith, what does? (Romans 10:17). Our diligence in seeking God is what produces our faith.
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Why does God want to produce perseverance in us? To make us mature in our faith. To make us fully the person we are supposed to be.
How are we supposed to view this process?
With pure joy! The mature response is to understand that God cares to build us during our trials. It is a loving God who takes such an active role in our lives. He wants us to be strong, tempered through fire to become steel, so we can stand mightily for him. God doesn’t allow trials to break us down, but to build us up.
With trials, however, there is an inherent problem. A trial can produce in us a return to sin, a chance to soothe and shut off our responses to God. This is the physical response to dealing with hurt. James reminds us to turn toward God to remember the source during a trial, and it will help us to focus on why we are going through it.
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. 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. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
Trials bring a cry for wisdom. James tells us that if we ask for wisdom, God will give it to us generously, without despising our request. Our first inclination should be to check in with God But we often seek wisdom elsewhere.
Verse 9 tells us how to ask for wisdom. First, we must not doubt that we’ll hear from God. If you doubt, don’t expect to receive. He compares this with an unstable, or weak, character. He calls it double-mindedness. We can’t take the middle ground on this. If we are to pray, James is telling us to pray with faith.
9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 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.
The lowly (poor), should take pride in their position, as they know they need to rely on God. But the rich should take pride in humiliation, which is designed to bring them to the same place as the poor. God doesn’t want anyone to perish, so when he allows a mighty person to fall, it is a display of love. It equalizes the mighty with the weak, under the umbrella of grace.
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.
Blessed is the one who endures. This is very important, it’s the reason why we go through trials. Because God wants us to endure. He wants us to work our way, all the way, through trials in our life, because if we endure a trial, then we are approved by God. Testing proves genuine and strong faith.
He also says that when we endure, we will receive the crown of life. The wording he uses implies an athlete receiving a wreath on his head for winning a competition. In James’ viewpoint, the crown is given to those who love him. Those who keep his commands. And those commands are to love God fully and love others. The love for God is the motive for resisting temptation.
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
These verses are the most eloquent place in scripture that tells us how sin operates.
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;
James lays out that temptation has nothing to do with God. He allows it, but is not the source of it. In God, there is no darkness (1 John 1:5).
but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
Each person succumbs to their desires. It starts in the head. In a thought that you allow. We cultivate it first in our minds. It is us who begins the decision to sin.
Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin;
When we given room inside us, we ultimately run toward action. Sin starts in the mind but is birthed into action.
Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
When we birth sin and practice it, it grows inside, until it is part of us. It becomes lifestyle. And that leads to spiritual death.
16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 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. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
All good gifts come from God. It doesn’t come from sin or anything else that belongs to the world. God’s goodness is constant and He doesn’t change. The gift of salvation is from God. When we understand this, we must understand that God’s plan is to produce us as God’s best.
Listening and Doing
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
How do we avoid angry reaction? James says to be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry. Essentially he is saying to listen first and process what you are hearing. When we react, we don’t produce the righteousness that God wants to build in us. It also promotes our own desires.
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.
How do we stand against earthly lusts? Get rid of the impurity of life. If there is a habit or a sin that gets in the way, work to get rid of it. Maybe you like it. It doesn’t matter. The stakes are too high. If you truly want the relationship, then you will have to come to a conclusion about what stands in the way.
Our defense against lust of the world is to receive what God has built in us. We must turn to the word (truth) and understand that the purity of God’s word can save us in an impure world.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 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.
We can’t just hear the word and not practice it (Matthew 7:24-27). When a man looks in a mirror and doesn’t remember what the reflection looks like, it’s just like hearing the word and not practicing it. The information does not penetrate. Many people do this through their entire lives. They go to church, tithe, help at the church, go through the motions of a faith but never really understand what faith is. If we aren’t really “doing,” or living in Christ, then what is what we’re doing worth? If we study the word of God with passion and follow it (live by it), we will be blessed.
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 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.
Real religion is not just hearing it, but doing it. One way to live God’s truth is to think before you speak. Hypocrisy rides along with the tongue. If you want to understand real religion, you must have a heart for others. He also tells us not to be polluted by the world. Even though we must have interaction with the world, we must remain in deep connection with the truth. Both of these tenants are in complete unity with Jesus’ Royal Law: Love God with all your Mind, Heart and Spirit and love others as yourself.