Interpretive Study of James - Summary
Epistle theme: Beware of Living by Doctrinal Error
Chapter links: Overview, 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; God.
God's Way to Study His Word:
In
2Timothy
2:15
we
read:
Study
to
shew
thyself
approved
unto
God,
a
workman
that
needeth
not
to
be
ashamed,
rightly
dividing
the
word
of
truth
.
The
true
definition
of
the
word
dividing
is:
'a
mathematical
function
whereby
we
separate
predefined
units
according
to
a
precise
procedure
which
produces
a
precise
result'.
However,
while
most
people
understand
that
'there
is
one
interpretation
but
many
applications
of
The
word
of
God
',
they
fail
to
separate
the
procedures
of
each.
And,
as
a
result,
they
fail
to
separate
the
'one
interpretation
of
The
word
of
God
'
from
the
'many
applications
of
The
word
of
God
'.
This
leads
to
many
errors
which
people
blame
on
the
perfect
word
of
God
instead
of
their
using
the
wrong
procedure.
The
result,
of
men
using
the
wrong
way,
is
that
men
claim
that
there
are
errors
and
conflicts
in
God's
word.
In
Isaiah
28;
God
tells
us
how
to
understand
His
word.
In
addition,
God
preserved
the
message
of
His
word;
He
preserves
every
word
of
His
sentences;
and
God
preserves
every
punctuation
mark
(jot
and
title
)
of
His
sentences.
Therefore,
God
preserved
what
He
wanted
us
to
understand
and
God
told
us
how
to
understand
His
word
so
that
we
have
no
errors
and
no
conflicts.
Unfortunately,
for
at
least
one
hundred
and
fifty
(150)
yeare,
men
have
been
taught
to
use
the
wrong
way
to
interpret
God's
word
instead
of
using
God's
way.
In
Isaiah
55:9
we
are
told
For
as
the
heavens
are
higher
than
the
earth,
so
are
my
ways
higher
than
your
ways,
and
my
thoughts
than
your
thoughts
.
Thus,
God
warns
us
that
our
ways
are
wrong
and
that
using
God's
way
produces
better
results,
which
have
no
errors
and
no
conflicts.
In
addition,
1Corinthians
2:14
tells
us:
But
the
natural
man
receiveth
not
the
things
of
the
Spirit
of
God:
for
they
are
foolishness
unto
him:
neither can heknow
them,
because
they
are
spiritually
discerned
.
Therefore,
we
cannot
properly
understand
the
spiritual
word
of
God
using
man's
way.
We
must
use
God's
way
to
understand
God's
preserved
word
of
God
.
And,
the
basics
of
God's
way
is
to
understand
His
preserved
word
of
God
using
the
sentence
format
and
true
Biblical
definitions
for
Bible
words.
This
Study
follows
the
Biblical
Way
to
understand
God's
Word.
It
applies
precepts
('truths
that
never
change
for
any
circumstance').
It
then
goes
through
the
epistle
sentence-upon-sentence
(line
upon
line
[Isaiah
28
]).
This
is
different
from
the
ways
of
men
which
use
verse-upon-verse
or
some
other
method
which
generates
errors.
God's
sentence-upon-sentence
method
also
pays
attention
to
what
'the word
of
God'
tells
us
that
God
preserved,
which
are
the
true
Biblical
meanings
of
words
and
the
Biblical
usage
of
punctuation.
(these
two
are
the
components
of
sentences
and
do
not
give
us
verses.)
the
'the
word
of
God'
tells
us
that
God
preserved
punctuation
(one
jot
or
one
tittle
)
in
Matthew
5:18
and
Luke
16:17.
And
'the word
of
God'
tells
us
that
God
preserved
every
word
when
he
wrote:
Man
shall
not
live
by
bread
alone,
but
by
every
word
that
proceedeth
out
of
the
mouth
of
God
(Deuteronomy
8:3;
Matthew
4:4
and
Luke
4:4).
The summary of the epistle comes from the summary of each chapter and each chapter summary within that book. Every chapter summary comes from the summary of each sentence within that chapter. And, the sentence summaries come from analysis using the punctuation and true word definitions, as already explained. As a result, we have what God literally had written and see that there are no conflicts even when we consider the smallest part of a sentence compared to the entire Bible book. God is consistent from the start of a Bible book to the end and is consistent in His doctrines and word definitions across the entire Bible. What we have is an integrated whole (single) message, with no errors and no conflicts. This particular book Study is part of a detailed analysis of the entire New Testament which shows This truth.
other
than
cults,
all
claims
of
errors
and
conflicts
are
based
upon
the
New
Testament.
This
Study
is
part
of
a
series
which
interprets
the
preserved
word
of
God
using
God's
way
and
proving
that
there
are
no
errors,
nor
any
conflicts,
if
we
obey
God
and
use
His
way
to
interpret
His
word.
And,
This
series
concentrates
on
the
New
Testament,
since
that
is
the
basis
of
these
lies
about
the
perfect
word
of
God
.
I
have
read,
or
at
least
skimmed,
every
book
which
has
been
written
in
the
last
hundred
and
fifty
(150)
years
and
which
claims
to
teach
people
how
to
study
and
understand
The
word
of
God
.
In
every
case,
they
use
a
method
which
comes
from
man
and
do
not
use
God's
way
(Isaiah
55:8)
to
study
and
understand
The
word
of
God
.
And,
while
there
are
variations
from
one
man-written
method
to
another
man-written
method,
every
one
of
them
ends
up
with
problems.
The
end
result
of
those
problems
is
that
people
blame
God's
perfect
word
for
their
own
problems
and
either
turn
to
a
man-written
'bible'
or
skip
verses.
(By
skipping
the
interpretation
of
certain
verses,
they
can
hide
the
conflict
which
their
method
has
produced.)
