The book of James

The book of James was written around 45 to 50 AD. This epistle is addressed to the “twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad.” James was written for all believers.

In the New Testament, there are four men with the name of James and only two of these four have been thought to be the actual author of the book. The four men bearing the name James in the New Testament are:

· James the son of Zebedee and brother of John

· James the less

· James of Luke 6:16

Of these four, it is supposed that either James the son of Zebedee or James the half brother of Jesus wrote the book. Since James the son of Zebedee was martyred in AD 44 it is unlikely that he wrote the book and since the book is written in an authoritative tone it is unlikely that the James the less or the other James would have been the authors since they did not seem to hold great positions. This leaves only James the half-brother of Jesus as the author and this is who most believe to be the author.

This book deals mostly with the realistic characteristics of Christian conduct. It speaks of how faith works in the life of Christians everyday. Many things are discussed in this book but the key discussion is around teachings of Christ, faith and works, the use of the tongue and prayer for the sick.

An outline to James:

I. Greeting—chapter 1:1 James calls himself a “bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” And he addresses the greeting to “the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad,”

II. Trials—James speaks of the purpose of trials in verses 2 to 12 of chapter 1 and says “consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” The history of trials is spoken of in verses 13 to 16. James says that we should never say that we are tempted of God. To tempt means to – test, try, prove, or to solicit to do evil. James also says we are not to be deceived. Verses 17 to 18 tell us about the purpose of God. “Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above,” James is telling us that all good things come from God and that God never changes.

III. The Word of God and our words—verses 19 to 27 speak to us about the way we speak, saying we should be “quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger…putting aside all filthiness and all … wickedness … [to] prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.”

IV. Favoritism—James tells us in 2:1 to 13 that we are not to show partiality or favoritism to anyone. We should treat the poor the same as the rich, the wise the same as the dumb. We are to conduct ourselves with compassion and love treating all the same. If we do not treat, all the same there are consequences. It is considered a sin to not treat all people the same and we are convicted by the law as transgressors.

V. Works and faith are spoken of in verses 14 to 26. Faith without action is dead. James gives an inquiry, illustration and indoctrination to faith and works. James says that the unity of God is a fundamental belief that must produce good. James says our faith and our works justify us.

VI. James says in chapter 3 verses 1 to 12 that our tongue causes much sin. In verses 1 to 4, James speaks of bridling our tongue. James says that certain people will be judged differently as to the use of their tongue. Teachers use their tongue to instruct so they will be judged more strictly. Boasting is spoken of in verses 5 to 12. We are created in the image of God and to follow the example of Christ and Christ was not one to boast.

VII. “Who among you is Wise and understanding?” Chapter 3: 13 to 18 speaks of true wisdom. Verse 13 begins asking a question as to who is wise enough to understand and the answer is the person that remembers moral responsibilities.

VIII. Verses 1 to 17 of chapter 4 speak of Worldliness, its cause, consequences, its cure and its characteristics. Verses 1 to 2 its cause, source of conflicts waging war, and fighting enviously leading to separation from God. “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”(Verse 6) The cure is to submit to God and resist the ways and forces of the devil. If you draw near to God, the devil will flee from you. The characteristics deal with a person that judges his brother thus disobeying the law and putting him self above the law of God. So often we forget God in play, business and everyday life and we tend to judge others when it self that should have been judged.

IX. Wealth & Endurance. Verses 1 to 12 of Chapter 5 speak of what little good our riches will be stored up on earth. The rich always take increasingly leaving the poor even more so. But if we will endure and have the patience of Job the rich will receive their just and the compassion of the Lord will spill out upon the believer. Job was steadfast in his moral integrity and did not let anything overcome him. Verse 12 tells us that we are not to swear. We are to be profane or blasphemous in our speech.

X. James ends this book with prayer and a word about the conversion of sinners. Verses 13 to 18 speak directly to God’s healing power. They talk about how God may heal through medicine or in the direct answer of prayer through the power of His Holy Spirit. James speaks about healing being dependent upon confession of sin. In other words without being right with God, healing will not come. We are told to confess our sins before the elders and healing will come to us. Verses 19 to 20 talk about any person straying from the truth being led back into the truth and about any sinner that is led from the path of evil to that which is Godly. God will bless any person that finds it in their heart to help bring a sinner to God for that. “My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth, and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins.”

Resources:

The Holy Bible Thompson Chain NIV and KJV

Sermon Notes, by Thomas E. Miles, Sr