Introduction

1. The Epistle of JAMES Introduction © John Stevenson, 2009

2. Matthew 5-7 James & The Sermon on the Mount Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you (Matthew 5:12). Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials (1:2). And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (1:4). Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48). James But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him (1:5). Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you (Matthew 7:7).

3. Matthew 5-7 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3). But let the brother of humble circumstances glory in his high position (1:9). For the sun rises with a scorching wind, and withers the grass; and its flower falls off, and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away (1:11). Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal (Matthew 6:19). James Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God” (1:13). And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil (Matthew 7:13).

4. Matthew 5-7 Everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court (5:22). For the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God (1:20). Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal (Matthew 6:19). For the sun rises with a scorching wind, and withers the grass; and its flower falls off, and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away (1:11). James Everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock (Matthew 7:24). But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves (1:22).

5. Matthew 5-7 Therefore however you want people to treat you, so treat them, for this is the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 7:12). If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law, according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well (2:8). Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets (Matthew 5:17). For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all (2:10). James But if you do not forgive men, then your heavenly Father will not forgive your transgressions (6:15). For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment (2:13).

6. Matthew 5-7 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16). But someone may well say, “You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (2:18). You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone (2:24). Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. (7:21). James You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? (Matthew 7:16). Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? (3:12).

7. Matthew 5-7 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (3:18). Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God (Matthew 5:9). You lust and do not have; so you commit murder (4:2). You have heard that the ancients were told, “You shall not commit murder” (5:21). No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other (Matthew 6:24). …friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God (4:4). James Be miserable and mourn and weep (4:9). Blessed are those who mourn (5:4).

8. Matthew 5-7 Do not judge lest you be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged (Matthew 7:1-2). He who speaks against a brother, or judges his brother, speaks against the law, and judges the law (4:11). Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten (5:2). Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy (6:19). But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath (5:12). But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by earth (Matthew 7:34-35). James But let your statement be, “Yes, yes” and “No, no”; and anything beyond these is of evil (Matthew 5:37). ...but let your yes be yes, and your no, no; so that you may not fall under judgment (5:12).

9. Other Characteristics of the Epistle • A Lack of Personal Notes • Little Mention is made of Christ • Absence of a mention of Gentiles in the Church • Christianity is not presented in contrast with Judaism

10. Asking God for Wisdom (1:1-18) Epistle of James Hearing & doing the Word (1:19-27) Faith & Works (2:14-21) Taming the Tongue (3:1-12) Wisdom from above (3:13-18) Problem with Partiality (2:1-13) Warnings… Over Quarrels & Conflicts (4:1-10) Against Arrogant Boasts (4:11-17) Against the Rich (5:1-11) About the need for Prayer (5:12-20)