JAMES---THE BELIEVER’S BEHAVIOR
INTRODUCTION
1. James, the man
A. Three men named James are mentioned in the New Testament.
1) James, the son of Alphaeus, who was a disciple (Matt. 10:2, 3)
2) James, who was the brother of John, and son of Zebedee, also a disciple (Matt. 10:2-3)
3) James, the brother of Christ (Matt. 13:55), who was actually His half-brother since they had the same mother but not the same father
B. James, the brother of Christ, is the author of this epistle.
1) He was bitterly opposed to the Lord during His early ministry. (John 7:2-9)
2) He did not believe on the Lord until after resurrection. (John 7:5, 10; Acts 1:13, 14)
3) He became the leader of the church at Jerusalem. (Acts 15:13-21)
4) He presided at the first church council. (Acts 15:13-21)
5) He was stoned to death in A.D. 62 according to Josephus.
2. The book is another of the “General Epistles”, not written to a particular church or individual.
TO WHOM WRITTEN
1. To Jewish Christians
2. “To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad” (1:1)
KEY WORDS
1. Faith: (12 times) - 1:3, 6; 2:1, etc.
2. Works: (13 times) - 2:14; 1:17-26; 3:13
3. Doer: (5 times) - 2:22, 23
KEY VERSE 2:26
DATE
1. Probably written between 45 and 48 A.D.
2. It is the first New Testament book to be written.
3. Things which suggest such an early date
A. “The indications are that it was the earliest written of all the New Testament documents. The very slight line which appears to exist between Judaism and Christianity, the absence of definite Christian phraseology, the sparseness of specifically Christian doctrine,the non-reference to Gentile Christianity---all these considerations are suggested as indicating the very early date.” ---Baxter
B. “Assuming then this early date, how empty is the suggestion of some that the epistle of James is an adverse reply to Paul’s writings - which writings were not yet written!”
---Baxter
OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS
1. The most Jewish writing in the New Testament, followed by Hebrews and Matthew
2. It is extremely practical in nature.
3. There is a definite likeness to the teachings of Christ---at least ten parallels to the Sermon on the Mount.
PURPOSE OF THE BOOK
1. Jewish Christians were passing through severe trials and temptations, and he writes to comfort and encourage them. (1:2-4; 1:13-16)
2. There were grave disorders (practical and moral) in the early Jewish Christian assemblies, and he writes to correct them.
A. Doctrinal misconception that faith without works met all the requirements (2:14-26)
B. Respect of persons (2:1-13)
C. Unbridled speech (3:1-18)
D. Worldliness (4:1-17)
E. Materialism (5:1-6)
F. Strifes and factions (4:1, 2; 5:9)
3. There was tendency to divorce faith and works.
A. Works are not a prerequisite of salvation.
B. Works are to be the natural result of our faith. (cf. Eph. 2:9, 10)
4. The book is quite evidently not intended to be a theological treatise, but rather a moral appeal. (Although we draw theological principles from all portions of the Word.)
OUTLINE OF THE BOOK
Victory in all areas of life comes by the exercise of faith. (I John 5:4)
I. THE PROOF OF FAITH IN REGARD TO SELF (1:1-27)
A. Testings (1:1-8)
B. Positions (1:9-11)
C. Temptations (1:12-18)
D. Actions (1:19-27)
II. THE PROOF OF FAITH IN REGARD TO OTHERS (2:1-26)
A. Not to be with respect of persons (2:1-13)
B. Not to be without works (2:14-26)
III. THE PROOF OF FAITH IN REGARD TO THINGS (3:1-4:17)
A. To the tongue (3:1-12)
B. To true wisdom (3:13-18)
C. To the world (4:1-10)
D. To judging (4:11, 12)
E. To the will of God (4:13-17)
IV. THE PROOF OF FAITH IN REGARD TO OUR PHILOSOSPHY OF LIFE (5:1-20)
A. Fruitful (5:1-11)
B. Truthful (5:12)
C. Prayerful (5:13-18)
D. Helpful (5:19, 20)