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III. DETAILED STUDY

A. Lesson One, James 1:1-12

It is important to note that, in several points, James’ letter is closely related to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. He was a leader, a pillar in the church at Jerusalem. It is obvious from Acts that he chaired the Jerusalem Council (Ac. chp.15). Flavius Josephus, a first-century historian, records that James was martyred in A.D. 62, so the Epistle must have been written prior to that date. Since no mention is made of the Jerusalem Council (A.D. 49) in which, James took so active a role, it is likely that the letter was written between A.D. 45 and 50.

The reference to the twelve (12) Tribes is possibly because James wrote his letter before Gentiles were brought into the Church, or before Gentile Christians emerged in any significant number.

James called himself “a slave and a bond-servant.” One who is in a permanent relation of servitude to another. He does not call himself an Apostle or the brother of the Lord to affirm his position of authority. The Old Testament Hebrew word for “servant” was the title by which the greatest men of the Old Testament were known.

1. James was a Jew reared in Judaism.

This could explain the strictness we see in the letter. James addresses his Epistle to the “...twelve (12) Tribes scattered abroad” (v.1). Christian Jews, living outside Palestine, were the ones written to, primarily because they were scattered. There were many Jews, of “the Faith,” that were living in foreign countries such as Egypt, Babylon and other parts of Asia. Two (2) of the greatest Jewish Communities in the known world of that day were in Egypt and Babylon. These Communities were established during the captivity of Israel in the Inter-Biblical period. Many of the Jews that were exported to these areas chose to remain in the Jewish Communities established in those countries, rather than relocate to Israel when they were liberated. However, many of the so-called “Lost tribes” returned to the Holy Land when Israel was liberated.

Many of them were scattered in search of prosperity and business opportunities. Others were scattered because of Jewish persecutions, as in the dispersions throughout history. These would be the ones who departed because of the persecution of the Christians at Jerusalem (Ac.8:1).

Being Jews, they were rejected by Orthodox Jews, as they were Christians, and by the Gentiles, because they were Jews. They were lonely, poor, and often oppressed. Problems were facing these young Believers in their personal lives and their fellowship.

They faced testing, temptations, competition, and hypocrisy. The rich oppressed them. There was gossip, backbiting, Church troubles, divisions, disobedience, and disregard for God’s Word, sicknesses, backsliding, and a host of other problems in their lives.

Perhaps the most pressing problem they faced was that they were not spiritually mature. They were not progressing spiritually, and there was usually no practical Christianity being lived out. There was a lot of religious activity, yet they were lacking spiritually.

2. James spoke to them first about their attitude that they were to count it all joy (v.2).

We should keep in mind that God is our Father. It is His responsibility to instill character and integrity in us, His children. We need to rejoice when we are being corrected, because we can see the Father’s purpose. Those Believers needed this direction.

Concerning our attitude, our outlook determines our outcome, and our attitude determines our action. Becoming a Christian does not exclude us from difficulties. We should notice here that it is when, not if, we fall into those various trials (v.2).

To the persecuted Jewish Believers scattered among peoples, James gave some surprising advice. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds. Trials should be faced with an attitude of joy. This passage is directly related to the Sermon on the Mount where Christ said, “Blessed are ye when men shall persecute you ... rejoice and be exceeding glad” (Mt.5:11-12)

Becoming a Christian does not automatically exclude a Believer from difficulties. Joy can be found in the result being produced by the various kinds of temptations, trials, or allurements. We do not rejoice in the trials themselves, but in their possible results.

The word "peirasmos," which we translate “temptation”, signifies affliction, persecution, or trial of any kind. In this sense, it is used here, not intending diabolic suggestion, or what is generally understood by the word “temptation.” Here the word is used in the sense of trials by persecution, poverty, and calamity of any kind. These cannot be said to be direct inducements or allurements to sin, but they try the faith, and they show whether he who is tried is disposed to adhere to his faith in God, or whether he will apostatize.

