The main points in the letter is an address to a church in which there is discrimination (rich & the poor) this leads to economic (true religion) persecution.

There are 2 areas that are dealt with under 3 main themes.

i) Testing

ii) Wisdom.

iii)wealth.                                                                        How to pray   Mk 11:23-25

James in Greek= Iakohas / Iakoh.

Some times translated as----------Jacob / James.

There are 4 people called James in the NT.

1. James the son of Zebede, killed by Herod Agrippa 2 Acts 12:2 date 44 CE.

2. James son of Alphaeus, mentioned in the list of 12, he is to important person, to use only the simple designation as used in the letter, expected to be known as ‘servant of God of JC’.

3. James the father of the apostle Judas (not Iscariot) mentioned only once Lk6:16.

4. James the brother of the Lord Mt 13:55, Mk 6:3, most are of the opinion that his conversion took place after the resurrection. He is the one who gives a speech Acts 15:13 The most likely author

.                                                                          Testing of Faith 2-4

I  1:1-2 Greeting                                            Wealth & Faith 9-11

        3-18 a) Testing / Wisdom / Wealth -à Temptation 13-18                

      19-27 b) Doer of the word----------à---Slow to speak 26-à-Religion True 1 : 27

III 2:1-26    Wealth & Faith

                                                            claimed as treaties * -à2: 1-13

                                                                                            -à 3: 1-12    

        14-26 b) Faith & Work * ------ -Smaller self contained units-à 3   :13-17                                               

                                                                                           ---à4   : 1-6

                                                                              ---------------à      :13-16

IV 3:1-4,12    Wisdom & Faith                                                   

VI 5,7-20        Closing Patience & Prayer.

                                   3:18

Individual sayings <

                                   4:17

Serves as sayings   1:1-27;    5:7-20

 

I>1:1-2 Greetings 12 tribes- Xtian community, spread out Diaspora, not addressed to a special community & so along with 1&2 Peter & Jude ( some even count 1, 2, 3. John) regarded as catholic epistle (=universal)

IIa >1:2-4 Joys in trial, testing leads to endurance, & this leads to maturity

1:5-6 Aptos = freely or generously without measure

l:7-8 Doult = Dupsikos = double minded; asking without confidence, such asking will not receive.

1:9-11. Wealth & Faith

1:12 Beatitudes- Endurance in temptation gains the crown of righteousness

1:13-18. Temptation was not from God but from ones desires. Accept responsibility.

                                           Desireà Sinà Death à

                                 Epithumiaà HamarthaàThanatosà

Father of light (Heavenly Bodies)=Godà there is no change in him in regards to his children

Of his own he brought us forth<

1:22-25. Quick to speak

1:26 Slow to speak

1:20-21 Slow to Anger

What follows is an Explanation / Explication

Anger not= Righteousness

Meekness not= Gullibility = Openness to Gods Revelation

Doers not merely hearers – faith in action.

Only hearers = look intently & forget

Doers = Glance & remember

Speaking à Bridling the tongue is necessary

1:27 True religion = Care & Concern to the marginalized & bring unsustained (moral virtue)

 

Rich          à     Poor       à Protasis

à                                                                                      Apodosis

Then distinction = Judge. Ex. If the rich man becomes poor you make Judgment

Gods choice of the poor à Rejection of this choice

à                                                                                      Oppressed lack of concern

à                                                                                      Blaspheme (Xtians means followers of Xt)

Lev 19:18 Royal Law

The mercy of a person will ensure that he or she is not judged.

 

Examples of faith without works = words which are empty

Works can show faith, but faith alone not shown in action, cannot be proved        Abraham- believer

To believe God is one, it is correct, it is what is faith without works is barren<

Faith without work is barren                                                                                    Rahab – unbeliever.

 

IVa. 3:1-12. Danger of sinful speech -- Teachers.

                  à Bib in the mouth of the horse.

Tongue à   Rudder for Ships

                  à small fire --great blaze

Tongue-- Blessing / curse

Spring –fresh—Brackish                      Fig                                   grapes

Tree---------------------------à<                               vine <

 

Tongue should be controlled, rudder for ships, a small part is responsible for destruction,

Tongue       Blessing        Curse

Wisdom shown by good life = Practical wisdom

Envy     not=      wise    =      earthly    =      unspiritual    =     devilish

True wisdom is peaceable / equitable / gentle

Full of mercy & good fruit

Jealousy & ambition are divisive

Wisdom makes peace = unites

 

IVc. 4:1-10 Repentance for sinful speech Desire -- Craving -- Murder -- Disputes / Conflict.

4:3 Reason for answered prayers

Mk 14:32-42 Gethsemane

Not asking leads to not receiving.

Asking for one passion à not receiving.

Prodigal Father Lk 15:11-32.

 

Avoid speaking against one another.

Gossip divides / destroys.

Back biting.

 

The future is unknown

How ever we know who holds the future

Planning is good, but obsession with the future is uncalled for

Rich = pass away

Gold silver = Temporary (Mt 6:24-33   Mt 3:34 )

 

Coming for a parousia.

Farmer not= anxious patient

Prophets are examples of endurance

Response----------------------------------Oaths: Lev 19:12; Mt 5:34-37.

Suffering-------Prayer

Cheerful----Sing

Sickness--- Anointing

Elijah ex. Of persistence & prayer.

1 King 17:17-25.

Community Responsibility.