Introduction:
The epistle of James is addressed to Israelites who had believed in the Lord Jesus and to others whose faith had not yet been manifested. Unlike most of the epistles of the New Testament, James's epistle does not offer a well-structured logical plan. The reader finds many different exhortations (54 of the 108 verses are presented in the imperative form).
They concern proper behaviour in trials of faith, when it comes to speaking, in relationships with one's neighbour or with the world, and in sufferings. Faith (mentioned 16 times) and works (15 times) constitute in a way the common thread that runs through the entire epistle.
James speaks little of the Lord Jesus. He mentions His name only twice (ch. 1:1; 2:1). But it can be said that James often speaks like the Lord. The similarities that exist between the text of the epistle and the Sermon on the Mount have been noted. In His speeches too, the Lord often addressed a mixed audience of believing and unbelieving Jews; He explained to them what the content of a practical faith should be. The epistle of James thus has a very concrete scope and the reader finds exhortations to live a life of faith in the mind of Christ. Such a life is characterized by good works. In this sense, James does not contradict Paul, but complements the apostle's writings.
1:17-18 God is the Source of every good and perfect gift. The apostle strongly asserts this to prevent any misunderstanding. These verses introduce God as not only the Source of all good gifts but also of all light. Creation's light and every true light for the heart, conscience, and intelligence come from Him. True knowledge results from divine revelation, with God being the "Father" or "Source" of all light. In contrast, human knowledge is uncertain and variable. It shines brightly, then suddenly goes out almost entirely, then reappears, then increases in intensity, then disappears[1], finally extinguished by a rising generation that is very sure of knowing more than the previous generation. With the Father of lights, there is no variation or shadow of turning. Blessed be God for this constancy.
We are begotten of God according to His will, and through the "word of truth" we are born of Him. The devil, the father of lies, has shaped the world with his deception since Genesis 3:4. In contrast, Christians are begotten by the Word of truth. While we await a world of truth, Christians are the first fruits of this new creation.
A wonderful thought! If God is the Source of good and perfect gifts and unwavering light, then beings begotten by Him are similarly wonderful. We are not left to deduce this; it is clearly stated, and significant results follow from this, as we shall see.
Chapter 2:1
These early Jewish Christians were far too influenced by the common ideas of the world, and because the world mocked the poor, they too despised the poor. Poverty and need may be incompatible with human glory, but they are quite compatible with divine glory.
2:14
James addresses people who claim to have faith in Jesus and suggests that there is a way to test this faith. True faith is alive and shows itself through actions, unlike dead faith, which is just a belief without any impact on behaviour. If our faith doesn't influence how we live, we can't claim to truly have the faith of Christ.
James emphasizes that the works he refers to are works of faith, which naturally result from a living faith. These are different from the works of the law that Paul talks about in Romans and Galatians, where he explains that we are justified by faith, not by following the law of Moses.
Works of faith are actions that stem from a genuine, living faith, just as fruit shows the health of a tree. Without these works, our faith is shown to be dead.
There is no contradiction between James and Paul. They complement each other. Paul excludes works done to achieve justification, while James insists on the necessity of works that come from a justifying faith. In James, the only question is what is valid before men. In Romans, the only question is what is valid before God.
V. 17-18
In the world of men, however, works are a necessity, for there is no other way to be assured that the faith, that is there, is alive. Unless our faith leads us to be ready to be the channel through which it can be conveyed, our faith is of no profit to the brother or sister in need; nor to us either. Our faith on this particular point is dead, and therefore inoperative, as v. 17 tells us, and we should not be surprised if others doubt it.
Chapter 3 is summarized in v. 16. At the root is jealousy or envy. This is the original sin of the devil. In aspiring to exalt himself, in envying what was above him, he fell. When there is this state of mind, quarrelling is inevitable, and from this in turn results disorder and all kinds of evil actions. Many of these things, perhaps all, are considered to be wisdom by the fallen man. The world considers it quite wise to win at all cost, to always be ‘number one’.
Chapter 4:1
The last striking note at the end of chapter 3 was that of peace.[2] The first note of chapter 4 is exactly the opposite: it is that of war. What is behind peace is purity which is the first mark of wisdom from above. Thus we now discover that what lies behind wars and battles, which is so common among those who profess to be part of God's people, is the impure passions of the human heart. The word used in Greek means the pleasure coming from the satisfaction of our desires or lusts, rather than the desires themselves. If our desires run wild and we find sinful pleasure in satisfying them, we immediately have the root of endless wars and battles.
Chapter 5:1 In the last verses of ch. 4, James was addressing those of his people who were part of the prosperous merchant class, and who professed to receive Jesus as their Lord. At the beginning of ch. 5, his thoughts turn to the rich Jews, aiming mostly at those who belonged to the unbelieving majority. In the first six verses, he has severe, even scathing words to say to them about them.
He accuses them of fraud, and frauds of the most despicable kind. They take from the humblest people, those least able to defend themselves.
They pursued their own enrichment, and they succeeded at it. They "had amassed a treasure". Meanwhile, the workers who could not defend themselves made their cry heard because of their poverty, and the Christians who could very well have defended themselves, followed in the footsteps of their Master, and did not resist them. The rich had brilliant successes, and it seemed that everything succeeded for them.
But appearances are deceiving. If one reads Ps. 73, one discovers that this is nothing new. Asaph had been greatly troubled by observing the prosperity of the wicked, while God's people were under chastisement and sorrows; he found no satisfactory solution to this problem until he entered into the sanctuaries of God.
In the light of the sanctuary everything became clear to him. He saw that the way of both the ungodly rich and the harassed and downtrodden saints could only be correctly appreciated by seeing its outcome. Shortly before he had been near to falling because he had been consumed with envy seeing the prosperity of the wicked: now he exclaims: "How are they destroyed in a moment!" Asaph himself was one of these pious men, beaten all day long, and whose "chastening came every morning". Yet in the sanctuary, he lifts his eyes to God with joy, and he confesses "You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory". The end of one is destruction; the end of the other is to be received into glory. The contrast is complete.
5 :7 When the apostles wrote that the next decisive movement in the drama was the public intervention of God, with the Lord’s coming, it was perfectly true — even if we are still waiting for this coming. But we are not waiting in vain!
His coming is our hope, and these words of exhortation must come to us today with redoubled force. Are we tried, are our hearts burdened with the weight of all the unjust evils? "Therefore be patient" is the word addressed to us. Do we feel troubled, when everything within and without seems uncertain and shaken? This message comes to us: "Strengthen your hearts." Does it seem to us that our sowing is perpetually ineffective? "Be patient" is the word addressed to us, "until the coming of the Lord." Then we will enjoy the grand "harvest feast."
How important it is that the coming of the Lord is truly our HOPE. If faith is vigorous, hope will continue to shine and glow before our hearts, and then we will endure with patience, rise above grudges and complaints, and be marked by the moderation of speech.
While we wait for the Lord’s coming, our lives are made up of numerous and varied experiences.
[1] Isaiah 50:11 Contrasts the steadfast, true light that comes from God with the flickering, unreliable light of human understanding and effort. “All who kindle flames and…walk by its light…This is the fate from my hand: you shall lie down in a place of torment.” Those who rely on their own light rather than God's will face consequences.
[2] V.18: And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. (NRSV).
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