James regards trials as inevitable. It is “when” not “if” you fall into trials, yet as occasions for joy, not discouraged resignation. They are used to produce patience. Patience when it is full grown will produce maturity. Faith is tested through trials, not produced by them. Trials reveal what faith we do have. Trials make our faith apparent to us. The trying of faith will tell the truth of its nature and cause it to appear like gold tried in the fire (1Pe.1:6-7). Jesus said:”In your patience ye shall possess your souls” (Lk.21:19).

Abraham’s faith was tested and when it came to maturity it produced miracle-working faith.

James speaks of trials (1:2). The word, “trials” in Greek is “peirusmoi,” which refers to “persecution and troubles from the world of Satan.” The Believer is to meet these trials with joy (Mt.5:11-12; Ro.5:3; 1Pe.1:6). Testing will develop persevering faith, proven character, and mature hope (Ro.5:3-5). Our faith can only reach full maturity when faced with difficulties and opposition (v.3).

James calls these trials a testing of our faith. Trials are sometimes brought into Believer’s lives so that God can test the sincerity of their faith. Scripture nowhere teaches that troubles in life are always an indication that God is displeased with us. The way we handle tests and trials can be a sign that He recognizes our firm commitment to Him (Job. chp.1-2).

3. “Temptation” is for the purpose of building patience in the Believer.

God wants us to become mature. In the Greek, this is "teleios," which means, “the end or completeness of a process or thing” (v.4). God allows us to be tested; yet He does not do so with an evil intent (v.13). Many feel that adversity is a sign of either God’s anger toward us, or that it is due to our disobedience. Paul wrote to Timothy that there was nothing wrong when we have persecutions, for “...all that live Godly will suffer persecution” (2Ti.3:12). David understood this, for in the Psalms he wrote that “...many are the afflictions of the righteous...” (Ps.34:19).

4. We are to have the proper attitude in meeting adversity (v.2).

This means that we are not to have an emotional reaction, but an intelligent appraisal based on God’s Word. This means that we have an opportunity to grow, an opportunity to graduate to the next level.

We should understand three (3) important aspects of this.

a. God tests our faith to prove it.

b. Satan tempts us to destroy our faith.

c. Chastisement comes when God has given us space to correct ourselves and we refuse to do so.

Our Father will not stand still and watch us continue in error. This is an example of the “Father’s-Heart of God,” the example of His love shown to us in Hebrews. Here the writer says that every Believer that the "Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth” (He.12:6). Maturity is the final result (vs.3-4).

5. James tells us that we are to “know this...” (v.3).

Patience is not a passive acquiescence to adverse circumstances, but a positive persistence that bravely endures knowing God is in control. Faith lifts us above our circumstances of life whether we are rich or poor, and helps us to experience that which is of great spiritual value in the very midst of trials. Patience is not produced as an inevitable result; if difficulties are received in unbelief, they can be the source of bitterness and discouragement. In the New Testament patience is the characteristic of a man who is not swerving from his deliberate purpose, loyalty to faith and piety.

Tests prove true sincerity and genuineness. Trials and chastisement purge us and produce discipline. Trials come from the outside, but deal with the inside. God knows that there is something solid in us, so He sends trials to merely break off the rough, flaky edges.

a. Patience is the substance produced.

Patience keeps us steadfast (1Co.15:58). We are to be “...steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord...”

b. Patience is not a passive resignation to trouble, but a positive steadfastness that bravely endures!

James wants us to be mature (1:4). The word “mature,” from the Greek “teleios” reflects the Biblical idea of maturity. The word “teleios” also contains the idea of focusing on a goal containing specifically the idea of maturity and pressing toward that goal. The word is defined as “a right relationship with God that bears fruit in a sincere endeavor to love Him with all one’s heart in undivided devotion, obedience, and blamelessness.”

6. “Understanding” is the key (v.5).

