JAMES
CHAPTERS 1 & 2
FAITH
WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD
OBSERVATION
STAGE
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
The purpose of
the observation stage is to maintain focus on the text at hand within the
normative rules of language, context and logic 
which limits the observer to the content offered by the book of James.
This will serve to avoid going on unnecessary tangents elsewhere; and more
importantly, it will provide the framework for a proper and objective
comparison with passages located elsewhere in Scripture.
Remember that
something elsewhere may be true, but in the text at hand it may not be in
view.
A careful
observation of chapter one is key to understanding chapter 2, so let's
take a look at chapters one and two in their entirety to see what we can
observe from them before going elsewhere.
I)
[Jas 1:1]:
A)
AUTHOR JAMES DECLARES HE IS A SERVANT/SLAVE OF GOD AND OF THE LORD JESUS
CHRIST, I.E., HE IS A BELIEVER
B)
JAMES' LETTER IS ADDRESSED TO PEOPLE FROM THE TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL
WHO WERE SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD DWELLING AMONG THE GENTILE
NATIONS
1) [Compare Acts 8:1-4]:
II)
[Jas 1:1-4]:
A)
JAMES ADDRESSES HIS READERS AS BROTHERS, I.E., BELIEVERS IN JESUS
CHRIST, IDENTIFYING HIMSELF AS A FELLOW BELIEVER IN CHRIST
1) [Compare Jas 2:1]:
B)
THE SCATTERED TWELVE TRIBES OF CHRISTIAN BRETHREN WERE EVIDENTLY FACING
TRIALS OF MANY KINDS - TRIALS OF DIFFICULTY AND PERSECUTION ARE IN VIEW
C)
CONSIDER IT ALL JOY TO FACE EXTERNAL TRIALS OF ALL KINDS BECAUSE IT IS
ALREADY KNOWN THAT SUCH TESTING OF ONES FAITH DEVELOPS PERSEVERANCE UNTO
MATURITY AND COMPLETION AS A BELIEVER - A MESSAGE CHARACTERISTIC OF THE
BEHAVIOR OF BELIEVERS, I.E., ISRAELITE CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS ARE IN VIEW
D)
TRIALS ARE TO BE EXPECTED AND COUNTED AS JOY NOT EVIDENCE AND PUNISHMENT
FOR SOME KIND OF FAILURE OR UNWARRANTED DISASTER IN THE BELIEVER'S LIFE
E)
THE CONTEXT OF FACING TRIALS TO TEST ONES FAITH CORROBORATES JAMES'
AUDIENCE AS SCATTERED AND PERSECUTED CHRISTIAN ISRAELITE BELIEVERS NOT
ISRAELITES BEFORE CHRIST CAME TO EARTH
F)
PERSEVERANCE UNTO THE MATURITY AND COMPLETENESS OF ONES FAITH IS IN VIEW
G)
PERSEVERANCE TO PROVE OUT ONES FAITH OR AS A REQUIREMENT FOR 'TRUE
FAITH' IS NOT IN VIEW
III)
[Jas 1:2-5]:
A)
THE BELIEVER IS TO DISCERN IF HE LACKS WISDOM RELATIVE TO THE END OF
PERSERVING THROUGH TESTING AND THEN ASK GOD FOR THIS WISDOM - FOR SUCH
DISCERNMENT IS KEY TO PERSEVERANCE
B)
JAMES TELLS BELIEVERS THAT GOD WILL NOT FIND FAULT WITH THOSE WHO ASK
FOR WISDOM, RATHER ONE WILL BE GIVEN IT GENEROUSLY
C)
THE WISDOM THAT GOD WILL GIVE THOSE WHO ASK HIM FOR IT IN THIS AGE WILL
BE FROM SCRIPTURE, ALBEIT CONVEYED TO THE INDIVIDUAL THROUGH HIS OWN
EFFORTS OR THROUGH OTHERS
IV)
[Jas 1:2-6]:
A)
MATURING ONES FAITH IS IN VIEW, NOT FALSE FAITH VS TRUE FAITH
B)
ONE MUST NOT DOUBT GOD WHEN ONE ASKS FOR WISDOM FOR THIS WILL DEFEAT
ONES PURPOSE AND THWART PROGRESS TOWARD PERSEVERING UNDER TRIALS TOWARD
MATURITY AND COMPLETENESS
C)
ONE MUST NOT DOUBT GOD - IF HE DOES HE IS LIKE A WAVE BLOWN AND TOSSED
BY THE WIND, HIS LACK OF FAITH DISABLES HIS PATH TO PERSEVERANCE,
MATURITY AND COMPLETENESS AS A BELIEVER
D)
THE ISSUE IS NOT ONLY TO TRUST IN GOD TO PROVIDE ONE WITH THE MEANS
TOWARD THE END OF PERSEVERING UNDER TRIAL BUT TO TRUST THAT WHATEVER GOD
DOES PROVIDE IS SUFFICIENT FOR ONE TO PERSEVERE TOWARD THAT END
E)
GOD'S WISDOM FOR PERSEVERING THROUGH TESTING IS PROVIDED THROUGH
THE TESTING AND AFFIRMS THAT ONE IS A BELIEVER
