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 About Discernment

Knowing truth from lies

A1 The Bible is the only source of 100% truth.

B1 Truth is reality. It is the plain correspondence theory of truth.

B2 It is most reasonable to believe this about the Bible because of Jesus. Did He exist? Did He do what is written about Him? Are the Gospels true history? Were the Gospels written in the middle first century?

B3 It’s reasonable to consider knowing the Bible well will result in knowing good from evil. Hebrews 5:14 WEL But solid food belongs to those who are mature having their spiritual senses exercised through use to discern both good and evil.

C1 Someone who is mature, that is, full grown on the food of Bible study will have their spiritual senors mature, too.

C2 Spiritual senses=

D1 The Greek word αἰσθητήριον aisthētḗrion.

D2 It means "145 (aisthētērion, neuter noun) focuses on the principle of sense and especially its result. 144 /aísthēsis (the feminine cognate) is the brand of sense-discernment which shrewdly sizes things up. 145 (aisthētḗrion) is "the concrete organ of sense, becoming virtually a habitual ability which must be developed and enables believers to distinguish between the spirits. It is a spiritual gift which must be developed in practice" (DNTT, 2, 391).

D3 This particular sensor is used to distinguish good from evil. Both good and evil are based on God’s standard.

C3 Exercised means exercised. Physical exercise has good effects. Spiritual exercise does too. The more spiritual exercise we do, the stronger we become.

C4 The Greek word for discern is διάκρισις diákrisis. It means 1253 diákrisis (from 1252 /diakrínō, see there) – properly, a thorough judgment, i.e. a discernment (conclusion) which distinguishes "look-alikes," i.e. things that appear to be the same. (Note the intensifying force of the prefix, dia.) See also 1252 (diakrínō).

C5 By Bible reading, study, thinking about it, memorizing, and living it has a great effect on us. We will be able to distinguish good from evil.

A2 The interpretation of the Bible

B1 The plain, normal sense consistently

B2 Recognizing the historical and cultural settings

B3 Recognizing prescriptive from descriptive passages

A3 The basics we must know

B1 The basic summary of what we must do: Matthew 22:37-40 MKJV Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.

B2 It includes all that God speaks: Matthew 4:4 MKJV But He answered and said, It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God."

B3 When the Bible quotes someone whether king or commoner, the quote is accurate. The quote may or may not be truth. Example: Matthew 9:33-34 MKJV And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb one spoke. And multitudes marveled, saying, Never was it seen like this in Israel! 34 But the Pharisees said, He throws out demons by the ruler of the demons.

A4 The importance of personal learning. Instead of reading commentators, listening to teachers, going to meetings, we must daily study the Scriptures themselves.

A5 The importance of meditating on and studying Scripture

B1 Studying

C1 Ezra did: Ezra 7:10 GW Ezra was determined to study the LORD's Teachings, live by them, and teach their rules and regulations in Israel.

C2 The Psalmist did by reflecting on Scripture: Psalms 119:15 GW I want to reflect on your guiding principles and study your ways.

C3 Correct study and interpretation leads to staying in the truth instead of wandering away: 2 Timothy 2:15-18 PickNT Make every effort to render yourself approved by God, a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, handling the Word of the Truth correctly. 16 But shun godless, empty chatter, because those who do it will become increasingly godless, 17 and their word will spread like gangrene—among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have wandered away from the Truth, saying that the resurrection has already occurred; and they overturn the faith of some.

B2 Meditating on Scripture is not passive that is bypassing the brain, going into a trance, seeking the wisdom masters of the spirit world, etc. All those things of not God’s way and are condemned. Scripture meditation is active. It is like brain exercises as we study. Joshua 1:8 NIV Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

B3 Example:

C1 Verse: Hebrews 5:12-14 MKJV For indeed because of the time, you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again what are the first principles of the oracles of God. And you have become in need of milk, and not of solid food. 13 For everyone who uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, even those who because of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

C2 Simple, brief interpretation:

D1 Milk and solid food. A diet of milk in associated with a baby. Solid food is associated with someone mature.

