Jas 1:1 From James, a slave of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings!
The Greek name for "James" is Ἰάκωβος (jacobos), which comes from the Hebrew name of יעקב (Yakob), meaning to hold by the heel. James was the half-brother of Jesus, born of Joseph and Mary. Jesus was virgin born, so He had no human father. James was the first pastor of the church in Jerusalem. He most likely wrote this letter around 45-50 A.D. If this is the correct date, then James was the first New Testament book which was written.
The Jewish secular historian Josephus mentioned that James was martyred in 62 A.D. He also mentioned that his martyrdom was the reason that God destroyed the temple in 70 A.D. It is interesting that Josephus would mention this insight, because he was a Pharisee.
James was often called "camel-knees," because he spent so much time on his knees praying.
The Greek word for "slave" is δοῦλος (doulas), meaning bond slave. A bond slave was freed by his master, but because the bond slave loved his master so much, he decided to stay in bondage forever. James did not introduce himself as the half-brother of the Lord Jesus Christ, as an apostle, or as a pastor. He introduced himself as a bond-slave of the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter, Paul, and Jude would also sometimes introduce themselves in this same way. As slaves of Christ, they were willing to take marks on their body for their Master.
James wrote this letter to the twelve tribes, who were scattered throughout the Roman Empire. Notice that there were no lost tribes. The martyrdom of Stephen and the messianic persecution instigated by Paul may have scattered the messianic Jews throughout Rome.
Joy in Trials
1:2 My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials,
The Greek word for "trials" is πειρασμός (peirasmos), meaning either a temptation or a test. They can occur simultaneously. The messianic Jewish believers were being tempted to leave the Christian faith and return back to Judaism. They were also being tested so that others could see that their faith was genuine. Most of the persecution came from the wealthy Jewish unbelievers who were scattered throughout the Roman Empire. James was writing to those who were persecuted in the Jewish diaspora in order to comfort them. To comfort them, he offered them a paradox. He asked them to be joyous because of their sufferings.
The Greek word for "joy" is χαρά (chara), meaning to become aware and joyous of God's grace. Jesus made this same point in Matthew 5:11-12. The Jewish believers were falling into these trials by God's sovereignty.
1:3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
The Greek word for "know" is γινώσκω (ginowskow), a perfect passive participle, meaning to know by experience. The tense is perfect, meaning that this knowledge came at some point of time in the past and this knowledge continues forever.
The Greek word for "testing" is δοκίμιον (dokimon), meaning a test to prove what is genuine. For example, when a construction manager tests a bridge, he is testing it to prove that it will be able to support the weight of the transportation and cargo that will travel over it.
The Jewish messianic believers knew from experience that the testing of their faith was to prove that it was genuine. They also knew by experience that this type of testing produced endurance. As their faith grows stronger, the endurance to experience trials grew stronger as well.
This is the doctrine of sanctification. Sanctification is maturing the believer so that he can eventually be Christ-like.
1:4 And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.
As faith grows, endurance grows. The perfect effect is not to make one perfect on this earth, but to be perfect and complete in spiritual maturity. Spiritual maturity comes from the inhaling of Bible doctrine. To be at a high state of maturity, one must study the entire counsel of the Word of God. Without information from all of the Scriptures, the believer will be incomplete in his knowledge and incomplete in his maturity. Ephesians 4 gives the process of maturation. The believer is to study the entire counsel of the Word of God through a gifted pastor teacher. There is never a command to read the Bible. There are commands to study through a gifted pastor-teacher and meditate upon what the Scriptures says.
1:5 But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him.
The Greek word for "ask" is αἰτέω (Aiteow), a present active imperative verb, meaning a command to continually ask, beg, and demand. Believers are commanded to continually ask, beg, and command for wisdom.
The Greek word for "wisdom" is σοφία (sophia), meaning to possess the skills to make wise decisions. Wisdom comes from the intake of Bible doctrine. The intake of doctrine fills the soul with the mind of Christ. Once the believer possesses the mind of Christ, then he can make divine viewpoint choices.