V)
[Jas 1:5-8]:
A)
ONE WHO ASKS GOD AND DOUBTS WILL NOT RECEIVE WHAT HE ASKS FOR - HE IS
DOUBLE MINDED AND UNSTABLE IN ALL THAT HE DOES. HE IS ON THE PATH TO
SELF-DESTRUCTION OF HIS LIFE BEFORE GOD AND ETERNITY
VI)
[Jas 1:2-9]:
A)
BEING IN HUMBLE (POOR) CIRCUMSTANCES IS IN VIEW AS A TRIAL TO PERSEVERE
UNDER
B)
THE CONTEXT OF PERSEVERING UNDER TRIAL CONTINUES WITH A VIEW TO WISDOM
FROM GOD WHICH ONE IN HUMBLE CIRCUMSTANCES OUGHT TO RECOGNIZE AND TAKE
PRIDE IN HIS HIGH POSITION BEFORE GOD AND ETERNITY
C)
THE BROTHER IN HUMBLE CIRCUMSTANCES OUGHT TO TAKE PRIDE IN HIS HIGH
POSITION OF ETERNAL LIFE WHICH IS FROM GOD HENCE THE FOCUS IS ON THE
GRACE OF GOD AND NOT ON ONES TEMPORAL POSITION, ENABLING THE BROTHER TO
PERSEVERE THROUGH TRIALS UNTO MATURITY AND COMPLETION
D)
IN VIEW OF THE CONTEXT THAT A BELIEVER IN HUMBLE CIRCUMSTANCES IS TO
TAKE PRIDE IN HIS HIGH ETERNAL POSITION OVER HIS LOW TEMPORAL
CIRCUMSTANCE CORROBORATES THE CONTEXT THAT JAMES' AUDIENCE IS BORN AGAIN
BELIEVERS
VII)
[Jas 1:2-11]:
A)
THE CONTEXT OF PERSEVERING UNDER TRIAL CONTINUES WITH THE TEST OF RICHES
IN CONTRAST TO BEING MATERIALLY POOR IN A BELIEVER'S LIFE
B)
A BROTHER WHO IS RICH SHOULD VIEW HIS WEALTHY, TEMPORAL POSITION
AS A LOWLY ONE WITH GODLY PRIDE AS HE UNDERGOES THE TESTS GOD HAS PROVIDED FOR HIM TOWARD
PERSEVERANCE TO MATURITY AND COMPLETENESS. HE WILL SOON PASS AWAY LIKE A WILD
FLOWER WITH A VIEW TO A MUCH SUPERIOR ETERNAL POSITION BEFORE GOD
C)
IN VIEW OF THE CONTEXT THAT WEALTHY BELIEVERS ARE TO FOCUS ON THEIR
ETERNAL DESTINY IN PRIORITY OVER THEIR TEMPORAL WEALTHY STATUS
CORROBORATES THE CONTEXT THAT JAMES' AUDIENCE IS BORN AGAIN BELIEVERS
D)
THE WEALTHY BELIEVER'S ETERNAL POSITION IS TO SERVE TO DIVERT HIS
ATTENTION FROM AN UNWARRANTED FOCUS ON HIS WEALTHY TEMPORAL STATUS
ENABLING HIM TO PERSEVERE THROUGH TRIALS FOR HE WILL PASS AWAY LIKE A
WILD FLOWER AND IT WILL BE GONE
VIII)
[Jas 1:2-12]:
A)
THE SUBJECT OF PERSEVERING UNDER TRIAL CONTINUES
B)
PERSERVERING UNDER TRIAL WILL BE REWARDED WITH THE CROWN OF LIFE WITH
THE IMPLICATION THAT THIS PERSEVERANCE PROVES OUT ONES LOVE FOR GOD - A
KEY POINT OF THE WISDOM OF GOD FOR THE TESTED BELIEVER TO KEEP IN MIND
AS HE UNDERGOES TESTING
C)
THE CONTEXT IS OF A ONE TIME REWARD OF THE CROWN OF LIFE FOR A LIFESTYLE
OF PERSEVERANCE THROUGH MANY TRIALS WHEREIN ONE IS DECLARED AS HAVING
STOOD THE TEST OF ONES WHOLE LIFE. IT IS EXEMPLIFIED AS A LIFESTYLE OF
LOVING GOD
D)
THOSE WHO EXEMPLIFY A LIFESTYLE OF PERSEVERANCE UNDER TRIALS ARE
DEMONSTRATING THEIR LOVE OF GOD AND ARE AMONG THOSE WHO RECEIVE THE
CROWN OF LIFE
IX)
[Jas 1:2-13]:
A)
GOD'S HOLY AND PERFECT NATURE CANNOT RESPOND TO TEMPTATION TO DO EVIL
B)
WHEN A BELIEVER WHO IS UNDERGOING TESTING IS TEMPTED TO DO EVIL, HE
SHOULD NOT SAY 'GOD IS TEMPTING ME' - HE HAS STOPPED SHORT OF
PERSEVERANCE AND FAILED THE TEST
C)
SOURCES OF TEMPTATION TO DO EVIL INCLUDE THE WORLD, THE DEVIL AND HIS
DEMONS, ALL INDIVIDUALS - UNBELIEVERS AND BELIEVERS, BUT NEVER
GOD
D)
SINCE SUBJECTIVE TEMPTATION BY THE BELIEVER TO DO EVIL MUST COME OUTSIDE
OF GOD THEN ONE MUST CONCLUDE THAT THE BELIEVER HAS A CAPACITY TO BE
TEMPTED TO DO EVIL AS PART OF HIS NATURE
E)
ALTHOUGH GOD IS NOT THE SOURCE OF ANY KIND OF TEMPTATION TO GET SOMEONE
TO DO EVIL, HE PERMITS IT IN ORDER THAT BELIEVERS CAN PERSEVERE UNDER
SUCH TESTING TOWARD MATURITY
X)
[Jas 1:13-14]:
A) THE SUBJECTIVE, I.E., PERSONAL SOURCE OF TEMPTATION TO DO EVIL IS THE
EVIL DESIRE, I.E., THE SIN NATURE WITHIN THE INDIVIDUAL, NOT GOD. ALL
INDIVIDUALS, EVEN BELIEVERS HAVE SIN NATURES
B)
