Faith and Endurance
James 1:1-27
- What did it mean to the original reader or original audience?
Summarize the main story: Describe the events of the scriptural story in your own words.
Review and retell the story.
#People =
- James
- The twelve tribes scattered abroad
- Every good and perfect gift-giver (God)
- The person lacking in wisdom
- The rich and the poor
- The man who is tempted
#Place =
- Jerusalem (implied, as the assumed place of James' writing)
- The Diaspora (the twelve tribes scattered abroad)
#Sin =
#Key Idea =
Greeting
1James, a servanta of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:
Greetings.
Testing of Your Faith
2Count it all joy, my brothers,b when you meet trials of various kinds, 3for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
9Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grassc he will pass away. 11For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
12Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
16Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.d 18Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Hearing and Doing the Word
19Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
26If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Trials and Maturity (Verses 1-4)
James encourages believers to view trials as joyful opportunities for spiritual growth:
- "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds" (v. 2)
- Trials develop perseverance, which leads to spiritual maturity (v. 3-4)
Wisdom and Humility (Verses 5-11)
James emphasizes the importance of seeking God's wisdom:
- Ask God for wisdom generously and without doubt (vv. 5-8)
- Be humble and content regardless of circumstances (vv. 9-11)
Temptation and Sin (Verses 12-15)
James explains temptation and sin:
- God cannot be tempted or tempt others (v. 13)
- People are tempted by their own evil desires (v. 14-15)
- Temptation leads to sin, which leads to death (v. 15)
God's Goodness and Faithfulness (Verses 16-18)
James reminds believers of God's goodness and faithfulness:
- Every good gift comes from God (v. 17)
- God does not change; He remains faithful (v. 17)
- Salvation is a gift from God through His word (v. 18)
Practical Faith (Verses 19-27)
James emphasizes the importance of putting faith into action:
- Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger (vv. 19-20)
- Lay aside evil desires and receive God's word with humility (v. 21)
- Pure religion involves caring for widows and orphans (v. 27)
In summary, James 1 sets the stage for the rest of the book by emphasizing the practical application of faith, the importance of trials, seeking wisdom from God, understanding temptation, and living out authentic Christianity through actions and attitudes.
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- What transformative move needs to be made?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
Take Away Challenges
What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage? How will you apply it to your life this week?
Whom do you know who needs to hear this?
What is God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What beliefs, thoughts, or actions need to be addressed or changed?
Other Resources:
- Other YouTube Videos
Beyond the Trouble (James 1) | Mike Mazzalongo
https://youtu.be/f0QHM1Lpv5Y
Trial and Temptation - James 1:12-18
- Audio Recordings
James 1 - https://app.throughtheword.org/
Articles
Devotions
- Links
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