The epistle of James was written around A.D. 45 and is attributed to the brother of Jesus, who was the leader of the church in Jerusalem. Martin Luther was not a fan of this book and called it "an epistle of straw" that was not in the same caliber as the epistles of Paul or the rest of the Bible for that matter. Luther felt James strayed from the Gospel focus of Paul's writing and actually put it at the end of his translation of the New Testament.
In contrast to Paul's "justification by faith" focus, Luther felt James emphasized a "justification by works" approach towards the Christian life. Regardless of Luther's opinion on this epistle, which I respect, it was canonized into the New Testament by the church fathers and remains an important part of scripture.
The emphasis of "works" and tangible results manifested through a life of faith can be troublesome to reconcile with a "grace-based" viewpoint. However, there are a lot of valuable nuggets within this powerful letter, and one of my areas of criticism will attempt to weave James' ideas in with the overall new covenant we are living under as Christ's disciples today.
James addresses this letter "to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad," which is generally interpreted as Jewish Christians outside of Jerusalem. So, in essence, he was writing to "spiritual Israel" since we are all one in Jesus Christ and spiritual descendants of Abraham through faith. Remember, most of the Jews living in Palestine at the time of the early church were from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. The other 10 tribes were conquered by the Assyrians ~720 B.C., taken captive into their nation, and then scattered abroad after Assyria fell to the Medes and Babylonians. The idea that the letter was written to the "lost tribes of Israel" is intriguing, but there isn't a lot of solid evidence to support this theory.
I love how James begins his letter with, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience" (James 1: 2-3). As much as I don't enjoy trials, I have seen how they have built positive character traits within me and made me a stronger Christian overall. I remember one of my deacon friends advising me not to "pray for trials," though, because he said God is always happy to answer this prayer swiftly. I did have to try it once, and boy did I have a rough day at work the next day
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In contrast to Paul's "justification by faith" focus, Luther felt James emphasized a "justification by works" approach towards the Christian life. Regardless of Luther's opinion on this epistle, which I respect, it was canonized into the New Testament by the church fathers and remains an important part of scripture.
The emphasis of "works" and tangible results manifested through a life of faith can be troublesome to reconcile with a "grace-based" viewpoint. However, there are a lot of valuable nuggets within this powerful letter, and one of my areas of criticism will attempt to weave James' ideas in with the overall new covenant we are living under as Christ's disciples today.
James addresses this letter "to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad," which is generally interpreted as Jewish Christians outside of Jerusalem. So, in essence, he was writing to "spiritual Israel" since we are all one in Jesus Christ and spiritual descendants of Abraham through faith. Remember, most of the Jews living in Palestine at the time of the early church were from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. The other 10 tribes were conquered by the Assyrians ~720 B.C., taken captive into their nation, and then scattered abroad after Assyria fell to the Medes and Babylonians. The idea that the letter was written to the "lost tribes of Israel" is intriguing, but there isn't a lot of solid evidence to support this theory.
I love how James begins his letter with, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience" (James 1: 2-3). As much as I don't enjoy trials, I have seen how they have built positive character traits within me and made me a stronger Christian overall. I remember one of my deacon friends advising me not to "pray for trials," though, because he said God is always happy to answer this prayer swiftly. I did have to try it once, and boy did I have a rough day at work the next day
!
First James is teaching about genuine faith and the difference in empty faith .
“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
James 2:14-17, 26 KJV
One misconception is that James isn’t teaching about faith but he is . Paul had written things like this
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV
James is further explaining faith that saves and Emory faith that doesn’t
paul says this
“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.”
Galatians 5:6 KJV
james is talking about that kind of faith here
“If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? “
we can see a poor person and feel sorry for them and say “ I’ll pray for ya I hope God helps “ but if we have enough to share and don’t act upon it , it’s empty and not effective because it has no action with it . Saying we have faith is very different from walking in faith actuons are required to complete faith
One of pauls man points is this
“Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
Galatians 3:6 KJV
“For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”
Romans 4:3
James is further explaining that point regarding Abraham’s faith as he completes his teaching
“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
And 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.
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
James 2:20-24, 26 KJV
they wrote with different phrases and words and their writings compliment each others for a better and fuller understanding
to say we’re saved by faith is true ,
to then learn more about what faith entails and find out faith without works is incomplete is also true . Or to find out when we act n roghteousness that fulfills the promise made of righteousness beforhand for believers like Abraham
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