James Graphics




Vital statistics


 Purpose: To expose hypocritical practices and to teach right Christians behavior  
 Author: James, Jesus' brother, a leader in the Jerusalem church
 Original audience: First-century Jewish Christians residing in Gentile communities outside Palestine 
 Date written: Probably A.D. 49, prior to the Jerusalem council held in A.D. 50
 Setting: This letter expresses James' concern for persecuted Christians who were once part of the Jerusalem church.
 Key verse: "Now someone may argue, 'Some people have faith; others have good deeds.' But I say, 'How can you show me your faith if you don't have good deed? I will show you my faith by my good deeds'"  (2:18)




God’s Law in Practice
Original Commandment
Modern Application
I
“You shall have no other gods before Me. ”
Show proper respect for authority.
II
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image. ”
Have a singleness of purpose.
III
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. ”
Use effective communication in word and deed.
IV
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. ”
Provide proper rest, recreation, and reflection.
V
“Honor your father and your mother. ”
Show respect for elders.
VI
“You shall not murder. ”
Show respect for human life, dignity, and rights.
VII
“You shall not commit adultery. ”
Maintain a stability of the sexes and family.
VIII
“You shall not steal. ”
Demonstrate the proper allocation of resources.
IX
“You shall not bear false witness. ”
Demonstrate honesty and integrity.
X
“You shall not covet. ”
Maintain the right of ownership of property.
Word in life study Bible . 1997, c1996 (electronic ed.) (Stg 2.8). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.



Submission by Believers
Who Submits?
To Whom?
Text
Everyone (believers)
Governing authorities
Rom. 13:1, 5;
Titus 3:1;
1 Pet. 2:13
Women
The church
1 Cor. 14:34
Corinthian believers
Paul’s coworkers
1 Cor. 16:16
Believers
One another
Eph. 5:21
Wives
Their husbands
Eph. 5:22, 24;
Col. 3:18; Titus 2:5;
1 Pet. 3:1, 5
The church
Christ
Eph. 5:24
Slaves
Their masters
Titus 2:9;
1 Pet. 2:18
Believers
God
Heb. 12:9;
James 4:7
Young people
Those who are older
1 Pet. 5:5
Word in life study Bible . 1997, c1996 (electronic ed.) (Gn 1.1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.




Further Examples of Submission
Who/What Submits?
To Whom?
Text
Jesus
His parents
Luke 2:51
Demons
The 70 disciples
Luke 10:17, 20
Creation
God
Rom. 8:20
Everything
Christ
1 Cor. 15:27–28; Phil. 3:21
Christ
God the Father
1 Cor. 15:28
The world to come
Christ and His church
Heb. 2:5–8
Angels, authorities, powers
Christ
1 Pet. 3:22
Word in life study Bible . 1997, c1996 (electronic ed.) (Gn 1.1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.




The Parallels and Possible Allusions of James to the Sermon on the Mount
James
Sermon on the Mount
Subject
1:2
Matt. 5:10–12 (Luke 6:22, 23)
Joy in the midst of trials
1:4
Matt. 5:48
God’s desire and work in us: perfection
1:5
Matt. 7:7
Asking God for good gifts
1:17
Matt. 7:11
God is the giver of good gifts
1:19, 20
Matt. 5:22
Command against anger
1:22, 23
Matt. 7:2–27
Contrast between hearers and doers (illustrated)
1:26, 27
Matt. 7:21–23
Religious person whose religion is worthless
2:5
Matt. 5:3
The poor as heirs of the kingdom
2:10
Matt. 5:19
The whole moral law to be kept
2:11
Matt. 5:21, 22
Command against murder
2:13
Matt. 5:7; 6:14, 15
The merciful blessed; the unmerciful condemned
2:14–26
Matt. 7:21–23
Dead, worthless (and deceiving) faith
3:12
Matt. 7:16 (Luke 6:44, 45)
Tree producing what is in keeping with its kind
3:18
Matt. 5:9
Blessing of those who make peace
4:2, 3
Matt. 7:7, 8
Importance of asking God
4:4
Matt. 6:24
Friendship with the world = hostility towards God
4:8
Matt. 5:8
Blessing on and call for the pure in heart
4:9
Matt. 5:4
Blessing and call for those who mourn
4:11, 12
Matt. 7:1–5
Command against wrongly judging others
4:13, 14
Matt. 6:34
Not focusing too much on tomorrow
5:1
(Luke 6:24, 25)
Woe to the rich
5:2
Matt. 6:19, 20
Moth and rust spoiling earthly riches
5:6
(Luke 6:37)
Against condemning the righteous man
5:9
Matt. 5:22; 7:1
Not judging-the Judge standing at the door
5:10
Matt. 5:12
The prophets as examples of wrongful suffering
5:12
Matt. 5:33–37
Not making hasty and irreverent oaths
New Geneva study Bible. 1997, c1995 (electronic ed.) (Stg 1.2). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.





Contrasts Between Paul and James
Paul
James
Concern
Legalistic
Libertines
Emphasis
Justification with God by faith
Justification (vindication) before men by works
Perspective
Faith as a gift
Faith as genuine
Result
Justified as an eternal position by believing in Christ
Justified in daily proof by behaving like Christ
New Geneva study Bible. 1997, c1995 (electronic ed.) (Stg 2.8). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.





The Blueprint




 1. Genuine religion (1:1-27)

 2. Genuine faith (2:1-3:12)

 3. Genuine wisdom (3:13-5:20)

 
 James wrote to Jewish Christian who had been scattered throughout the Mediterranean world because of persecution. In their hostile surroundings they were tempted to let intellectual agreement pass for true faith. This letter can have rich meaning for us as we are reminded that genuine faith transforms lives. We are encouraged to put our faith into action. It is easy we have faith, but true faith will produce loving actions toward others.     






James Overview