D2 Applied to spiritual knowledge and understanding, a diet of milk means one is unskillful with the Scriptures like an infant. A diet of solid food means the person will have their senses exercised in discernment.

D3 Discernment refers to recognizing God’s way from some other way. God’s beliefs from some other belief, and God’s lifestyle from some other lifestyle.

D4 Actively thinking about this verse, studying its meaning, its cross references, etc. produces knowledge. Knowledge applied to a situation is wisdom.

A6 Study leads to spiritual growth in discernment for individuals and the congregation

B1 Apostles studied: Acts 6:3&7 MKJV Therefore, brothers, look out among you seven men being witnessed to, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this duty...7 And the word of God was increasing. And the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was multiplying exceedingly; even a great crowd of the priests obeyed the faith.

B2 Humans words do not last, but God’s word does: Acts 12:23-24 MKJV And immediately the angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give God the glory. And he was eaten by worms and gave up the spirit. 24 But the Word of God grew and increased. [Emphasis is mine]

B3 Spread around: Acts 13:49 MKJV And the Word of the Lord was carried throughout all the country.

B4 Bears fruit: Colossians 1:5-6 MKJV for the hope which is laid up for you in Heaven, of which you heard before in the Word of the truth of the gospel, 6 which has come to you as it has also in all the world, and it is bearing fruit, even also among you, since the day you heard and fully knew the grace of God in truth,

B5 Heard in reading and teaching has a great effect: I Thessalonians 2:13 MKJV And for this cause we thank God without ceasing, that when you received the Word of hearing, of God, you welcomed it as the Word of God, not as a word of men, but as it is, truly the Word of God, which also effectually works in you who believe.

A7 Discernment

B1 We are to pray for it as Solomon did: 1 Kings 3:9 WEB Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this your great people?”

B2 Our love is to grow. This love is not just tolerance. It is a love with the conditions of knowledge and understanding. Thus, we won’t just love everything and everyone but will have discernment. Philippians 1:9-10 ISV And this is my prayer, that your love will keep on growing more and more in full knowledge and perfect insight, 10 so that you may be able to determine what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.

C1 The word discernment is the Greek word αἴσθησις aísthēsis. It means properly, the brand of sense-discernment which "cuts through" hazy ethical (moral) matters to really "size things up" .

C2 Thus, knowing God’s standards, we can decide if something is godly or ungodly.

C3 We give praise to God by our actions and give witness to His truth.

B3 We are commanded to test all things: I Thessalonians 5:21 BSB but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.

B4 Discernment is a regular activity in the Christian life. See Jesus’s rebuke of the religious frauds:

C1 Luke 12:54-57 GW Jesus said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud coming up in the west, you immediately say, 'There's going to be a rainstorm,' and it happens. 55 When you see a south wind blowing, you say, 'It's going to be hot,' and that's what happens. 56 You hypocrites! You can forecast the weather by judging the appearance of earth and sky. But for some reason you don't know how to judge the time in which you're living. 57 So why don't you judge for yourselves what is right?

C2 Simon, a Pharisee, was asked by the Lord Jesus to judge: Luke 7:43 GW Simon answered, "I suppose the one who had the largest debt canceled." Jesus said to him, "You're right!"

B5 This is the reason we must know the Bible well: Hebrews 4:12 NIV For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

All of our Christian life is one of discernment. Is this teaching, activity, belief, congregation, preacher, etc. safe? By knowing, studying, and applying the truths of Scripture, we can prevent much heart grief.

