It might have seemed, if he had mentioned him often, that he did it out of vanity, as being the brother, or near kinsman, of the lord. James encourages believers to put their faith into action, and to be servants of jesus christ. Book of james overview insight for living ministries. As you read the first chapter of james keep the following questions in mind. In the section of that book called the mandates, several of james characteristic themes are found. Yet commentators have noted that the major themes of the following chapters of james all appear in chapter one. Slow to speak which is treated of in he third chapter. The unifying theme of the book of james is faith, though james frames his discussion with a very specific look at the effects of real, saving, trusting faith. Douglas moo is one of the top conservative new testament scholars alive today.
You may even wish to write the questions down on a separate piece of paper before you begin. After the inscription and salutation christians are taught how to conduct themselves when under the cross. Without warming up or giving comforting introductory words, james immediately launches into the foundation of his letter. Trials and temptations consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. There are several men named james mentioned in the new testament, but reliable tradition assigns this book to the one called james the just the halfbrother of jesus matthew. Study guide for james 1 by david guzik blue letter bible. Hes got some important things to tell themmainly that there will be tough times, but that its all good. Lesson 15 minutes outline the history of the book s author, james.
Along with 1 and 2 peter, 1, 2 and 3 john, and jude, it belongs to that category of new testament epistles called general or catholic in the sense of universal see catholic epistles. These letters were sent out as circular epistles to be passed around and read in several locations. James 1 commentary spurgeons verse expositions of the bible. James, a bondservant of god and of the lord jesus christ. It is safe to conclude that when james is referred to without any designation as brother of john, son of zebedee, or son of alphaeus, that james the brother of our lord is 1 chuck missler, notes on james. The epistle of james has had a controversial history. The chapter also presents a unique aspect of christian ethics. About blb statement of faith history of blb ministry faqs. Up to that time, you would not have found the book where it is today in any english translation. Religion requires us to be the friends of the fatherless and the widow, and to keep ourselves unspotted from the world, james 1. If we accept that this is the fleshly brother of the lord we can also see that he understood the lords teaching in matthew 12.
James, a servant of jesus christ whose name the apostle mentions but once more in the whole epistle, namely, james 2. This council met in ad 49, meaning james likely wrote his letter in ad 4548. On the one hand, james s letter is certainly one of the most quoted books of the entire bible. Then say, we have already learned a little bit about james, chapter 1. Josephhis story is long but read these verses at least. I am writing to the twelve tribesjewish believers scattered abroad. He was an apostle, and he was the lords brother, yet he mentions not these. If you can only have one commentary on james, this is the one to have. The book of jude is a tiny book, tragically neglected by students, yet overflowing with fascinating old testament references and allusions. Introduction to the book of revelation michael hoggard duration. James 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on the.
Verses 1927 in this part of the chapter we are required,i. Visit our library of inductive bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the bible you can use in your small group. After witnessing the lords resurrected body, james became one of the. James bible study 1 18 officers christian fellowship. Oesterley thought that for the most part this epistle is a collection of independent sayings. Commentary on the book of james by matthew henry new. F1 but the viewpoint advocated here is that every portion of it fit beautifully and appropriately into the one theme of perfection which ties every word of it into a cohesive whole. Lets look at some biblical figures who endured very difficult trials. According to the teaching of some in the present day, the apostle should have said, to the two tribes, and the ten that are lost, but he does not say so, nor does scripture say so. There are at least fifteen allusions to the sermon on the mount in james. James 1 james, a servant of god and of the lord jesus. Let every man be swift to hear this is treated of from james 1. Indeed, you would not have found the book of james included among the new testament books at all. Introduction prior to 1539, if one had said, turn with me to the first chapter of the book of james, there would have been a great rustling of pages in the congregation, with many puzzled looks.
James 1 commentary matthew henrys concise commentary on. James 1 bible commentary wesleys explanatory notes. That john was one of the main disciples, who is famous for writing the gospel of john. James 1 commentary ironsides notes on selected books. Compare their stories to what james says about trials in 1. Allow yourself several lines between each question. Previous index next the epistle of james chapter one objectives in studying the chapter 1 to appreciate the value of enduring trials 2 to understand how sin develops, from temptation to death separation from god 3 to note the importance of being doers of the word, and practitioners of religion that is pure and undefiled before god summary following a simple and humble salutation. By examining the book of james we can expect to become more mature. Hes a member of jesus inner circle, and hes writing this letter to jewishchristians all throughout the roman empire. Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. James 1 bible commentary matthew henry concise christianity.