THE BELIEVER IS TEMPTED TO DO EVIL BY BEING DRAGGED AWAY FROM THAT WHICH
IS RIGHTEOUS BY HIS OWN DESIRES. HENCE HE IS ENTICED TO DO EVIL. HE HAS
MADE A DECISION TO SIN
XI)
[Jas 1:13-15]:
A)
ONE IS SUBJECTIVELY, I.E., PERSONALLY, TEMPTED TO DO EVIL WHEN DRAWN
AWAY FROM RIGHTEOUSNESS BY ONES EVIL DESIRES AND ENTICED TO RESPOND. SIN
IS THEN CONCEIVED IN THE MIND WHEREUPON ONE ACTS UPON THAT MINDSET,
GIVING BIRTH TO THAT SIN
B)
WHEN SIN IS REPEATED TO THE EXTENT IT BECOMES A PATTERN IN THE
BELIEVER'S LIFE, I.E, FULL-GROWN SIN, RESULTING IN PREMATURE PHYSICAL
DEATH
C)
ETERNAL DEATH DUE TO SIN IS NOT IN VIEW
XII)
[Jas 1:13-17]:
A)
STOP BEING DECEIVED, GOD DOES NOT TEMPT ANYONE TO DO EVIL. GOD HAS
ALWAYS BEEN THE GIVER OF EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT THAT IS EVER
RECEIVED - HE DOES NOT CHANGE
B)
GOD THE FATHER FROM WHOM COMES EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT FROM HEAVEN
ABOVE IS CREATOR AND SUSTAINER OF THE HEAVENLY LIGHTS, I.E., PLANETS,
SUN, STARS, COMETS
C)
GOD THE FATHER FROM WHOM COMES EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT FROM HEAVEN
ABOVE, WHO IS SUSTAINER OF THE HEAVENLY LIGHTS, DOES NOT CHANGE LIKE THE
SHIFTING SHADOWS OF THOSE HEAVENLY BODIES
XIII)
[Jas 1:17-18]:
A)
A KEY REASON FOR PROVING THAT GOD IS NOT THE AUTHOR OF TEMPTATION TO DO
EVIL IS THAT GOD CHOSE BEFORE ALL THINGS CERTAIN ONES FROM AMONG
HUMANITY WHO EVIDENCE THIS CHOICE WHEN THEY BECOME BELIEVERS TO GIVE
THEM THE GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT OF SPIRITUAL BIRTH. IT WOULD THUS BE OUT
OF CHARACTER IF GOD, WHO NEVER CHANGES, TEMPTED ONE TO DO EVIL
B)
GOD CHOSE BEFORE ALL THINGS CERTAIN ONES FROM AMONG HUMANITY - WHO
EVIDENCE THIS CHOICE WHEN THEY INEVITABLY DECIDE OF THEIR OWN FREE WILL
TO BECOME BELIEVERS TO GIVE THEM THE GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT OF SPIRITUAL
BIRTH. PHYSICAL BIRTH IS NOT IN VIEW
C)
THE SECOND BIRTH IS UNTO ETERNAL LIFE/SALVATION, GIVEN AS A GIFT BY GOD
SOLELY OUT OF THE WILL OF GOD TO BELIEVERS THROUGH THE WORD OF TRUTH,
THE BIBLE - FAITH ALONE IN WHAT THE WORD OF TRUTH PRESENTS TO MAN ON
THIS MATTER IS WHAT RESULTS IN THE SECOND BIRTH TO THE EXCLUSION OF
MAN'S WILL AND ANY HUMAN DOING
D)
GOD'S PURPOSE IN BIRTHING BELIEVERS IS THAT THEY MIGHT BE A KIND OF
FIRSTFRUITS - A FORETASTE OF THE ETERNAL WORLD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS TO COME
E)
BELIEVERS HAVE BEEN BIRTHED BY GOD AS FIRSTFRUITS OF HIS CREATURES WITH
A VIEW TO THE ETERNITY FUTURE - AN IMPLICATION OF THE ETERNAL SECURITY
OF THE BORN AGAIN BELIEVER
XIV)
[Jas 1:2-4, 17-20]:
A)
THE PHRASE "SO THEN" CONTINUES THE CONTEXT OF BELIEVERS HAVING
BEEN GIVEN THE GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT OF SPIRITUAL BIRTH BY GOD AS A GIFT
SO AS TO PERSEVERE UNDER TRIALS TO BRING ABOUT THE RIGHTEOUS LIFE THAT
GOD DESIRES
B)
THERE IS IMPLIED AN OBLIGATION TO GOD OF THE ONE GIVEN THE GOOD AND
PERFECT GIFT OF SPIRITUAL BIRTH TO LEAD A RIGHTEOUS LIFE WHICH GOD
DESIRES
C)
BELIEVERS ARE TO BE SWIFT TO HEAR AND SLOW TO SPEAK IN ORDER TO
PERSEVERE UNDER TRIALS SO AS TO BRING ABOUT THE RIGHTEOUS LIFE THAT GOD
DESIRES
D)
BELIEVERS ARE TO BE SWIFT TO HEAR AND SLOW TO SPEAK AND SLOW TO WRATH IN
ORDER TO AVOID UNGODLY ANGER AND PERSEVERE UNDER TRIALS SO AS TO BRING
ABOUT THE RIGHTEOUS LIFE THAT GOD DESIRES
XV)
[Jas 1:2-4; 19-21]:
A)
WITH THE WORD 'THEREFORE', THE CONTEXT OF BELIEVERS PERSEVERING UNDER
TRIAL BRINGING ABOUT IN THEIR OWN LIVES THE RIGHTEOUS LIFE THAT GOD
DESIRES CONTINUES WITH THE STIPULATION THAT HAVING LAID ASIDE ALL
