1 Year Bible—James

James the half-brother of the Lord Jesus

Chapter 1

B1 Temptation/testing

C1 The Greek word is πειρασμός peirasmós. It means trials, temptations, etc. The word has the idea of testing a drug to see if it works as intended, thus, the various applications. Vocabulary Of The Greek Testament (Moulton & Milligan 1929) states: “trials” made of drugs to see their effect in certain diseases.

C2 The idea can be taken either way. A temptation is a trial, or a trial can be a temptation.

C3 We can be joyous mainly in the sense of producing endurance strengthening our spiritual muscles. Endurance has the idea of constancy, loyalty, etc. Romans 5:3-5 EMTV And not only that, but we also rejoice in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces endurance; and endurance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

C4 When we are tested, in trials, being tempt, remember

D1 Pray even if we do not want to

D2 Share our burden with brothers and sisters. We need to help each other. We are in the Christian life together.

D3 Read the Psalms. Some speak to this issue. For example:

Psalms 13:1-6 GNB92 How much longer will you forget me, LORD? Forever? How much longer will you hide yourself from me? How long must I endure trouble? How long will sorrow fill my heart day and night? How long will my enemies triumph over me? Look at me, O LORD my God, and answer me. Restore my strength; don't let me die. Don't let my enemies say, “We have defeated him.” Don't let them gloat over my downfall. I rely on your constant love; I will be glad, because you will rescue me. I will sing to you, O LORD, because you have been good to me.

D4 Ask for wisdom (James 1:5-8)

B2 Both rich and poor suffer alike. Let us be humble.

B3 If we endure (with God’s assisting grace), then at the Bema Seat we will receive a crown of life.

C1 2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV2011 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

C2 The words judgment seat are the Greek word βῆμα bēma. The is a seat/throne on a raised platform for the official to judge.

C3 The Bema seat judgment occurs shortly after the Rapture.

B4 We cannot blame God for our temptation.

C1 The devil asked for permission to persecute Job. God gave him permission. The devil, however, did NOT have to do so.

C2 Jesus was tempted also.

C3 Regardless of what we face, God teaches us and strengthens us.

B5 James 1:22-25 ESV2011 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

C1 We learn what we say and what we do must match.

C2 We learn what we do must be consistent in public and private.

C3 We learn that the perfect law, that is, the law of liberty is now our law, not Mosaic Law, nor the law of our sinful nature.

D1 If the Law of Liberty refers to the Gospel, then when we believe we are free from the requirements of Mosaic Law and its punishment, for Jesus suffered and shed His blood for our sins.

D2 The Law of Liberty might refer to the rules Jesus gave us to obey either directly or through His Apostles and recorded in the New Testament.

Chapter 2 deals with

B1 Treating everyone equally, especially believers. We know

C1 There is only one race—the human race.

C2 There are priorities. God is to have first priority, then spouse, then family, the local congregation, then the greater body of Christians, then everyone else.

C3 We should love and live in God’s ways. This is seen in our thoughts, desires, words, and deeds according to the characteristics in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.

C4 God treats people equally, too according to His priorities: 1 Timothy 2:4 NIV who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

C5 Galatians 6:10 NIV Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

B2 In verses 14-17, it is taught that what we say and what we do must match in private and public.

B3 Works are not for salvation but are proof of a changed life by God’s grace. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! Some examples are the Abraham, Rahab, Prodigal Son, and King Manasseh.

Chapter 3 deals with

B1 If we teach the Scriptures, we are held accountable for what we teach.

B2 Rules of what we say.

B3 The 2 types of wisdom. The difference between God’s wisdom and any other.

Chapter 4 deals with

B1 The dangers of covetousness (lust). How covetousness leads to problems, arguments, fighting, scabbing, and a lot of disunity.

B2 There are only two worldviews, namely, God’s worldview and all others. We are servants of God and only His view is correct. The world is all other views. The foundation of that worldview is me first, God last.

Chapter 5 deals with

B1 The danger of riches, that is, trusting in money instead of God. Our love changes from God to stuff.

B2 Christians suffer. We must bear with this as the whole family of God does in every generation and in every part of the world. We need to pray and support each other.

B3 The need to pray. We are talking to God. We were created for fellowship with God and to serve Him forever. The Psalms show a wide variety of prayers. God is a wonderful Counselor/Adviser.