Now,
many
people
find
that
the
Detail
Studies
to
be
overwhelming
because
they
have
everything
required
to
prove
that
there
are
NO
errors
in
The
perfect
word
of
God
.
This
summary
level
is
easier
to
understand
for
most
people.
At
the
same
time,
if
someone
has
an
argument
with
what
is
presented
here,
the
matching
Detail
Study
provides
all
of
the
proof
required
in
order
to
show
that
what
is
here
matches
exactly
what
God
wrote
in
His
word.
Again,
This
is
not
a
matter
of
my
opinion
versus
their
opinion.
I
have
over
thirty
(30)
years’
experience
as
a
professional
Systems
Analyst
with
an
international
reputation
for
accuracy
in
how
to
prove
things.
And,
This
series
of
books
are
the
result
of
using
recognized
methods
of
analysis
to
prove
what
God
actually
wrote.
This
series
does
not
present
a
religious
opinion.
Therefore,
a
religious
opinion,
which
was
arrived
at
from
using
wrong
methods,
is
not
superior
to
a
true
analysis
of
what
God
wrote.
People
have
looked
for
over
twenty
(20)
years
and
failed
to
find
any
other
work
that
covers
everything
This
series
cover.
In
addition,
no
one
has
found
any
other
work
which
covers
the
level
of
detail
found
in
the
Detail
Studies.
further,
the
Detail
Studies
literally
have
several
million
Bible
references
to
support
the
interpretation
provided
and
to
show
that
The
perfect
word
of
God
is
consistent
all
across
it
for
word
definitions
and
doctrines.
Again,
no
one
has
found
any
other
work
which
has
This
quantity
of
Bible
references
supporting
what
is
presented.
I
do
not
write
This
to
brag
but
to
inform
the
readerthe
depth
of
study
which
supports
what
is
presented
in
This
series.
Let
any
who
disagree
show
their
method
and
the
results
of
their
method
and
try
to
explain
how
their
method,
which
produces
errors,
is
greater
that
God's
way
which
produces
no
errors
and
no
conflicts.
Overview of James
Epistle theme: Beware of Living by Doctrinal Error
Click on the following links to jump to a chapter within This study: 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; God.
This
epistle
is
concluded
in
the
very
last
sentence,
which
also
tells
us
why
James
wrote
it.
That
sentence
says
Brethren,
if
any
of
you
do
err
from
the
truth,
and
one
convert
him;
Let
him
know,
that
he
which
converteth
the
sinner
from
the
error
of
his
way
shall
save
a
soul
from
death,
and
shall
hide
a
multitude
of
sins.
This
entire
epistle
is
written
to
tell
us
ways
that
people
err
from
the
truth
and
to
provide
the
way
to
convert
him
.
James
tells
us
that
the
motivation
is
that
we
shall
save
a
soul
from
death,
and
shall
hide
a
multitude
of
sins
.
In
This
,
and
many
other
things
said
in
This
epistle,
we
see
that
James
considers
the
needs
of
others
to
be
far
more
important
than
our
personal
desires.
We
also
see
that
James
writes
to
The
twelve
tribes
which
are
scattered
abroad
,
but
his
warnings
apply
to
any
religious
people
who
put
their
religious
acts,
attitudes
and
religious
things
above
a
personal
relationship
with
God.
In
the
final
analysis,
it
is
increasing
our
personal
relationship
with
God
and
decreasing
our
dependence
on
religious
things
that
will
converteth
the
sinner
from
the
error
of
his
way
.
Our
First
Chapter
ended
by
telling
us
the
difference
between
a
saved
man
whose
religion
is
vain
and
the
saved
person
who
has
a
pure
religion
and
undefiled
before
God
.
Someone
whose
religion
is
vain
has
a
good
looking
outward
show
but
inside
'are
dead
men's
bones'.
That
is:
they
have
no
spiritual
life
inside
from
God
and
do
all
of
their
religious
activities
in
the
flesh.
Consider
that
the
word
pure
means
'100%"'.
Therefore,
someone
who
has
pure
religion
and
undefiled
before
God
has
his
religion
'100%"'
controlled
by
God's
Spirit.
When
the
Bible
presents,
and
compares,
two
extremes
like
This
,
it
also
includes
everything
in-between.
Most
of
us
have
a
religion
that
is
in-between
these
two
extremes.
Within
the
first
chapter
James
gives
us
several
tests
to
use
in
order
to
determine
how
close
we
are
to
either
extreme
with
God's
desire
being
that
all
saved
people
have
pure
religion
.
Our
Second
Chapter
starts
with
My
brethren,
have
not
the
faith
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ,
the
Lord
of
glory,
with
respect
of
persons
.
The
faith
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
leads
us
to
the
pure
religion
that
the
First
Chapter
told
us
about.
All
of
Chapter
2
tells
us
how
to
handle
The
faith
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
within
our
life
and
how
to
use
it
to
live
by
faith
.
One
of
the
main
sentences
within
This
chapter
is:
Yea,
a
man
may
say,
thou
hast
faith,
and
I
have
works:
shew
me
thy
faith
without
thy
works,
and
I
will
shew
thee
my
faith
by
my
works
and
another
is:
Yea,
a
man
may
say,
thou
hast
faith,
and
I
have
works:
shew
me
thy
faith
without
thy
works,
and
I
will
shew
thee
my
faith
by
my
works
.
The
chapter
ends
with:
For
as
the
body
without
the
spirit
is
dead,
so
faith
without
works
is
dead
also
.
Thus,
we
see
the
message
of
our
chapter
that
if
we
truly
handle
The
faith
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
properly
within
our
life,
then
His
faith
will
produce
works
through
our
life.
With
This
in
mind
we
move
into
our
third
Chapter
where
James
talks
about
our
tongue
.
James
basically
says
that
an
uncontrolled
tongue
is
the
result
of
pride
and
proof
that
we
are
not
handling
The
faith
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
properly
within
our
life
and
that
our
religion
is
vain
.
