James 1:1-18 Bible Study Notes

Bible Study Notes - James 1:1-8 and James 1:9-18

We commence a study of the book of James, the New Testament book of “Wisdom” literature.  The book concentrates upon daily and practical religion which is most evident in a disciple’s lifestyle rather than his verbal profession of faith.  James defines “good religion” in 1:27 and 2:14-26.  In the words of that old Negro spiritual, “Have You Got Good Religion?”  In the first and second chapters of the book, James distinguishes the characteristics of “true religion.”  The third and fourth chapters, in contrast, delineate the signs and deeds of “false profession” of faith.  The final and fifth chapter offers various “warnings, exhortations and instructions” for average believers.  Again, James heavily emphasizes the necessity of practicing the best attributes of the Christian faith rather than merely granting “intellectual assent to truth [doctrines, creeds and beliefs] without change of character.”  As we study this brief but powerful book of the Bible, let’s continually ask “How do we daily practice Christian principles we believe and learn?”

As it relates to James 1:1-8, consider the following ideas as you study the passage.

• How do we practically “consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds?”  What does it mean to have joy?  How do you know when you are joyous?  What are the determining aspects of joy?
• “The testing of your faith develops perseverance.”  Are pain and evil necessary in order to grow spiritually?  Without passing various tests of faith, can you really cultivate the personal quality of perseverance?
• How do you persevere practically during a difficult time?  Compare this verse in James with Romans 5:3-5.  How does a very depressed and emotionally paralyzed person persevere through a particularly bleak situation?
• The fourth verse links perseverance to maturity and wholeness in faith when means “not lacking anything.”  Enduring trials and tribulations is a prerequisite to seeing more clearly the faithfulness of Almighty God in your spiritual journey.
• The fifth verse encourages us to seek God if we lack wisdom.  What does it mean to “lack wisdom?”  How do we ask God? Let’s evaluate our personal and collective understanding of prayer?
• Consider the biblical promise that God “gives [wisdom] generously to all without finding fault.”  If a person asks, “it [wisdom] will be given to him.”  Amazingly, anyone whether a believer or not receives the guarantee of divine guidance.
• Is belief and doubt two sides of the same coin?  What does it mean to believe practically?  What are the daily realities of doubt? What is a practical contrast of belief and doubt?  Let’s look at Mark 9:23-24.
• James offers a great literary image of doubt in which he compares it to waves of the sea, blowing and tossing back and forth by the wind.
• James refers to a perpetual doubter as a double-minded person, literally a person with two minds within one head.  Such a person “will not receive anything from the Lord.”  More regrettably, this man is “unstable in all he does.”
• What is the practical cure to double-mindedness? 
• Let’s look at Hebrews 11:1-6.  Let’s discuss faith and its necessity to pleasing God.

As it relates to James 1:9-18, consider the following ideas as you study the passage.

• James considers the brother in “humble circumstances” as being in a “high position” and a “rich” person as being in a “low position.”  What does James mean practically by this peculiar imagery?  Isn’t it the other way around?
• The “rich” person “will pass away like a wild flower.”  Given the equality of all men as it relates to death, how should a rich person use his or her money?
• In verse twelve, James pronounces a blessing upon the man who perseveres in adversity.  What the practical rewards of perseverance?
• What is the “crown of life that God promises to those who love him?”
• In the thirteenth verse, James exhorts believers against attaching the name of God to temptation.  Refer to the “Lord’s Prayer” in Matthew 6:5-14 and 1 Corinthian 10:13.
• God cannot be tempted by evil nor does He tempt anyone.  However, God allows test to determine your character and spiritual progress.  Allude again to ultimate, perfect, permissive and circumstantial will of Almighty God.
• James suggests that temptations emerge from our “own evil desire” which drag us away and entice us to sin.  See Genesis 6:5, 1 Samuel 16:7, Proverbs 4:23 and Matthew 23:25-28.
• The fifteenth verse posits that sin begins with an idea, “after desire has conceived.”  James uses the image of conception which eventuates in a baby in nine months.
• Desire births sin; when fully grown, sin ultimately yields death.  Recall the saying, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.”  Refer to Romans 6:23.
• God is the giver of “every good and perfect gift.”  Practically speaking, what is a “good and perfect gift?”
• God does not “change like shifting shadows.”  Recite the stanza of the hymn, “Great is Thy Faithfulness.”  Also, read Lamentations 3:19-26.
• The eighteenth verse speaks details one of the purposes of the Church.  The “Word of truth” is a midwife to disciples.  It becomes the milk and meat that enables us to mature and acquire the mind, heart, character and lifestyle of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  Refer to 1 Peter 2:2-3 and Philippians 2:1-11.
• We are to be the “first fruits” of creation.  What does this mean?  How do we implement this lifestyle?