JAMES - An Overview
James is considered a "general epistle" since it is not addressed to a specific person or church. And yet it IS a personal epistle in the sense that it IS addressed to individual believers in a personal manner. James seems to have Jewish Christians in mind as he writes the letter, those who had been scattered abroad. Estimates of the date the letter was written range from 38 a.d. to 62 a.d. Many put it in the 45-50 a.d. range as the most likely, and as such that makes it one of the earliest New Testament books. The them of the letter is generally considered to be "Practical Christian Living".
James is the half-brother of Jesus (born to Mary and Joseph after the miraculous virgin birth of Jesus).
James was a Jew, but not always a "believer" in Jesus (see John 7:5). However, after becoming a believer, James is accepted by, and becomes leader in, the church at Jerusalem (Acts 15:13 and Gal. 2:9). Early church tradition tells us that James was nicknamed "camel knees" due to the hours spent on his knees in prayer and that he was ultimately stoned to death, during which he prayed that God would forgive the murderers.
In terms of providing an overview of the letter, we wish to do so by means of outlining some of the doctrines (teachings) found in the letter. [Note: If the source of the following outline is known to anyone, I would be very glad to give credit here for that - we do not claim originality for the outline]
A. The Doctrine of God
James uses the names "Lord", "Father" and "Lord of Sabaoth", clearly reflecting his Jewish upbringing and Ole Testament influence. He also mentions "Christ" and the "Holy Spirit". He attributes to God certain characteristics: giver of wisdom, giver of good gifts, and being merciful toward the humble.
B. The Doctrine of the Word
1. The employment of the Word - James' letter contains 108 verses in five chapters (although originally there were no chapters or verses). In that brief space he refers to or alludes to: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, I Kings, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Jonah, Micah, Zechariah, and Malachi. There are also fifteen references to the Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.
2. The names of the Word - (a) the Word of Truth (1:18); (b) the Scripture (2:8;2:23;4:5-6); (c) the Perfect Law of Liberty (1:25;2:8)
3. The effects of the Word - (a) It is a means of regeneration (1:18) and is implanted to save the soul (1:21); (b) It is a mirror reflecting the defects of man (1:23-25); (c) It is a guide for Christian living (2:8); (d) It will serve as the "standard" for judgment in the day of judgment (2:12)
C. The Doctrine of Faith
James conceives of faith as an active principle based on a real trust in Christ who is the object of the faith.
James emphasizes the work of the believer in relation to faith, while Paul emphasizes the work of Christ in relation to faith - there is no contradiction. Even the central passage (James 2:14-20) does NOT contrast faith and works, but rather contrasts dead faith vs. living faith. 2:26 tells us that a working faith is a living faith.
D. The Doctrine of Sin
Sin is described as (a) a trespass (2:9,11); (b) an offense (2:10); an active principle (2:9;5:15); (d) lacking good (4:17); (e) that which is against a righteous God (5:9;4:5); and (f) that which is against the revelation of God (2:9-11).
Areas of life in which sin is possible are: (a) thought (4:8); (b) attitude (4:12-17); (c) deeds of omission (4:17); deeds of commission (5:1-6)
Some results of sin are: (a) sickness (5:15); (b) unanswered prayer (4:2); (c) lack of blessing (1:25); (d) increased judgment (2:13); (e) spiritual death (2:14-26;5:20).
Specific sins mentioned: (a) partiality (2:1-3); (b) improper use of the tongue (3:1-12);5:12); (c) contention (4:1-3,11-12); (d) worldliness (4:4-5).
James also identifies various doctrines (teachings) associated with spiritual life:
A. The Doctrine of Dedication
There should be areas of the believer's life that are settled, such as:
1. Submission (4:7a) - First, put yourself under God
2. Selection (4:7b) - Make your choice and then take a firm stand
3. Separation (4:8) - Hand and heart; external and internal; be cleansed
4. Seriousness (4:9) - Dedication is a serious matter. One who turns TO God will turn FROM the sins of the past.
5. Subjection (4:10) -
B. The Doctrine of Dependence
James 4:13-17 tells us that there should be planning, but not presumption. There should be a realization of the transitory nature of life and complete resignation to the perfect will of God.
C. The Doctrine of Prayer
The requirements of prayer-
1. realization that one is asking from a superior (4:3)
2. realization that there is a personal need
3. the presence of working faith in the life of the one praying (5:16)
4. unselfishness (4:3)
5. asking on the basis of God's promises, in faith and without doubting or disputing (1:6)
The objects of prayer-
1. Physical needs (5:13-20)
2. Mental needs (1:5-8)
3. Spiritual needs (4:1-3)
D. The Doctrine of Speech
1. Misuse of the tongue can indicate a dwarfed spiritual life (3:1-5)
2. Misuse of the tongue can indicate a defiled life (3:6-8)
3. Misuse of the tongue can indicate a deceitful life (3:9-12)
E. Doctrine of Wisdom
1. Worldly Wisdom
(a) earth-bound (and hell-bound)
(b) sensual
(c) devilish
(d) produces - jealousy, factions, confusion and vile deeds
2. Heavenly Wisdom
(a) comes from God
(b) displayed in - good works, meekness, peace
(c) characterized as - pure, peaceable, forbearing
James is the half-brother of Jesus (born to Mary and Joseph after the miraculous virgin birth of Jesus).