Thus,
we
see
that
everything
in
the
first
two
chapters
was
leading
up
to
This
message
about
the
tongue
.
In
the
Fourth
Chapter,
James
goes
from
speaking
about
the
evil
of
a
pride-driven
tongue
,
James
goes
into
wars
and
fightings
among
you
.
This
,
of
course,
is
the
next
step
in
sin.
James
points
out
that
it
also
keeps
us
from
getting
our
prayers
answered
and
keeps
us
from
the
blessings
of
God.
then
James
points
out
that
we
do
these
things
because
we
are
seeking
The
friendship
of
the
world
instead
of
submitting
ourselves
to
God
.
After
instructing
us,
James
points
out
that
there
is
one
lawgiver,
who
is
able
to
save
and
to
destroy
and
our
trying
to
hurt
other
children
of
God
will
bring
God's
judgment
upon
us.
James
concludes
the
chapter
with
a
message
that
if
we
are
not
spending
our
time
serving
God
then
we
are
sinning.
The
final
chapter
starts
with
a
warning
of
judgment
brought
against
people
who
trust
in
the
riches
of
This
world
instead
of
trusting
in
God.
James
then
tells
other
believers
to
Be
patient
therefore,
brethren,
unto
the
coming
of
the
Lord
.
He
uses
the
prophets
and
Job
as
examples
of
how
we
are
to
be
patient
and
reminds
us
that
The
coming
of
the
Lord
draweth
nigh
.
Following
This
James
gives
specific
commands
on
how
to
act
and
show
that
we
truly
are
waiting
on
the
coming
of
the
Lord
.
The
final
of
these,before
his
conclusion,
is
to
have
an
effectual
fervent
prayer
life.
It
is
that
prayer
life
that
will
give
us
the
spiritual
wisdom
and
ability
to
converteth
the
sinner
from
the
error
of
his
way
.
Chapter Outlines by sentence format.
Chapter 1 Summary:
The chapter theme 'Do Right'.
James
starts
This
chapter
eliminating
excuses
that
people
give
for
not
obeying
the
word
of
God.
He
then
tells
us
how
to
get
help
so
that
we
can
stop
making
excuses
and
start
obeying
God.
From
there
he
tells
us
how
to
understand
the
purpose
of
God
when
we
have
circumstances
we
don't
like,
and
tells
us
how
This
understanding
is
supposed
to
help
us
react
properly
to
those
circumstances.
Part
of
God's
purpose
is
we
should
be
a
kind
of
firstfruits
of
his
creatures
.
Being
a
firstfruit
means
that
God
expects
more
fruits
and
God
will
use
the
changes
that
He
brings
into
our
lives
as
an
example
to
others
of
how
He
can
also
change
their
lives.
With
all
of
This
explanation,
James
then
gives
us
two
sentences,
which
start
with
Wherefore
,
and
provide
the
concluding
attitudes
and
actions
which
our
lives
are
to
display.
After
that
,
James
concludes
the
chapter
by
telling
us
how
to
separate
true
believers
from
frauds.
The
last
two
sentences
of
This
chapter
summarize
the
chapter
and
tell
us
the
difference
between
a
saved
person
whose
religion
is
vain
and
a
saved
person
who
has
pure
religion
and
undefiled
before
God
.
these
two
sentences
give
us
the
two
extremes
of
how
well
saved
people
obey
God.
When
the
Bible
does
This
,
everything
in
between
is
implied.
All
of
us
have
a
religious
conversation
which
is
between
these
extremes.
This
chapter
gives
us
many
ways
to
test
where
we
are
between
these
extremes
and
allows
us
to
understand
why
God
does
or
does
not
bless
us.
The
closer
that
we
are
to
pure
religion
and
undefiled
before
God
,
as
verified
by
the
tests
within
our
chapter,
the
more
we
can
expect
to
be
blessed
by
God.
The
closer
that
we
are
to
having
a
religion
(that
)
is
vain
,
as
verified
by
the
tests
within
our
chapter,
the
more
we
can
expect
to
be
cursed
by
God.
- C1-S1
:
Opening
salutation.
- The
opening
name
of
James
tells us the author's name. However, there were five (5) different men namedJames
in the New Testament and different people hold different opinions as the which of them was the true author of This epistle. And, we do not have enough Bible based information to 'take a stand as to which man it was'. And, it really isn't that important. Therefore, anyone who wished to argue This point is being used by a devil to distract people from the doctrine of This epistle, which is what we are truly to focus on. - The
phrase
a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ
tells Whom James served and who gave James the message of This epistle. Notice that our next phrase says:to the twelve tribes
, which means 'he is writing to the saved Jews'. This is a major motivation for him to mentionGod
before he mentionsThe Lord Jesus Christ
He is being sensitive to their cultural background when it does not affect the doctrine delivered. We should also try to exercise such sensitivity. - The
phrase
to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting
means: 'James is writing to the saved Jews'. However, what he writes is applicable to all saved people, which is why God included This epistle in His preserved word. In Colossians 4:16 we read that Paul wrote an epistle tochurch of the Laodiceans
, which he thought was just as important as the epistle to the Colossians However, we can know that God had a different opinion because God preserved the one epistle and destroyed the other. As a result, we can know that God wants us to understand, and obey, the doctrine of This epistle because God preserved it inThe word of God
.
- The
opening
name
of
- C1-S2
:
How
to
react
to
temptation.
- The
phrase
My brethren
means: 'This epistle is written to the saved and serving people'. The wordbrethren
is not used for lost people nor for saved but carnal people. - The
phrase
count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations
can only be understood when we realize thatjoy
is spiritual in nature while happiness is based upon the happenings of This world . We are told to havejoy
even while suffering in the flesh and in This world . - The
phrase
Knowing This
means: 'This type ofknowledge
is based upon personal experiences of spiritual blessings even while suffering in the flesh and in This world '. - The
phrase
that the trying of your faith worketh patience
requires us to understand that the wordtrying
means: 'tested over and over again until there is no doubt left'. God will put His people through repeated tests until they , and everyone else, have no doubt about their level of true Biblicalfaith
.