The major point is that the believer is commanded to continually ask, beg, and demand wisdom from God. The more one studies Bible doctrine, the more one will beg and demand for wisdom. God wants to give wisdom and He wants His children to continually ask for it.
1:6 But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind.
The believer was given a warning. When the believer asked for wisdom, then he was to expect to receive it. He is not to ask God and doubt that he will receive wisdom. He was to continually ask, knowing that God will give him more wisdom. Those who doubt that God will give them wisdom are like a seasick passenger on a ship who is being tossed and blown in the wind.
1:7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord,
Those who ask God for wisdom and do not expect to receive it will not receive anything from the Lord. An immature believer who is not grounded in Bible doctrine will often ask for wisdom, but doubt that he will receive it. The mature believer will ask for wisdom expecting to receive it. The reason is that the mature believer has a stronger grasp on the Bible doctrines which teach this principle. If immature believers have never studied this book through a pastor teacher, then it is doubtful that they will ever learn this Biblical concept. They will go through life ignorant of this vital doctrine. This immaturity will keep them from knowing and applying Bible doctrine. This immaturity will keep them from making divine viewpoint decisions.
1:8 since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways.
The Greek word for "double-minded" is δίψυχος (dipsuchos), meaning one who has two souls. He is one who is a spiritual schizophrenic. He wants to make divine viewpoint decisions, but he only has enough Bible doctrine to make human viewpoint decisions. This kind of immature believer is unstable, because one never knows which personality that one is going to get. The immature believer is also unstable in prayer, because he does not know how or what to pray. There is a rabbinic saying similar to this verse: “Let not those who wish to pray to God have two hearts, one directed to Him, and one to something else.”
1:9 Now the believer of humble means should take pride in his high position.
The Greek word for "humble" is ταπεινός (tapeinos), meaning to be in a low position, such as that of poverty. It is God's will that some Christians are to be tested in poverty. However, they can boast about their spiritual riches in heaven. This one little Greek word disproves the false prosperity teaching of "name it, claim it, and frame it."
1:10 But the rich person’s pride should be in his humiliation, because he will pass away like a wildflower in the meadow.
James now turns to the rich man. To the rich man, prosperity is also a test. The rich are given wealth by God so that they can share it with those in need. Although money can buy many pleasures in the satanic world system, money cannot be used to buy salvation or happiness. The wealthy must receive salvation in the same way that the poor man receives salvation. He must humble himself and praise God for the grace which has been given to him.
The Greek word for "wildflower" is ἄνθος (athnos), meaning beautiful wild flowers that sprung up in Israel during March or May. This is a quotation from Isaiah 40:6-7.
1:11 For the sun rises with its heat and dries up the meadow; the petal of the flower falls off and its beauty is lost forever. So also the rich person in the midst of his pursuits will wither away.
By May, the heat dries up and kills the beautiful wild flower. The wealthy are like the Israeli wildflower. Their wealth will dry up and die very quickly. They will not be able to take their material wealth with them into heaven. They must humble themselves and receive salvation in the same way as those in poverty.
1:12 Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him.
Those who endure the testing of God will benefit by the gaining of two different types of rewards. First, he will be "happy." The Greek word for "happy" is μακάριος (makarios), meaning joyous, blessed, and to be envied. This is the same Greek word that Jesus used in the Beatitudes at the Sermon of the Mount.
The Greek word for "crown" is στέφανος (stephanos), meaning a crown that was awarded to the winner of an athletic contest. Those who endure suffering will receive this crown of life at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
The Bible promises five different types of crowns. The crown of life will be given to those who endure trials.
1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.
The Greek word for "tempted" is πειράζω (perazow), a present passive participle, meaning to continually tempt in the negative sense, such as tempting one to do evil. God cannot be tempted by evil, so he does not tempt man with evil. Therefore, temptation cannot come from God.
1:14 But each one is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires.
