Introduction to James
The Community of Active Faith
Introduction
Wes McAdams, “The book of James might be one of the easiest books for Christians to understand, regardless of time and culture. It deals with the sort of issues and behaviors that are common to religious people of every era, and there is really no misunderstanding what James is telling his audience to do and not to do.”
James can be read in a relatively short amount of time. It is filled with practical messages that help us put legs on our faith - to move into action.
Shelly - major themes of James:
James speaks out against worldliness and pretense in religion.
James denounces social injustice; sometimes being labeled the “Amos of the New
Testament.”
This letter appeals from start to finish for Christians to make their lives consistent
with their profession.
James seeks to remind the community to have an active faith - to listen and to follow the teachings of Scripture.
Who Is James?
Five men named James in the New Testament.
James the father of Judas (Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13)
James the Less or Younger; son of Mary wife of Cleopas
(Mark 15:40; Matt 27:56; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:10)
James the son of Alphaeus, one of the Twelve (Mark 3;18; Matt 10:3; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13)
James the son of Zebedee and brother of the apostle John and also one of the Twelve (Mark 1:19; 3:17; Luke 6:14; ACTS 1:13). This James, according to Acts 12:2, was beheaded by Herod Agrippa I.
James the brother of Jesus, son of Mary (Mark 6:3; Matthew 13:55; Galatians 1:19; 2:9, 12; Acts 12:17; 15:13; 21:18; Jude 1; John 7:3-5; 1 Corinthians 9:5).
Most believe that James, the brother of Jesus, is the author.
Scot McKnight offers three insights into the person we know as James.
James, the brother of Jesus belonged to a large pious (Torah-observant) family under stress. According to Mark 6:3, the Maile children of the family included Yakov, and Yosef and Yehda and Simeon. Add to this ‘Yeshua’ and there are five boys with traditional names. Mark also mentions sisters, though he gives them no names. There ere at least seven children. If Joseph died and left Mary a widow, James would have been part of a family in stress, and that might help explain why James sees pure religion as caring for the poor and widows (James 1:26-27).
James perhaps came to faith only after Jesus’ death and as a result of the resurrection. The Gospel of John seemingly observes that the brothers of Jesus did not believe in him during his lifetime (John 7:3-5). At the crucifixion, Jesus hands his mother over to the apostle John (19:25-27) and not to one of his brothers. Maybe the brother shad not yet come to faith in Jesus. By the Day of Pentecost the brothers are in the middle of the inner circle of disciples
(Acts 1:13-14; cf. Jude 1.) The resurrected Jesus appeared to James, as he did to many others. (1 Cor 15:7). Perhaps this encounter is the turning point for the brothers of Jesus.
James was a peace-seeking leader of the church in Jerusalem. He was the peacemaker of the controversy over whether or not Gentile converts ought
to be circumcised, and it brought him into direct contact with the apostle Paul. This may shed light on James 3:18, where wisdom and peacemaking are connected. He made the definitive speech at the Jerusalem conference on Gentile conversion (Acts 15:13ff). Peter sent news of his escape from prison to him. (Acts 12:17). Paul referred to him as one of the “pillars” of the church at Jerusalem (Galatians 2:9).
James was stoned to death in 62 AD according to church historian Eusebius. Eusebius quotes Hegesippus, who lived in the generation after the Apostles, who described James’ character. “…He used to enter alone into the temple and be found kneeling and praying for forgiveness for the people, so that his knees grew hard like a camel’s because of his constant worship of God, kneeling and asking forgiveness for the people.”
James is addressed “to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad (diaspora), greetings.” The dispersion could be Christian Jews who had been scattered after the death of Stephen. This could be an expression recognizing all Christians, Jew and Gentile, as a part of the wider body of Christ. “…or he could be referring to all Christians as part of the new Israel” - McAdams.
“James seems to be writing to the kind of Christians who think very highly of themselves; the kind of people who consider themselves to be wise, religious, and capable teachers. They are critical and judgmental. They want to live comfortable lives. They envy wealth and scorn poverty. They believe themselves to have a lot of faith and a lot of wisdom, but what they really have is a lot of words.” - Wes McAdams
Date: A.D. 45 or 46 Most scholars date the book about A.D. 45. As such, it is the first of all the New Testament books to have been written. (Shelly)
Theme and Purpose (Shelly)
Hearing and Doing (James 1:22-25)
Living by the “royal law” (James 2:8-13). All the strong statements in this epistle
about social justice are based on this law. Love for one’s neighbors requires compassion for widows and orphans (1:27). It forbids partiality (2:1-7). It prohibits slander (4:11-12). It rebukes exploitation of the poor (5:1-6)
The relationship of faith and works (James 2:14-26)
The Practicality of James (Le Peau)
Problems - James knows nobody’s life is perfect. So he doesn’t tell us how to live trouble-free, but how to live when troubles hit.
Words - We all talk. Sometimes we say things we wish we hadn’t. James helps us use words more carefully, more constructively.
Money - Do we withhold it when others are in need? Do we put more value on worldly things than on the things of God?
Time - we do all we can to get the most out of each hour of every day, filling our calendars with activity. But do we miss God’s will and perspective in the midst of our schedule-making?
