Introductory remarks:
In these first three chapters James will concentrate on the practical value of faith. "James greets Jewish Christians scattered abroad as a servant of God and Christ. He tells them to be joyful when they endure troubles, knowing that it is to perfect their faith. God freely gives knowledge to those with firm faith who seek it. They should happily live simple lives because life in pursuit of wealth is a wasted life. God does not try to lead people astray, it is their own lusts that do that. He does everything He can to make people strong. Just hearing the truth is worthless, truly understanding the truth will bring about godly living" (A Survey of James - By Brenda). This chapter may be outlined as follows: Salutation v. 1: Faith and wisdom vv. 2-8: Poverty and riches vv. 9-11: Trial and temptation vv. 12-18: Hearing and doing the Word vv. 19-27.
Salutation
Verse 1, "James a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting."
LGT "James a bondslave of God and of [the] Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes, which [are] in the dispersion, rejoice."
James a bondslave of God and the Lord Jesus Christ: James, the half brother of Jesus, begins this letter by saying that he is a bondslave of Jesus. It took some time for James to accept his brother as his Savior, but in time he did, and now he submits himself to serve God and Jesus Christ. To the twelve tribes, which are in the dispersion: this letter is addressed to all believing Jews. This letter is not doctrinal, but full of exhortations, for he believes these Jews already had learned doctrine from Paul. About the dispersion the editor of John Calvin's commentary, John Owens writes: "There had been an eastern and western dispersion, the first at the Assyrian and Babylonian captivity, and the second during the predominancy of the Grecian power, which commenced with Alexander the Great. As the epistle was written in Greek, it was no doubt intended more especially for those of the latter dispersion. But the benefit of the eastern dispersion was soon consulted, as the very first version of the New Testament was made into this language, that is, the Syriac; and this was done at the beginning of the second century." Rejoice: the KJV has Greetings, but the literal translation in the Greek is, rejoice, that is, joy be with you.
Faith and Wisdom
Verse 2, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations."
LGT "Esteem it all joy, my brethren, whenever ye may fall into manifold temptations."
Esteem it all joy: James says consider it all joy; not joy mixed with grief, but complete joy. This joy follows the word rejoice of the last verse. They did not have to enjoy the actual trial itself, only the reason for the trial. My brethren: my fellow believers and Jews. Whenever ye may fall into manifold temptations: this phrase is literally, whenever trials surround you. James knew that they not only had many trials in the past, but that they were about to face many more in the future. James is not speaking of the Jews as a nation, only the Jews as the family of believers, and also the family of God; these believing Jews were the real chosen people of God. James says that trials rightly faced builds character, but wrongly faced leads to temptations to evil. These Jews were surrounded by trials not only from the outside world, but also because of Christ they were hated by their own nation. Calvin applies this verse to every day Christians: "It is, certain, that all the senses of our nature are so formed, that every trial produces in us grief and sorrow; and no one of us can far divest himself of his nature as not to grieve and be sorrowful whenever he feels any evil. But this does not prevent the children of God to rise, by the guidance of the Spirit, above the sorrow of the flesh. Hence it is that in the midst of trouble they cease not to rejoice."
Verse 3, "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience."
LGT "Knowing that the proving of your faith works out endurance."
This verse presents the result of all their trials, and it is a reason they should be joyful. If we all could see things from the divine viewpoint, we would endure all hardships with joy. There is a way we also can view things from God's divine viewpoint, and that is, daily concentrated Bible study. This is a wonderful consolation knowing that all the trials we face builds up our faith, and strong faith produces strong endurance. The verse that comes to mind in this regard is Romans 8:28: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose" (The English Standard Version).
Verse 4, "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."
LGT "But let endurance have [its] perfect work, in order that ye may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
James states in this verse that every trial we face is designed to help us grow up. Endurance is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, so the Christian cannot produce it. The Holy Spirit through every trial and test that comes our way produces patient endurance in the life of the believer. The term "perfect" means to become mature believers, for we are already perfect positionally in Christ. Lacking nothing means to be stable in your maturity and ready and able to help others in their growth, that is, to encourage your brothers and sisters in their trials and testing, because you have already been there.
