Podcast 98 Epistle of James, “Pt 1, Ch 1”

In Christian tradition, James is generally believed to be James the Just, brother of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and a leader in the early church. His writings bring a practicality to Christianity. He does not remain in the abstract but envisions a practical religion modeled after the works of the Savior as well as his teachings. Curious beings that we are, we like to know more about the early writers. We want to eulogize them. We want to show them as perfect. We want to put them above the rest of us. James introduces himself merely as a humble servant. Perhaps that is sufficient.

James 1:1

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

His idea is that we should not only listen to what Christ said, but strive to live as Christ lived, a servant of mankind. The following verse summarizes James’ philosophy.

James 2:18

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

He was not without temptation. In fact, he teaches us how to deal with temptation.

James 1:2

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;[3]

He sees temptation as a trial of our faith, as an opportunity to increase in virtue. Among the top virtues is patience.

James 1:3-4

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Paul teaches that patience leads to Hope. Christians often consider Faith, Hope, and Charity to be the highest achievement of man. They are known simply as The Three Theological Virtues. Paul teaches.

Romans 5:3-4

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope.

It was Peter who said:

1 Peter 1:6-7

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:[5]

These teachings came out of enormous suffering, All had witnessed the persecution and death of Jesus Christ. Tradition has it that most of the apostles were killed, some in gruesome ways. It is believed that thousands were murdered because of their faith. John refers to it as a time of “great tribulation.”

Revelation 7:13-14

And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.[6]

Words matter. Take, for example, the following words: wisdom, knowledge, information, facts, truth, understanding, awareness, learning, comprehension, insight, perception, erudition, scholarship, etc.

Synonym means “same-name” word. But they aren’t the same. Wisdom is greater than scholarship. Wisdom is the application of knowledge. It implies sound judgment, discernment, discretion, sagacity, sapience, prudence. Both God and Satan have knowledge. Only God has wisdom. James said the following:

James 1:5

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.