Bible Brad

James

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Context

  • Probably written before 50AD
  • Written by James (Jacob), the brother of Jesus. The book title was translated to “James” by King James (of the King James Version of the bible) through naturalization: Yaʻaqov (Hebrew) → Iacobus (Greek) → Iacomus (Latin) → Jammes (Old French) → James (English)
  • Greek: Iakobos = Jacob, son of Joseph, brother of Y’shua

Joy in Trials (1:2-18)

Faith and Wisdom (2-8)

  • Consider trials to be something worthy of joy
  • Living out your faith leads to endurance, which must be perfect
  • If any lacks wisdom, continually ask for it from God, be faithful and undoubting and it will be given generously

Poverty and Riches (9-11)

  • Those that are poor should take pride in their positiion in the kingdom; those that are rich should take pride in their humility (first shall be last)

Trial and Temptation

  • Blessed are the tempted as they well receive crowns
  • We should never say that God temps, as he is untemptable; rather our temptations come from within and draws us toward sin

Living out the Message (1:19-26)

  • We must strive to be quick to listen, slow to anger
  • Lay aside your filth and wickedness
  • Be doers, not hearers of the Word - to only hear is to deceive yourself
    • Like looking into a mirror vs knowing what perfection is and how you measure up
  • Religion, pure and undefiled, is this: to care for the orphams and widows and keep oneself spotless from the world

Prejudice and the Law of Love (2:1-13)

  • Partiatlity shows a lack of faith
  • Love your neighbor as yourself (Lev 19:18)
  • If you are guilty of this alone, you are guilty under the law
  • Therefore, live mercy-filled lives. Acting as one whoe is judged through the law of freedom

Faith and Works Together (2:14-26)

  • What benefit is there to faith without works?
  • Does that faith, save?
  • Was not Abraham vindiated by his offering of Isaac? His faith worked toegether or was made complete by his works. As such “Abraham believed in God and it was counted as loving kindness” (often translated mercy, Hebrew word is ts-dakah)
  • Rabhab was made righteous by workswhen she provided hospitality to messengers

The Power of the Tongue (3:1-12)

  • Not many will be teachers, as teachers take on higher judgement and yet stumble over words while trying to lead others
  • The tongue is like a small fire that sets ablaze a large forest: blessing God and cursing brothers

True Wisdom (v13-18)

  • Wisdom must be shown through humble good conduct
  • Wisdom from above is pure, peacable, kind, obedient, mercifull, unwavering, and without hypocrisy (v17)

Passions and Pride (4)

Friendship with the World (v1-10)

  • What’s the source of strife? The flesh
  • Resist the devil and he will flee
  • Draw near to God and he will draw near to you

Judging and Boasting (11-17)

  • Do not speak evil of a brother
  • Do not boast in the future but hope that God wills your life

Warning to the Rich (5:1-6)

  • Do not be immoral with your money

Patience in Suffering (5:7-20)

  • Have patience as a farmer expects fruit from the earth, wait for the Lord
  • Do not swear by heaven or earth or take any oaths. Rather let yes be yes and no be no. God takes oaths seriously
  • If you suffer, pray and sing psalms
  • If you are sick, summon the elders for prayer and annointing that the Lord will heal him

Closing

My borthers, if any among you would be decieieved from the truth and someone would turn him around, he must know that the one who converts a sinner from his way of error has resued his life out of death and covered a multitude of sins

Important

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