Study of James

[MatthewG]

James 1:1-8​

​

Greeting to the Twelve Tribes​

1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad:
Greetings.

Alright, James, he was a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, whom was a brother to Jesus.

He is writing to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, this would be to his Jewish brothers.

Greetings,

Profiting from Trials​

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

James, writes my brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
What were the trials for them? Was this talking about trials or temptations of Satan or to sin?
No, these were trials of persecution for the Gospel of Christ Jesus, and James is telling them to find it joyful, which test faith, in trusting God, opposed to giving up. To endure.

Back then you were killed or persecuted (ill-treated). However, the hope is not laid in this world it is in the next life where the hope is laid - in faith

3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces [a]patience.

James writes, knowing that the testing (tempting) of your faith - produces patience.

Have you ever had your patience tried? It's hard to hold back especially if you aren't holding on to the one whom gives the Holy Spirit, or you give up and walk away, or you lose your patience and lose your 'religion' in a sense. Anger doesn't produce the righteousness of God, though there are times to be rightfully angry.

4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be [b]perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

James encourages though they have their faith tested, to be patient, and trust in God, so that patience may have its perfect (mature) work, that you may mature and complete, not lacking in any amount of the spirit.

5 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.

James, states if any of you lacks wisdom (on how to let this patience work in you), let that person ask of God, who gives to all liberally without reproach, and it will be given unto him.

God will help us in our trials, and our testings - with others and dealing with them if we ask about how to go about it, and that is something I even struggle with now today.

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

However, a person that believes and seeks, must ask in faith, with no doubting -

Therefore even if an answer is no, we shouldn't doubt, because when a person doubts, - they become unstable, and not standing on firm foundation, allowing the Chief Cornerstone to keep them up, and their house will ultimately be crushed, by the waves of the sea, which will toss them around in unrest, unsettled, troubled, and impatient, easily carried around by anything he may see, from doctrine, to temptation and lust.

7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

They shouldn't expect to receive anything from the LORD, and they are double-minded, becoming unstable in all of their relations.

 

[MatthewG]

James 1:9-12

The Perspective of Rich and Poor
9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation,

James perhaps is suggesting that while facing troubles with others, those who are humble should glory in his exaltation.

10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away.

However, those who are proud in the riches of money (love of money over God) - glory in their embarrassment, because as a flower of the field he will pass away.

While I do not think it is bad to save money, to provide for your family - there is something that is wrong when it becomes a problem when a person may become proud in their riches, in which they choose to serve money, and not put God first - it all amounts to nothing just as the flower in the field dies, so will they too, pass away.

11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.

The pursuits of this life, and focus on this life, will perish away. Perhaps the (mind/will/emotions) of the focus of this life is what passes away for those whom are rich as there primary focus is here on the world, rather than the focus of the heavenly, in Christ. There will be little to no reward, given after this life because the focus was only here in this life now. (I could be wrong this passage has always been hard to understand to me) Verse 10-11.

Loving God Under Trials​

12 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.

James, talks to his fellow brothers, saying

Blessed is the man who endures temptation - which is (being ill-treated by others not exactly dealing with the proclivity to sin, or being tempted by satan); because it deals with dealing with other human beings and those who endure under trials (when ill-treated - even to death in their day).

For when he has been approved; he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him. - A crown of life? Honor of life - joy in humbling oneself before God, rather than being proud, or boastful of ones own self by the flesh, which will pass away from this life like the flower of the field.

(Remember I can always be wrong just enjoy being able to go through the Bible verse by verse).

 

[MatthewG]

James 1:13-15

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;

Considering James is talking about now - the temptation of sin, saying that no one should say "God is tempting me", because God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.

This is a reference to the temptation to sin - which comes from our flesh because of the known world -
Just look here at what John writes in his 1st letter to believers in his day,

1 John 2:16-17
For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

You can see here, that the world itself can be tempting, most people attempt to address satan as the one whom tempts them but fail to recognize that Satan is not around today, what is around is Darkness, and the spirits of the world, and everyone of us starts out in the darkness, gradually coming to the the truth as the grow older in this world, either rejecting the notions of God's existence even going further to deny the power of God to salvation that is found in the Gospel of Christ.