We must be able to distinguish the difference between tests, which come from God to prove our faith, and chastisement, which come when God has given us space to correct ourselves and we refuse to do so. Temptations are what Satan tempts us with to destroy our faith. We need wisdom, for we must know if it is a test, a chastisement, or a temptation (v.5). Let us be sure to remember, that “...no man is tempted of God...” (v.13).

James says we are to seek God for wisdom (1:5). Wisdom is not intellectual knowledge or philosophical speculation, but spiritual understanding of the purpose of trials. Trials produce wisdom because we need the wisdom of God during these times of testing. Therefore, during trials it is a necessary time to seek wisdom from God. God grants wisdom to those who ask. Wisdom means the spiritual capacity to see and evaluate life and conduct from God’s point of view (Pr.1:2). It involves making right choices and doing right things according to both God’s Will revealed in His Word, and the leading of the Spirit (Ro.8:4-17). We can receive wisdom by coming to God and asking for it in faith (1:6-8; Pr.2:6; 1Co.1:30).

7. If we “...lack wisdom, let him ask of God...”

Our question may be, “What is going on? How do I deal with it? What should I learn from it? “The perfect work of patience is maturity (v.4). Only when we can identify and understand the purpose of patience and maturity, are we able to truly”count it all joy”

Only illegitimate children are not corrected and disciplined by their Father. We are not illegitimate children. Hebrews tells us that “...whom the Lord loves He chastens...,” that is, He disciplines us (He.12:6).

We have a problem in misunderstanding why chastening has come. This opens the door for Satan to deceive us concerning the situation. Satan will lie to us, telling us that we are “reaping what we have sown” or that we “do not have any faith.” He will even go so far as to tell us that “true Christians do not have these problems, so God is mad at you, that is why you are having trouble.”

Truth is not just any facts or word, but it is facts and words in balance. This reveals the tremendous importance of the Word of God. Paul tells us,”So then, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Ro.10:17). He said also to Timothy that he should “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth” (2Ti.2:15).

Many, in James' day, felt that God had abandoned them. God is in us, with us, and for us (Ro.8:1-39). Those greatly used of God are greatly tested, that is, they are proven by God and matured.

God gives special grace to those He tests. He quickened Paul to write, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: For my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2Co.12:9).

We should remember that God would not put more on us than we can bear. He will not allow Satan to tempt us without providing a way of escape for us. ”There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1Co.10:13). He will not test us beyond our ability to stand in the test.

8. There are certain qualities needed in the life of every Believer (v.5-12).

These qualities are signs of growth. First of all, there is wisdom (v.3). Secondly, there is an unwavering Faith (v.6-9). The person who is a double-minded person is unstable in everything. James says that they are like the sea waves, which are tossed to and fro. A double-minded man is a person drawn in two 2) opposite directions. His commitment is divided and because of his lack of earnestness, he vacillates between belief and disbelief, sometimes thinking that God will help him and at other times giving up all hope in Him. Jesus said “...a man cannot serve two masters. He will love one and hate the other.” (Mt.6:24). In the case of faith, if we do not trust God, we doubt Him. This will lead to apostasy because the double-minded man will receive nothing from the Lord. The Lord is not a respecter of persons; however, He does admire faith.

Then there is the true test of humility (vs.9-11). We are to have a proper attitude concerning fleshly objectives, for we are all like grass and will soon fade away.

James compares the brother in humble circumstances with the one (1) who is rich (1:9-10). The brother who is poor in this world’s goods has been made rich in Christ, as he is an heir of God. The rich person should glory in the fact that he has been humbled when he was shown his human frailty and his passing as a blade of grass.

Endurance is the next quality James mentions (v.12). Many wish for the reward, but only those who endure will receive the reward (Mt.24:13). Paul told us that he had “...fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” The results of this endurance is that Paul had coming to him “...a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day.” Not only will Paul receive it, but “...unto all them also that love his appearing” will receive the same (2Ti.4:7).

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