James

The Epistle of James is one that has caused many anxious souls difficulty. Those who would falsely teach salvation through works emphasize it. However, a careful reading of the epistle and recognizing to whom it is addressed dispels all difficulties.
James writes to the twelve tribes of the dispersion, both the saved and the unsaved. In the day in which he writes, a saved Jew could still be found in attendance at the synagogue, and be zealous for the law—they were still in association with the unbelieving nation (Acts 21:2020And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: (Acts 21:20)). One might have confused a believer with his unbelieving compatriot. This epistle calls upon the believer to show his faith by his outward walk—it is justification before men, in distinct contrast to Romans, where we have justification before God.
One cannot see faith any more than one can see the wind; each, however, affects that which surrounds it in a very visible way. Christendom is full of empty profession; what we find in the epistle of James is necessary admonition for today. Do we seek to blend in, or is the reality of our faith visible to all?
Outline
Chapter 1. Acting as a Christian is easy when the winds are fair, but what is our response when the storms arise? “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (Jas. 1:1212Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (James 1:12)). Alas! We are apt to let our tongues slip; being a doer of the Word is not in our old nature. However, God the Father has begotten us according to His own will by the word of truth and, thus, doing is no longer bondage, but rather we possess a nature governed by the perfect law of liberty (Jas. 1:18, 2518Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (James 1:18)
25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. (James 1:25)).
The second chapter presents the inseparable link between faith and practice. We are to walk as those that are to be judged by the law of liberty (Jas. 2:1212So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. (James 2:12)). In James, Abraham’s public act of faith—offering up Isaac—is mentioned prior to his believing God. “The scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God” (Jas. 2:2323And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. (James 2:23)). Nothing here contradicts Romans; all is in perfect harmony (Rom. 4). Abraham’s obedience on Mount Moriah corroborated his faith.
Chapter 3. “My brethren, be not many masters [teachers], knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation” (Jas. 3:11My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. (James 3:1)). The word “master”, more correctly translated “teacher”, has the sense of a Rabbi (see John 1:38; 3:238Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? (John 1:38)
2The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. (John 3:2)). The rabbinical system, characteristic of modern Judiasm, has no counterpart in Christianity. Moreover, to walk contrary to that which is taught is a most serious thing. More than anything, it is our speech that betrays us. “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation [behavior] his works with meekness of wisdom” (Jas. 3:1313Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. (James 3:13)).
The fifth and final chapter begins with a solemn warning against gathering riches, especially at the expense of the poor (Jas. 5:1-61Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. 2Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. 3Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. 4Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. 5Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. 6Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you. (James 5:1‑6)). These were familiar exhortations to the Jew, who naturally looked for earthly blessing (see Amos 2:66Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes; (Amos 2:6)). The believer is to wait patiently for the coming of the Lord (Jas. 5:7-87Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. (James 5:7‑8)). Faithful men of old are given as examples—men of like passions such as we are. We too have a powerful resource in prayer (Jas. 5:11-1811Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. 12But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. 13Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. 14Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 17Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. (James 5:11‑18)).