- The
phrase
- C1-S3
:
Why
we
are
to
react
that
way.
- The
word
But
means that This phrase iscontinuing the subject of the prior phrase while changing direction. - The
phrase
But let patience have her perfect work
means: 'Patience during a trial from God causes us to spiritually mature'. Our sentence starts with the wordbut
because our natural reaction is to get upset and not to havepatience
. However, we do not mature spiritually by reacting according to our sinful human nature. Thus, we are tocount it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations
because that gives us the opportunity to mature spiritually and to have greater everlasting rewards. - The
phrase
that ye may be perfect and entire
means: 'the test is given for the purpose of making us spiritually mature and completely focused on spiritual matters' - The
phrase
wanting nothing
must be understood spiritually because, in our flesh, we want to be done with the test. Our phrase is included because, if we pass the test, then we will receive a reward in heaven and not bewanting
.
- The
word
- C1-S4
:
How
to
get
God's
wisdom
.- The
word
If
makes This a conditional sentence. All who fulfil the condition receive the resultand no one who fails to fulfil the condition receives the result. - The
phrase
If any of you lack wisdom
is written here for those people who have trouble understanding what James wrote before This sentence. The prior two sentences must be understood spiritually and the natural man rejects the message of those sentences. Therefore, James adds This sentence for people who have that trouble. - The
phrase
let him ask of God
tells us what to do because only God can give spiritualwisdom
. - The
phrase
that giveth to all men liberally
means: 'God will give the saved people all of the spiritual wisdom that they can handle and that they are willing to receive'. - The
phrase
and upbraideth not
means: 'God never gives His people a hard time when they ask for spiritual wisdom'. - The
phrase
and it shall be given him
means: 'We can rely upon This promise'.
- The
word
- C1-S5
:
says:
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.
This is continuing the subject of the prior sentence while giving us a conditional requirement to receive God'swisdom
. The person who asks for God'swisdom
, while not fulfilling This requirement, will not receive it. - C1-S6
:
Why
God
has
that
condition.
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
For
, which means that it is giving us the reason why the prior sentence is true. - The
phrase
he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed
is the illustration of someone who has a life-style ofwavering
on doctrinal issues. Many waves just flow along but one that iswith the wind and tossed
makes a big show but is gone immediately. This person is totally unreliable and has no lasting effect.
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
- C1-S7
:
Don't
be
deceived.
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
For
, which means that it is giving us the reason why the prior sentence was given. - The
phrase
let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord
means: 'theLord
will not use anyone who is unstable in theirdoctrine'.
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
- C1-S8
:
says:
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways
. - C1-S9
:
How
to
react
to
fameans
fortune.
Our
next
sentence
starts
with
the
word
For
, which means that it is giving us the reason why This sentence is true. Therefore, the two sentences need to be considered together.- The
phrase
Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted
is introducing a subject that James will cover in more detail in Chapter 4. For example, in C4-S15; we readHumble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up
. So,The brother of low degree
canrejoice
when he has evidence of God's reward for an acceptable attitude of life. In addition, when we consider the context of the prior sentence, thedouble minded man
is constantly chasing approval from other people while thebrother of low degree
does not. Thus, we see the contrast that James is giving. - The
phrase
But the rich, in that he is made low
means: 'therich
are to thank God when He reminds them that they will not take their riches with them'. One thing that we do take out of This life is the main attitude of life that we live with. Therich man who is made low
is given a lesson to adjust his attitude before his judgment. - The
phrase
because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away
means: 'This is why both types of people are told to react as our sentence says'. This life is not our final result but is the basis of our judgment by God.
- The
phrase
- C1-S10
:
Why
we
are
to
not
trust
the
riches
of
This
world
and
are
not
to
worry
about
being
humble.
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
For
, which means that it is giving us the reason why the prior sentence is true. - The
phrase
The sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat
means: 'This identifies the source of physical destruction'. - The
phrase
but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth
is the illustration from This world . - The
phrase
so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways
is the application to spiritual truth.
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
- C1-S11
:
Promise
for
enduring temptation
.- The
word
Bless
is given a wrong definition more often than it is given the true Biblical definition. Satan's ministers have convinced people that This word means: 'happy'. The word'happy' is based upon circumstances of This physical reality. The true Biblical definition of the wordBless
is: 'receiving, or wishing another to receive, the spiritual good from God which produces spiritual joy even while it might make us less happy in the flesh'. For example, 1Corinthians 4:12 says:And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it
. That is not the circumstances and response which matches the word 'happy'. - The
phrase
is the man that endureth temptation
means: 'Here is the man who is trulyblessed
by God'. Consider the meaning of the wordendure
. Next, realize that the wordendureth
is not speaking about a short time but is speaking about a life-time. This is not the circumstances and response which matches the word 'happy'. However, these circumstances and response do matches the true Biblical definition of the wordbless
. With that , consider the rest of This sentence which tells us why This is true. - The
phrase
for when he is tried
means: 'This reward is not given until he istried
atThe judgment seat of Christ
'. - The
phrase
he shall receive the crown of life
tells us what the rewards is. Please see the detail note for an explanation of the differentcrowns
given in Heaven. - The
phrase
which the Lord hath promised to them that love him
means: 'This promise is backed by the court and law of God'. there is no promise which is more reliable than This type of promise.
