James & Ecclesiastes - What is Wisdom?

[Pilgrimshope]

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 !

The same Holy Spirit spoke through Paul , Peter James John ect when you really examine pauls teachings about justification by faith and James teaching about justification by faith they go together to form a fuller understanding of justifcation by faith

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

 

[Pilgrimshope]

I heard an excellent sermon a number of years ago that focused on the book of Ecclesiastes, and the pastor noted that James is an excellent complimentary epistle to Ecclesiastes. Both books fall within the category of "wisdom literature" with their short maxims that emphasize properly living a "righteous" and "prosperous" life in the flesh (Ecclesiastes) and in the Spirit (James).

Ecclesiastes was likely written by king Solomon later in his life. After succeeding his father, David, on the throne at a very young age, he started off down the right path by asking God for wisdom to govern the nation with a "discerning heart" to "distinguish between right and wrong" (I Kings 3: 9). God was pleased with this request and said, "...I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be" (v. 12).

Solomon shares his wisdom through the book of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Psalms 72 and 127 along with the Song of Solomon. Early on in his career, he built upon David's success and led Israel to the height of their physical power and prestige as a nation. Unfortunately, unlike his father, he fell into heavy idolatry, had wives and concubines from other nations, and neglected his relationship with God to the point that Solomon's salvation is questionable (e.g. he is excluded in the list of "heroes of faith" in Hebrews 11).

Solomon lived a life of experimentation. Rather than focusing on God like David did, Solomon pursued a life of leisure and pleasure, but he sums up the results right at the beginning of Ecclesiastes that he felt emptiness in that lifestyle:

Ecclesiastes 1:1-2

New King James Version

The Vanity of Life

1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

2 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher;
“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”

James on the other hand begins his letter much differently, emphasizing right up front that he is a servant of God, and life is far from "vanity" when we are living in Christ:

James 1

New King James Version

1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad:

Greetings.

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces [a]patience.

4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be [b]perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

I've been looking forward to tackling these two challenging texts for quite some time, yet I may have bitten off more than I can chew. But, with your help, I'm excited about gaining more "wisdom" hopefully through this study and fellowship with all of you.

wisdom is Jesus Christ and the gospel wiser than Solomon even

“The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12:42‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1:30‬ ‭

We find true wisdom in the gospel and should forsake all other sources

“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭5:20‬ ‭

“Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, Neither have entered into the heart of man, The things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭2:6-12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

 

[UnoiAmarah]

Paul said there would be no reason to follow Christ if he were not risen. (1Cor.15:14)
IOW, the hope for heaven is the right motivation for faith in Jesus as Lord.

In John 11:25-26, it is written that Jesus said " he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"

The flesh is not the life of the spirit.

 

[studier]

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 .

Nice work.

There is Biblical Faith vs. there is unbiblical faith; the empty faith you speak of, the dead faith and faith only that James speaks of, a faith that doesn't obey God that Paul and others speak of, a faith that doesn't abide and doesn't obey that Jesus spoke of, IOW an unbiblical faith that is actually unbelief.

IMO, in a pendulum swing against works-salvation some systematic traditions have pushed the faith alone concept too far and have ended up with an overly simplistic concept of faith which actually strips Biblical Faith of its definition from Scripture and turns it into unbelief. The counter to this faith alone concept was faith is never alone. So, this is not a new debate.

Biblical Faith is the only Faith that saves. Maybe there's a better adjective than "Biblical" to describe Faith, like these used by Paul and Peter:

NKJ 2 Timothy 1:5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.

• "genuine" here means "without pretense" - so real Faith - not a pretend faith. It's a word that could be transliterated as "non hypocritical" and means not play acting.

NKJ 1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

• "genuineness" here means "genuineness as a result of testing" and can mean "without alloy" and we can see this testing concept in Peter's words "trials/tests/temptations" and "tested by fire" where "tested" is another form of the same word that is speaking of the test to determine genuineness/value. It's a word group that speaks of testing metals for purity and thus value.
• "More precious than gold that perishes" speaks of something of exceptional/great value so we can see what Peter instructs re: the extreme value of Faith and ultimately genuine Faith that has been tested and refined.

Stopping here, there's a reason Paul and Peter spoke of Faith in this way and in spite of the fact that such lessons are clear in Scripture, some traditions IMO have made Faith into what it is not and are facilitating some pretend concept of faith that is not genuine and will not stand up or abide under testing, IOW unbelief with its dead works of no value.

 

[armchairscholar]

I heard an excellent sermon a number of years ago that focused on the book of Ecclesiastes, and the pastor noted that James is an excellent complimentary epistle to Ecclesiastes. Both books fall within the category of "wisdom literature" with their short maxims that emphasize properly living a "righteous" and "prosperous" life in the flesh (Ecclesiastes) and in the Spirit (James).


Ecclesiastes was likely written by king Solomon later in his life. After succeeding his father, David, on the throne at a very young age, he started off down the right path by asking God for wisdom to govern the nation with a "discerning heart" to "distinguish between right and wrong" (I Kings 3: 9). God was pleased with this request and said, "...I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be" (v. 12).


Solomon shares his wisdom through the book of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Psalms 72 and 127 along with the Song of Solomon. Early on in his career, he built upon David's success and led Israel to the height of their physical power and prestige as a nation. Unfortunately, unlike his father, he fell into heavy idolatry, had wives and concubines from other nations, and neglected his relationship with God to the point that Solomon's salvation is questionable (e.g. he is excluded in the list of "heroes of faith" in Hebrews 11).


