James 1:1-12

A practical book

• James 1:2, 19, 22, 27; 2:1; 3:10; 4:4, 14; 5:12, 16

James 1

James 1:1 – Which James is this?

• People named James in the New Testament
  
  
  
  • James, son of Zebedee (apostle)
  
  
  • James, son of Alpheus
  
  
  • James the less – Mark 15:40
  
  
  • James, father of Judas the apostle
  
  
  • James the brother of Jesus – probably this man wrote the book of James, but not sure
    
    
    
    • Matthew 13:55
    
    
    • John 7:5 – Jesus’s earthly brothers did not believe.
    
    
    • I Corinthians 15:7
    
    
    • Acts 12:17
    
    
    • Acts 15:13
    
    
    • Acts 21:18
    
    
    • If these are all talking about the same James, he went from not believing in his own brother to being a prominent man in the early church.
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  


• “bond-servant” – Compare Romans 1:1.


• “to the twelve tribes” – See Acts 8:1

James 1:2-4

• Be joyful when hard times come!
  
  
  
  • Acts 20:19
  
  
  
  


• We are building endurance by handling trials. It is good for us!


• Endurance is part of being perfect and complete. We become mature and have all the parts we need.
  
  
  
  • James 3:13; 4:8; 5:11 – Action!
  
  
  
  

James 1:5-8

• Wisdom – the capacity to understand and act accordingly.


• How does God give wisdom?
  
  
  
  • James 3:15
  
  
  • Scripture – II Timothy 3:16-17
  
  
  
  


• “without reproach” – God does not give grudgingly. We should not be hesitant to ask!


• We must ask in faith and not waiver or doubt.

James 1:9-12

• This may be talking about how we should glory in our trials, no matter what sort of change in position may be involved.