Context of James
The epistle is traditionally attributed to James the brother of Jesus (James the Just), and the audience is generally considered to be Jewish Christians, who were dispersed outside Palestine.
Within the New Testament canon, the Epistle of James is noteworthy because it makes no reference to the death, resurrection, or divine sonship of Jesus. It refers to Jesus twice, as "the Lord Jesus Christ" and as "our glorious Lord Jesus Christ" (James 1:1, 2:1).
"The Letter of James also, according to the majority of scholars who have carefully worked through its text in the past two centuries, is among the earliest of New Testament compositions. It contains no reference to the events in Jesus' life, but it bears striking testimony to Jesus' words. Jesus' sayings are embedded in James' exhortations in a form that is clearly not dependent on the written Gospels."
If written by James the brother of Jesus, it would have been written sometime before AD 69 (or AD 62), when he was martyred. Jerusalem would also be the place of writing.
The earliest extant manuscripts of James usually date to the mid-to-late 3rd century.
James is considered New Testament wisdom literature: "like Proverbs and Sirach, it consists largely of moral exhortations and precepts of a traditional and eclectic nature."
Similarities between James and Acts
James’ speech in Acts 15 contains many striking parallels in language with the epistle of James. For example, χαίρω is found in Jas. 1:1 and Acts 15:23 (and elsewhere in Acts only in 23:26); Acts 15:17 and Jas. 2:7 invoke God’s name in a special way; the exhortation for the brothers (ἀδελφοι) to hear is found both in Jas. 2:5 and Acts 15:13. Further, not-so-common individual words are found in both: ἐπισκέπτεσθε (Jas. 1:27;Acts 15:14); ἐπιστρέφειν (Jas. 5:19 and Acts 15:19); τηρεῖν (or διατηρεῖν) ἑαυτόν (Jas. 1:27; Acts 15:29); ἀγαπητός (Jas. 1:16, 19; 2:5; Acts 15:25). Though short of conclusive proof, this is nevertheless significant corroborative evidence.
Similarities with the teaching of Jesus
“There are more parallels in this Epistle than in any other New Testament book to the teaching of our Lord in the Gospels.” The parallels to the Sermon on the Mount are especially acute:
Structure of James
I. Salutation (1:1)
II. Enduring Trials (1:2-18)
A. Summary/Main Theme: The Testing of Faith (1:2-6)
B. Specifics (1:9-18)
III. Applying the Word: Faith Within the Church (1:19–3:18)
A. Summary/Main Theme: The Obedience of Faith (1:19-27)
B. Specifics (2:1–3:18)
IV. Witnessing to Divine Providence (4:1–5:20)
A. Summary/Main Theme: The Reward of Faith (4:1-10)
B. Specifics (4:11–5:20)
I. Salutation (1:1)
Claims to be written by “James (Hebrew: Jacob), a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”
Says it is written to “the twelve tribes scattered among the nations”
II. Enduring Trials (1:2-18)
A. Summary/Main Theme: The Testing of Faith (1:2-6)
1. Faith in God’s Sovereignty (1:2)
“Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds”
2. Faith and Perseverance (1:3-4)
The testing of your faith produces perseverance.
“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
3. Faith and God’s Gifts (1:5)
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
4. Faith Vs. Doubt (1:6)
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt”
“The one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
B. Specifics (1:9-18)
1. Faith Vs. Doubt (1:7-8)
“The person who doubts should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. They are double-minded and unstable in all they do.”
2. Faith and Finances (1:9-11)
Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.
But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.
For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed.
In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
3. Faith and Perseverance (1:12)
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
4. Faith and Fatalism (1:13-18)
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Don’t be deceived. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
III. Applying the Word: Faith Within the Church (1:19–3:18)
A. Summary/Main Theme: The Obedience of Faith (1:19-27)
1. Anger Vs. Obedience (1:19-21)
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
Get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
2. Passivity Vs. Obedience (1:22-25)
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
Whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
3. Speech and Obedience (1:26)
Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
4. The Impartiality of Obedience (1:27)
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
B. Specifics (2:1–3:18)
1. Partiality Vs. Obedience (2:1-13)
a. Summary (2:1)
Believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.
b. Hypothetical Situation: Rich and Poor Enter the Assembly (2:2-4)
Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
c. Rebuke for Showing Partiality (2:5-7)
Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
d. Conditions of Obedience (2:8-11)
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
e. Principle (2:12-13)
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
2. Passivity Vs. Obedience (2:14-26)
a. Summary (2:14)
What good is it if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?
b. Hypothetical Situation: Impoverished Believer in your Midst (2:15-17)
Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
c. Rational Argument: Demons’ Faith is Passive (2:18-20)
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?
d. Biblical Argument: Abraham’s and Rahab’s Faith is Active (2:21-25)
Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.
You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?
e. Principle (2:26)
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
3. Speech and Obedience (3:1-12)
a. Summary: The Tongue as a Measure of Maturity (3:1-2)
Not many of you should become teachers because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
b. Argument by Analogy (3:3-12)
1) Analogy One: The Tiny Tongue (3:3-6)
a) Bits in Horses’ Mouths (3:3)
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.
b) Rudders on Ships (3:4)
Although ships are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.
c) Sparks and Forest Fires (3:5-6)
The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.
A great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
2) Analogy Two: The Tamed Tongue (3:7-8)
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
3) Analogy Three: The Forked Tongue (3:9-12)
a) Praising and Cursing (3:9-10)
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. This should not be.
b) Fresh and Salt Water (3:11)
Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
c) Schizophrenic Produce (3:12)
Can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?
4. The Wisdom of Obedience (3:13-18)
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
If you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
Where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
IV. Witnessing to Divine Providence (4:1–5:20)
A. Summary/Main Theme: The Reward of Faith (4:1-10)
1. The Prayer of Faith (4:1-3)
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
2. Friendship with the World (4:4-6)
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”
3. The Humility of Faith (4:7-10)
Submit yourselves to God.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Come near to God and he will come near to you.
Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
B. Specifics (4:11–5:20)
1. Avoiding Worldly Influences (4:11–5:6)
a. Slander in the Community (4:11-12)
Do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
b. Boasting about Tomorrow (4:13-17)
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
c. Warning to Wealthy Oppressors (5:1-6)
Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.
2. The Patience of Faith (5:7-12)
Be patient until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
Don’t grumble against one another or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
As an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered.
You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
Above all, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.
3. The Prayer of Faith (5:13-20)
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray.
Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.
Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
If one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
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