Life's Circumstances

Life is hard, but trials produce endurance, shape character, encourage trust and make believers whole and perfect (mentioned seven times in the book of James).

Perfect Torah

Jesus transforms believers into a new humanity that listens to and obeys God's word, the Perfect Torah that motivates us to love God and others.

Favoritism and Love

Believers who say they have faith in God will always obey Jesus' teachings and love others, not show favoritism or neglect the poor and needy.

Words Reveal You

James discusses words three times. The way believers talk about people shows their hearts and core values. Their words reveal the truth about their character.

Wealth Dismantled

God's kingdom community dismantles divisions created by wealth and social status. Instead, believers should live with patient hope for Jesus' return and say faith-filled prayers.

The BOOK OF JAMES

James combines the wisdom of his brother, Jesus, with the book of Proverbs

 in his own challenging call to live a life wholly devoted to God.

OT/NT: New Testament

SECTION: General Letters

TRADITIONAL AUTHOR: James (Jacob)

KEY PEOPLE: James, Persecuted Christians

SUMMARY: Canonically, the Book of James is the fifty-ninth book of the Holy Bible (1), the first of seven General Letters (2) and the twentieth book of the New Testament (3). James wrote this book to Jewish believers to encourage (4) them to endure and live bold Christian lives. This is a book about practical Christian living that reflects a genuine faith that transforms lives (a).

Written by Jesus' half brother, Jacob (watch the above video for name explanation), the book of James shares sage wisdom for all the churches and followers of  Jesus (5). It's influenced by Proverbs (6) and frequently quotes Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (7).

The introduction summarizes the words and themes found throughout the book, which is filled with short, challenging wisdom speeches that are full of metaphors and easily memorized one-liners.

While James doesn't teach new theology, it does challenge believers on how they should live. Topics covered include words, favoritism, love (8), wealth and hardship (9). When believers listen to and obey God's Word (10), they love Him and others. Their actions match their words, and their lives are made whole, complete and perfect (b).

COMING UP: Next up is the First Book of Peter (11). Click HERE to explore!

FOOTNOTES:

  (1) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/the-good-news

  (2) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/general-letters

  (3) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/new-testament

  (4) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/encouragement

  (5) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/jesus-christ

  (6) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/proverbs

  (7) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/sermon-on-the-mount

  (8) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/advent-love

  (9) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/trials-tribulations

(10) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/the-word-of-god

(11) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/1-peter

 PAGE SOURCES:

  (a) http://biblehub.com/summary/james/1.htm

  (b) https://thebibleproject.com/explore/james/