Introduction To The Book of James
By Bro David Petersen
The Book of James
Introduction |
Chapter 1 |
Chapter 2 |
Chapter 3 |
Chapter 4 |
Chapter 5
James is the first of the five epistles called "general" in their titles (James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1 John, and Jude). These epistles were addressed not to individual churches, as were most of Paul's epistles, but to Christians in general and to Jewish Christians in particular. The book is characterized by its hard-hitting, practical spirituality. Each of the five chapters is packed with pointed illustrations and reminders designed to motivate the wills and hearts of believers to grasp a truth once taught by Jesus: "A tree is known by its fruit" (Matt 12:33).
Lessons from James
- Chapter 1 - Conquering Temptations
- Chapter 2 - Saving Faith and Dead Faith
- Chapter 3 - Controlling the Tongue
- Chapter 4 - Submissive To Separation
- Chapter 5 - Prevailing Prayer
Author:
The author identifies himself as "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ" (1:1). At least five personalities named JAMES appear in the New Testament. The author of this epistle is James, the Lord's physical half-brother. Apparently neither a disciple nor an apostle during Jesus' lifetime, he is first mentioned in Mark 6:3, where he is listed as the first (oldest) of Jesus' four younger half-brothers. After the ascension of Jesus, James became the pastor of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 15:13; 1 Cor 15:7; Gal 2:9)-a position he must have occupied for nearly 30 years, until his martyrdom, according to church tradition.
This James is probably the author of the epistle that bears his name. He refers to himself simply as "James," with no explanation added. This indicates he was well-known to his readers. He calls himself a "servant" rather than an apostle; and he begins the epistle with the same "greetings" (1:1) with which he begins the apostolic decree following the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:23).
Time Period:
The epistle of James may be presumed to be very early, possibly the first epistle to Christians. This is indicated by the early martyrdom of James, according to tradition in the year A.D. 62. Many more substantial reasons, however, are adduced from the internal evidence. The epistle shows no trace of the distinctive references concerning the relationship of Gentile converts to the law of Moses, which resulted in the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15, over which James presided. The general absence of doctrine in the epistle, its Palestinian atmosphere, and its OT flavor combine to substantiate this view. The epistle shows no evidence of the fall of Jerusalem.
Historical Setting:
James addresses the epistle "to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad" (1:1). This implies a readership of Jewish Chrstians living outside Palestine. The epistle makes frequent references or allusions to the Old Testament. Its style and language are reminiscent of the Old Testament, especially wisdom literature and the prophet Amos. All these factors indicate that James was writing to persons of Jewish-Christian background. His emphasis was on the essentials of obedient living in accordance with the true intent of the law of God.
Theme:
The Epistle of James is a sturdy, compact letter on practical spirituality. For James, the acid test of true religion is in the doing rather than in the hearing, "believing," or speaking. James exalts genuineness of faith, and is quick to encourage the lowly that God gives grace to the humble (4:6), wisdom to the ignorant (1:5), salvation to the sinner (1:21), and the kingdom to the poor (2:5). He is equally quick to condemn counterfeit religion which would substitute theory for practice, and he does so with biting sarcasm. True religion is doing the right thing in one's everyday life. In this respect James echoes clearly the ethical teaching of Jesus, especially as it is recorded in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5-7). "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matt 7:21).
Style:
Although the book is abrupt, it is rich in literary qualities. James made frequent use of figurative expressions and rhetorical questions. He often personified virtues and vices, sin and graces. He sought to awaken and arouse the interest of his readers by pictures from everyday life with references to horses' bridles, ships' rudders and raging fires. He used paradoxes to provoke thought and cited examples of well-known men and women to underscore his points.
Special Considerations. Some Bible scholars suggest that James and Paul differ in their views on the saving significance of faith and works. Paul states, "A man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law" (Rom 3:28), and James says, "A man is justified by works, and not by faith only" (James 2:19). A closer reading of the two, however, reveals that they differ more in their definition of faith than in its essence. James writes to readers who are inclined to interpret faith as mere intellectual acknowledgment (James 2:19). As a consequence he stresses that a faith which does not affect life is not saving faith; hence, his emphasis on works. Actually, this is quite close to Paul's understanding. For Paul, faith is the entrusting of one's whole life to God through Christ, with the result that one's life becomes renewed with the "fruit of the Spirit".
The Book of James
Introduction |
Chapter 1 |
Chapter 2 |
Chapter 3 |
Chapter 4 |
Chapter 5