The complete Book of James Commentary

                                          

There are four men named James in the New Testament.  James the brother of John the Apostle (Matt 10:2). The disciple James the son Alpheaus also nicknamed James the “less”(Matt 10:3a). James the father of Judas (not Iscariot, Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13)).  James the half brother of Jesus and brother of Jude who’s the author of the book that bears his name (Jude 1).

James the brother of John is eliminated because he was martyred by Herod (Acts 12:2). James the “less” was never considered the author neither was James the father of Judas (not Iscariot). That only leaves James the half brother of Jesus. According to scholars this was the earliest N.T. book written, around 49 A.D.

James was not a believer in Jesus until after his resurrection (John 7:5; I Corinthians 15:7). The book focuses on practical obedient living. Commands like, “be doers of the word and not hearers only”  is very straightforward (2:24).

Another practical insight is. “ do not boast about tomorrow for we do not know what a day may bring forth”. We are to depend on the will of God as to what he has determined will happen (4:13-16).

James’ letter is Hebrew in scope in that it’s addressed to the diaspora (those Israelites scattered abroad) in different parts of Palestine and the world; first the 10 northern tribes were deported by the Assyrians in 722 B.C., and  the destruction of the first temple by the Babylonians and the expulsion of the 2 southern tribes of Israel in 586 B.C. Along with persecuted believers taken by Rome as slaves.

Chapter 1:2 is the fire that lights the fuse of the dynamite for the whole book of James, “count it, evaluate, consider it all joy when you fall into various tests knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” That phrase is the explosion for the rest of the book.

James also commands his readers to ask for Godly  wisdom (1:5). If we do that, then the rest of the directives in the book will become a joy to do, because our perspective is right with God; we’re relying upon Him to grant us wisdom in the commands He has given us.

The Spirit of God gives James the perfect foreward for the whole of the book. If we can change our attitude from a temporal to a heavenly eternal perspective, the rest falls into place. The beginning command and admonition of the book sets the tone for the remainder of this brief, powerful and concentrated epistle.

The letter begins with straightforward in-your-face truth and ends just as powerful and unambiguous.

                                                                   Chapter One

James opens his letter by dealing with a matter his people could very well relate to, trials.

           

               Our attitude in our trials:

a.       We are to have joy (vs. 2)

           

           What is trials benefit to us:

a.         Produces patience in us when our faith is challenged (vs. 3)

b.       Causes us to grow because of trial’s positive result in us (vs. 4)

c.       Will receive a crown of life as a result of enduring tests and for those that love the Lord (vs. 12a)

James commands us to ask for Godly wisdom. The question he asks, “if any lack wisdom, let him ask of God” is rhetorical; the obvious implication is that we lack wisdom in all areas so we’re to always entreat God for direction all our lives (vs. 5).

No man is ever tempted by God to sin. Sin is antithetical to the Lord.  Man is driven by his own sinful desires and falls into temptation. The temptation is not sin, but the yielding to the temptation is (vs. 13-15). Remember Jesus was tempted in all points yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). What is all points? The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life (I John 2:15, 16).

Every good and perfect gift is from the Lord (vs. 16). This passage is parallel to having all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph 1:3).

We’re also to hasten to listen, be slow to speak, slow to anger. Anger does not produce the righteousness of God.

Remember, the Bible says a soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger (Proverbs 15:1).

James stresses the importance of not only hearing the word, but doing it. What’s the point of even listening to God’s word if we do not endeavor to apply it to our lives? The blessing is in the performing of the word. The word of God is our mirror. It shows us our sinful reflection and what we need to fix. To look into God’s law, know and understand it demands, and do nothing about ourselves is nonsense. It contains all the answers (vs. 22-25).

Finally, vs. 26, 27 discusses true and false religion: False religion would be that of Pharisees mention in the gospels (Read entire chapter of Matt. chapter 23). True religion is a life of holiness and goodwill toward the downtrodden (Read the sermon on the mount, Matt. chapters 5-7).

                                                                    Chapter Two

In vs. 1-9 the writer says that our faith should not be partial; we’re to treat everyone the same. It’s favoritism to treat the rich in this world with the best seats in the Church; that is the celebrities that visit or dignitaries, or the biggest donors to your Church’s campaigns. We’re to treat the one with dirty, smelly clothing the same. All deserve honor for God has chosen, regards and loves the poor.

James says it is the wicked rich that are suing you in the courts and are the ones that blaspheme the name of God. Partiality in the kingdom of God is evil for we are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).

We are commanded to obey all of God’s law. Have we not broken the law if we have not committed adultery, but have murdered James says? James also says that to the one that shows no mercy, no mercy will be given to them. We want to operate under the law of liberty and not judgment (vs. 13).

In vs. 14-21, the writer stresses that genuine faith just doesn’t believe in God, it perseveres in that belief and produces fruit commiserate with that faith. We’re saved by works in the sense that our works gives evidence that our faith is real. True faith must produce good works (Eph 2:10; Heb 10:24) or it’s a dead faith. We are indeed saved by grace through faith. The same saving faith is also a practical faith that motivates us to action for the benefit of the kingdom.