FILTHINESS AND ABUNDANCE OF EVIL AS ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR ONE IS TO INSTEAD
MEEKLY, I.E., WITH OBEDIENCE IN AN ONGOING FASHION - HUMBLY ACCEPT
THE WORD PLANTED IN THEM WHICH CAN SAVE THEIR SOULS, I.E., THEIR LIVES
FROM PREMATURE PHYSICAL DEATH
1)
[Compare Jas 1:25]:
B)
INDIVIDUALS HAVING THE IMPLANTED WORD, I.E., THE WORD OF TRUTH, ARE BORN
AGAIN, I.E., BELIEVERS. UNBELIEVERS ARE NOT IN VIEW
C)
GETTING RID OF ALL FILTHINESS AND ABUNDANCE OF EVIL IN ONES
EXPERIENCE, I.E., SINLESS PERFECTION IS NOT IN VIEW - ESPECIALLY
UNTO ETERNAL LIFE;
WHAT
IS IN VIEW IS AN ONGOING DECISION, EACH TIME HAVING LAID ASIDE THE
ENTERTAINMENT OF ALL FILTHINESS AND ABUNDANCE OF EVIL IN ONES
LIFE, TO DECIDE INSTEAD TO RECEIVE WITH HUMBLE OBEDIENCE THE
IMPLANTED WORD
D)
THE WORD "SOULS" IN THE PHRASE "WHICH CAN SAVE YOUR SOULS"
REFERS TO ONES LIFE BEING SAVED FROM PREMATURE PHYSICAL DEATH. IT DOES
NOT REFER TO BEING SAVED UNTO ETERNAL LIFE
E)
BELIEVERS HAVING LAID ASIDE THE ENTERTAINMENT ALL FILTHINESS AND
ABUNDANCE OF EVIL AS ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR, ARE TO INSTEAD RECEIVE WITH
HUMBLE OBEDIENCE THE IMPLANTED WORD WHICH IS ABLE TO SAVE THEIR LIVES
FROM PREMATURE PHYSICAL DEATH
F)
HAVING LAID ASIDE THE ENTERTAINMENT ALL FILTHINESS AND ABUNDANCE OF EVIL
AS ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR, AND INSTEAD OF THIS, BELIEVERS ARE TO RECEIVE
WITH HUMBLE OBEDIENCE THE IMPLANTED WORD CONVEYS A PICTURE OF A PLANTING
WITHIN ONESELF WHICH HAS TAKEN ROOT AND IS TO GROW NURTURED BY
CONSTANTLY RECEIVING IT WITH HUMBLE OBEDIENCE
XVI)
[Jas 1:15-22]:
A)
RELATIVE TO THE GOAL OF HAVING LAID ASIDE ALL FILTHINESS AND ABUNDANCE
OF EVIL AND BEING SAVED FROM EARLY PHYSICAL DEATH THE BELIEVER MUST
HUMBLY ACCEPT THE WORD PLANTED IN HIM INSTEAD OF ENTERTAINING THAT
FILTHINESS AND ABUNDANCE OF EVIL IN HIS LIFE AS ACCEPTABLE
HUMBLE
ACCEPTANCE MEANS THAT THEY MUST NOT MERELY LISTEN TO THE WORD, BUT ALSO
DO WHAT IT SAYS
B)
THE WORD, I.E., THE BIBLE MUST BE ACTIVELY LISTENED TO AND OBEYED AS A
MATTER OF COURSE, IT ISN'T SIMPLY IMPLANTED IN A BELIEVER. EACH BIT OF
INFORMATION FROM GOD'S WORD MUST BE HEARD AND ACCEPTED IN ORDER FOR IT
TO BE IMPLANTED IN ONE
XVII)
[Jas 1:21-24]:
A)
JUST AS IT IS ABSURD FOR ONE TO SCRUTINIZE HIS FACE IN A MIRROR AND THEN
FORGET WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE WHEN HE WALKS AWAY SO IT IS RIDICULOUS FOR ONE
TO SCRUTINIZE THE WORD OF TRUTH, THE BIBLE, AND THEN NOT DO IT
XVIII)
[Jas 1:18, 21-25]:
A)
THE PHRASE "PERFECT LAW THAT GIVES FREEDOM" REFERS TO THE WORD
OF TRUTH, NOT TO THE LAW OF MOSES
B)
ONE IS TO CONTINUOUSLY STUDY THE WORD OF TRUTH, THE BIBLE AND DO WHAT IS
SAYS AND THEREBY BE BLESSED IN ALL THAT ONE DOES
C)
CONTINUALLY STUDYING AND APPLYING THE WORD OF GOD IS THE KEY TO BEING
BLESSED, SAVING ONESELF FROM PREMATURE PHYSICAL DEATH AND ATTAINING THE
RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT GOD DESIRES
D)
LOOKING INTENTLY AT ONESELF IN THE MIRROR AND NOT WALKING AWAY
FORGETTING WHAT ONE LOOKS LIKE IS PARALLELED WITH CONTINUOUSLY LOOKING
INTENTLY INTO, I.E., STUDYING THE PERFECT LAW THAT GIVES FREEDOM, THE
BIBLE, NOT FORGETTING WHAT ONE HAS HEARD, DOING IT UNTO BLESSING AND THE
RIGHTEOUS LIFE THAT GOD DESIRES
XIX)
[Jas 1:19-22; 25-27]:
A)
PERSONAL CONDUCT, ESPECIALLY PROPER USE OF THE TONGUE IS KEY TO
ACCEPTABLE RELIGIOUS BEHAVIOR IN ORDER TO BRING ABOUT THE RIGHTEOUS LIFE
THAT GOD DESIRES
B)
PERSONAL CONDUCT ESPECIALLY HELPING THE NEEDY AND KEEPING ONESELF FROM
SIN IS RELIGION THAT IS ACCEPTABLE BY GOD AS PURE IN ORDER TO BRING