- The
word
- C1-S12
:
Understand
the
true
source
of
temptation
. This sentence needs to be considered in context of the prior sentence and with the context of the next two sentences.- The
phrase
Let no man say when he is tempted
means: 'Do not respond wrong to temptation'. - The
phrase
I am tempted of God
means: 'This is what to not say because it is error'. Think about Job. God did nothing to Job but had Satan attack Job in order to provide the legal evidence of Job's faithfulness and service to God. This justified God rewarding Job. God allows us to be tested in order to legally justify rewarding us. Therefore, it is critical that we understand the motivation of God so that we will maintain the correct attitude during a trial. - The
phrase
for God cannot be tempted with evil
means: 'God does not respond positively toevil
'. - The
phrase
neither tempteth he any man
means: 'God does not tempt anyone withevil
'. - The
word
But
means that This phrase iscontinuing the subject of the prior phrase while changing direction. - The
phrase
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed
means: 'This phrase isstill talking about our beingtempted
while also explaining that ourtemptation
is from a different source than God'. Yes, God does allowtemptation
in order to prove what our true motivations of heart are, but God does not do thetemping
.
- The
phrase
- C1-S13
:
the
end
result
of
temptation
fromlust
.- The
phrase
then when lust hath conceived
needs to be understood properly. The wordconceived
is defined as: 'Formed in the womb; framed in the mind; devised; imagined; understood'. We all have experienced having thoughts which take up a life of their own, in our mind, and we can't seem to get rid of them by any means other than constantly calling God for help with them. That is what James is writing about with This phrase. - The
phrase
it bringeth forth sin
. As 1John 3:4 tells us: 'sin is the transgression of the (God's ) law'. And, as Romans 7 explains,sin
controls us. That is also what our next phrase is talking about. Thus, our only hope is to never letlust conceive sin
in us. - The
phrase
and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death
means: 'All sin, if allowed to continue in our life, results in death'. Please see 1John 5:16 and Romans 6:16 about thesin unto death
. While This phrasecan be applied to physicaldeath
, it can also be applied to spiritualdeath
. More specifically, our ongoing life of sin can cause others to reject the Gospel and end up in Hell.
- The
phrase
- C1-S14
:
says:
Do not err, my beloved brethren
. - The
word
brethren
means: 'the saved and serving people'. The wordbrethren
is not used for lost people nor for saved but carnal people. these are the people who will truly allowThe word of God
to correct their personal beliefs. - C1-S15
:
God
is
the
source
of
all
that
is
good
.- The
phrase
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above
means: 'If it does not come from God then it does not meet the Biblical definition ofgood
'. People make a mistake, and can be led into doctrinal error, when they use their own definition for the wordgood
and try to apply that wrong definition to promises found inThe word of God
. - The
phrase
and cometh down from the father of lights
means: 'Light is used symbolically forunderstanding
'. God gives us trueunderstanding
on how to get things which aregood
, but we have to accept and use thatunderstanding
from God in order to receive things which aregood
. - The
phrase
with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning
is a phrase that is often misunderstood. It means: 'God is consistent and does not produce these results'. However, there isvariableness
based upon how close you are to God. God does notvary
but our choice in getting close to God does causevariableness
. In addition, there can be ashadow of turning
if we allow something, or someone, to get between us and God. Therefore, people mistakenly believe that This phraseapplies in all circumstances and, yet, we can get different results based upon our own actions. This is the nature of a relationship with another Being
- The
phrase
- C1-S16
:
God
had
a
purpose
in
begetting
us.- The
phrase
Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth
might seem to not be contextually related to the prior sentence, but that is only because the relationship is easy to miss. Since GodOf his own will begat
, He will want to give usgood
. And, as the next phrase relates, He wants to use us as an example of the blessings available from God to people who truly serve Him. Therefore, Hebegat us with the word of truth
so that we receivegood
when we obeyThe word of truth
and so that others see This and realize that they also can receivegood
, from God, when they obeyThe word of truth
. - The
phrase
that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures
means: 'This is part of the reason why God saves us'. He wants to give us 'new life'(firstfruits
) as a witness to others of the blessings for coming to God.
- The
phrase
- C1-S17
:
How
all
of
This
chapter
is
to
affect
our
actions.
- The
word
Wherefore
means: 'what follows the wherefore is a future result that is based upon what came before the wherefore and it to be seen wherever you look'. - The
word
brethren
means: 'the saved and serving people'. The wordbrethren
is not used for lost people nor for saved but carnal people. James calls these peoplebeloved brethren
because their service to God makes thembeloved
to God. - The
phrase
let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath
means: 'Here is the attitude to keep in all circumstances of life'. - The
phrase
For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God
means: 'If we do not keep that attitude, then we will respond withThe wrath of man
instead ofThe righteousness of God
'. That difference is the cause of the difference between wrath or blessings from God to His children.
- The
word
- C1-S18
:
How
all
of
This
chapter
is
to
affect
our
attitudes.
- The
word
Wherefore
means: 'what follows the wherefore is a future result that is based upon what came before the wherefore and it to be seen wherever you look'. - The
phrase
lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness
is easily misunderstood. The wordfilthiness
means: 'Things which keep us spiritually unclean. these are ongoing sources of sin which we refuse to letJesus
remove from our life'. The phrasesuperfluity of naughtiness
means: 'doing bad things in a way that no one catches us and no one can prove that we did it, even though people know that it was us who did This bad thing'. This type of behaviour is what gives politici and a bad name. Therefore, our phrase means: 'completely remove these things from your life'. - The
phrase
and receive with meekness the engrafted word
means: 'We are to receivethe word of God
, and let Godgraft
it to us so that it is part of our life and removal of it can literally hurt us seriously if not kill us'. - The
phrase
which is able to save your souls
is the desired result. The wordsave
is defined as: 'remove from the source of danger and death'. The wordsoul
is defined as: 'the long-term result of the short-term actions of our heart in deciding how we will think, how we will act emotionally to circumstances of life and how we will decide the issues of life'. This is not just removing the consequence while leaving you in sin. This is telling us thatThe word of God
can cause us to stop our sinning if we allow it to beengrafted to our soul
.
- The
word
- C1-S19
:
Do
what
God
commands.
