Epistle of James: Chapter 1

James 1 3 main points of the letter which fall under the Law of liberty/Royal Law

· How to face trials (and their purpose)

· Wisdom from above (not the World)

· Love for brothers and sisters (speak in love, care for the poor, no favoritism or hierarchy)

1:2-4

Joy

Purpose of trials

Perfection. This is not moral perfection (watch our perfection episode). This is about wholeness. The word here is teleios- the goal. In a sacrificial context it’s something fit to offer to God.

Completeness. Becoming fit for service in humility.

Lacking Nothing. If we meet our testing in the right way, if day by day we develop this unswerving constancy, day by day we will live more victoriously and reach nearer to Jesus Christ himself.

1:5-8

Proverbs 9:10- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

What is wisdom? Wisdom from a biblical perspective begins with following the God who has now revealed himself in Jesus Christ

James bases the request for wisdom in God’s character… “who gives to all generously and without reproach”

Luke 11:11-13

This has more to do with doubting God’s character than with doubting that God will answer them. Wisdom comes from knowing God’s nature Ex 34:6-7

James describes this person as double minded or double souled. There is a civil war going on inside.

1:9-11

The upside-down kingdom

In Jesus’ teaching, Matthew and Luke’s versions of the first beatitude (Mt 5:3, Lk 6:20) combine to show that the “poor” who are blessed are both the economically marginalized and those who trust in God as their only hope.

The rich person must look beyond his wealth. The rich in scripture are often linked to those who trust in themselves or their possession rather than God for their deliverance. Wealth also came with social honor and status in the Roman world. James is cutting down the notion of hierarchy in the church based on a status.

James draws on Isaiah 40:6-8 to point out that his money and possession are temporary and will fade away.

1:12-18

Blessed Verses 13-15 talk about how a trial or test can turn into a temptation when faced without joy and wisdom James talks about the life cycle of sin. In V16 James says do not be deceived. Again, James is basing everything on God’s character because he continues in 17-18 to show that God is only good and the giver of good gifts. V18 connects our new birth to Wisdom (the word of truth) who is Jesus and our purpose in Him. 1:19-26 James returns to the topic of wisdom from above vs. worldly wisdom and applies to the love of neighbor in verses 19-27. There are 3 parts to this section: 19-21, 22-25, and 26. V19 introduces the section about being quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. 20-21 expounds on slow to anger, 22-25 is about being quick to hear, 26 is about being slow to speak. The perfect Law of liberty (James 2:8) James speaks about the necessity of orthopraxy (correct action) this is based in orthodoxy (correct belief). If one only has orthodoxy this is worthless religion. 1:27 James contrasts V27 with V26 and describes what pure religion (devotion and worship) looks like. James lists 2 things of what pure religion is: visiting orphans/widows and remaining unstained by the world. James clarifies that social justice is very important but not by itself sufficient for “true religion”. The second crucial aspect is to keep yourself unstained by the world. World (kosmos) is used 3 other times in James (2:5; 3:6; 4:4) and each time it is talking about the fallen world systems. These 2 tasks must be held in balance- serving the needy and personal/communal purity.