Why? Because there is a whole lot of factors, but three main ones are, the pride of life, the lust of the eyes, and the lust of the flesh that all come from the world itself, and does not come from the Father.

14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.

Here we see James clearly write - Each person

Is tempted - when they are dragged away,

by their own evil desires - James doesn't mention Satan. He puts the responsibility completely on our own human choices - which tempt us, and drag us away, -

because of one's own evil desires - rather than doing good.

15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Then once the desire drags us away, and we make the action, it gives birth to sin, and when the idea, or the lust or the desire is fully grow - individuals by choice make an action which gives birth to death.

This could be the death of ones own soul (mind/will/emotion) becoming dead towards doing good, This could be that the desires of one leads them to actually - dying.
This could be that the desires of one leads to murdering another - through hatred and greed, be it mentally or physically.
This could be that the desires of one leads to gossiping about others; which is a form of taking life, bring death upon someone whom is talked about in negative lights.

 

[MatthewG]

James 1:16-18

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

Therefore with the mention of personal responsibility, James goes on to tell his fellow brothers in. Christ, to not be deceived - to be mislead - to not wander off going astray.

To continue to look towards God, even in the times of trials of persecution, or in the times of ones own temptations. To pray and ask God for wisdom to have patience when you are under direst.

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

He moves forward saying

Every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

This reminds me of what Jesus said Luke 11:13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Jesus states that if you then, though you are evil (we have darkness within us), even though that exists with-in us, even Moms and Dads still know how to give good gifts to your children,

How much will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

Of this will He brought us forth by the word of truth (When hearing the word of truth - God calls to anyone and everyone ), they accepted that truth that they may be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures, meaning - the very firstfruits of what is given from the Father - to live by the spirit, born again in newness of life.

To have a change of heart, that leads from changing ones mind into obeying what the Lord Jesus says, and doing, because what he has done for all of mankind.

What was this doing ?

John 6:29
Jesus answered and said unto them, “This is the work of God: that ye believe in Him whom He hath sent.”

Jesus also stated in Mark 12:30-31

30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[a] 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] There is no commandment greater than these.”

These people whom are fellow Jews, that James is writing to, have their issues, and he is addressing these things to them, and we can learn a vast amount from simply going through and thinking about these things, never believe me or what I may say, always go back to the source of life (Jesus), and address what the word states and confirm what is true or what is false, testing all things by the spirit.

 

[MatthewG]

James 1:19-20

Qualities Needed in Trials​

19 [c]So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

James writes here in verse 19-20, the importance of praying and asking God again for patience; to capture the thoughts of the mind before sin fully grows into a sinful action - could be when you start getting anger and it starts to build up and you react on impulse.

He encourages he fellow brothers who are believers, let every man be swift to hear.

Therefore be quick to hear and pay attention what ever the matter may be even in (ill-treatment), however be slow to speak.

Be mindful and think before you speak as the old saying goes, and to be slow to react on impulses in which anger or wrath comes about, in verse 20 going forward.

You read he writes to his brothers wrath of man does not produces the righteousness of God.

What does produce the righteousness of God? Patience, kindness, love, forbearence, gentleness and like which you are able to ask God all for if you do not doubt and waver becoming unstable in your mind. You will receive that help, so trust in Yahava, and pray and ask him to help you in your times of need, and these qualities will start to come about in your life as you abide in the vine (John 15).

 

[MatthewG]

James 1:21-25 Doers—Not Hearers Only​

21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and [d]overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Considering that through all of this because of the Lord Jesus Christ we are able to have access with God, and they in that day were persecuted for the gospel of Christ (ill-treated), and we learn that that temptation comes from ourselves, and the importances of going to God and praying and ask him, without doubting.