- The
word
But
means that This phrase iscontinuing the subject of the prior phrase while changing direction. - The
phrase
But be ye doers of the word
means: 'Where the prior sentence told us what to stop doing, This phrasetells us what to start doing'. The wordye
means 'each and every one of you personally'. We are to each personally do whatThe word of God
commands with the knowledge that all rewards, or punishments, from God are based upon our level of understanding and obedience. - The
phrase
and not hearers only
means: 'Don't be like most church members and tell the preacher how much you appreciated his message when you can't repeat it after the next meal'. - The
phrase
deceiving your own selves
means: 'This is the result of hearing and not doing'. Please also seethe next two sentences which explains This doctrine in more detail.
- The
word
- C1-S20
:
Why
listening
to
God's
Word
is
not
enough.
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
For
, which means that it is giving us the reason why the prior sentence is true. - The
phrase
if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer
is very clear. Yet, This actually describes most people who claim to be 'Christian'. such people hear what they want to hear and ignore what they don't want to hear and actually think that God will find such an attitude acceptable. - The
phrase
he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass
means: 'This person looks at themselves in the mirror and sees all of their imperfections'. - The
phrase
For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way
means: 'He ignores what he actually sees and tells himself that he looks like he wants to believe that others want to see'. - The
phrase
and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was
means: 'He forgets what he is really like'.
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
- C1-S21
:
Promise
of
blessing
for
obedience.
- The
word
But
means that This phrase iscontinuing the subject of the prior phrase while changing direction. - The
phrase
whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty
means: 'This person looks at the spiritually maturing law from God which frees him from his life of sin'. - The
phrase
and continueth therein
means: 'This is a life-style continuing in obedience to the law of God'. - The
phrase
he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work
is very clear about the life-style required. - The
phrase
This man shall be blessed in his deed
means: 'This is how we get God's blessing'.
- The
word
- C1-S22
:
Proof
of
vanity.
- The
word
If
makes This a conditional sentence. all who fulfil the condition receive the resultand no one who fails to fulfil the condition receives the result. - The
phrase
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue
means: 'This person has all of the outward trappings of being religious but he cusses and makes improper remarks from time to time'. - The
phrase
but deceiveth his own heart
means: 'He thinks he is right with God because of his outward religious activity, but histongue
reveals what his heart is really like'. - The
phrase
This man's religion is vain
means: 'His religion is like a gold plated sepulcher. Looks good on the outside while filled with death on the inside'.
- The
word
- C1-S23
:
Proof
of
pure religion
.- The
phrase
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the father is This
means: 'James is telling us how to identify true religion, which is serving God in This world '. - The
phrase
To visit the father less and widows in their affliction
means: 'is an illustration of serving the children of God who are in need in This world . Notice that This has nothing to do with what most people consider to be religious activity'. - The
phrase
and to keep himself unspotted from the world
means: 'This person also stops responding to the demands ofThe world
'.
- The
phrase
Chapter 2 Summary:
The
chapter
theme
'True
Biblical
faith
'.
As
we
saw
in
James
doing
in
the
sentences
of
Chapter
1,
He
also
does
in
the
start
of
This
chapter.
James
switches
subjects,
with
the
start
of
This
chapter,
and
does
not
tell
us
how
he
is
transitioning
from
one
subject
to
the
next.
Our
chapter
starts
with
My
brethren,
have
not
the
faith
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ,
the
Lord
of
glory,
with
respect
of
persons.
It
then
uses
two
different
common
practices
to
illustrate
how
saved
people
do
what
the
first
sentence
said
to
not
do.
In
the
first
illustration,
James
tells
saved
people
to
not
act
wrong
when
they
deal
with
other
people
in
the
church.
In
the
second
illustration,
James
tells
saved
people
to
not
act
wrong
in
their
personal
life
and
expression
of
the
faith
which
they
received
from
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
.
The
first
wrong
practice
is
to
give
more
honor
to
people
that
society
says
are
more
honorable,
such
as
the
rich.
This
is
worldlywisdom
,
which
is
the
opposite
of
godly
wisdom
.
from
This
subject
James
then
switches
to
the
practice
of
people
who
claim
that
their
belief
is
faith
.
True
Biblical
faith
is
an
action
verb
while
belief
is
a
conviction
which
leads
to
action
but
is
not
action.
If
there
is
no
action,
then
the
action
verb
was
not
done
and
This
is
the
difference
between
belief
and
faith
.
After
James
introduces
these
two
sources
of
doctrinal
error,
he
continues
the
chapter
with
more
details
on
them.
Returning
to
our
first
sentence,
we
read
that
James
is
writing
about:
The
faith
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
.
Please
note
that
the
definition
of
the
word
of
is
'belongs
to'.
Therefore,
the
faith
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
is
The
faith
that
'belongs
to'
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
.
This
faith
does
notbelong
to'
us.
Our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
put
His
faith
in
us
to
change
us.
If
we
are
doing
the
things
mentioned
in
This
chapter
them
we
are
not
allowing
His
faith
to
accomplish
His
intended
work.
2:2
through
2:9
form
a
sub-group
of
sentences
within
This
chapter
and
discuss
the
error
of
having
respect
of
persons
.
2:10
through
2:13
form
a
sub-group
of
sentences
within
This
chapter
and
discuss
the
legal
aspects,
including
our
future
judgment,
and
tell
us
why
we
don't
want
to
have
respect
of
persons
.
2:14
through
2:18
form
a
sub-group
of
sentences
within
This
chapter
and
discuss
how
we
handle
The
faith
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
in
our
personal
walk
within
This
life.
2:19
through
2:23
form
a
sub-group
of
sentences
within
This
chapter
and
use
Abraham
and
devils
to
show
us
how
the
Bible
gives
us
examples
of
the
doctrine
that
James
is
explaining
within
This
chapter.