Verse 5, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
LGT "But if any one of you lack wisdom, let him ask from God who gives to all freely, and upbraids not, and it shall be given him."
But if any one of you lack wisdom: this of course means lack wisdom in any trial one might be experiencing. If any one lacks the knowledge in what to do to get through a trial, is the context here. Knowledge is the appropriation of the truth, and wisdom is putting the truth into everyday experience. This phrase is dealing with the perfecting of the saints. Let him ask from God: the Word of God is the only sure way a Christian can receive the divine viewpoint, which is wisdom. Who gives to all freely: God is a living God that keeps on giving to those who seek Him. And upbraids not: not like man, God does not give out of bitterness. Vincent wrote about God's giving, "It is pure, simple giving of good, without admixture of evil or bitterness." He goes on to write about the contrast of how many men give, "Men often complicate and mar their giving with reproach, or by an assumption of superiority." This last phrase describes men who have a Messianic complex, for they give expecting a type of reverence in return. And it shall be given him: God gives freely not only of wisdom, but also the free gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit that works daily in and through every believer.
Verse 6, "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed."
LGT "But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting. For the one who doubts is like a wave of [the] sea driven by the wind and being tossed."
But let him ask in faith: this means asking God with complete reliance on Him, that He is willing and able to handle any situation of this life. Nothing doubting: "this is internal doubting balancing between faith and unbelief, leaning toward the latter" (Robertson). This doubting is to know the divine viewpoint is best, but letting the human viewpoint take control of the situation. For the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and being tossed: this illustrates that the one who doubts God is at the mercy of human viewpoint, which will lead directly into problems, and this illustrates a great lack of stability. There is only one place to go when one is under testing, that is, the Word of God.
Verse 7, "For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord."
LGT "For let not that man suppose that he shall receive anything from the Lord."
A man that goes to God and asks a favor, but doubts God, let him not think He will receive anything from God. If anyone is going to work things out without God, let him not think God is against Him when he fails.
Verse 8, "A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways."
LGT "A double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."
A double-minded man is not deceitful but uncertain and undecided, that is, he is in a constant state of confusion. Some think that double-minded is being two-faced, but that is not this context. James is the only one who uses this term, and it is the man who doubts God. These are the people who say, "Why me God?" every time a little tribulation crosses their paths; a man of faith says, "God, I need Thee every hour."
Poverty and Riches
Verse 9, "Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted."
LGT "But let the brother, the lowly one, boast in his elevation."
Let the Christian that is poor in this world's goods rejoice in the fact that he belongs to God's family, and that he is spiritually rich beyond degree. We all need to rejoice in the fact that God has rescued us out from the slave market of sin, and from the deadly grip of materialism, which is the evil one's attraction.
Verse 10, "But the rich, in that he is made low; because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away."
LGT "But the rich in his humiliation, because as [the] grass' flower he will pass away."
What a beautiful way of saying riches are for a short time. Most modern day churches celebrate the rich, and cater to their every whim. Bob Hope made the joke, "If I can't take my money with me, I ain't going." Well, Bob went, and I am sure his money stayed here on earth. Men should not glory in being rich. Some Christians believe they are rich because God is blessing them; well, this is not what the Word of God teaches; the Word teaches that riches are a curse, if used for self. We will learn more on this subject later in this epistle.
Verse 11, "For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways."
LGT "For the sun rose with [its] burning heat, and dried up the grass, and the flower of it fell, and the beauty of its appearance perished: just as the rich in his goings shall wither."
This is an embellishment of verse 10. Riches are for a short time, but our sprits are eternal. Seek not what this world has to offer, but seek those things, which are in the Word of God, which are eternal.
Trial and Temptation
Verse 12, "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love him."
