New Testament Survey:
The Book of James
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let
him ask of God, who gives to all
liberally and without reproach,
and it will be given to him.”
(1:5)
Background
• James, one of the New Testament’s
“general” epistles.
• “Church that had been dispersed” (1:1)
• Primarily concerned with the ethics of
Christian living and service.
• Revealed truth written to guide the
believer’s life.
• Gospel of “common sense.”
Background
• The book was written by James—the Lord’s
brother.
– Interview with Jesus (Matthew 12:46)
– With Jesus in Capernaum (John 2:12)
– Went to the feast as an unbeliever (John 7:5-10)
– Following the Lord’s resurrection, He appeared to
James. (1 Corinthians 15:7)
– Among those waiting for the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:14)
– Visited by Paul (Galatians 1:18,19)
Controversy…
• To whom was the letter written?
• Some think it was written only to the Jews and
that it belonged in the Old Testament cannon.
• Martin Luther thought it did not belong in the
cannon.
– Thought Romans and Galatians taught justification
by faith only
– James taught that we also need works.
– This conflict, he could never resolve…
– The “epistle of straw”
Controversy…
• “12 tribes dispersed” not a problem…
• Consider the remainder of NT teaching.
• Jews and Gentiles alike—Galatians
3:28,29
• Apostles had authority over “spiritual
Israel”—not fleshly Israel.
– Matthew 18:18; 19:27,28
– Romans 4:11,12
– This is the church!
Controversy…
• Prejudice of “faith only” critics
• Date—Some support an early date—4450 A.D.; other scholars think 60 A.D.
• “General” Christian epistle:
– James 1:18—”firstfruits of his creatures”
– James 2:1—brethren—believers
– James 2:7—called by a worthy name
– James 5:7—Jesus coming in judgment
Keys to the Book of James
• Key words
– “Faith” (12) “Works”
(13)
• Key phrase
– “Be ye doers of the
word” (1:22)
• Key chapter
– Chapter 1
• Key verses
– 2:24-26
“You see then that a man is
justified by works, and not
by faith only. Likewise, was
not Rahab the harlot also
justified by works when
she received the
messengers and sent them
out another way? For as
the body without the spirit
is dead, so faith without
works is dead also.”
Main Points in Each Chapter
• Chapter 1—Pure religion
• Chapter 2—Faith and works
• Chapter 3—Controlling the tongue
• Chapter 4—Sin
• Chapter 5—The disciplined life
Characteristics of Pure and
Undefiled Religion
• Joy and patience in the midst of trials (1:2-4)
• Unwavering faith and single-mindedness (1:5-8)
• Contented acceptance of life’s providential
allotments (1:9-11)
• Endurance of temptation (1:12)
• Recognition of the source of temptation and the
consequences of yielding to it (1:13-15)
Characteristics of Pure and
Undefiled Religion
• Recognition of the source of all divine blessings
(1:16-18)
• Spiritual hearing and deliberation of speech
(1:19,20)
• Forsaking evil and purging it from our lives
(1:21)
• Searching after and practicing truth (1:25)
• Practicing benevolence toward others. Purity of
life (1:27)
Characteristics of Pure and
Undefiled Religion
• Demonstration of our faith—the work of
our faith. Fruit is borne when one
obeys the Lord. (2:18)
• To perform God’s will, one must have
faith. (2:21-25)
Characteristics of Vain Religion
• Careless, forgetful hearing of God’s word (1:2224)
• Profession of religion nullified by an unbridled
tongue (1:26)
• Respect of persons among brethren, honoring
the rich, while despising the poor (2:1-9)
• Partial obedience to the law (2:10-12)
• An unmerciful disposition toward others (2:13)
Characteristics of Vain Religion
• A mere profession of faith, unaccompanied by
acts of mercy (2:14-16)
• Inactive faith (2:17,18)
• Intellectually assenting or agreeing to truth, with
no change in life (2:19,20)
• Failure to control and bridle the tongue—
allowing it to be destructive (3:1-8)
• Blessings and cursing from same mouth
(3:9-12)
Characteristics of Vain Religion
• Envy and strife; following earthly and sensual
wisdom (3:14-16)
• Giving ourselves to discontent and unholy
passions (4:1,2)
• Unanswered prayers because of lustful desires and
asking amiss (4:3,4)
• Prideful and impure hearts; stubborn spirits (4:5-9)
• Speaking evil of others; uncharitable in our
judgments of them (4:11,12)
Characteristics of Vain Religion
• Presumptuous arrangements for future
business, leaving God out of the plans
(4:13-16)
• Neglecting to do what one knows to be
right (4:17)
• Contrast is often between PURE
religion and VAIN religion—only one
type is acceptable to the Lord!