James goes on saying therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, (to put off the former way of life - the old man (crucified with Christ), and raised to new life, to move forward and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

If you ever wanna know how it is possible to save your souls (the mind/will/emotions) that God gave you, it is to receive with meekness the implanted word. The importance of encouraging others to read the bible, or even if they would listen opens them up to hearing information and they may seek, but you as a believer, should be encouraged to read the bible, as it will wash away the old ways of life the more you look and seek the one whom gives newness of life and who is the light of all mankind (Jesus), whom is able to (save your souls (renewing the heart -- mind /will/emotions).

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

James tells his fellow brothers, to be doers of the word, and not only hearers only, deceiving yourself. This is the importance of following the "Word", whom is God with us, Emmanuel, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of Man.

He wont lead you wrongly, and James learned a lot from the Lord, as this James was the Lords brother. ( I believe so, but there could be debates about that and I could be also wrong).

23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;

James writes this to them - For if anyone is a hearer of the word but not a doer,

Is like a man who looks at his face in the mirror. (Looking at the natural outside - and receiving the word which says that our flesh is a fail - but is able to (save our souls - the inward man the born again spiritual man in Christ), and the need for Christ is apparent.)

24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

He looks at himself and then moves onward - forgetting what kind of man he was - which would be no longer accepting the flaws of the flesh and moving forward in continuing in the flesh rather than the spirit. (That would be how I would take this verse)

25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

James is writing to his Jewish brethern who knew the Law, and he writes saying,

But those who looks in the perfect law of liberty (Yeshua - he is the perfecter of the law and fulfills it and brings liberty from sin into newness of life by the spirit as Paul writes about), and they continue in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of (loving your enemies, doing good to those who persecute you, feeding the spiritually poor when spirit lead, encouraging those who may be lost to seek out God by the spirit, which are all possible by the Spirit with-in).

This one will be blessed in what he does.

 

[MatthewG]

James 1:1-8 #1


James 1:9-12 #2


James 1:13-15 #3


James 1:16-18 #4


James 1:19-20 #5


James 1:21-25 #6

This wraps up all of Chapter one.

Thank you to anyone whom comes by, and checks out the information.

All of it is open information to encourage you to think, and think for yourself on what you are reading and to encourage you to study.

All the best in Christ,
Matthew

 

[MatthewG]

James 2:1-4​

​

New King James Version​

​

​

Beware of Personal Favoritism​

2 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.

James warns his fellow brothers,

by saying, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory, with partiality.

Just as stated before previous in #1 (James 1:1-8) #2 (James 1:9-12), the importance of having relationship with the Father, and to be remaining in the law of liberty #6 (James 1:21-25). The importance of remaining and having the mind of Christ is highly important, (1 Corinthians 2:5-6)

Simply put, there is a struggle here that is going on which James wants to address, in which that in that time.

Jewish people may prefer other Jewish people over Gentiles, and vice versa. Gentiles prefer gentiles, over either one them being able to come to terms, and accepting each others company.

After all the mystery of Christ was, that Gentiles would end up being brought into the fold, (Ephesians 3:6)

2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in [a]fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in [b]filthy clothes, 3 and you [c]pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,”

Here, James gives an example, of partiality.

4 have you not [d]shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

James proves his point, by saying - because of the judgement in the following two verses.

Have you not become judges with evil thoughts - judging others that have differences?

(This is something I still have struggles with however, everyone does to some degree or another that is from our flesh and not from the liberty by the spirit of Christ with-in us.)

Remember how Jesus taught, Judge not lest ye, be judged? It remains true (at least in my opinion) to this very day, didn't Jesus say to love your neighbor as yourself? Does that mean casting judgement or condemnation on someone else?

There are many that cast judgment at the world at large forgetting that God has allowed government to be set up, and there are ways in this world one can go about, if they need to report a crime, or they can go and even change laws in their nations if there are people out there that are trying to do those things, however Evil itself, should always be left in God's hands - and it's up to you to report crimes that you may come across.