Similarities
Acts 15 Letter to the Gentile Christians / Letter of James (McKnight)
The letters have similar beginnings (James 1:1-2; Acts 15:23)
The letters each express the need to keep oneself from sins (James 1:27; Acts 15:29)
The letters each connect “listen” to “brothers” (James 2:5; Acts 15:13)
The letters each use the name invoked upon the believers (James 2:7; Acts 15:17)
The letters use some distinctive vocabulary (“care for” pastorally - James 1:27; Acts 15:14; “turning” as conversion - James 5:19-20; Acts 15:19).
James and the Sermon on the Mount (Shelly)
Joy in the midst of trials. (James 1:2; Matthew 5:10-12)
Boldness in prayer (James 1:5; Matthew 7:7-12)
The danger of a bad temper (James 1:19-20; Matthew 5:22)
Hearing and doing (James 1:22; Matthew 7:24-27) (and many more)
James and Leviticus 19. (Johnson) in addition to the direct citation from Leviticus 19:18b in James 2:8, the letter of James contains certainly four and possibly six further verbal or thematic allusions to Leviticus 19:12-19.
Lev 19:12 James 5:12
Lev 19:13 James 5:4
Lev 19:15 James 2:1,9
Lev 19:16 James 4:11
Lev 19:17b James 5:20
Lev 19:18a James 5:9
Lev 19:18b James 2:8
The only verse from this section of Leviticus which is missing is 19:14. The evidence, therefore, strongly suggests that James made conscious and sustained use of Lev 19:12-18 in his letter. … James regarded the “Royal Law” by which Christians were to live, and the “Law of Liberty” by which they were to be judged, as explicated concretely and specifically not only by the Decalogue (2:11), but by the immediate context of the law of Love, the commands found in Lev 19:12-18. (Johnson)
The Sayings of Jesus in the book of James (McKnight)
The theme of joy in trial/testing 1:2 MT 5:10-12; LK 6:22-23
The word “perfection” 1:4 MT 5:48, 19:21
The generosity of God for the needy 1:5 MT 7:7-9; LK 11:9-11
The call to suspend anger 1:20 MT 5:22
Being a doer, not just a hearer 1:22-25 MT 7:24-27; LK 6:47-49
Do all the Law 2:10 MT 5:19
Significance of mercy 2:13 MT 5:7
Call to peace 3:18 MT 5:9
Friendship with God/World 4:4 MT 6:24; LK 16:13
Humility/Exaltation 4:10 MT 5:5
Not judging 4:11-12 MT 7:1-5; LK 6:37-38,41-42
Rich oppressors 5:2-6 MT 6:24-34; LK 16:13, 12:22-31
The patience of prophets 5:10 MT 5:12; LK 6:23
Oaths 5:12 MT 5:33-37
There is nothing in the Letter of James that does not conform to the vision, teaching, and mission of Jesus.
There are also similarities in James and the book of Proverbs 1-9.
“In the 108 verses of the epistle there are references or allusions from 22 books of the Old Testament and at least 15 allusions to the teachings of Christ as embodied in the Sermon on the Mount.” (Ryrie)
Conclusion
James is not written to an individual, but to the larger Christian community. His emphasis is on faith as an active part of our lives, not simply something we believe. James intends to guide us to be a community of active faith. “Christianity was more action on Monday than worship on Sunday.” (Lucado)
Next Wednesday: Steadfast Faith, James 1:2-18.
Online Resources
Bob Deffenbaugh’s lessons on James https://bible.org/series/tests-true-religion-study-book-james
Links for Expository Preaching on James http://expositorylinks.blogspot.com/2008/08/james.html
Bible Project Overview of James:https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/james/ (8 minute video)
Douglas J. Moo Lectures on James, A Call to Wholistic Christianity https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4sbg6ng23C5bTiAcT5bqXzjsiJoTKrMn
Paul Tripp - Summary of James. 5 Minute video.
Book Resources
Barclay, William. Daily Study Bible Series James and Peter.Westminster John Knox Press, 1960.
Johnson, Luke Timothy. Brother of Jesus, Friend of God: Studies in the Letter of James. Eerdmans, 2004.
Le Peau, Andrew T. and Phyllis J. Le Peau. LifeGuide Bible Studies: James - Faith That Works. InterVarsity Press,
Lucado, Max. Life Lessons from James. Thomas Nelson, 2018.
McAdams, Wes. Beyond the Verse. Radically Christian, 2019.
McKnight, Scot. New International Commentary Series, The Letter of James. Eerdmans, 2011.
Perkins, Pheme. Interpretation Commentary Series: First and Second Peter, James, and Jude. John Knox Press, 1995.
Platt, David. Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in James. B & H, 2014.
Shelly, Rubel. A Book-By-Book Study of the New Testament. 20th Century Christian Foundation, 1982.
Swindoll, Charles R. Living Insights on James, 1 & 2 Peter. Tyndale, 2014.
Wiersbe, Warren W. Be Mature: Growing Up In Christ. NT Commentary: James. Cook, 1978.
Wright, N. T. Early Christian Letters For Everyone. Westminster John Knox Press, 2011.
Wright, N. T. For Everyone Bible Study Guides: James. InterVarsity Press, 2012.