August 17th 2025 James ch 1 v 1 - 14
V 1 James simply calls himself a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. His readers are the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, a symbolic designation for the Christian church conceived of as the New Israel, its members scattered abroad in all alien and hostile world.
James does not have in mind a single congregation but the church at large throughout the Mediterranean world. His salutation is the typical one found in Greek letters and the same one used in the letter that was sent out from the Jerusalem church over which James presided (Acts 15:23).
V 2. James frequently (at least sixteen times) addresses his readers as brethren.
He and his readers were bound together by a common loyalty to Jesus Christ. His first word is one of encouragement
count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.
V 3. The Christian is to be joyful in trial not because of trial. There was a great need in the early days of the church for teaching along these lines because of the successive waves of persecution.
The trying of your faith worketh patience, (or endurance.)
V 4. This patience must be allowed to have its full scope (perfect work).
It is a process that goes on in the life of a Christian, its aim being perfection.
V 5-8. There seems to be a connection between this paragraph and what precedes. James has been talking about the purpose of trial. He anticipates that some of his readers will say that they cannot discover any divine purpose in their hardships.
If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God practical insights into life (not theoretical knowledge), and God will grant such a request liberally and will not scold or reproach them.
There is, however, a condition set down. The request must be made in faith, nothing wavering
The man who comes to God with his request must be sure that he wants what he requests.
James likens a doubting man to a wave of the sea driven to and fro by the wind. Such a man "cannot hope to receive anything from God"
A double minded man, is unstable ……a man of divided allegiance.
He has mental reservations both about prayer itself and about the requests he makes of God.
V 9. This paragraph arises out of James' discussion of trial.
Poverty is an external difficulty.
The poor Christian is to rejoice in his new status in Jesus Christ.
This relationship has brought him true wealth.
He is an heir of God and a joint heir with Jesus Christ!
V 10,11. But the rich Christian, on the other hand, is to rejoice "that in Christ he has been brought down to level where the 'deceitfulness of riches' (Mk 4:19) and the anxiety to amass and retain them are no longer primary or even relevant considerations
Furthermore, riches are temporary.
They are like the green grass and its flowers, which quickly turn brown under the heat of the Palestinian sun the burning heat is used here simply of the heat of the sun and not of the sirocco, the hot desert wind that blows across Palestine from the east
V 12. The reward for faithfully enduring trials is stated in terms both of the present and of the future.
The man who endures is truly happy now; but also he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
The crown consists of life, a gift to all those who love God.
Tasker pointedly comments that although neither our faith nor our love wins for us eternal life, yet it is "an proverb of the Bible that God has abundant blessings in store for those who love him, keep his commandments, and serve him faithfully whatever the cost may be
( Mt. 19:28; I Cor. 2:9)."
V 13. James now makes the transition from outward to inner trials or temptations.
The word temptation v. 12) carries the idea of luring one into sin.
James probably had in mind the Jewish doctrine of the Yetzer ha ra', .( evil impulse.)"
Some Jews reasoned that since God created everything, he must have created the evil impulse.
And since it is the evil impulse that tempts man to sin, ultimately God, who created it, is responsible for evil.
James here refutes that idea. God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.
V 14. Instead of blaming God for evil, man must take personal responsibility for his sins.
It is his own lust by which he is drawn away and enticed.
These words are used mainly for hunting and fishing. They are used symbolically here.
News from the Church New dates
20th August…. Knit and natter is a time to finish old projects or learn new skills
if you just want to talk well that’s OK too
27th August….. Church Coffee Morning
3rd September..…..Friendship Group, (this covers all ages and the lonely people)
ANSWERS TO 10th August QUESTIONS
1) Gabriel 2) Pharisees 3) The Holy Spirit 4) Christ 5) Palm branches 6) Sycamore 7) Fig
8) Barns 9) Samaritan 10) His riches 11) A colt ( a young donkey or ass) 12) Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh 13) Locustsand wild honey 14) On the rock 15) Sabbath Day 16) “ Jesus wept” John 11 v 35
Bible Quiz this week’s Quiz is General about the gospels
1 What did Satan tempt Jesus to turn into bread?
2 10 men came to Jesus at the same time to be healed of what disease?
3 Jesus told Peter that he would deny Him 3 times before what?
4 Where was Jesus when he was tempted by Satan?
5 What relative of Peter’s was healed by Jesus?
6 What did the 5 wise virgins bring with them to the wedding?
7 How long had Lazarus been dead before Jesus came ?
8 Jesus compares our faith to what seed ?
9 The beatitudes are part of what sermon of Jesus?
10 How did Judas die?
11 Jesus cast who out of the Temple?
12 What did Mary wrap Jesus in when He was born?
13 Who had a very bad dream just before Jesus was crucified ?
14 What did the women bring with them when they came to the tomb on the first day of the week?
15 The sick of the palsy came to Jesus in a strange way, How?
16 What did Jesus do to the Disciples as they entered the upper room?
God Bless