Exhortations…
• In view of the coming of the Lord:
– Be patient and steadfast; refrain from
murmuring (5:7-10)
– Emulate the example of the prophets and
Job (5:10,11)
– Refrain entirely from oaths (5:12)
Instructions…
• Final exhortation and instruction regarding
prayer:
– Prayer in time of trouble and for the sick—genuine
reliance on God (5:13-15)
– Confessing our faults (5:16)
– Effectual and fervent prayer (the power) as
illustrated by Elijah (5:16-18)
• Duty to win souls and turn them from the error
of their ways (5:19,20)
Discussion of Faith and Works
• “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone
says he has faith but does not have works? Can
faith save him?” (2:14)
• Can a professed faith, separate from any works
of obedience to God’s will, be the means of
justification.
• Nowhere is “justification by faith only” taught in
the scriptures!
Dead Faith
• “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have
works, is dead.” (2:17)
• “But do you want to know, O foolish man, that
faith without works is dead?” (2:20)
• “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so
faith without works is dead also.” (2:26)
• Not only is such faith DEAD, it is unfruitful and
barren, producing no benefit!
Dead Faith
• “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of
daily food, and one of you says to them, Depart
in peace, be warmed and filled, but you do not
give them the things which are needed for the
body, what does it profit?” (2:15,16)
• “You believe that there is one God. You do well.
Even the demons believe--and tremble!” (2:19)
• So faith without obedient works is no better
than mere conviction of the person of Christ—
which the demons possessed!
Justifying Faith
• “Was not Abraham our father justified by works
when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you
see that faith was working together with his works,
and by works faith was made perfect?” (2:21,22)
• “And the Scripture was fulfilled which says,
Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to
him for righteousness. And he was called the friend
of God.” (2:23)
• When Abraham obeyed God’s instructions, he exhibited
Bible faith—God knew what Abraham’s faith would
cause him to do when he was put to the test!
Two Types of Wisdom
• “Who is wise and understanding among you?
Let him show by good conduct that his works
are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you
have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts,
do not boast and lie against the truth. This
wisdom does not descend from above, but is
earthly, sensual, demonic.” (3:13-15)
• Earthly wisdom did not descend from above.
Such wisdom comes from Satan!
Two Types of Wisdom
• “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure,
then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of
mercy and good fruits, without partiality and
without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of
righteousness is sown in peace by those who
make peace.” (3:17,18)
• God’s Wisdom leads in the opposite direction!
One points downward; the other upward. One
points to heaven and eternal life; the other to
destruction!
Temptation
• Temptation does not wreck or injure true faith;
enduring temptation makes one’s faith stronger.
• Enduring trials develops the maturity of a
person’s character.
– “Knowing that the testing of your faith produces
patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that
you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
(1:3,4)
Temptation
• Such endurance carries with it the
promise of the crown of life.
– “Blessed is the man who endures
temptation; for when he has been
approved, he will receive the crown of life
which the Lord has promised to those who
love Him.” (1:12)
Temptation As It Relates to Sin
• Temptation does not come from God.
– “Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted
by God; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does
He Himself tempt anyone.” (1:13)
• Originates within uncontrolled desires. Lures
the individual to follow his own desires.
– “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by
his own desires and enticed.” (1:14)
Temptation As It Relates to Sin
• Entices the individual as bait ensnares a fish.
– “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by
his own desires and enticed.” (1:14)
• Conceals, takes hold, finds lodging within the
heart; bringing sin to reality.
– “Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to
sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth
death.” (1:15)