The Greek word for "enticed" is δελεάζω (deleazow), meaning to snare a fish with bait from a hook. The desires of the sinful nature is the bait that hooks man into sin. Sin is doing anything against the will of God, or not doing what God wills one to do. Man is tempted by his own desires. Those who are not grounded in Bible doctrine are more easily lured and enticed into sins. Those with strong Bible doctrine are less likely to be seduced into sin.
1:15 Then when desire conceives, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death.
The process of sin is compared to the process of life. A child is born, matures, grows, and eventually dies. Lust is the mother to sin. She gives birth. Sin is born, it matures, it grows, and then it can cause the sin unto death.
1:16 Do not be led astray, my dear brothers and sisters.
The messianic Jewish believers were told not to be lured by the bait of sin. If believers are tempted to sin, they are not to blame God for it. While God does test the faith of believers, He does not tempt them into evil. Believers should not blame Satan, demons, people, environment, circumstances, or childhood experiences for their sins. Each believer must take full responsibility for his own decisions in regard to sin. When Flip Wilson said, "The devil made me do it," he is not theologically correct.
1:17 All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change.
God continually showers His children with gifts from above. James called God "the Father of Lights," meaning that God is the Creator of all of the luminaries in the heavens. James is the only New Testament writer who used this term. Light reveal truth and error, goodness and evil, and beauty and ugliness.
1:18 By his sovereign plan he gave us birth through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
God's sovereign plan was created by the Triune Creator God before the foundations of the world were even created. This sovereign plan was revealed to man through the birth of the message of truth. The message of Jesus was the foundation. The apostles were the first layer on the foundation. Then prophets laid on the foundation, until the gospel was completed. Evangelists took the gospel to the world. Gifted pastor-teachers teach the gospel to the world. The first fruits are the Jews, who received the gospel first.
Living Out the Message
1:19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.
James commands the Jewish messianic believers to be quick to listen to the Word of God. Until the printing press was invented, few people owned the Scriptures. Therefore, the Scriptures were read orally in public assemblies. They were to be ready and eager to listen to the reading of the oral Scriptures.
When the Word of God was read, they were to listen and be silent. They were not to talk. They were to listen and meditate on what they heard, They were not to be angry at what they heard and what the Scriptures demanded them to do.heard.
These three concepts, swift to hear; slow to speak; and slow to anger are key themes of the Old Testament, especially in Proverbs (10:19; 13:13; 14:29; 29:11) and Ecclesiastes (5:1–2; 7:9). Dr. Fruchtenbaum pointed out that there are also some rabbinic teachings similar to these doctrines, such as "Silence is a fence for wisdom. A fool, as long as he is silent, is regarded as wise. Speech is worth one sela, but silence two. All my days I have grown up among the wise, and I have found nothing better for men than silence.”
1:20 For human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.
The word "human" and "righteousness" does not contain the Greek article, so this would be inclusive of all men and all of God's righteousness. The anger of man is contrary to the will of God.
1:21 So put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the message implanted within you, which is able to save your souls.
The Greek word for "put away" is ἀποτίθημι (apotothaymi), an aorist middle participle, meaning to strip off clothes immediately, just as the Jews stripped off their jackets before they stoned Stephen. The Jewish messianic believers were to strip off filth and evil just like one would strip off their clothes. Most of the satanic world system looks at sin way too lightly. The Holy Spirit calls sin "filth and evil" and commands believers to strip it off.
The Greek word for "welcome" is δέχομαι (dekomai), an aorist middle imperative, meaning a command to immediately receive the Word of God. The Jewish messianic believers were commanded to immediately receive the Word of God in humility with a sense of urgency. The most important thing that a believer can do in this life is to immediately and urgently take in Bible doctrine. Without Bible doctrine from the entire counsel of the Word of God, the believer is fragmented and easily deceived by the teachings of the satanic world system. When a believer says "I love Jesus," but has never even studied the entire counsel of the Word of God via a gifted pastor teachers, then they are living a fragmented spiritual life which will produce little or no fruit. These fragmented Christians have the ability to change the satanic world system, but instead, they remain ignorant of the Word of God and live unproductive lives. They compromise and become a part of the satanic world system, rather than battling against it. They join the satanic world system rather than oppose it and expose it. They spend more time with the things of this world than they do in the Word of God.