Finally,
2:24
through
2:26
(the
end
of
the
chapter)
form
a
sub-group
of
sentences
within
This
chapter
and
provide
the
doctrinal
conclusion
of
This
chapter.
Thus,
our
chapter
starts
out
telling
us
how
to
handle
The
faith
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
.
It
is
concluded
with
Ye
see
then
how
that
by
works
a
man
is
justified...For
as
the
body
without
the
spirit
is
dead,
so
faith
without
works
is
dead
also
.
In
between
we
are
told
how
The
faith
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
is
supposed
to
produce
works
and
that
those
works
are
what
justify
Him
giving
us
His
faith
when
He
saved
us.
- C2-S1
:
Handle
The faith of our Lord Jesus Christ
properly.- The
word
brethren
means: 'the saved and serving people'. The wordbrethren
is not used for lost people nor for saved but carnal people. - The
phrase
have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ
means: 'This is thefaith
that belongs toour Lord Jesus Christ
and that he gives to the saved'. - The
phrase
The Lord of glory
means: 'He is Who determines how muchglory
each of us will have in eternity'. AsLord
, He will judge each of our lives for our attitudes and actions and determine if we receive reward or punishment and how much of each. - The
phrase
with respect of persons
means: 'Don't let any consideration of other people affect our service to God'. It does not matter who they are nor what position they have among men. In His role ofLord
, theSon of God
, hasno respect of persons
. (Please see the note for Romans 2:11 about This doctrine.) In His roles asJesus
and asChrist
, theSon of God
, hasrespect of persons
. But, not in His role asLord
.
- The
word
- C2-S2
:
This
illustration
gives
evidence
that
saved
people
disobey
the
prior
command.
Please
keep
in
mind
that
This
epistle
is
written
to
Jews.
Therefore,
James
is
telling
them
to
let
The word of God
teach them to go against what their culture has taught them all of their lives.- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
For
, which means that it is giving us the reason why the prior sentence is true. - The
word
If
makes This a conditional sentence. all who fulfil the condition receive the resultand no one who fails to fulfil the condition receives the result. - The
phrase
there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel
means: 'This person has outward appearances of being rich'. - The
phrase
and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment
means: 'This person has outward appearances of being poor'. - The
phrase
And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place
means: 'Saved people personally show respect to the person who appears to be rich'. - The
phrase
and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool
means: 'Saved people personally show disrespect to the person who appears to be poor'. - The
phrase
Are ye not then partial in yourselves
means: 'This shows partiality based upon outward appearances and not on inward character'. - The
phrase
and are become judges of evil thoughts?
means: 'Judging based upon outward appearances and not on inward character isevil thoughts
'. thesethoughts
come from devils through our culture. That is why they areevil
.
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
- C2-S3
:
the
Biblical
basis
of
a
right
belief.
- The
word
Hearken
means: 'they ! Pay attention!'. - The
word
brethren
means: 'the saved and serving people'. The wordbrethren
is not used for lost people nor for saved but carnal people. Thebeloved brethren
are those who are loved by God because of their service to God. - The
phrase
Hath not God chosen the poor of This world rich in faith
means: 'therich of This world
usually trust in their money whileThe poor of This world
can't do that '. That is why it isThe poor of This world
who find it easier to have true Biblicalfaith
. - The
phrase
and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
means: 'thepoor of This world
also find it easier to see the blessings from God and to thank God for those blessings and to love God'. Anyone with This attitude will become anheir of the kingdom
because they have fulfilled God's requirement to receive the promise. Thus, the promise is not toThe poor of This world
, but is tothem that love him (God)
. It is just thatThe poor of This world
find it easier to fulfill God's requirement.
- The
word
- C2-S4
:
the
action
which
shows
which
belief
we
are
using
within
our
life.
- The
word
But
means that This phrase iscontinuing the subject of the prior phrase while changing direction. - The
phrase
ye have despised the poor
means: 'This attitude is personal in nature'. James is using This sentence to direct the next couple of sentences to the people who are guilty of This sentence. He is providing correction to a wrong attitude
- The
word
- C2-S5
:
A
says:
Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
. No, all rich do not do This but most have the attitude that they are better because of their riches and they use their riches to but the services of government people to oppress the poor. - C2-S6
:
says:
Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
. This is the spiritual wrong done by people who trust in the riches of This world . - C2-S7
:
God's
test
on
This
matter.
- The
word
If
makes This a conditional sentence. all who fulfil the condition receive the resultand no one who fails to fulfil the condition receives the result. - The
phrase
ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture
means: 'This attitude and action is done on a personal level as part of our personal relationship with God'. Please see the Doctrinal Study called Significant Gospel Events for the section called: Jesus and the Ten Commandments for more on theroyal law
. - The
phrase
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well
means: 'This is whatJesus
calledThe second greatest commandment
'. And,Jesus
said that it was the basis for 'the Ten (10) Commandments'. - The
word
But
means that This phrase iscontinuing the subject of the prior phrase while changing direction. - The
phrase
if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin
means: 'If a person personally hasrespect to persons
, then they are not treating all people the same'. As a result, they lie when they claim that they 'love their personal neighbour as themselves'. - The
phrase
and are convinced of the law as transgressors
means: 'God will find us guilty of sin even though we are saved'.
- The
word
- C2-S8
:
General
principal
saying
why
the
prior
section
is
true.
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
For
, which means that it is giving us the reason why the prior sentence is true. - The
phrase
whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point
means: 'the thief can claim that he is not as bad as the rapist. The rapist can claim that he is not as bad as the murderer'. - The
phrase
he is guilty of all
means: 'Yet, all are felons'. - All
who
dies
as
sinners
go
to
the
lake of fire
. All saved who do not letJesus
cleanse them from all unrighteousness
(1John 1:1-3), will be punished. This is part ofThe Lord
beingno respecter of persons
.
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
- C2-S9
:
Reasoning
from
scripture.