1 Year Bible—Philippians

Outline

B1 Chapter 1

C1 Prayer for the Philippians Philippians 1:1-11

C2 Paul and Persecution of Paul Philippians 1:12-26

C3 Prayer and Encouragement for the Philippians Philippians 1:27-30

B2 Chapter 2

C1 Encouragement to Have Humility Like Jesus Philippians 2:1-11

C2 Encouragement Not to Complain Philippians 2:12-18

C3 Encouragement That Some Helpers Are Coming to You Philippians 2:19-30

B3 Chapter 3

C1 Warning About Judaizers Philippians 3:1-14

C2 Warning About False Christians Philippians 3:15-21

B4 Chapter 4

C1 Plea for Unity Philippians 4:1-3

C2 Plea to Live a Christian Life Philippians 4:4-9

C3 Thank You For Your Help Philippians 4:10-20

C4 Final Greetings Philippians 4:21-23

Chapters

B1 Chapter 1

C1 Paul’s prayer

C2 3 important things

D1 The work Jesus began, He will finish

E1 Jesus is the master teacher.

F1 Since He is omniscient, omnisapient, and knowing how to communicate perfectly. We can understand.

F2 John 7:45-46 LEB So the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees. And they said to them, "Why did you not bring him?" 46 The officers replied, "Never has a man spoken like this!"

F3 Matthew 13:54 NLT He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was amazed and said, "Where does he get this wisdom and the power to do miracles?"

E2 We need to stay enrolled in God’s school. We need to read, study, believe, and apply the teaching of Jesus Christ.

D2 Their love would increase

E1 Love is a choice. If you and/or I love someone, we will treat them with the actions of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.

E2 The love of many is grown cold. People love themselves first. We must not fall back into that habit : Matthew 24:12 NLT Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.

E3 Our first, greatest, highest priority love must be Jesus, not our pastor and his wife, not our teacher, not our favorite theologian, etc. Revelation 2:4 NLT But I have this complaint against you. You don't love me or each other as you did at first!

E6 God teaches us so. His teaching is not just words, but also He tests and has us in situations to apply what He has taught, so expect to face some issues.

F1 Psalm 11:5 NLT The LORD examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence. (Note, love violence refers to narcissists, domestic abusers, controlling people, etc. We need to remember God hates them).

F2 1 Thessalonians 4:9 NLT But we don't need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another.

D3 We need to judge and test everything

E1 We need a standard. The only eternal standard is God Himself. He has revealed this to us. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 WEL All Scripture is inspired and is beneficial for doctrine, reproof, correction, and for instruction in righteousness, 17 So that God’s people may be completely ready, fully equipped for all good works

E2 We need to start with ourselves: 2 Corinthians 13:5-6 NLT Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. 6 As you test yourselves, I hope you will recognize that we have not failed the test of apostolic authority.

E3 We need to test what is said, written, or communicated in any way whether it be a preacher, teacher, etc. 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 NLT Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. [emphasis is mine]

E4 Ephesians 5:10 WEL Testing things [to see if] they are acceptable to the Lord.

C3 Philippians 1:21 NKJV For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Comment from Believer’s Bible Commentary on this passage:

Here, in a nutshell, is Paul's philosophy of life. He did not live for money, fame, or pleasure. The object of his life was to love, worship, and serve the Lord Jesus. He wanted his life to be like the life of Christ. He wanted the Savior to live out His life through him.

And to die is gain. To die is to be with Christ and to be like Him forever. It is to serve Him with unsinning heart and with feet that will never stray. We do not ordinarily think of death as one of our gains.

B2 Chapter 2

C1 Philippians 2:6 NIV Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

C2 We learn the Chalcedon Statement

We, then, following the holy Fathers, all with one

consent, teach men to confess one and the same

Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in

Godhead and also perfect in manhood; truly God

and truly man, of a reasonable [rational] soul and

body; consubstantial [co-essential] with the

Father according to the Godhead, and

consubstantial with us according to the

Manhood; in all things like unto us, without sin;

begotten before all ages of the Father according

to the Godhead, and in these latter days, for us

and for our salvation, born of the Virgin Mary,

the Mother of God, according to the Manhood;

one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, only

begotten, to be acknowledged in two natures,

inconfusedly,

unchangeably,

indivisibly,

inseparably; the distinction of natures being by

no means taken away by the union, but rather

the property of each nature being preserved,

and concurring in one Person and one

Subsistence, not parted or divided into two

persons, but one and the same Son, and only

begotten, God the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ;

as the prophets from the beginning [have

declared] concerning Him, and the Lord Jesus

Christ Himself has taught us, and the Creed of

the holy Fathers has handed down to us.

