James


Author - Three persons of the name: namely, son of Alphaeus; brother of John; brother of our Lord. Probably the last named. Reputation - James the just. Early influence in the church. Acts 16:; Gal. 2

Persons addressed - Jewish Christians. Note references 1:1; 2:8-12, 21-26 . Note also frequent references to the law.

Date - Probably very early:

  1. No discussion of Gentile converts in relation to the law.
  2. No treatment of the distinctive doctrines of grace.
  3. No indication of the later development of the church, e.g., bishops, presbyters, deacons.

Object -
  1. To comfort the tribes.
  2. To instruct the ignorant.
  3. To rebuke the erring.

Style - Abrupt introduction of themes followed by their treatment.

  1. Concerning trial. 1:1-11
    1. Theme. 1:1,2
    2. Results achieved by trial. 1:3,4
    3. Support under trial.
    4. Description of the rial. 1:9-11
  2. Concerning temptation. 1:12-27
    1. theme stated. 1:12
    2. Source of these temptations.1:13-18
    3. Means of strength against sin. 1:19-27
      1. Hearing the Word. 1:19-21
      2. Doing the Word. 1:22-27
  3. Concerning respect of persons. 2:1-13
    1. Theme stated. 2:1
    2. Theme illustrated. 2:2-4
    3. Theme developed. 2:5-13
      1. Dishonoring to the poor. 2:5
      2. Demeaning to themselves. 2:6
      3. Disloyal to Christ. 2:7
      4. Disobedient to the law. 2:8-13
  4. Concerning saving faith. 2:14-26
    1. Theme stated 2:14
    2. Theme illustrated. 2:15-17
    3. Theme developed. 2:18-26
      • negatively 2:18-20
      • Positively 2:21-26
  5. Concerning evil speaking. 3:1-18
    1. Theme stated. 3:1,2
    2. The tongue described. 3:3,4
    3. Its power illustrated. 3:5,6
    4. The spirit back of it. 3:9-18
  6. Concerning worldly mindedness. 4:1-17
    1. Theme stated. 4:1
    2. Why their desires were not satisfied. 4:2-5
    3. the day of deliverance from their sin. 4:6-12
    4. One of the forms it took. 4:13-17
  7. Concerning the greedy rich. 5:1-20
    1. Theme stated. 5:1
    2. The judgement awaiting them. 5:2,3
    3. The charges against them. 5:4-6
      • Fraud.
      • Voluptuousness
      • Injustice.
      • Murder
    4. The confort for the oppressed. 5:7-12
    5. The advice to the oppressed. 5:13-18
    6. Conclusion. 5:19,20


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