Keep in mind while reading the Letter from James that his points are more like proverbs meant to convict, instruct and motivate change in the hearts and minds of these early believers. As we read through his writings, we can easily make appropriate applications for believers today. Many of the same problems exist in the modern-day church. The solution is the same. Identify our sinful ways and change them promptly. Sin should not be acceptable in the family of believers. It should be exposed, confessed and ended. Righteousness should manifest itself in our words and actions. James uses a tough love approach to motivate his listeners and he does not offer any apology for his tone. He simply and bluntly states the truth and sets a standard to be followed.
Words: 2420 / Time to read: 13 minutes
The letter from James, the 20th book of the New Testament, was authored by James who was the half brother of Christ. Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born to the virgin Mary when she was pledged to be married to Joseph. James was a natural son born to them later along with other sons and daughters (Matthew 13:55-56). James and Jude (Judas) were two of Jesus’ half brothers who went on to become strong leaders within the early church after Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. They both wrote letters that have been included in the canon of the New Testament (James 1:1; Jude 1:1). We believe the books of the Bible were inspired by the Holy Spirit and work together to communicate God’s Word to mankind. The letter from James fits nicely within the canon of Scripture and focuses more on how a Christian should live after they believe rather than how to become a Christian. The letter of James was probably written around A.D. 45 though the exact date is not known. The public ministry of Jesus lasted for about 3 ½ years and he was crucified in probably A.D. 33. So many years had passed since the resurrection of Christ by the time James authored this letter. It is interesting to note that James and the rest of the family had been skeptical of some of the things Jesus had been saying during his public ministry and they, at one point, thought Jesus was out of his mind (Mark 3:21; John 7:5). But Jesus appeared to James after his resurrection and that encounter must have been a powerful experience for James. He joined the other disciples and focused on the ministry to the Jews in Jerusalem. He became a pillar of the faith and was well respected by the early Christians (Acts 15:13, 19; Galatians 2:9).
James begins with a brief introductory statement identifying himself as the author. What follows is five chapters of seemingly random subjects. It contains no personal mention of specific people in his intended audience, but rather addresses general issues common to all the Jewish Christians who were dispersed from Jerusalem because of the dominance of the evil Roman leaders in the First Century.
James speaks bluntly about ethics that should be upheld by followers of Jesus. He does not present the gospel but assumes his listeners are familiar with it and are in fact already believers. So he skips the gospel presentation and fast-forwards to give instruction on the proper way to live once you are a believer. Since his hearers are converted Jews, he makes many references to the Old Testament people and familiar Scriptures though he applies new emphasis on them with the intention of motivating change on the part of his contemporaries.
From the tone and content of his letter it is certain that, in his opinion, they had wandered from the principles inherent in the gospel and had apparently become caught up in sinful behavior(s). James includes several passages that instruct, correct and condemn his listeners on various issues. His letter is not in a story or narrative form. It is more of a set of pithy sayings, sometimes with short explanations strung together. After the brief greeting he starts right in with authoritative directives and this continues throughout the letter addressing various issues and ends as abruptly as it started.
Perseverance
James knows that his hearers are undergoing persecution and hardship. He does not apologize for that situation. Instead he emphasizes the opportunity for maturity in learning how to deal with their various trials while we await the Second Coming of the Lord (James 5:7-8). All Christians know that ultimately we will be rescued and spend eternity in God’s presence with blessing and peace. But we also know, largely because of James’ letter, that we should expect trials and hardship in this life. More than that, we should embrace them as we learn to trust in Christ all the more. Our faith should result in deeds that can be obvious evidence to others as validation of our inner faith. The opportunity for this kind of proof is best seen when persevering through trials. To that end, he encourages them to embrace the hard times.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 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. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
James 1:2-8
Faith and Deeds
Perhaps the most controversial section of his letter is his brief discourse on the subject of faith and deeds. The gospel message stresses the importance of belief and emphasizes God’s grace and how God saves us based on the fact of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The sin of mankind was imputed to Christ when he died on the cross and he died for our sins. When we believe and are saved, it is because of God’s grace, not because of our merit or deeds. But James emphasizes the importance of deeds performed by Christians. Some see this as a conflict of information. But God’s inspired Word would not present us with conflicting doctrine. So it is important to understand the intent of James’ letter which is to motivate believers to live righteous lives. It is not to show unbelievers what must be done to be saved. Once that context is noted, the letter is logical and effective.
