LESSON 1 • Productive Christianity
James 1:1-18

Introduction

I have a good friend who will challenge the relevance of a lesson or discussion with “how does that apply to us.” She is outspoken when the conversation gets too deep in the detail of background or speculation. It is not that she doesn’t care about the theology or the history of the subject. For her it is about focusing on the right way to live our lives. She would have been a good friend of James if she had lived in the first century.

If the book of James were a mystery novel, we would call it an action packed thriller. James does not beat around the bush when it comes to instruction. He tells people what to do. He does not spend a lot of time building the theological case for why they should do it, nor does he declare by what authority he gives these instructions. James speaks with authority like Jesus did. His relationship with his readers as elder brother and teacher is apparent in the way he addresses them. There must have been no need to reference his credentials. Those to whom he was writing knew who he was. 

So who was James? Since he did not say more about himself in the book, we cannot determine who the author was with absolute certainty. Five individuals named James are mentioned in the gospels. Of those five, the most likely to be the author would have been James, the son of Zebedee, who was the brother of John, James, the son of Alphaeus, who was also an apostle, or James, the half brother of Jesus.

John’s brother, James, was prominent in the gospels. He was in Jesus’ inner circle which included Peter, James and John. However, he was executed by Herod Agrippa early in the history of the church (Acts 12:2), and it is unlikely that he wrote this book prior to his death. James, the son of Alpheus, is listed in the third group of four apostles in each of the gospels, but he is never mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament. There is no evidence that the early church attributed the book of James to him.

James, Jesus’ half-brother, was the second oldest of Mary’s five sons: Jesus, James, Joseph, Simon and Judas. He rose to prominence as an elder in the early Jerusalem church. When the elders and apostles met in Acts 15 to deal with the issue of whether Gentile Christians must follow Jewish customs, it was James’ recommendation that was adopted as the instruction for the Gentiles to follow. His position of respect was apparently such that his answer was accepted without amendment.

James position of leadership in the Jerusalem church, the similarity of the language of the book with the speech and letter of Acts 15, and the similarity to much of Christ’s teaching all point to his authorship of the book. Jude identifies himself as the brother of James (Jude 1). The traditional view that the author is James the brother of Jude and half-brother of Jesus seems to be the correct one.

The book is addressed to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations (1:1). The intended audience was Jewish Christians living outside of Palestine. The term twelve tribes is a reference to the entirety of the Jewish nation, and the phrase scattered among the nations holds the same meaning as the reference in John 7:35 to the Jews who were “scattered among the Greeks.”


Persevere in trials – v. 2-4

Why should we be happy about trials, James? When we’re having them, we would much rather have a pity party and invite everyone to feel sorry for us. Trials are no fun. They are universally unpleasant, and we generally believe the object of the game is to avoid them.

James addresses a general truth of the human condition – you will experience trials. He was aware of the trials his readers were enduring. The question is not whether you will face trials, but how will you respond when those trials come.

James’ progression is that trials develop perseverance, and perseverance results in maturity. Understanding the outcome of that process provides a basis for joy. But how can we be happy in the middle of a hardship or tragedy? James is not painting a picture of a person in shackles down in the dungeon laughing and happy about his situation. Joy comes from the knowledge that God is actively perfecting our character through the trial, and He will see that it results in a spiritual victory.

Peter echoes the same theme in 1 Peter 1:6-7 when he compares suffering trials to refining gold. The development of godly character requires stress. The Hebrew writer says the Lord disciplines those He loves, and to endure hardship as discipline (Hebrews 12:6-7). The stress of hardship exercises our character. Only the testing of faith will result in maturity. We can be glad spiritually during trials when we recognize God’s hand in the process.


Ask for wisdom – v. 5-8

James makes the transition to a new topic with a repetition of words. Having just said the mature Christian character will lack nothing, he opens the new subject with “if any of you lacks wisdom” (v. 5). The repetition of a word to introduce a new thought or progression is characteristic of James’ writing style, and is repeated in this and other chapters of the book.

Verse 5 could be translated, “if any of you lacks wisdom, and he does, let him ask of God”. Wisdom is the key to righteous living for James, and he looks at it not as something which is a luxury for a few but as a critical tool for everyone to possess. This wisdom is more than having knowledge of facts or mental acuity. It is rather having spiritual discernment that enables the believer to make the correct moral judgments or face trials in a godlike manner.

So, how do you get it? It’s simple. Ask. That seems too simple, doesn’t it? James even says God won’t hold your past failings against you when distributing wisdom. There is one catch, though. The request must be made in faith.

Jesus object lesson with the fig tree in Matthew 21 ended with “if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Paul told the Ephesians in chapter 3 that (having just referenced Christ) “in him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” 

James is emphatic about the role of faith in prayer. He uses both the positive and negative when he says “he must believe and not doubt.” Our faith affects the outcome. With Jesus, the faith of the people with whom he interacted was critical to the miracles which He performed. He told the woman who had experienced bleeding, “your faith has healed you” (Luke 8:48). To the leper in Luke 17 he said, “Rise and go, your faith has made you well.” Repeatedly with others Jesus linked faith and results. James makes the same connection.


Recognize your spiritual wealth – v. 9-11

James takes a moment to encourage his poor brothers to stop and smell the spiritual roses. When the situation is one of great need, it is hard to feel good. It is even more difficult when others around you seem to have it made.

The contrast James makes is between temporal and spiritual wealth. Poor man, recognize the value of the grace you have been given. Rich man, recognize the insignificance and futility of gathering worldly wealth.


Understand God’s role in trials – v. 12-18

James again transitions to a new subject as he summarizes his discussion of trials. While the trials of some will end with a successful test and victory, trials for others become temptations. And James has something to say about temptation.

James clearly dispels the notion that God has anything to do with tempting men. He argues that not only can God not be tempted, it is inconsistent God’s nature to tempt man. God’s holy character will not allow Him to do anything that is morally wrong.

So who is to blame for temptation? James sets the responsibility directly on man’s shoulders. It is our own desire that sets the trap. The term, “dragged away,” comes from a Greek compound word meaning “to draw out.” The imagery is that of bait being used to lure a fish. The term, “enticed,” means “to trap with bait” as used in a hunting trap or snare. It is our own desire that becomes the bait to lure us into temptation.

James doesn’t mention Satan’s role in temptation, although it is a concept clearly taught in scripture (Luke 22:31, 1 Thess. 3:5, 1 Pet. 5:8). James is placing stress on the personal responsibility for succumbing to temptation. We can’t blame others for allowing ourselves to be baited and lured. 

God, on the other hand, is nothing other than good. Every gift we receive from God is good. And, in particular, His choosing to allow our birth into His family is the best gift of all.


Questions for discussion

Are we wrong to feel unhappy when experiencing trials, hardship, or unpleasant situations? How do you minister to those who are experiencing trials?

How do you remove all doubt from prayer requests? Should we any prayer request to be fulfilled that we do not pray for with complete and unwavering confidence that it will come to pass?

How does the rich man take pride in his low position? What does this mean in a practical sense? Who is in the category “rich man?”

What is the difference between a trial and a temptation? Can a trial become a temptation? If so, how?

If we are tempted by our own desire, what is Satan’s role in our temptation?






Steve Burton is an old ex-CPA who can no longer distinguish navy from black in his closet. He once left his car parked at the front curb of the airport and boarded a plane for a one-week trip to Europe. He is continually embarrassed by his inability to remember names, even though he could at one time quote every rental amount for every Monopoly property on the board. He is crazy enough to snowboard at the age of 50.