James was a Jew, but not always a "believer" in Jesus (see John 7:5). However, after becoming a believer, James is accepted by, and becomes leader in, the church at Jerusalem (Acts 15:13 and Gal. 2:9). Early church tradition tells us that James was nicknamed "camel knees" due to the hours spent on his knees in prayer and that he was ultimately stoned to death, during which he prayed that God would forgive the murderers.
In terms of providing an overview of the letter, we wish to do so by means of outlining some of the doctrines (teachings) found in the letter. [Note: If the source of the following outline is known to anyone, I would be very glad to give credit here for that - we do not claim originality for the outline]
A. The Doctrine of God
James uses the names "Lord", "Father" and "Lord of Sabaoth", clearly reflecting his Jewish upbringing and Ole Testament influence. He also mentions "Christ" and the "Holy Spirit". He attributes to God certain characteristics: giver of wisdom, giver of good gifts, and being merciful toward the humble.
B. The Doctrine of the Word
1. The employment of the Word - James' letter contains 108 verses in five chapters (although originally there were no chapters or verses). In that brief space he refers to or alludes to: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, I Kings, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Jonah, Micah, Zechariah, and Malachi. There are also fifteen references to the Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.
2. The names of the Word - (a) the Word of Truth (1:18); (b) the Scripture (2:8;2:23;4:5-6); (c) the Perfect Law of Liberty (1:25;2:8)
3. The effects of the Word - (a) It is a means of regeneration (1:18) and is implanted to save the soul (1:21); (b) It is a mirror reflecting the defects of man (1:23-25); (c) It is a guide for Christian living (2:8); (d) It will serve as the "standard" for judgment in the day of judgment (2:12)
C. The Doctrine of Faith
James conceives of faith as an active principle based on a real trust in Christ who is the object of the faith.
James emphasizes the work of the believer in relation to faith, while Paul emphasizes the work of Christ in relation to faith - there is no contradiction. Even the central passage (James 2:14-20) does NOT contrast faith and works, but rather contrasts dead faith vs. living faith. 2:26 tells us that a working faith is a living faith.
D. The Doctrine of Sin
Sin is described as (a) a trespass (2:9,11); (b) an offense (2:10); an active principle (2:9;5:15); (d) lacking good (4:17); (e) that which is against a righteous God (5:9;4:5); and (f) that which is against the revelation of God (2:9-11).
Areas of life in which sin is possible are: (a) thought (4:8); (b) attitude (4:12-17); (c) deeds of omission (4:17); deeds of commission (5:1-6)
Some results of sin are: (a) sickness (5:15); (b) unanswered prayer (4:2); (c) lack of blessing (1:25); (d) increased judgment (2:13); (e) spiritual death (2:14-26;5:20).
Specific sins mentioned: (a) partiality (2:1-3); (b) improper use of the tongue (3:1-12);5:12); (c) contention (4:1-3,11-12); (d) worldliness (4:4-5).
James also identifies various doctrines (teachings) associated with spiritual life:
A. The Doctrine of Dedication
There should be areas of the believer's life that are settled, such as:
1. Submission (4:7a) - First, put yourself under God
2. Selection (4:7b) - Make your choice and then take a firm stand
3. Separation (4:8) - Hand and heart; external and internal; be cleansed
4. Seriousness (4:9) - Dedication is a serious matter. One who turns TO God will turn FROM the sins of the past.
5. Subjection (4:10) -
B. The Doctrine of Dependence
James 4:13-17 tells us that there should be planning, but not presumption. There should be a realization of the transitory nature of life and complete resignation to the perfect will of God.
C. The Doctrine of Prayer
The requirements of prayer-
1. realization that one is asking from a superior (4:3)
2. realization that there is a personal need
3. the presence of working faith in the life of the one praying (5:16)
4. unselfishness (4:3)
5. asking on the basis of God's promises, in faith and without doubting or disputing (1:6)
The objects of prayer-
1. Physical needs (5:13-20)
2. Mental needs (1:5-8)
3. Spiritual needs (4:1-3)
D. The Doctrine of Speech
1. Misuse of the tongue can indicate a dwarfed spiritual life (3:1-5)
2. Misuse of the tongue can indicate a defiled life (3:6-8)
3. Misuse of the tongue can indicate a deceitful life (3:9-12)
E. Doctrine of Wisdom
1. Worldly Wisdom
(a) earth-bound (and hell-bound)
(b) sensual
(c) devilish
(d) produces - jealousy, factions, confusion and vile deeds
2. Heavenly Wisdom
(a) comes from God
(b) displayed in - good works, meekness, peace
(c) characterized as - pure, peaceable, forbearing