Trials make

the promise sweet,

Trials give

new life to prayer;

Trials bring me

to His feet,

Lay me low,

and keep me there

—William Cowper

A Few Thoughts on the Epistle of James—James 5:13-20

C3 The Christian life—Prayer James 5:13-20

D1 Believers Should Sing If Happy and If Sick Should Pray James 5:13-16

D2 Believers Should Know of the Example of Elijah James 5:17-18

D3 Believers Should Guide Our Erring Brothers and Sisters Back to Truth James 5:19-20

James 5:13-20 WEL Is any among you experiencing troubles? You must pray. Is any happy? Then sing praise. 14 Is any among you sick? Then summon the church’s elders, and let them pray for them, anointing them with oil in the Lord’s name. 15 The prayer of faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, they will be forgiven. 16 Confess [your] sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. 17 Elijah was a man with emotions just like us, he earnestly prayed that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the ground for three years and six months. 18 Then, he prayed again, the sky yielded rain, and the ground produced its crops. 19 Brothers, if any of you wanders from the truth, and someone brings him back again, 20 Then let him understand that whoever brings the sinner back again from that wandering path he was on will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

• Here are some more directions from James for living a Christian life.
• Emotions=
  • Troubles
    • We must pray. James does not tell us that God answers our prayers the way we want them or even how long to pray.
    • Philippians 4:6-7 CSB Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
    • Acts 12:5 BSB So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was fervently praying to God for him.
    • An example: Genesis 32:9-12 CSB Then Jacob said, "God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the LORD who said to me, 'Go back to your land and to your family, and I will cause you to prosper,' "I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. Indeed, I crossed over the Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two camps. "Please rescue me from my brother Esau, for I am afraid of him; otherwise, he may come and attack me, the mothers, and their children. "You have said, 'I will cause you to prosper, and I will make your offspring like the sand of the sea, too numerous to be counted.
  • Happiness
    • We sing praise
    • For teaching, admonishing, and thankfulness: Colossians 3:16 BSB Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
    • God also sings: Zephaniah 3:17 BSB The LORD your God is among you; He is mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing.
    • For deliverance: Isaiah 35:10 BSB and the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Joy and gladness will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee.
  • Sickness
    • We call upon our leaders and fellow believers
    • Many understand this to refer to placing a believer in God’s hands for strengthening the body and soul and for safety of his/her soul.
    • We still must seek the assistance of a physician because it might be the means God brings healing. If we are sick, we are to seek the assistance of a licensed health care person.
    • There is no guarantee offered in the Scriptures of always happening.
• Prayer of faith
  • Faith is believing God, not a manipulation of God guaranteeing what we pray for.
  • God’s will is to be prayed for. 1 John 5:14 CSB This is the confidence we have before him: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
  • The prayer of faith is a prayer that God’s will be done.
  • Sometimes sickness is caused by sin. Confession of the sin brings healing.
  • It is the faith of the elders, not the sick.
  • James could be referring to a spiritual sickness, not physical sickness.
  • Then James gives examples of God’s answering Elijah’s prayer.
• Confessing sins
  • All sin is against God and His law.
  • All sin must be confessed to God. We must acknowledge that truth of our sin, not cover it up.
  • If the only one knows of my sin, then I confess and ask forgiveness of only God.
  • If I sinned against one person, then I go to God and the person I sinned against to make things right.
  • If I sinned publicly then, I go to God and the public.
  • There are still consequences to sin. A pastor who sins may be permanently banned from pastoring. Today, we see too many fallen pastors who have abused, sexually molested, and other heinous sins starting new churches. This is a very wicked practice.
• We are to seek for those who have wandered from the faith.
  • Questions they have not being answered, so we can answer them.
  • Offended by someone in the congregation, so we can deal with that offender. This would include exposing the offender’s sin and removing them from church if necessary.
  • Drifted from lack of Bible reading and prayer.
  • Drifted from not understanding Christian doctrine.
  • Drifted from wanting to sin.
  • Drifted from something happening to them as addictions, homelessness, etc. That the congregation can help.
• Delivering a soul from death
  • Does not mean a guaranteed physical healing
  • The removal of sin refers to God’s forgiveness. There still might be consequences of sin as we read when King David raped Bathsheba and then had her husband killed.
  • Physical healing is wonderful, but how much more spiritual healing.
• We need to help each other both those who have sinned and those tempted to sin.

Questions=

• Name some of the rules we must follow as taught in this passage.
• Why should we pray?
• What if God does not heal? How are we to respond?
• How can we prevent wandering from the faith?
• How do we seek those who have wandered from the faith?

“God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supplies.” –Hudson Taylor

“The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time.” –Abraham Lincoln

Romans 12:1-2 CSB Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Colossians 3:5-10 CSB Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, God's wrath is coming upon the disobedient, and you once walked in these things when you were living in them. But now, put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator.