ABOUT THE RIGHTEOUS LIFE THAT GOD DESIRES
XX)
[Jas 1:19-21; 26-27; 2:1]:
A)
THE INTRODUCTION WHICH IS ALL OF CHAPTER ONE ANNOUNCED THE CENTRAL
THEMES OF JAMES' LETTER WHEREUPON "MY BROTHERS, AS BELIEVERS IN OUR
GLORIOUS LORD JESUS CHRIST" ANNOUNCES THE BEGINNING OF THE BODY OF
THE LETTER IN VERSE 2:1
B)
IN LIGHT OF PREVIOUS DISCUSSION OF BRINGING ABOUT THE RIGHTEOUS LIFE
THAT GOD DESIRES AND THEIR FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE LORD
OF GLORY, BELIEVERS ARE EXHORTED NOT TO SHOW FAVORITISM
C)
JAMES EXHORTS BELIEVERS TO NOT SHOW FAVORITISM IMPLYING THAT 'TRUE'
BELIEVERS CAN EVIDENCE NOT DOING GOOD WORKS AND STILL BE VIEWED
AS BELIEVERS
XXI)
[Jas 1:19-23; 25-27; 2:1-4]:
A)
THE WORD RENDERED 'MEETING' REFERS TO A CHRISTIAN CONGREGATION, NOT A
TRADITIONAL JEWISH SYNAGOGUE
B)
"STAND THERE OR SIT ON THE FLOOR BY MY FEET" REFERS TO LESS
PREFENTIAL SEATING FOR THE POOR MAN
C)
MAKING THE DISTINCTION THAT ONE MAN IS BETTER THAN ANOTHER ON THE BASIS
OF MATERIAL WEALTH IS DISCRIMINATORY AND JUDGMENTAL - BASED ON EVIL
THOUGHTS
XXII)
[Jas 2:1-5]:
A)
INHERITING NOT INHABITING THE KINGDOM IS IN VIEW WHICH MATERIALLY POOR
BELIEVERS LARGELY WILL DO VIA FAITHFULNESS DEMONSTRATING LOVE FOR GOD,
BUT RICH BELIEVERS WILL GENERALLY NOT CHOOSE TO DO SO
1)
[Compare Jas 1:17-18]:
2)
[Compare Jas 1:9-12]:
3)
[Compare Jas 1:18]:
B)
THOSE THAT LOVE GOD ARE THOSE WHO DEMONSTRATE A LIFESTYLE OF PERSEVERING
UNDER TRIALS UNTO COMPLETENESS SO AS TO PRODUCE THE RIGHTEOUS LIFE THAT
GOD DESIRES
1)
[Compare Jas 1:12]:
C)
GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY OF CHOOSING THE POOR TO BE HEIRS OF THE KINGDOM AND
BELIEVERS' FREE WILL CHOICE TO PERSEVERE UNDER TRIALS UNTO THE RIGHTEOUS
LIFE THAT GOD DESIRES RESULTING IN BECOMING AN HEIR TO THE KINGDOM ARE
BOTH IN VIEW
XXIII)
[Jas 2:1-7]:
A)
THOSE WHO HAVE RICHES USUALLY ABUSE IT, YET THOSE NOT SO BLESSED ARE
OFTEN DISHONORED BY THE RICH
1)
[Compare Jas 1:9-11]:
XXIV)
[Jas 1:12, 18-2:8]:
A)
THE ROYAL LAW TO BRING ABOUT THE RIGHTEOUS LIFE THAT GOD DESIRES IS TO
LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF
B)
THE PHRASE "ROYAL LAW" IMPLIES A RULE OF LIFE TO LIVE BY
RELATIVE TO HOW ROYALTY SHOULD LIVE IMPLYING THAT PERSEVERING BELIEVERS
WHO KEEP THE ROYAL LAW ARE TO BE VIEWED AS ROYALTY, I.E., HEIRS OF THE
KINGDOM
XXV)
[Jas 2:8-11]:
A)
THE PHRASES "THE LAW", "THE WHOLE LAW" REFER TO A
DIFFERENT LAW WHICH HAS MORE THAN ONE POINT, THE MOSAIC LAW
B)
BELIEVERS WHO SHOW FAVORITISM OR ANY INFRACTION OF THE MOSAIC LAW AS A
MEASURE OF THEIR BEHAVIOR ARE GUILTY AS LAWBREAKERS OF BREAKING THE
WHOLE LAW - ALL BELIEVERS HENCE ARE CONVICTED AS SINNERS BEFORE GOD
XXVI)
[Jas 1:25; 2:8-13]:
A)
TO ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH BEING FAVORABLY JUDGED UNDER THE "LAW
THAT GIVES FREEDOM," THE WORD OF GOD, IS TO "KEEP THE ROYAL
LAW FOUND IN SCRIPTURE, 'LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF,' [SO THAT] YOU
ARE DOING RIGHT"
B)
TO ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH BEING FAVORABLY JUDGED UNDER THE "PERFECT
LAW THAT GIVES FREEDOM" IS TO "KEEP THE ROYAL LAW FOUND IN
SCRIPTURE, 'LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF,' [SO THAT] YOU ARE DOING
RIGHT WHICH IS FURTHER CHARACTERIZED AS BEING MERCIFUL
C)
ALTHOUGH BELIEVERS ARE ETERNALLY SECURE, THEIR LIVES WILL NEVERTHELESS
BE JUDGED BY GOD NOT RELATIVE TO ETERNAL LIFE, BUT RELATIVE TO TEMPORAL
DISCIPLINE AND ETERNAL REWARDS. GOD'S JUDGMENT WILL BE WITHOUT MERCY TO
ANY WHO HAVE NOT BEEN MERCIFUL
XXVII)
[Jas 1:14-18, 21; 2:14]:
A)