This verse by verse study of james uncovers the first chapter in a series of question. James chapter 1 barnes notes on the new testament on. Yet he says, a kind of for christ alone is absolutely the first fruits. Chapter 1 in this study of james chapter 1, learn how christians are to deal with trials and temptations that undoubtedly will come our way.
Exhortations for christians to care for one another. What can studying the book of james teach us about faith. James chapter 1 john karmelich receive bible study. Further, though james is called by the evangelist the brother of our lord, yet it. He has written one of the best commentaries on romans, and now one of the best commentaries on james. If we ask questions of the book of james we can learn a great deal.
Other men mentioned in the bible named james include. The book of james was written no later than 50 ad, over 15 years after the death of christ. James 1 niv bible james, a servant of god and of the lord. James is known for being extremely practical, yet it contains some of the most profound theological truths in the new testament. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James is the author of the first book of this section of the new testament. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament. James, chapter 1 king james version christian answers. James 1 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this. There are several men named james mentioned in the new testament, but reliable tradition assigns this book to the one called james the just, the halfbrother of jesus matthew.
Slow to wrath neither murmuring at god, nor angry at his neighbour. Yet, probably james jotted it down as an afterthought, to emphasize the warning of james 5. None of this is in the new testament but it comes from what josephus wrote. In this commentary, pastor david explains and applies the book of james, first and second peter chapter by chapter, verse by verse. As james says, it is sin to know the right thing to do, and choose not to do it james 4. One is james son of zebedee, the brother of john but he was executed too early to have written this epistle, so the second possibility pointed to james the brother of jesus. God will give wisdom to those who ask for it james 1.
In this salutation we see james identifying himself plainly. The study of james page 2 the writer of the book the writer is stated as being. Rather than simply not harming others, the bible actually obligates us to actively do what is right. In a sense, then, this chapter is the overture to jamess opera, the place where ideas are introduced that will be more fully developed only later.
Enjoy davids james, first and second peter commentary in print, or on kindle. James free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. The most famous of those three james is the brother of john. In this first chapter of the biblical text we have found the thrust of jamess entire letter.
Other authors, such as paul, often open their letters with gradual introductions. The book of james was most likely written by jesus halfbrother, a son of mary and joseph who eventually became one of the leaders of the christian church in jerusalem. Like jesus teachings, the book of james is a source of both exhortation and comfort, reproof and encouragement. Chapter 2 in this bible study, learn about the dangers of personal favoritism and that. When you have finished reading the chapter devote several minutes to your answers. All professions of faith are vain, if not producing love and justice to others. It is a grave mistake to infer, as some have done, that this epistle emphasizes works rather than faith. This is treated of in the third, and throughout the fourth and fifth chapters. He did not proclaim himself the brother of jesus but only a bondservant of god and of the lord jesus christ. The book of james bible study chapter 1 recap youtube. This version is highly accurate, like kjv, but with updated syntax and sentence structure it. As we study this entire book, we will learn how to behave and grow as christfollowers by relying on god.
That ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing. Religion requires us to be doers of the word, and not hearers only, james 1. Also learn that were to be not only hearers, but doers of the word of god. In this first chapter of the biblical text we have found the thrust of james s entire letter.
In this chapter, the following requirements for those who would be perfect are advocated. It stresses the importance of faith throughout, but shows that real faith is never separated from a life of piety. Study the bible online using commentary on james 1 and more. Religion requires us to bridle the tongue, to set a special guard on our words, james 1. This is treated of in the third, and throughout the. Different bible translations of the letter of james and other bible study resources are available. Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. But james made no mention of gentile christians at all, making an early date for the. However, there is more than one james in the new testament. Darby, from synopsis of the books of the bible the epistle of james is not addressed to the assembly, and does not take the ground of apostolic authority over the persons to whom it is sent. Probably this section of hermas is dependent on james. James 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. James 1, new international version niv the bible app.
How to apply to god under troubles, and how to behave in prosperous and in adverse circumstances. In nt we can see that there are two james who can be the candidates of authorship of this book. James is a book about practical christian living that reflects a genuine faith that transforms lives. James also mirrors the sometimes harsh denunciations jesus spoke against religious hypocrisy. The book of james is a website dedicated to the study of the epistle letter of james in the new testament. James, a servant of god and of the lord jesus christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations. Of all the books in the new testament, james is perhaps the one that gives christians the most difficulty. Moo, in his commentary on james, writes about the background of the epistle.