James worksheet 1
Hard times and wisdom
teaching video James 1:1-8
Chapter 1 meaning
The book of James was most likely written by Jesus’ half-brother, a son of Mary and Joseph who eventually became one of the leaders of the Christian church in Jerusalem. The unifying theme of the book of James is “faith,” though James frames his discussion with a very specific look at the effects of real, saving, trusting faith.
That is why James has attracted so much dispute over the years. James includes heavy emphasis on the works associated with Christianity. As a result, some interpreters have suggested that James contradicts Paul’s clear teaching that salvation is not by works but by faith in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8–9). Reading with the proper perspective, however, reveals there is no contradiction to be found. James asserts from the beginning of the first chapter that God’s desire for us is to trust Him more, and more deeply. A person’s actions are a good indicator of what kind of “faith” they really have.
Biblical saving faith is not mere intellectual knowledge—it is trust. A faith that saves is the kind of faith which naturally produces action, and this is the point of James’ writing. As this book emphasizes our works as believers, the point is that those works are acts of faith. Put another way, people who trust God naturally obey God. Why wouldn’t they if they believe Him? Saved people believe in Christ, and people who believe in Christ follow the way of Christ. Saving faith is trust which produces action.
So how does a believer respond to hard times? James calls us to label those moments as joyful things because they bring the opportunity to trust God at a deeper level. This is trusting faith.
What do believers do when they lack wisdom to make a decision? They turn to God and God generously pours wisdom out. This, again, is trusting faith. However, if we reject His wisdom or, worse, seek wisdom apart from Him, we demonstrate our lack of trust in the Father. Then He withholds His wisdom. James makes clear over and over again that what our Father longs to see in the lives of His children is evidence of our trust in Him.
That also includes how we think about money in this life. Those who trust God understand that this life is so short that our financial situation is meaningless in comparison with the eternal riches of our home in heaven. So Christians, those saved by faith in Jesus Christ, will rejoice in their high-status position in the next life, even if they have no material goods in this life. Those Christians who are rich in this life should discount the fleeting value of wealth.
Trusting in Christ guarantees us an eternity in heaven. That eternity with our Father includes a crown of life for those who trust Him through trials, instead of using them as an excuse to indulge in sin. James urges us to take responsibility for our desire to sin and not to blame God. God may allow suffering into our lives, but He never uses hardships to try to lure us away from Himself. He always encourages us to move nearer to Him in the hard times.
In fact, every good thing we have and every good thing we crave comes from God alone. He is the single source of good in our lives, including the greatest good we can possess: to be alive in Christ. To move away from God is to move away from good, to move into the shadows (BibleRef).
Chapter 1 context
This first chapter in the book of James sets the course for the rest of his letter to Christians worldwide. God wants us to trust Him more, and more deeply, as we learn more of Him. This is so important to God that He calls on us to find joy, even in hard times, because hardship helps us trust God more. Those who really trust God will ask Him for wisdom, will be excited about their status in eternity, will recognize Him as the source of all good in their lives, and will work to act on what they find in His Word (BibleRef).
Bible text (NIV)
James 1:1-8 says 1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face
Reveal Answer of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your Reveal Answer produces Reveal Answer . 4Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks Reveal Answer , you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.Bible text (NKJV)
James 1:1-8 says 1James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.
2My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Q1 In verse 1 we read that James, the half-brother of Jesus (Mark 6:3, Matthew 13:55), calls himself a servant (NIV) or bondservant (NKJV), in a permanent state of devotion, not in a negative state of a slave. In the Koine-Greek original the word doulos δοῦλος is used, which means ‘slave’. The second part of the first verse mentions the word kurios κύριος, which is the master of a slave and, in the Hellenistic culture, also God. So, James considered Jesus to be God (notice and the Lord κύριος). How would you describe James?
Hard times and wisdom
teaching video James 1:1-8
Chapter 1 meaning
The book of James was most likely written by Jesus’ half-brother, a son of Mary and Joseph who eventually became one of the leaders of the Christian church in Jerusalem. The unifying theme of the book of James is “faith,” though James frames his discussion with a very specific look at the effects of real, saving, trusting faith.
That is why James has attracted so much dispute over the years. James includes heavy emphasis on the works associated with Christianity. As a result, some interpreters have suggested that James contradicts Paul’s clear teaching that salvation is not by works but by faith in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8–9). Reading with the proper perspective, however, reveals there is no contradiction to be found. James asserts from the beginning of the first chapter that God’s desire for us is to trust Him more, and more deeply. A person’s actions are a good indicator of what kind of “faith” they really have.
Biblical saving faith is not mere intellectual knowledge—it is trust. A faith that saves is the kind of faith which naturally produces action, and this is the point of James’ writing. As this book emphasizes our works as believers, the point is that those works are acts of faith. Put another way, people who trust God naturally obey God. Why wouldn’t they if they believe Him? Saved people believe in Christ, and people who believe in Christ follow the way of Christ. Saving faith is trust which produces action.
So how does a believer respond to hard times? James calls us to label those moments as joyful things because they bring the opportunity to trust God at a deeper level. This is trusting faith.