Remember, fruitfulness is a natural by product of the true believer.

It is not optional.

                                                                  Chapter Three

James gives a sober warning to those that are teachers; telling them that they will be judged harshly for what they teach. Instructors have a tremendous influence on their students and what they teach can lead to great discovery and reward, or disaster if they are wrong in their knowledge of biblical truth. TEACHERS: YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT!! (vs. 1).

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An aside:It is the personal strong opinion of the writer of this commentary that if you’re unqualified to teach, you should leave the pulpit immediately and become a disciple of the word (i.e. learner) before entering it again. You do not want to be the cause of a parishioner(s) repeating error and applying said error on account of your unskilled preaching.

James discusses animals can be tamed and trained, ships can be driven about with a small rudder, but no one can tame the tongue. It is full of deadly poison, and set on fire by hell. We bless God and curse men who are made in God’s image. How so many people have been destroyed by our words! They do indeed cut like a knife.  James says this is wrong. Trees only produce one kind of fruit. Fountains do not dispense fresh and bitter water at the same time so why should we bless and curse out of the same mouth? This is evil   (vs. 2-12).

James goes on to say that wise people display their works in meekness and wisdom. This type of person has a confident godly wisdom that gives liberally and not with selfish and pretentious motives. Ungodly wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, and devilish (vs. 15). Godly wisdom is an oasis to all. It is kind and gentle, peaceable, full of mercy, understanding, fruitful (vs.17,18).

                                                        Chapter Four

James condemns those that have unhealthy lusts/desires for worldly things. Their attitudes are that of fighting, murder and coveting. These wicked desires are rooted in our sin nature, our unredeemed flesh which we must continue to suppress.

James continues by saying that what people fight so furiously for they will not obtain because it’s not requested the right way (see I John 5:14). They will not have it due to selfish motives (vs. 1-3).

James warns his readers that when you love this world, you are an adulterer against God, and you become an enemy of Him (vs. 4).

              

               Read I John 2:15.

 We are not to be entangled with this world’s system. Be sorrowful, contrite over your sin. Gladness should be turned to gloom and your laughter to sorrow. James is instructing his readers to the way of genuine  repentance of sin.  (vs. 5-10).

No one genuinely coming to Jesus Christ will come without sincere guilt for their sins. They’ll come broken, tired of their lifestyle because their sins have worn them out. Their bones will ache until they are healed spiritually and renewed (Psalm 32: 1-5).

He continues giving us instructions to not speak evil of each other. We are not to slander, defame or malign one another. We have no right to judge one another in this way. Whoever judges is a judge of the law, and is not a doer of it. There is only one judge and lawgiver (vs. 11, 12).

This type of judging is based on falsehood not truth, and is nothing more than gossip. Righteous judging must be based on fact.

James concludes this chapter by saying we are not to presume what we will do tomorrow, because tomorrow may never come. It is by the grace and will of God if we do anything at all. Our lives are very brief, we are here and then we are gone. Boasting about an uncertain future is arrogant and evil (vs. 13-17).

                                        

                                                                        Chapter Five

James condemns the wicked rich. He tells them all of their possessions will be destroyed. These are the worldly things that they love and trust in. Unfortunately they have trusted in these things to their own shame and destruction. James also indicts them because they have stolen money to fill their coffers and have refused to pay their employees  fair wages.  The Lord hears the cries of those the rich have  afflicted by defrauding the common man who needs to pay his bills, and feed his family.

James also says they have murdered the innocent so like righteous Abel their blood will cry from the ground as a testimony against the evil rich who is like that wicked brother Cain who killed his brother (Genesis 4:8), (vs. 1-6).

James goes on to say that we are to be patient until the coming of the Lord. We are to look to the prophets as examples of patience and long suffering (vs. 7,8).

Admonishes us not grumble against one another (vs. 9).

We should look at the life of Job who endured much physical and mental anguish. God’s mercy and compassion sustained the prophets and Job and it will also sustain us (vs. 10, 11).

Let our word be our bond (vs. 12).

                                                     

                                                                        

  

  

  

                                                                     Final Admonitions

Pray if you are suffering (vs. 13).

Sing if you’re happy (vs. 13a).

If anyone is sick call the elders of the Church and let them pray, and anoint with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up (vs. 14-15).

Confession of sins to one another is pointless if intercessory prayer isn’t implored to combat the sin to receive forgiveness and healing of our offenses. The confession to  another is not for gossip and public consumption so others can be judgmental of our failures and shame.  James says the prayer of the righteous makes tremendous power available.

This is a healthy and cleansing thing to do in the body of Christ. Just remember the confession and prayer must go hand in hand. Confession without prayer and vice versa is ineffective. The writer says look at the prophet Elijah as an example of one persistent in prayer (vs. 16-18).

This parallels I john 1:9, “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

James acknowledges those that  evangelize the wayward save a soul from death (eternal), and their sins will be removed (vs. 19,20).