LGT "Blessed [is the] man who endures temptation, because having become approved he shall receive the crown of the life, which He promised to the ones who love Him."
Blessed is the man who endures temptation: this man has risen above the trials and testing, and still loves the Lord, that is, he gives God the glory for taking him through his time of testing. Because having become approved: when he has been approved by the trial (Vincent). This man has come out on the other side of his testing victorious because he knows that it worked out for his eternal good. He shall receive the crown of life: I will not speculate on what exactly the crown of life is, I simply will say that it is a reward given at the Bema seat of Christ. Which He promised to the ones who love him: he who has become approved by his testing and still loves the Lord has demonstrated the agape love. Christians can go through trials and fail, and become weak and blame God for their misfortune; these ones will not receive this reward.
Verse 13, "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man."
LGT "No one being tempted say, I am tempted from God. For God is incapable of being tempted, and He Himself tempts no one."
This verse is God's answer to man's viewpoint of temptation. Up to this point James has been teaching about the Christian being tested. Now he is speaking of evil temptation by the wicked one. No one being tempted say, I am tempted from God: God tests us with everyday details of this life, but He never tempts us to sin, for He will not allow us to be tempted beyond our capabilities to resist (1 Cor. 10:13). For God is incapable of being tempted: Christ proved this in the wilderness when Satan tried to tempt Him; Christ could not be tempted, and this entire incident in the wilderness was to prove that Christ was not only sinless, but He could not be tempted with evil. And He Himself tempts no one: God gives us a way to escape temptation, but He tempts no one to sin; He does give us trials to strengthen us unto maturity, but God cannot even look at sin, let alone tempt us to see if we will sin or not.
Verse 14, "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."
LGT "But each one is tempted from his own lust, being drawn away and allured:"
Psychologists today will say that we sin because we are a product of our environment; the Word of God says, But each one is tempted from his own lusts. All men are born with a sin nature, and all our sins fit into the threefold basis of appeal that is all of us, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. We sin because we are born sinners; we are not sinners because we sin. Being drawn away and allured: sin looks good to us because of our sin natures; however, when we are born again the Holy Spirit indwells each one of us, and then the war is between the Spirit and the flesh.
Verse 15, "Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."
LGT "Then the lust having conceived gives birth to sin, but sin having been completed brings forth death."
Then the lust having conceived gives birth to sin: James use the metaphor of a women becoming pregnant; when the lust becomes a reality, that is, conceived, put into action, or decided upon, it gives birth to sin. Temptation is not a sin, but giving into that temptation gives birth to sin. But sin having been completed brings forth death: "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life" (Rom. 6:23). When a believer sins he or she is separated from fellowship with God; and if the believer continues in that sin without confessing it, it could bring forth physical death, that is, God may take that believer home to spare him from a life of misery. In the case of the unbeliever, the only sin that they cannot be forgiven for is unbelief, for all other sins have been paid for by Christ on the cross; however Christ could not pay for the sin of unbelief, and therefore, that sin brings for eternal spiritual death in the lake of fire.
Verse 16, "Do not err, my beloved brethren."
LGT "Be not deceived, my beloved brethren."
James is saying to his brethren; do not be deceived concerning sin, for if left un-confessed it may bring about death. A Christian cannot be happy living in sin; for the results are that he will either be disciplined of the Lord, or maybe even physical death. I believe that when a Christian feels bad when he or she commits sin, that is a good sign that they are a child of God; unbelievers usually feel bad about sin only when they are found out, and then they are sorry they got caught; a believer feels bad because he has lost fellowship with God and His family.
Verse 17, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."
LGT "Every good act of giving and every perfect gift is coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is not variation, or shadow of turning."
Every good act of giving and every perfect gift is coming down from the Father of lights: I think of the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat. All these things are gifts from God; it is man that pollutes these things. The most important gift of all is the spiritual riches of His grace, the fact that He has adopted me forever into His heavenly family, and purchased me out of the slave market of sin. With whom there is not variation: God never changes; He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, for He is immutable. Or shadow of turning: James likens this to the shadows cast by the sun; with God there is no shadow cast, for He is the Father of lights, and in Him there is no darkness, not even a speck (1 John 1:5).
