The Strand Study Bible

JAMES

Author: James Theme: The Markings of a Mature Christian

About the Author: It appears that James (along with his brothers and sisters - Mk 6:3) did not believe that his half brother, Jesus, was the promised Messiah during his earthly ministry (Jn 7:5). Only after Christ’s resurrection did they accept Him as their Savior (Acts 1:14). Shortly thereafter, the half brother of Christ became the leader of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 12:17 & 15:13-22 & 21:18 and Gal 1:19 & 2:9-12). About the Book: James addresses Christian Jews, who were scattered abroad, during the Great Persecution (Acts 8:1). He reminds them that trials and testing are necessary for growth, and that maturity can only come from practicing the right things. James was written from Jerusalem in approximately AD 45 (Acts 12:25). THE ADAGE IS TRUE: When doing right becomes a habit, spiritual maturity becomes a reality Notes of Interest: 1. James quotes the OT 5 times (Lev 19:18 & Exo 20:13/Deut 5:17 & Exo 20:14/Deut 5:18 & Gen 15:6 & Prov 3:34). Note - 4 of the 5 OT quotations refer directly to the Pentateuch. Note - Exodus and Deuteronomy are the OT books most often quoted in the book of James (with 2 quotations each). 2. Prophecies are referred to 5 times in James .

3. There are 4 different OT characters referred to in James : Job, Abraham, Rahab, and Elijah Note - Abraham is the OT character most often referred to in the book of James ( 3 times). 4. There are no inset maps used in the book of James .

Outline of James :

1. A mature Christian will accept his trials (Jms 1) 2. A mature Christian will treat everyone equally (Jms 2) 3. A mature Christian will watch what he says (Jms 3) 4. A mature Christian will avoid worldly living (Jms 4) 5. A mature Christian will avoid the love of money (Jms 5) James 1 Greetings from James to Jewish 1. Mk 6:3 & Mt 13:55 & Jn 7:1-5 & Gal 1:19 2. or, “trials designed

5 4 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in 3 faith, nothing 5 wa- vering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A 6 double minded man is unstable in all his ways. 9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: 10 But the rich, in that he is made low: 7 because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. 11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a

Christians everywhere Date Written - c. AD 45

to test the quality of one’s character” – Gen 22:1 & Acts 5:41 & Rom 5:3-5 3. or, “in obedience to the Word of God” 4. Prov 2:3 5. or, “staggering; faltering” - Rom 4:20 6. Jms 4:8 7. Job 14:2 & Psa37:2

1 1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. A mature Christian will accept his trials 2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers 2 temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your 3 faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

1:1 This word ( servant ) means “ bond slave .” James (much like his brother Jude - Jude 1) claims no blood relationship with the Lord Jesus as if that would give him a superior position with God. It would not. Even Mary, the mother of Jesus, was not to be elevated. If you recall, Elizabeth called Mary “blessed among women” (Lk 1:42), not “blessed above women” (Mk 3:31-35). 1:2 A mature Christian will come to the realization that what happens to him is not nearly as important as how he responds to what happens to him ( count it all joy ). 1:3 God can’t trust what He can’t test. According to the Bible, God will try us for three reasons: (1) To teach us patience (Jms 1:3-4); (2) To improve the quality of our Christianity (Deut 8:1-2); and (3) To get our focus back on the Word of God (Deut 8:3). 1:8 Christians become unstable and lose their ability to influence the world for Jesus whenever they falter ( waver – vs 6) in their faith. There are five areas in a believer’s life that can cause his faith to waver: (1) Fearing worldly persecution (Mt 11:1-6 & 26:57- 58,67-74 and Dan 3:4-7,16-18); (2) Focusing on worldly circumstances (Mt 14:22-30); (3) Failing spiritually (Lk 22:31-32, I Tim 5:14- 15, Eph 4:26-27 and II Cor 2:11 ); (4) Becoming fond of worldly possessions (II Tim 4:10); and (5) Questioning the validity of the Word of God (Jn 20:24-29) 2082