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 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.
James 2:14-17
Two Kinds of Wisdom
Human logic is flawed. People who are thought to be intelligent and wise become powerful leaders in our world and sometimes start cults and religions. The followers of these charismatic leaders are mislead though they think they are doing things well. True wisdom comes from God and lines up perfectly with God’s Word. All other wisdom is demonic at its core and its followers are wicked. Though possibly moral by human standards, if anyone is an unbeliever, they are wicked in God’s sight.
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. But 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. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
But 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.
James 3:13-18
Boasting About Tomorrow
Pride, power and greed are indicators of a sinful disposition. But faithful believers, on the other hand, trust in God’s providence for every need in their lives. God has a way of making things happen for those that humbly trust in him and rely on his power and provision, no matter how meager their circumstances are.
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.
James 4:13-17
Wealth is not a Sign of Blessing
Wealth is a common indicator of success for earthly people. However, wealth should be a red flag for believers. Believers are better off poor and trusting wholeheartedly in their Savior for all their needs and not at all trusting in their savings, positions and possessions. James calls out the selfishness and immorality that characterizes the wealthy of our world. He looks ahead and condemns them as if their ill-fated destiny has already been completed.
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.
James 5:1-6
Summary
Like the sermon on the mount spoken by his brother Jesus, this communication from James is blunt with direct statements that are meant to scold and correct. As a respected leader, he said what needed to be said and didn’t worry about ruffling any feathers. It is clear that his prayer was that after the initial hurt subsided that the Holy Spirit would use his words to build up and correct. This type of preaching has all but vanished with our present church structure where the Pastor is oftentimes too careful to offend his listeners from whom his financial support comes. It is all too common that parishioners set up a Mr. Nice Guy as their leader and offer comfort and security if he tells them what they want to hear and avoids the criticism. The content in James’ letter is the exact opposite of this.
The letter from James is meant to prune the vine so that they may harvest a plentiful crop of good fruit. Jesus spoke of this concept (John 15:1-4) and the apostle Paul named examples of good and bad fruit (Galatians 5:19-22). We can see how the book of James fits nicely with the rest of the Bible to work together for the good of those who love God (Romans 8:28).
This letter is just one piece of the puzzle in God’s plan of bringing many in the world to salvation. James was used to correct the deeds and ethics of the Jewish Christian community so that they may be the Light to the Gentile world and bring them to Christ by their works and not merely by their words. We know this is true when we read what James said during the Jerusalem Council meeting held in A.D. 50 when there was an important matter regarding requirements for Gentiles to be resolved. James confirmed, by using Old Testament Scripture, that God’s intention was indeed to save the Gentiles as well as Jews. So though this letter was directed to the Jewish population who had converted to Christianity, his goal must have been to ultimately reach the Gentiles. That goal fits nicely with what James stood up and said at the Council Meeting recorded in Acts:
Simon [Peter] has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles. The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:
“‘After this I will return
and rebuild David’s fallen tent.
Its ruins I will rebuild,
and I will restore it,
that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
even all the Gentiles who bear my name,
says the Lord, who does these things’—
things known from long ago.
“It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”
Acts 15:14-21
So while for some the letter from James can be considered a basic course titled Christian Ethics 101, for others it can be adapted and applied as the highest level of advanced standards for Christian Ethics. For maximum effect, study it along with the Sermon on the Mount and the Book of Proverbs. For even further study maybe include a deep dive into the book of Ecclesiastes for greater understanding and appreciation of our estate as the redeemed of a doomed race.
Ecclesiastes 7:5
It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person
than to listen to the song of fools.
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
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