Verse 18, "Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures."
LGT "Having willed [it] He begat us by [the] Word of Truth, for us to be a sort of firstfruits of His creatures."
Having willed it He begat us: this definitely is referring to our salvation. By the Word of Truth: the Good News that Christ died for us, and that salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone. For us to be a sort of firstfruits of His creatures: that is, creatures fit for His family. "The figure is taken from the requirement of the Jewish law that the first-born of men and cattle, and the first growth of fruits and grain should be consecrated to the Lord. The point of the illustration is that Christians, like first-fruits, should be consecrated to God" (Vincent).
Hearing and Doing the Word
Verse 19, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath."
LGT "Know ye, my beloved brethren: but let every man [be] swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
Know ye: the Authorized Version has "wherefore", but the original is an imperative, know ye as calling attention to what he is about to say. My brethren: James is speaking to family members, that is, believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. But let every man be swift to hear: swift hear what? The Word of God of course. Since God has bestowed on the believer all the riches of His grace, and made him the first fruits of His creatures, he should be ready and willing to hear Him from His Word. Slow to speak: we should hear first and then speak only when it is appropriate, that is, after we have learned well God's Word. The ancients say, 'we have two ears and only one tongue, surrounded by two rows of teeth to guard the tongue and keep it in check.' A person does not get in trouble for being silent and just listening, but will get in heaps of trouble for speaking too much. Slow to speak can also mean to think before you speak. My dad used to say to me, "Its better to keep your mouth shut and let people think your stupid, than open it and remove all doubt." Slow to wrath: the context is not to speak when angry. We should be able to consider another's point of view without becoming angry, for a man that has control of his anger when he speaks, shows that the Spirit is in control.
Verse 20, "For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God."
LGT "For man's wrath works not out God's righteousness."
There is such a thing as righteous indignation, but that is not in this context. What James is saying is that in a state of anger, we are definitely out of fellowship, and God is not able to work out His righteousness in us while we are in this angry state of mind.
Verse 21, "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls."
LGT "Wherefore, having laid aside all filthiness and abundance of wickedness, in meekness receive the implanted Word, which [is] able to save your souls."
Wherefore: in light of all that James has said to them. Having laid aside all filthiness: this is the only place in the New Testament that this word filthiness is used. Barnes says that 'filthiness is conduct that is disgusting, offensive or loathsome'. And abundance of wickedness: the Authorized Version has naughtiness which in today's manner of speaking refers to a prank by a child; however, this word means repulsive behavior by any standards of morality. In meekness receive the implanted Word: James is saying that the Word of God should be the central part of their being, in order to combat the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. The Psalmist said the same thing in 119:11, "I have stored up your Word in my heart, and that I might not sin against you" (English Standard Version). Which is able to save your souls: James is writing to Christians so this statement is that it was by the implanted Word they were saved, and that it is also able to keep them from their life of unbelief, which is characterized by all this filthiness. As McGee wrote, "We have been saved, we are being saved, and will be saved."
Verse 22, "Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."
LGT "But Keep on becoming doers of [the] Word and not only hearers, deluding yourselves."
But keep on becoming doers of the Word: doers of the Word are those who truly believe the Word, and they submit to its precepts, adjusting their lives to its doctrines. The Holy Spirit produces righteousness in the lives of the believer, and he appreciates this righteousness by submitting to the Holy Spirit through the Word, and then obeying the Word. And not only hearers: it is not effective if we simply listen to others and do not study for ourselves; this will not produce good works. Deluding yourselves: this is coming to a conclusion by false reasoning, or convincing yourself that listening to the Word is sufficient, this will only lead to a stagnant life.
Verse 23, "For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass."