B3 Chapter 3

C1 Beware of false teachers. In this passage, specifically, the Judaizers: Philippians 3:2 WEL Beware of dogs; beware of evil workers; beware of the mutilators.

C2 Philippians 3:14 NRSV I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.

D1 What is our goal in life?

D2 Two verses:

E1 In our short time on earth, where are our eyes? The goal, the standard, the greatest and best, whom we serve must be the Lord Jesus our Messiah: Hebrews 12:2 BSB Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

E2 Let us pray to be faithful and steadfast until death: 2 Timothy 4:7 BSB I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

C3 We are citizens of God’s kingdom. Let our words, desires, words, and deeds be according to that kingdom. Philippians 3:20-21 WEL But our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 Who will change our humiliated body, that it may become like his glorious body, according to the power by which he is able to even place everything under himself.

B4 Chapter 4

C1 What occupies our minds? What are we thinking about? Our Father knows life is rough, so He encourages us: Philippians 4:8 WEL Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are well spoken of, if there is any moral excellence, if there is anything praiseworthy, think about these things.

C2 We need to be thankful. Paul is thankful for the prayers and helps the Philippians have given him and his team.

Psalms 100:4-5 NKJV Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. 5 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

A Few Thoughts on the Epistle of James—James 1:13-15

D4 Believers Should Know That Temptation Is Not From God James 1:13-15

James 1:13-15 WEL Let no man say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither does he tempt anyone. 14 Everyone is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then, when lust has conceived, it produces sin, and when sin is matured, it brings forth death.

Tempted=

• This is the word πειράζω peirázō. We discussed the noun in James 1:2. The verb is similar and means a test to determine quality and an attempt to do something (Acts (9:26). Another meaning is to get someone to do something illegal, as our passage here and in Matthew 22:18, for instance.
• The context tells us.
  • There is temptation that comes from our evil desires and lusts, as here.
  • There is temptation that comes from testing how a person will respond to God’s teaching, as Abraham, for instance. Hebrews 11:17 NLT It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God's promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac.
• God does not tempt us, that is, seduce, to sin, that is, break His laws.

Everyone=

• The Lord Jesus was tempted to sin, but He never had the desire or lust to sin (Hebrews 4:15).
• We are tempted to break God’s laws, too, but it is from our inward desire. Two example:
  • It is not wrong to eat, yet gluttony is sin (Philippians 3:19-20, Proverbs 23:2).
  • Sex is not wrong, yet sex outside of marriage is wrong.
    • Hebrews 13:4 NRSV Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers.
    • 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NLT Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people--none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.

Drawn away=

• The Greek word is ἐξέλκω exélkō. It means to lure as a hunter does game.
• Manser notes the process of seduction:
  • A thought planted Genesis 3:2-3
  • An advantage promised Genesis 3:4-5
  • Attraction Genesis 3:6
  • Persistence on the part of the seducer Matthew 4:8-9 See also Genesis 19:9
  • Yielding Genesis 3:6
• Sin brings death
  • Physical (sometimes immediately (Genesis 38:2-10) yet most of the time eventually (Romans 6:23, Hebrews 9:27)
  • Spiritual (Ephesians 2:1, 1 Timothy 5:6)
  • Eternal (Matthew 25:46, Revelation 21:8)

Questions

• Does God tempt us to sin? Defend your answer.
• Why do we sin?
• What is the process from temptation to death?
• Why does sin bring death?