Romans 15:13 CSB Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 31:24 CSB Be strong, and let your heart be courageous, all you who put your hope in the LORD.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 CSB May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word.

A Few Thoughts on the Epistle of James—James 5:7-12

C2 The Christian life—Suffering James 5:7-12

D1 Believers Should Be Patient in Suffering James 5:7-9

D2 Believers Should Know About Those Who Have Suffered Before Us James 5:10-11

D3 Believers Should Know That Yes and No Are Better Than Oaths James 5:12

James 5:7-12 WEL Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the Lord comes. Look how the farmer waits for the valuable yield from the land and waits for a long time for the early and later rains. 8 Likewise be patient and steady your hearts, for the Lord’s coming draws near. 9 Do not complain about one another, brothers, lest you be condemned. Look! The judge stands at the doors. 10 My brothers, let the prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord be your example of suffering affliction and of patience. 11 Look, we consider them happy who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and have seen the Lord’s conclusion [to it], because the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. 12 But above all, my brothers, do not take a vow, not by heaven, nor by the earth, or anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes and your “No” be no, lest you fall into hypocrisy.

Another list from James regarding how to live our Christian life.

Patience=

• The Greek word for patience is μακροθυμέω makrothyméō. It means to persevere patiently and bravely (Thayer’s).
• Patience towards God to intervene in suffering. He wants all to repent.
• Luke 18:7 NIV And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?
• 2 Peter 3:8-9 CSB Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.
• This patience is a character and action of love: 1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
• Abraham waited for many years: Hebrews 6:15 NIV And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
• We need patience, too, in this world of evils. God gives grace. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 GW I begged the Lord three times to take it away from me. 9 But he told me: “My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So I will brag even more about my weaknesses in order that Christ’s power will live in me. 10 Therefore, I accept weakness, mistreatment, hardship, persecution, and difficulties suffered for Christ. It’s clear that when I’m weak, I’m strong.

Lord’s coming=

• What is this coming?
• Various opinions
• This is His coming for Christians, that is, the Rapture.
• To destroy Israel and the Temple, Israel, and the Jews that existed in James time. Then Jesus would begin His reign.
• But why would James want the Temple and Israel destroyed? There is no indication that he wanted such a thing. He wanted his people, his kinsmen, to repent.
• The people that James wrote to want deliverance from evil. The Jews aren’t the only ones who are evil. All people are evil.
• Some resources.
• Major Rapture Terms and Passages (pdf)
• Waiting for the Blessed Hope (pdf)

Judgment=

• We need to stop complaining.
• Judgment is coming.
• James 5:9 GW Brothers and sisters, stop complaining about each other, or you will be condemned. Realize that the judge is standing at the door.
• So, we want to warn people.
• Romans 2:7-8 GW He will give everlasting life to those who search for glory, honor, and immortality by persisting in doing what is good. But he will bring 8 anger and fury on those who, in selfish pride, refuse to believe the truth and who follow what is wrong.
• 2 Corinthians 5:10-11 NKJV For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
• Personally, I understand this as a warning to those who do not believe that judgment is coming.
• But many others understand the warning to be to Christians that we must live a life pleasing to God, because we Christians will be judged.
• Doesn’t make much difference though, we must persuade Christians to live a life pleasing to God, and we must persuade non-Christians to believe. Judgment is going to happen but there is a different judgment for the believer and the unbeliever.

In verse 10, James gives examples of those who suffer and are patient (longsuffering)

Endure=

• We are to patiently endure testing and temptation: James 1:12 NLT God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
• The Lord Jesus is our example: Hebrews 12:2 NIV fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
• Again, it is God’s grace that we can endure, but we also need each other to comfort and pray for each other.

Vows=

• The Hebrew words are נָדַר nâdar (verb) and נֶדֶר neder (noun). They mean to do or give something, and is a promise to God. It is understood to be voluntary and of a free will. Here is an example: Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 CSB When you make a vow to God, don’t delay fulfilling it, because he does not delight in fools. Fulfill what you vow. Better that you do not vow than that you vow and not fulfill it.
• Making a vow is very serious and should be a rare occurrence.
• Our yes and no should be sufficient.
• If a vow is necessary for someone to believe, it might mean that we appear to not be totally honest.
• God honors truth. He does not lie; He cannot lie.
• What James is teaching is a reflection of the Lord Jesus who said, “Again, you have heard that it was said to our ancestors, You must not break your oath, but you must keep your oaths to the Lord. "But I tell you, don’t take an oath at all: either by heaven, because it is God’s throne; "or by the earth, because it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. "Do not swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black. "But let your “yes” mean “yes” and your “no” mean “no;” Anything more than this is from the evil one.“ (Matthew 5:33-37 CSB)

Questions=

• What is patience?
• Is there a difference between a Christian and non-Christian’s patience?
• Why are we to persuade others?
• Why is making a vow to be a rather rare occurrence?