THERE IS NO DISTINCTION AS TO KINDS OR DEGRESS OF FAITH, ONLY
DIFFERENCES AS TO THE CONTENT OF WHAT ONE BELIEVES - TO EXPRESS FAITH IS
TO ACCEPT AS TRUE
VERSE
14 IS PROPERLY RENDERED "CAN FAITH SAVE HIM" AND NOT "CAN
SUCH FAITH SAVE HIM"
1)
FAITH BELIEVE TRUST DEFINED
a)
ENGLISH DICTIONARY DEFINITION OF FAITH
b)
NT GREEK DICTIONARY DEFINITION OF FAITH
B)
AUTHOR JAMES IMPLIES THAT SAVING FAITH WITHOUT WORKS DOES EXIST
1)
[Compare Jas 2:1 NKJV]:
C)
CHAPTER ONE IS THE INTRODUCTION TO JAMES' LETTER WHICH ANNOUNCES THE
CENTRAL THEMES OF THE LETTER. IT MAKES NO MENTION OF ANY ISSUE BETWEEN
TRUE FAITH/FALSE FAITH OR ANY DISTINCTION ABOUT KINDS OF FAITH - HENCE
IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THE BODY OF THE EPISTLE PRESENTS SUCH AN ISSUE
D)
THE WORD 'FAITH' IN 2:14 IS STIPULATED WITHOUT WORKS AND IS PORTRAYED AS
EXISTING. IT WILL NOT PROFIT ONE IN THE TEMPORAL LIFE NOR SAVE ONE FROM
EARLY PHYSICAL DEATH NOR TEMPORAL LOSS NOR PROVIDE ETERNAL REWARDS
E)
THE CONTEXT OF CHAPTERS ONE AND TWO OF BEING SAVED FROM PREMATURE
PHYSICAL DEATH DUE TO FULL GROWN SIN, I.E., CONTINUAL UNFAITHFULNESS/NO
WORKS HAS ALREADY BEEN ESTABLISHED. BEING SAVED UNTO ETERNAL LIFE VIA
FAITHFUL DEEDS HAS NOT BEEN IN VIEW
F)
THE WORD "SOULS" IN VERSE 1:21 IN THE PHRASE "WHICH CAN
SAVE YOUR SOULS" REFERS TO ONES LIFE BEING SAVED FROM PREMATURE
PHYSICAL DEATH. IT DOES NOT REFER TO BEING SAVED UNTO ETERNAL LIFE
G)
THE CONTEXT OF BELIEVERS PERSEVERING UNDER TRIAL BRINGING ABOUT THE
RIGHTEOUS LIFE THAT GOD DESIRES CONTINUES WITH THE STIPULATION THAT ONE
IS TO LAY ASIDE THE ACCEPTABILITY OF ALL FILTHINESS AND ABUNDANCE OF
EVIL AND WITH HUMBLE OBEDIENCE (WORKS) ACCEPT THE WORD PLANTED
IN THEM IN ORDER TO SAVE THEIR SOULS, I.E., THEIR LIVES FROM PREMATURE
PHYSICAL DEATH. HENCE FAITH WITHOUT WORKS WILL NOT SAVE ONE FROM DYING
EARLY
1)
[Compare Jas 1:25]:
H)
FAITH WITHOUT WORKS WILL NOT SAVE ONE FROM EARLY PHYSICAL DEATH: A
BELIEVER WHO DOES NOT DO WHAT THE IMPLANTED WORD SAYS, WHO DOES
NOT LAY ASIDE ALL FILTHINESS AND ABUNDANCE OF EVIL AS ACCEPTABLE
BEHAVIOR, WHEREIN SIN HAS BECOME FULL GROWN IN HIM, HAS NO WORKS - FAITH
WITHOUT WORKS WILL NOT BE SAVED FROM EARLY PHYSICAL DEATH
XXVIII)
[Jas 1:17-18; 2:14-17]:
A)
AN EXAMPLE OF BELIEVERS NOT HELPING A NEEDY BROTHER AND SISTER
CORROBORATES WHAT HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY IN VIEW: THAT FAITH WITHOUT WORKS
WILL NOT PROFIT OTHERS NOR ONESELF, NOR SAVE ONE FROM EARLY PHYSICAL
DEATH, NOR FROM LOSS OF TEMPORAL BLESSINGS, NOR ETERNAL REWARDS
B)
LOSING THE BENEFIT OF ETERNAL LIFE CANNOT BE IN VIEW SINCE ETERNAL LIFE
HAS ALREADY BEEN ESTABLISHED IN THIS PASSAGE AS A GIFT BY FAITH WHICH IS
ETERNALLY SECURE - NOT SUBJECT TO BE GAINED OR LOST BY THE EFFORTS OF
MAN OR LACK THEREOF
1)
The Second Birth Is Unto Eternal Life/Salvation, Given As A Gift By God
Solely Out Of The Will Of God To Believers Through The Word Of Truth,
The Bible - Faith Alone In What The Word Of Truth Presents To Man On
This Matter Is What Results In The Second Birth To The Exclusion Of
Man's Will And Any Human Doing
2)
God's Purpose In Birthing Believers Is That They Might Be A Kind Of
Firstfruits - A Foretaste Of The Eternal World Of Righteousness To Come,
Testifying To The Eternal Security Of The Believer
C)
THE PROFIT FROM FAITH WITH WORKS, LIKE HELPING OTHERS IN NEED, HAS
ALREADY BEEN ESTABLISHED IN THE CONTEXT OF THIS PASSAGE AS TEMPORAL
BLESSINGS, LIVING OUT THE LENGTH OF ONES LIFE AND ETERNAL REWARDS
D)
FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS STILL FAITH WHICH PROVIDED ETERNAL LIFE.