What do believers do when they lack wisdom to make a decision? They turn to God and God generously pours wisdom out. This, again, is trusting faith. However, if we reject His wisdom or, worse, seek wisdom apart from Him, we demonstrate our lack of trust in the Father. Then He withholds His wisdom. James makes clear over and over again that what our Father longs to see in the lives of His children is evidence of our trust in Him.
That also includes how we think about money in this life. Those who trust God understand that this life is so short that our financial situation is meaningless in comparison with the eternal riches of our home in heaven. So Christians, those saved by faith in Jesus Christ, will rejoice in their high-status position in the next life, even if they have no material goods in this life. Those Christians who are rich in this life should discount the fleeting value of wealth.
Trusting in Christ guarantees us an eternity in heaven. That eternity with our Father includes a crown of life for those who trust Him through trials, instead of using them as an excuse to indulge in sin. James urges us to take responsibility for our desire to sin and not to blame God. God may allow suffering into our lives, but He never uses hardships to try to lure us away from Himself. He always encourages us to move nearer to Him in the hard times.
In fact, every good thing we have and every good thing we crave comes from God alone. He is the single source of good in our lives, including the greatest good we can possess: to be alive in Christ. To move away from God is to move away from good, to move into the shadows (BibleRef).
Chapter 1 context
This first chapter in the book of James sets the course for the rest of his letter to Christians worldwide. God wants us to trust Him more, and more deeply, as we learn more of Him. This is so important to God that He calls on us to find joy, even in hard times, because hardship helps us trust God more. Those who really trust God will ask Him for wisdom, will be excited about their status in eternity, will recognize Him as the source of all good in their lives, and will work to act on what they find in His Word (BibleRef).
Bible text (NIV)
James 1:1-8 says 1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face
Reveal Answer of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your Reveal Answer produces Reveal Answer . 4Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks Reveal Answer , you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.Bible text (NKJV)
James 1:1-8 says 1James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.
2My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Q1 In verse 1 we read that James, the half-brother of Jesus (Mark 6:3, Matthew 13:55), calls himself a servant (NIV) or bondservant (NKJV), in a permanent state of devotion, not in a negative state of a slave. In the Koine-Greek original the word doulos δοῦλος is used, which means ‘slave’. The second part of the first verse mentions the word kurios κύριος, which is the master of a slave and, in the Hellenistic culture, also God. So, James considered Jesus to be God (notice and the Lord κύριος). How would you describe James?
It looks like the half-brothers and half-sisters didn’t believe in Jesus as the Messiah. Matthew 7:5 says “For even his own brothers did not believe in him“, yet. After the resurrection of Jesus, the half-brothers and half-sisters did believe in their half-brother as the Messiah (1 Corinthians 15:7). James had a special resurrection appearance experience.
The letter is propbably the first written letter of the New Testament, written around 46 AD. At that time the church of Jerusalem wasn’t scattered yet. That happened around 70 AD, when the Romans destroyed the second temple in Jerusalem.
James has been one of the leaders of the early church in Jerusalem (Acts 15:13).
Q2 The addressees are the twelve tribes (figure of speach) scattered among the nations. Were that Christians, Jews, or Gentiles? And why? Does this mean that James can be seen as an apostle to the Jewish believers (Paul calls him an apostle to the circumsized in Galatians 2:8-9), just as Paul was called an apostle to the Gentiles?
The book of James is in the biblical canon. However, Martin Luther called the epistle of James “a letter full of straw”. He wrote that in preface in his commentary on the book of Romans. Luther took this epistle out of context, regarding the salvation by faith alone by grace alone. Luther saw the book of James as ‘valuable’. As a supporter of predestination Luther questioned the free will of man.
Q3 In James 2:2 the word meeting or assembly is described as συναγωγή or synagogue. Wouldn’t that be a sign that the church meetings were attended by regenerated Jews? And that gentile believers hadn’t arrived yet? Was James not aware of God’s plan to spread the Gospel globally, beyond the Jews and Israel?
James sees it as inevitable to have trials. And he considers/welcomes that as pure joy when (not if) we fall into them (verse 2).
Q4 What are the kind of trials we will face as Christians? Which word does the KJV use?
Q5 And what positive results come from those tests (verse 3)?
The word used for patience/perseverance in verse 3 is hupomone ὑπομονή, which means* active endurance* or endure under a heavy load. Trials don’t produce endurance but endurance will be tested inder trials. Romans 10:17 says how faith is produced ..faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
In verses 1 through 4 James describes trials that we all will have. In the midst of trials we need wisdom. How to get the needed wisdom (not knowledge) is described in verses 5 through 8. Knowledge is needed to take things apart. But wisdom is required to put things together. True wisdom is always consistent with the Bible.
Q6 How can we receive wisdom (verse 5)? Answer: Just ask of God. How much wisdom will God give? But what are the two conditions for God to grant you wisdom (verse 6)?
Q7 If you doubt, what are you compared with (verses 6-8)?
Q8 How would you describe unstability and double-mindedness? Regard also Mark 9:24 and Revelation 3:16.