When a believer receives the Word of God, then he is to receive it just as the Bereans received it. "These Jews were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they eagerly received the message, examining the scriptures carefully every day to see if these things were so." (Acts 17:11) The Bereans "eagerly received" the message. They could not wait to hear it. They examined everything that Paul taught, even though Paul was an apostle sent by God. They examined his teachings carefully, making sure that they received the truth. Satan takes advantage of believers who do not check out what their teachers teach them. Many believers are being fooled right in their own local church, because they have never studied the entire counsel of the Word of God in the original languages through a gifted pastor-teacher. This type of immaturity places them at the mercy of an English translation, which is often biased. Others are fooled in the same manner that Satan used Hitler to fool the German people. Believers in churches hear a teaching so often in the pulpit, but they are too lazy to check it out. Therefore, they hear the false teaching so often that they begin to believe it is true. Again, the only defense against this kind of subtle attack is the study of the entire counsel of the Word of God from the original languages via a gifted pastor-teacher.
The Word of God was implanted like a seed by the Holy Spirit himself at the moment of the believer's conversion. As a seed, it needs to be watered and fed so that it can grow. The only water and food that will help the seed grow is the written Word of God. Modern day prophecies, tongues speaking, and words of knowledge were discontinued when the New Testament canon was completed. James commands believers to study the Word of God, not prophecies, tongues, nor words of knowledge. The other three avenues were utilized by the early church before the Word of God was completed and while it was in transition. However, according to 1 Corinthians 12-14, many of these gifts were to disappear and become no longer valid gifts of the Holy Spirit. These gifts have disappeared, just as the Scriptures predicted, but Satan has counterfeited them and placed them in the church in order to keep believers away from studying Bible doctrine by a gifted pastor-teacher.
The Word of God is the most powerful agent in the world, because it has the ability to save souls, change lives, and battle against the satanic world system. When God calls a believer, he also calls a messenger to take the Word of God to him so that he can hear the gospel and respond. He also calls a soldier to fight against satanic forces.
The method of salvation is as follows:
First, the Triune Godhead chose the elect before the foundations of the world. Second, the Holy Spirit sends a messenger to the elect. Third, the messengers give the gospel message to the elect. Fourth, the Holy Spirit opens the ears and mind of the elect so that they can hear and believe the gospel message. Fifth, the elected person believes the gospel and is saved for eternity.
What this means is that every believer was dragged out of the satanic world system kicking and screaming, but he was transferred into the royal family of God. He has been made a prince of God. He has become an heir to everything that the Son of God owns. Eventually, he will become a king who will co-reign with Christ. At this conversion, a seed is placed within the believer that has the capacity to grow, if watered correctly. The new believer is also given spiritual gifts to help him serve the body of Christ.
Therefore, since the Word of God has this much power, then believers should spend their life studying and applying the entire counsel of the Word of God at the deepest level. There is nothing else more important in this life than to master Bible doctrine at the deepest level.
1:22 But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves.
It is important that believers not only study the entire counsel of the Word of God at the deepest level, but they are also to apply what they learn. If a person really loves the Lord Jesus Christ as they claim, then they will study at the deepest level and apply the teachings of Jesus. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments." His commandments are the Bible doctrines taught in the New Testament. One cannot keep New Testament doctrines unless he studies and knows them.
If a believer hears the Word of God, but does not do what it says, then he will deceive himself. He will think that he is doing good because he did attend the assembly and hear the oral teaching of the pastor=teacher. However, if he does not act upon the Bible doctrine which he heard, then he will deceive himself into thinking that he is in fellowship with God, but he is not. He is in rebellion with God's word and he has placed him outside of God's will.
1:23 For if someone merely listens to the message and does not live it out, he is like someone who gazes at his own face in a mirror.
When a person gazes in a mirror, he can see his imperfections. The Word of God is a mirror which shows man his imperfections.
1:24 For he gazes at himself and then goes out and immediately forgets what sort of person he was.