LGT "Because if any man [is] a hearer of [the] Word and is not a doer, this one is like a man considering the countenance of his birth in a mirror:"
Because if any man is a hearer of the Word, and not a doer: one who listen to sermons but does not study for himself and put what he has learned into everyday experience; this one is a good listener, but not a good doer of the Word. This one is like a man considering the countenance of his birth in a mirror: the mirror reflects the face we were born with, with all its defects and blemishes. The Word of God looks into our very souls revealing what we really are, sinners saved by grace. We read in Hebrews 4:12, "For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." The Word of God does reveal what we really are, sinners saved by grace.
Verse 24, "For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was."
LGT "For he considers himself and has gone away, and immediately forgot what he was like."
For he considers himself and has gone away: he goes to church and hears a sermon, and is convicted, but does not follow up with his own Bible study. And immediately forgot what he was like: it takes daily Bible study to remain in fellowship, and see what we are really in God's sight. Of course God sees us as under the blood and saved us for all eternity, but if we simply go once a week and listen to a half hour Bible study, we will forget what the Word intends us to know about ourselves. In order to be useful to the Holy Spirit we need to occupy ourselves with His Word. We need to put on the whole armor of God, and we must know what that armor is by serious study, in order to be able to put it on.
Verse 25, "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deeds."
LGT "But the one who looked into [the] perfect law, the one of freedom, and continued in [it], having not been a forgetful hearer, but a doer of work, this one shall be blessed in his doing."
But the one who looked into the perfect law: this is the gospel of grace, as opposed to the law, or that of works. This one looks intently and seriously into the Word. The one of freedom: this explains why it is perfect, because grace is free. And continued in it: this one adjusts his life to grace doctrine. Having not been a forgetful hearer, but a doer of work: he studies the Word of God on a daily basis so that it becomes an essential part of his life, and therefore, he does not forget the Word. He studies to show himself approved of God, and the Holy Spirit is able to do His work through him. This one shall be blessed in his doing: it is interesting that James says that this one is 'blessed in his doing, and not blessed for his doing. When the Word of God becomes not only necessary in the life, but also a privilege, this leads to a blessed life that is consistent with God's wonderful grace. "There is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."
Verse 26, "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain."
LGT "If anyone among you thinketh himself to be religious, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his heart, to this one vain [is] the religion."
If anyone among you thinketh himself to be religious: appears to be religious, that is, he conforms outwardly with what people think a Christian should be, that is, he uses the correct holy language, faithfully attends church, gives his tithes, etc. Not bridling his tongue: this one who thinks himself to be religious, and cannot control his own tongue, but speaks evil of others in the family but deceiving his heart: this one is a hypocrite and a phony, because he knows in his heart that he is a charlatan. To this one vain is the religion: all of his tithing, and outward prayers, and church attendance, is a work of his flesh, and will someday be burned at the Bema Seat of Christ, as wood hay, and stubble.
Verse 27, "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."
LGT "Religion pure and undefiled before God and [the] Father is this, to visit orphans and widows in their tribulation, to keep oneself unspotted from the world."
Religion pure and undefiled before God and the Father: 'These two adjectives pure and undefiled present the positive and negative side of purity' (Vincent). People examine the outside of man, but God sees the heart, and the Word of God pierces through and reveals to us what we really are, sinners saved by His grace. Is this, to visit orphans and widows in their tribulation: the fatherless and widows in the family should be cared for, which is a sign of maturity among believers. True religion is structured through the gospel of grace; it is not enough for the believer to say, 'be filled and warmed,' but to actually sacrifice on their behalf. And to keep oneself unspotted from the world: the mature believer is to be in the world, but not of the world. So much could be said at this juncture, but it is not possible because of time or space. This one thing is hard for me to pass on, and that is, the organized church today has become a friend to the world to the degree that they have actually become part of the world. If you were to attend a contemporary church service today, you would cringe at how far they have degraded the services, with their horrid racket they call music, and the way they dress; it is actually very hard to tell them apart from the world.
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