Paul wrote in Romans chapter 12 verse 19 saying Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

Do you believe when someone treats you harshly, or ill-treats you, that you should get your own revenge? That is putting confidence in the flesh, and not relying on God to come through, or not praying and asking God to help you by the spirit, pray about that problem (if it is a crime it should be reported, and documented cause sometimes crimes rely on you cause you are the first one to see it firsthand - that is why we have laws in the states), however remember allow God to get and play out the justice and by the grace of God that justice will be swift, but sometimes crimes take longer to figure out sometimes years and years after the fact.

And in some circumstances when it comes to theology, and studying of the word,

You have to let people be themselves, even if they might make you mad or say something smart, or even downplay you, or they say things as though they are superior.

Don't let ill-treatment get under your skin - it is the flesh. "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" - Romans 12:21.

 

[MatthewG]

James 2:5-7

5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

James encourages his fellow Jewish brothers who become ill-treated for sharing the good news,

Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

Did you know that those who are poor, are rich in faith? Jesus was ugly, poor, and had nothing that a person would desire. He was rich in faith though, and James has been talking about the treatment of the rich and poor - to not treat one above the other - to treat both equally.

Did you know that you are heirs of the kingdom because of Christ? If you suffer with him?

Romans 8:17 Paul writes to the Saints in Rome saying

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts?

James writes that these brothers - who are not acting in faith, which produces love, - you have dishonored the poor man.

He goes on to say, do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts?

7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?

He says, to his audience whom are Jewish suffering persecution,

Do those around you not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?

 

[MatthewG]

James 2:8-13

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;

With all the persecution that the 12 tribes that were scattered abroad were taking, James tells his brothers, if you are someone who is really fulfilling the royal law, according to the Scripture "You shall love your neighbor as yourself", you do well.

What does it mean to love yourself?

To acquire wisdom is to love yourself, people who cherish understanding will prosper.

Therefore, to love yourself is to cherish understanding, and acquire wisdom.

To do such things is to do well, and prosper.

9 but if you [e]show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

If you show partiality to those who are rich, rather than those who are poor, or vice-versa,

You yourself - commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors: The Law when placed in front of oneself will convict you and all people have fallen short of the law, and are to look towards the glory of God, who is the Lord Yeshua, who fulfills this role, and says to Love God, and Love your neighbor as yourself. Not to become a judge with the law, because then you are showing partiality.

10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

Because whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

All of us at some point in life, fail against the 613 laws. Therefore who are you to judge another person, and show partiality towards one group of people compared to the other group of people?

Have not all sinned?

11 For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

Those who say do not - yet they do, something that fails and it is something that condemns, and God is made known everywhere, and if you say don't commit adultry (spiritual adultery), but you commit murder (spiritual murder in the thoughts and hearts of yourself), you have become a transgressor of the law.

12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.

So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.

That is to abide in Christ, to walk by faith, and walk in the spirit, to renew your mind and not conform to the ways of the world.

13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy.

Mercy triumphs over justice or judgment - though there is nothing inherently wrong with desire for justice.

 

[MatthewG]

James 2:14-16 Faith and Deeds​

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?

Moving onward from those judging other people - James goes on to say to his brethern, what good is it?

If someone claims to have faith but have no deeds?

Can such a faith save them?

Having faith in Yahava, and the Lord Jesus Christ and whom they have claim to be, including the death, burial, and resurrection. Which is all-important information concerning who they are, which someone must seek out to know, and learn from the lessons that are taught and grow in maturity, and not just stay babes in Christ - in which as mentioned before people judged and show partiality towards other people - rich or poor - believers or unbelievers for example.

Did not God send his son for the whole world? Because he loved all people, and desired connection with them - and through Christ; did he not reconcile the world unto himself?

15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.

James gives an example:

Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.
(speaking of those who are actually without clothes and daily food) - They have yet to be clothed in the same knowledge - which is of Jesus who covers them, and is the daily food source of the spiritually faithful.

16 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?

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?

You already claimed you have faith! Wonderful that is great. However, if you do not help your fellow neighbor by loving them, as you love yourself.

What good is it? You just leave them helplessly without even giving direction; nor giving them any clothing or any food. Can this type of faith save a person?

17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

James makes it clear, faith by itself - if it has not action; there is no faith - it's dead faith.