A Few Thoughts on the Epistles of James—James 5:1-6

B5 Chapter 5

C1 The Christian life—Dangers of Riches James 5:1-6

D1 Believers Should Show Low Priority to Riches James 5:1

D2 Believers Should Know That Riches Can Ruin Us James 5:2-6

James 5:1-6 WEL Now come you rich people, wail and howl for the miseries that will happen to you. 2 Your riches have rotted and your clothes have become moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver have become corroded. Its poison will be a witness against you and will eat up your flesh like fire. You have amassed riches for these final days. 4 Look, the pay of the workers who harvested your fields, from which you took a cut for yourself, calls out, and the workers’ pleas for help has entered the ears of the Lord of Heavenly Armies. 5 You have lived a soft life on this earth and [a life given to] pleasure. You have fattened your hearts as for the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned [and] killed the righteous. He does not resist you.

 

Priorities=

• Defined: a thing that is regarded as more important than another.
• How do we decide what is more important?
• I couldn’t find much on that topic. There were plenty of websites how to prioritize, but none on why people choose something as the highest priority.
• So, this is my guess: self. Some may state that it is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, but I have seen many that worship of God is more important than sleep or food, etc. Pain would definitely be something to think about, but again the few times I was in such pain that health personal couldn’t get my attention, I was still praying.
• The Lord Jesus stated
• John 4:34 CSB My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work,” Jesus told them.
• John 6:38 CSB For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.
• Matthew 26:39 BSB Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.
• For some money is too high a priority. Perhaps this why the Scriptures label it a root of evil. 1 Timothy 6:10 CSB For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
• In our passage, it appears that some people that James knew had money as a higher priority that God’s will. Luke 16:13 CSB No servant can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
• Note the opinion of the Lord Jesus towards Laodicean church. They seemed to believe that since they were rich materially, they were also spiritually rich: Revelation 3:17 CSB For you say, 'I'm rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,' and you don't realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
• Let us heed St. Paul’s inspired admonishment: 1 Timothy 6:8-9 CSB If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction.

Ruin= From wrong priorities which led to chaos in their lives which had an effect on their treatment of others.

• The love of money finally leads to murder for too many, who must have more.
• Note, that the righteous did not resist.
• It has been said that murder is for one or combination of three things—money, sex, or power.

Effects of money=

• Money gives power, so people can crave it to have more influence: Proverbs 22:7 BSB The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
• Arrogance: Hosea 12:8 NLT Israel boasts, "I am rich! I've made a fortune all by myself! No one has caught me cheating! My record is spotless!
• Danger of abandoning the faith: Proverbs 30:8 BSB Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion.
• Attitude of “I can do anything myself. I don’t need God.” Nehemiah 9:25-26 NLT Our ancestors captured fortified cities and fertile land. They took over houses full of good things, with cisterns already dug and vineyards and olive groves and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate until they were full and grew fat and enjoyed themselves in all your blessings. "But despite all this, they were disobedient and rebelled against you. They turned their backs on your Law, they killed your prophets who warned them to return to you, and they committed terrible blasphemies.
• Injustice: Proverbs 18:23 BSB The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.
• Violence against others: Micah 6:12 BSB For the wealthy of the city are full of violence, and its residents speak lies; their tongues are deceitful in their mouths.
• Become corrupted by evil desires: 1 Timothy 6:9 NLT But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.
• Can lead to family difficulties: Proverbs 15:27 BSB He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.
• May help deliver from some difficulties and buy justice for themselves, but wealth has no influence on God who judges their soul: Proverbs 11:4 NIV Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.

Correct attitude about finances=

• Recognizing it is from God’s blessing: 1 Chronicles 29:12 BSB Both riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler over all. Power and might are in Your hand, and it is in Your hand to exalt and to give strength to all.
• Put our trust in God instead of money: 1 Timothy 6:17 BSB Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.
• Not to hoard it but share it for God’s glory: Matthew 6:19 BSB Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
• To assist widows and other brothers and sisters in their need: 1 Timothy 6:18 BSB Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,

Questions=

• Name some of the most important things in life.
• How do we make those the highest priority?
• How do we continue steadfast in the faith?
• How does money corrupt a person?
  How can we use money for God’s glory?