Solomon lived a life of experimentation. Rather than focusing on God like David did, Solomon pursued a life of leisure and pleasure, but he sums up the results right at the beginning of Ecclesiastes that he felt emptiness in that lifestyle:


Ecclesiastes 1:1-2


New King James Version


The Vanity of Life


1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.


2 "Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."


James on the other hand begins his letter much differently, emphasizing right up front that he is a servant of God, and life is far from "vanity" when we are living in Christ:


James 1


New King James Version


1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad:


Greetings.


2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,


3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.


4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.


I've been looking forward to tackling these two challenging texts for quite some time, yet I may have bitten off more than I can chew. But, with your help, I'm excited about gaining more "wisdom" hopefully through this study and fellowship with all of you.

You've hit on something really important. Solomon's journey shows us what happens when even the wisest person relies only on human understanding. All that experimenting with pleasure, wealth, and power left him feeling empty inside. That word "vanity" (or "meaningless" in some translations) appears 38 times in Ecclesiastes! Solomon learned the hard way that worldly success without God just doesn't satisfy our souls.

James takes the opposite approach. He starts by identifying himself as a servant - showing that our identity matters more than our achievements. While Solomon says "I tried everything and it's all meaningless," James says "even your hardest struggles have meaning when you see them through God's eyes."

This reminds me of what I see in my counseling practice. People who chase after success, pleasure or wealth often end up in my office feeling empty. Meanwhile, those who find meaning through service and faith demonstrate greater resilience through life's challenges.

What's fascinating to me is how Solomon's wisdom came from his failures, while James's wisdom came from his relationship with Christ. Both teach us valuable lessons, but from opposite directions!

I think studying these books together is actually perfect. They're like before-and-after pictures of the human condition - one showing life without God at the center, the other showing how everything changes when we view our circumstances through faith.

 

[studier]

That word "vanity" (or "meaningless" in some translations) appears 38 times in Ecclesiastes! Solomon learned the hard way that worldly success without God just doesn't satisfy our souls.

One of the best descriptions I've heard for this word which basically means "vapor" or "breath" and speaks of something transitory is it's like a warm breath on a very cold day that creates a vapor that soon disappears.

I picture this as I read Ecclesiastes.

cc: @SilverFox7

 

[Pilgrimshope]

Nice work.

There is Biblical Faith vs. there is unbiblical faith; the empty faith you speak of, the dead faith and faith only that James speaks of, a faith that doesn't obey God that Paul and others speak of, a faith that doesn't abide and doesn't obey that Jesus spoke of, IOW an unbiblical faith that is actually unbelief.

IMO, in a pendulum swing against works-salvation some systematic traditions have pushed the faith alone concept too far and have ended up with an overly simplistic concept of faith which actually strips Biblical Faith of its definition from Scripture and turns it into unbelief. The counter to this faith alone concept was faith is never alone. So, this is not a new debate.

Biblical Faith is the only Faith that saves. Maybe there's a better adjective than "Biblical" to describe Faith, like these used by Paul and Peter:

NKJ 2 Timothy 1:5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.

• "genuine" here means "without pretense" - so real Faith - not a pretend faith. It's a word that could be transliterated as "non hypocritical" and means not play acting.

NKJ 1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

• "genuineness" here means "genuineness as a result of testing" and can mean "without alloy" and we can see this testing concept in Peter's words "trials/tests/temptations" and "tested by fire" where "tested" is another form of the same word that is speaking of the test to determine genuineness/value. It's a word group that speaks of testing metals for purity and thus value.
• "More precious than gold that perishes" speaks of something of exceptional/great value so we can see what Peter instructs re: the extreme value of Faith and ultimately genuine Faith that has been tested and refined.

Stopping here, there's a reason Paul and Peter spoke of Faith in this way and in spite of the fact that such lessons are clear in Scripture, some traditions IMO have made Faith into what it is not and are facilitating some pretend concept of faith that is not genuine and will not stand up or abide under testing, IOW unbelief with its dead works of no value.

“faith only that James speaks of, a faith that doesn't obey God that Paul and others speak of, a faith that doesn't abide and doesn't obey that Jesus spoke of, IOW an unbiblical faith that is actually unbelief.”

everything paul taught was meant to bring gentiles to the obedience of faith

“For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭15:18‬ ‭

it’s not what paul taught that’s the problem but it’s this this is the issue with his writings

“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:15-16‬ ‭

a Peter isn’t saying Paul’s letters are wrong he’s commending then calling them wisdom he’s saying “ watch out because many take paul writings and distort and change then into false ideas and lead people astray to destruction “

Paul should be studied together with James and Peter and most importantly Jesus preaching the gospel. But instead people try to find sentences of Paul’s that seem to fit thier ideas of hypergracer and no obedience needed no repentance required ect

pauls writings are magnificent and so in depth and actually are a part of how we come to be obedient humans w we o welcome sins dominion over us ect

Paul actually taught more about repentance and obedience than anyone did even giving clear warnings like this trying to pursuade people

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:10-11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

And clear teachings like this

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:7-9‬ ‭

“But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭2:5-9‬ ‭

if people actrually read Paul’s letters theres no mistaking his doctrine is the same doctrine Jesus and the other apostles preached and it’s really beautifully written a pleasure to read and consume