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James

The New Testament Letter of James

The letter of James was written to be circulated, not to an individual congregation, but to scattered believers, and is described as a ‘catholic’ letter. There are no references or address to named audiences, but it is more general, and questions about authorship have never been settled. The letter was used from an early period in Church life and citations found in later writings. These point to the letter being widely accepted at an early date, and used as authoritative.

Author

‘James a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ’ [James 1.1] by tradition was the brother of Jesus, who was converted after Jesus rose from the dead: he was slow to accept Christ [John 7.5]. One of Jesus’ resurrection appearances was to James [1 Corinthians 15.7].

Several people in the Gospel stories are called James: James, brother of John, son of Zebedee, a fisherman, one of the ‘sons of thunder’, in the core team with Jesus, at the Transfiguration, in Gethsemane [Matt 10.2]. James, son of Alphaeus [Matt 10.3]. James, the younger, one of the sons of Mary and Clopas [Mark 15.40, 16.1; John 19.25], and James the brother of Jesus [Mark 6.3; Matt 13.55]. His relationship to Jesus might explain James’ reticence to explain who he is in this letter.

James as leader of the Jerusalem church

James had a position of considerable responsibility, as references in the book of Acts show [12.17; 15.13-21]. He is described as a ‘pillar’ of the church with Peter and John [Gal 2.9] and a teacher [3.1]. This James died in 62AD, of persecution, and conspiracy by the Sanhedrin.

What are the highlights?

Walk the talk: live out your faith in practical wise obedience

Live with personal spiritual integrity, spiritual maturity, unselfishness in relationships; both within the Church, and in the World. James has ‘rules’ for living a full Christian life, ‘pure and undefiled’, and includes 3 brief sermons [2.1-13; 2.14-26; 3.1-12] with practical advice.

Key points about the Teaching of James

There are no references to specific events at the time of writing. The background to the letter is Jewish, but with strong Christian content: intended for both Jew and Christian.

Some special Old Testament (OT) figures are mentioned: Abraham, Isaac, Rahab, Job, Elijah, and ‘prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord’. References to Jesus Christ are few [James 1.1; 2.1], but ‘Lord’ is mentioned many times, sometimes with reference to God, and sometimes with reference to Jesus [1.1,12; 2.1; 5.7-8, 14]. The teaching is full of OT thought, wisdom expressions, and also the teaching of Jesus. There are many parallels to the Sermon on the Mount or allusions to the words of Jesus. See the table below from Chapter 1 of James:

1.2	Matt 5.11-12	1.12	Luke 6.22-23
1.4	Matt 5.48;	1.18	John 1.13
1.5	Matt 7.7	1.20	Matt 5.22
1.6	Matt 21.21; Mark 11.24	1.22	Matt 7.21
1.9	Matt 23.12	1.25	John 13.17
		1.27	Matt 25.36

Structure of the Letter

Introduction	1.1
Trials and temptations	1.2-18
Rules for life within the Church	1.19-3.18
• Listening and doing	1.19-27
• Favouritism forbidden	2.1-13
• Act on what you believe	2.14-26
• Taming the tongue	3.1-12
• Two kinds of wisdom	3.13-18
Rules for life beyond the Church	4.1-5.6
• Live peaceably with all	4.1-12
• Live humbly before God	4.13-17
• Deal honestly with all	5.1-6
Concluding remarks	5.7-20
• Wait patiently for the Lord	5.7-12
• The prayer of faith (care for each other)	5.13-20

Whitewater Bible Studies

We shall enjoy learning from the sermons and home groups if we spend time reading and reflecting in our own quiet times with the Lord.

The version of the Bible we use is not as important as setting aside the time to read and think, and allow God to speak to us. You may find the website: www.biblegateway.com really useful for looking up passages in different translations.

Click on each of the studies below, which can be used as you read each chapter. These were used in the Whitewater Benefice whilst we have been looking at James:

The letter of James is about being very practical in our living the Christian life.

The key question to ask ourselves, each time we come to study, is ‘so what?’

What difference will this make to my following Jesus, my church life, my work life… how am I going to follow through with what I am listening to, as I read this with the help of the Holy Spirit?

We all sign up for exercise programmes, and give up after a while.. or start diets… or even begin to read novels… and not finish them… We tend to do better when we make ourselves accountable to someone else. So let us read James together to support and encourage each other. As we read, let us share our reflections, and spur each other on to living faithfully as Jesus’ disciples.

MdQ/ August 2018