NEVERTHELESS, IT IS DEAD 'IN THE SAME WAY' STIPULATED IN VV. 2:14-16 &
BEFORE, I.E., UNPROFITABLE TO THE RECEPTION OF TEMPORAL BLESSINGS BY
OTHERS AND ONESELF; WILL NOT SAVE ONE FROM PREMATURE PHYSICAL DEATH; AND
USELESS IN PROVIDING ETERNAL REWARDS
1)
DEATH DEFINED
a)
[Compare Jas 2:17 vs. 2:20]:
E)
DEAD FAITH CANNOT BE FALSE FAITH ANY MORE THAN DEAD SIN IS FALSE SIN. IN
THE SAME WAY THAT SIN WITHOUT THE LAW IS INACTIVE, SO FAITH WITHOUT
WORKS IS INACTIVE
1)
[Compare Ro 7:8b]:
F)
MATURING ONES FAITH IS IN VIEW, NOT FALSE FAITH VS TRUE FAITH
XXIX)
[Jas 2:17-18]:
A)
THE AUTHOR USES A WELL KNOWN LITERARY DEVICE: AN IMAGINARY OBJECTOR TO
PROVE A POINT
B)
MR. SOMEONE BEGINS HIS OBJECTION BY HIS OPENING WORDS "YOU HAVE
FAITH; I HAVE DEEDS" - THIS CANNOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMPLETE
STATEMENT OF OBJECTION AS SOME MAINTAIN
C)
SHOW ME YOUR FAITH WITHOUT YOUR WORKS IN LIEU OF SHOW ME YOUR FAITH
BY YOUR WORKS IS THE MAJORITY OF THE MANUSCRIPT EVIDENCE AND BEST FITS THE CONTEXT
D)
MR. SOMEONE SAYS THAT FAITH AND WORKS ARE NOT CONNECTED
XXX)
[Jas 1:17-18; 2:17-19]:
A)
THE OBJECTOR USES INSUFFICIENT CONTENT OF ONES BELIEFS AND A FALSE
ANALOGY OF DEMONS VS HUMANS RELATIVE TO THEIR RESPECTIVE BELIEFS IN ONE
GOD TO MAINTAIN THAT WORKS SHED NO LIGHT ON THE CONTENT OF ONES FAITH
B)
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE REBELLIOUS AND EVIL BEHAVIOR OF DEMONS DOES
NOT CONTRADICT WHAT THEY BELIEVE. THEY BELIEVE IN ONE GOD ALRIGHT
BUT THEY ALSO BELIEVE THAT GOD IS NOT SOVEREIGN OVER THEM HENCE THEY
SHUDDER IN FEAR OUT OF REBELLION
1)
[Compare Isa 14:12-14]:
2)
[Compare Jn 8:44]:
3)
[Compare 1 Tim 4:1]:
C)
LACK OF WORKS DOES NOT DETERMINE THAT ONES FAITH IS NOT SAVING UNTO
ETERNAL LIFE NOR ARE THERE DEGREES OF FAITH SUCH THAT SOME WHO HAVE
FAITH IN CHRIST WILL NOT BE SAVED AND SHOW IT BY DOING EVIL
1)
Comparing Demons With Humans Is A False Premise, And The Demons' Belief
In One God Is Not The Same As A Human Believing In Jesus Christ To Save
One Unto Eternal Life. It Is Invalid To Use Such An Argument To Prove
That There Are Different Qualities Or Quantities Of The Same Faith.
2)
There Is No Distinction As To Kind Or Degree Of Faith, Only Differences
As To The Content Or Frequency Of What One Believes - To Express Faith
Is To Accept As True - A Mental Assent
a)
Faith Belief Trust Defined
i)
English Dictionary Definition Of Faith
ii)
NT Greek Dictionary Definition Of Faith
iii)
James Implies That 'True' Saving Faith Without Works Does Exist
[Compare
Jas 2:1 NKJV]:
3)
The Second Birth Is Unto Eternal Life/Salvation, Given As A Gift By God
Solely Out Of The Will Of God To Believers Through The Word Of Truth,
The Bible. Faith Alone In What The Word Of Truth Presents To Man On This
Matter Is What Results In The Second Birth To The Exclusion Of Man's
Will And Any Human Doing
4)
God's Purpose In Birthing Believers Is That They Might Be A Kind Of
Firstfruits - A Foretaste Of The Eternal World Of Righteousness To Come,
Testifying To The Eternal Security Of The Believer From The Moment They
Believed
XXXI)
[Jas 2:17-20]:
A)
AFTER THE IMAGINARY OBJECTOR'S REBUTTAL IS COMPLETED WITH AN EXAMPLE
ABOUT DEMONS, AUTHOR JAMES BEGINS HIS REBUTTAL WITH A STANDARD OPENING "YOU
FOOLISH MAN..."