He sees his imperfections, but he goes out into the world, doing nothing about his imperfections. He forgets what he saw in the mirror. Those who hear the Word of God but do not obey it are like those who look in a mirror and see their imperfections but do nothing about it. They just go out in the world in their ugly self, but they forget how ugly they really are!
1:25 But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out – he will be blessed in what he does.
The Greek word for "peers" is παρακύπτω (parakuptow), meaning to stoop down and look intensely and carefully. This word is used of angels who stoop down and look intensely at the behavior of human beings. They see just how totally evil, depraved, silly, and stupid human beings really are. Believers are to stoop down and look at themselves in the mirror very carefully and fix their faces up so that they look pleasant and beautiful to the satanic world system in which they are about to visit. The mirror is the Word of God. Believers are to stoop down and carefully look into the mirror of the Word of God so that one can see his ugliness and make it pleasant to the word. The mature believer does not just hear the Word of God, but he acts upon it. He has positive volition to the Word of God.
The Word of God is "the perfect law of liberty," meaning that it is whole and complete. It sets the believer free from the shackles of the satanic world system. It reveals the sin nature of man and gives him an answer on how to fix it. The way to fix the sin nature is to stoop down and gaze intensely and carefully at the Word of God.
The believer who stoops down and intensely and carefully studies the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God at the deepest level by hearing the Word of God through a gifted pastor-teacher will be blessed. He will also be a blessing to others. He will be victorious as an ambassador and as a soldier.
1:26 If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile.
The Greek word for "religious" is θρῆσκος (Thrayskos), meaning one who is very ritualistic in his worship of God. This man shows an outward religious attitude, as he attends church and lives a very ritualistic lifestyle.
The Greek word for "bridle" is χαλιναγωγέω (chalinagogeow), a present active participle, meaning to continually and actively control a wild horse from breaking out by placing a bridle in his mouth. If a believer is very ritualistic on the outside, but he allows his tongue to break out of the barn like a wild horse, then he is deceiving his own heart, or his own intellect.
The Greek word for "futile" is μάταιος (mataios), meaning ineffectual, purposeless, unproductive, empty, fruitless, and practically godless. This Greek word was used in the Septuagint for the worship of pagan idols. A ritualistic religionist who does not control his tongue possesses a religion of fruitlessness. He produces nothing. He does not build up the body of Christ. He does not earn any rewards in heaven. He actually aides the advancement of the satanic world system.
1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their misfortune and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Many claim that Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle James disagrees. He stated that Christianity is a "religion, but it is pure and undefiled. All of the other religions of the world are impure and defiled, as they mix truth with error. There are some principles of the satanic world system mixed into all religions, except for Christianity. All other religions attack the deity and humanity of Christ and they add some kind of works to salvation. The Hindu, Buddhist, spiritists, and New Agers demote Jesus to a spirit. The Jews demote Jesus to a human rabbi. The Muslims demote Him to a prophet. The Mormons demote Him to a demigod and the brother of Lucifer. The Jehovah Witnesses demote Him to a created angel. The Catholics make Him a co-redeemer with His human mother. All of these cults and isms also teach a salvation of works.
God the Father takes care of His children. Orphans and widows received special consideration under the Mosaic Law. These two groups of people were always a special concern to the Jewish prophets. The Pharisees had failed in their duty to protect these two special groups. This was a key concern of the early church and it was the first major problem in the church of Jerusalem, in which James presided at this time. Meeting the needs of these two special classes of people was a test to the believers. Would they show their love for God by taking care of the needs of these two special groups of people?
The Greek word for "unstained" is ἄσπιλος (aspilos), meaning unspotted or unblemished, like that of the sacrificial lamb that was placed on the altar for temporary atonement of sins. The Jewish believers were to keep themselves in the Word of God, but out of the snares and traps of the satanic world system. Satan has so bombarded the media today with his views on liberalism, sex, drugs, alcohol, and materialism, that most believers think that watching television is harmless and beneficial to keep the mind entertained. Those who possess the mind of Christ will not waste time on the entertainment of the satanic broadcasting system.