B)
JAMES PROVIDED THE STRONGEST EXAMPLE TO PROVE HIS POINT TO HIS ISRAELITE
CHRISTIAN READERS: ABRAHAM PERSEVERING UNDER TRIALS AND PROVING OUT HIS
FAITH AS A SECOND KIND OF JUSTIFICATION OF HIS MATURING RELATIONSHIP
WITH THE LORD: JUSTIFICATION OF IT BEFORE MEN
C)
THE ISSUES OF TRUE FAITH/FALSE FAITH AND SAVING FAITH RESULTING IN
CONSISTENT GOOD WORKS DO NOT APPEAR IN THE INTRODUCTION OR CONCLUSION OF
THE LETTER, BUT A CONTRAST BETWEEN IMMATURE AND MATURE FAITH DOES
HENCE
JAMES IS NOT SAYING THAT ABRAHAM'S ACTIONS PROVED HIS FAITH TO BE TRUE
AND EFFECTIVE TOWARD SALVATION UNTO ETERNAL LIFE BUT RATHER IT GIVES
EVIDENCE OF A FAITH MADE COMPLETE, I.E., MATURE
XXXII)
[Jas 2:17-23]:
A)
BEFORE BEING CONSIDERED RIGHTEOUS FOR WHAT HE DID WHEN HE OFFERED ISAAC
ON THE ALTER, ABRAHAM WAS DECLARED RIGHTEOUS BY THE LORD, I.E.,
JUSTIFIED UNTO ETERNAL LIFE BY FAITH ALONE WHEN HE BELIEVED IN THE
LORD'S PROMISE OF PROVISION OF A SAVIOR THROUGH ABRAHAM'S SEED
1)
[Compare Gen 15:1-6]:
B)
BECAUSE OF HIS OBEDIENCE WITH HIS SON ISAAC, ABRAHAM WAS DECLARED BY THE
LORD TO SURELY BE BLESSED WITH ETERNAL LIFE - HIS ACTIONS DEMONSTRATED
THAT HE WAS THE FRIEND OF GOD
1)
[Compare Gen 22:9-18]:
C)
ABRAHAM PERSEVERED UNDER TRIAL - HE WAS DECLARED RIGHTEOUS, I.E.,
JUSTIFIED FOR WHAT HE DID AND HIS FAITH WAS MADE COMPLETE UNTO BEING
CALLED THE FRIEND OF GOD BEFORE MEN - EVIDENTLY A SECOND KIND OF
JUSTIFICATION BEFORE MEN
1)
[Compare Isa 41:8]:
2)
[Compare 2 Chr 20:7]:
D)
ABRAHAM'S WORK OF OFFERING ISAAC IN SACRIFICE DID NOT SUBSTANTIATE THAT
ABRAHAM HAD SAVING FAITH, RATHER IT MATURED IT - MADE IT COMPLETE
XXXIII)
[Jas 2:21-24]:
A)
JAMES TEACHES HIS READERS THAT THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF JUSTIFICATION
B)
NOTE THAT JAMES DOES NOT SAY THAT THERE IS ONLY ONE KIND OF
JUSTIFICATION WHICH IS BY WORKS AND FAITH COMBINED
XXXIV)
[Jas 2:21-25]:
A)
RAHAB LIKE ABRAHAM WAS JUSTIFIED BY FAITH BEFORE GOD UNTO ETERNAL LIFE
AND WAS ALSO JUSTIFIED IN ANOTHER WAY: BEFORE MEN TESTIFYING THAT SHE
WAS THE FRIEND OF GOD
1)
[Compare Jos 2:1-22]:
XXXV)
[Jas 2:14-17; 21-26]:
A)
FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS STILL FAITH WHICH PROVIDED ETERNAL LIFE.
NEVERTHELESS, IT IS DEAD WITHOUT WORKS 'IN THE SAME WAY' STIPULATED
BEFORE ESP. IN VV. 2:14-16: UNPROFITABLE TO THE RECEPTION OF TEMPORAL
BLESSINGS BY OTHERS AND ONESELF; OF NO EFFECT IN SAVING ONE FROM
PREMATURE PHYSICAL DEATH; AND USELESS IN PROVIDING ETERNAL REWARDS
1)
DEATH DEFINED
a)
[Compare Jas 2:17 vs. 2:20]:
B)
WHEN A CHRISTIAN HAS A FAITH THAT IS DEAD, I.E., INACTIVE IT IS LIKE THE
BODY WITH A DEPARTED HUMAN SPIRIT - PHYSICALLY DEAD, NO LONGER USEFUL AS
IT ONCE WAS, NON-PRODUCTIVE BUT STILL IN EXISTENCE
C)
SUMMARY OF CHAPTERS ONE AND TWO:
THE
SUCCESSFUL TESTING OF THE BELIEVER'S FAITH DEVELOPS PERSERVANCE TOWARDS
BEING COMPLETE UNTO THE RIGHTEOUS LIFE THAT GOD DESIRES, UNTO TEMPORAL
BLESSINGS, UNTO SAVING ONES LIFE FROM PREMATURE PHYSICAL DEATH AND UNTO
ETERNAL REWARDS - SUCH WORKS JUSTIFYING THE BELIEVER UNTO MEN AS THE
FRIEND OF GOD. ON THE OTHER HAND, FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS STILL THE FAITH
WHICH PROVIDED THE BELIEVER WITH ETERNAL LIFE; NEVERTHELESS, IT IS DEAD,
I.E., UNPROFITABLE TO THE RECEPTION OF TEMPORAL AND ETERNAL BLESSINGS
AND REWARDS