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
For
, which means that it is giving us the reason why the prior sentence is true. - The
phrase
he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill
means: 'God gave both commandments as part of the Ten (10) Commandments. '. (Please see the Doctrinal Study called Significant Gospel Events for the section called: Jesus and the Ten Commandments.)
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
- C2-S10
:
says:
Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law
. This is the conclusion from scripture. - C2-S11
:
says:
So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty
. This is the personal commandment based upon This sub-section. - C2-S12
:
Why
our
attitude
is
important.
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
For
, which means that it is giving us the reason why the prior sentence is true. This sentence is an application of 'The Law of Sowing and Reaping'. - The
phrase
he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy
means: 'Each of use will receivemercy
at the same level as we give it'. . . - The
phrase
and mercy rejoiceth against judgment
means: 'This is an ongoingrejoicing
becausejudgment
was put aside bymercy
'.
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
- C2-S13
:
A
question
to
start
us
thinking
about
true
Biblical
faith
.- The
phrase
What doth it profit
means: 'How can you increase the good things in your life or in your eternity?'. - The
word
brethren
means: 'the saved and serving people'. The wordbrethren
is not used for lost people nor for saved but carnal people. - The
phrase
though a man say he hath faith
means: 'Here is what the person claims'. - The
phrase
and have not works?
means: 'Here is what the person does not do'. - Now
This
argument
is
about
faith without works
and the argument continues for the next couple of sentences. And, since James wrote This epistle, that argument died out and was replaced, by devil motivated men, with 'grace without works'. or, more specifically: 'Grace and works cannot exist together. If you have grace then there cannot be works and if you have works there cannot be grace'. However, the truth is that God givesgrace
so that God can produceworks
through the gift that He gives us with Hisgrace
. Please see the notes for Ephesians 2:8-10 for more on This doctrine.
- The
phrase
- C2-S14
:
says:
can faith save him?
and must be considered within the context of the prior sentence. This sentence truly asks: 'can faith, without works, save him?'. This doctrinal error is also supported by another doctrinal error. People claim: 'I accepted Jesus as my Savior and I was instantly born again'. However, there is no such thing as 'instant birth'. This claim came from people fighting against works salvation', but it is still doctrinal error. Works salvation' claims that you must have the work' specified by their religion and they have to see it or you cannot be spiritually saved. The truth is that you must have a God causedwork
, in This world , and God must see it even if men do not see it. Life begins at conception and life, separated from the mother, is first expressed in This physical reality at birth. Therefore, whenJesus
said:Ye must be born again
(John 3:7), He was saying that your true spiritual life must be expressed in This physical reality, but that expression must be God motivated and seen by God. If some religion or some religious man does not see the God motivated spiritual work, then their failure does not prevent true spiritual birth. What people callfaith
, in This sentence, is truly calledbelief
in the Bible. And,belief
cannot truly save. True Biblicalbelief
must produceworks
before it becomes true Biblicalfaith
and actually saves a person. - C2-S15
:
Example
of
how
we
lose
the
chance
to
profit
.- The
word
If
makes This a conditional sentence. all who fulfil the condition receive the resultand no one who fails to fulfil the condition receives the result. - The
phrase
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food
means: 'This is the condition for the illustration'. - The
phrase
And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled
means: 'This is the response by the saved person, for the illustration'. - The
phrase
notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body
means: 'This is the failure to act by the saved person, for the illustration'. - The
phrase
what doth it profit?
means: 'How will This increase blessings from God?'.
- The
word
- C2-S16
:
Biblical
precept
that
was
illustrated
by
the
prior
sentence.
- The
phrase
Even so
means: 'the following conclusion has equal weight with the argument just presented'. - The
phrase
faith, if it hath not works
means: 'This is the condition which people argue about'. - The
phrase
is dead, being alone
means: 'This is the God given correct conclusion'.
- The
phrase
- C2-S17
:
A
challenge
to
prove
a
claim.
- The
word
Yea
is: 'A very strong affirmative expression which is stronger than a simple Yes'. - The
phrase
a man may say
means: 'This is part of an argument'. - The
phrase
Thou hast faith, and I have works
means: 'there are different emphasis used by people to show their relationship with God'. - The
phrase
shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works
means: 'there are people who believe that theirbelief
is true Biblicalfaith
'. This is an error. Until there is action, there is no true Biblicalfaith
.
- The
word
- C2-S18
:
the
limitation
of
belief.
- The
phrase
Thou believest that there is one God
means: 'Here, James is identifying what these people put their trust in'. - The
phrase
thou doest well
means: 'This is a good thing to have even if it is inadequate'. - The
phrase
The devils also believe, and tremble
means: 'What you are relying on is the same as devils have and they are going to be condemned'. Ifbelief
does not save devils then it cannot save people. it is not enough.
- The
phrase
- C2-S19
:
the
truth
about
faith without works
.- The
word
But
means that This phrase iscontinuing the subject of the prior phrase while changing direction. James is still dealing with the person who only hasbelief
. - The
phrase
wilt thou know
means: 'Are you willing to learn truth?'. - The
phrase
O vain man
means: 'This person is trusting in outward appearances that are not supported by inward character'. - The
phrase
that faith without works is dead?
means: 'If there is no action then it isdead
'. This claimedfaith
is based upon a non-Biblical definition for the wordfaith
. This is one of the main ways that devils get God's people to accept and believe doctrinal error.
- The
word
- C2-S20
:
Abraham
used
as
an
illustration.
- The
phrase
Was not Abraham our father justified by works
is used to introduce the subject ofjustification
. We are told about This in Genesis 22 with Genesis 22:16-18 telling us the promise that God made toAbraham
after he wasjustified
. Abraham. And, he received blessings after he passed the test that he did not have before the test. - The
phrase
when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
tells us when, and why, Abraham wasjustified
.
- The
phrase
- C2-S21
:
the
conclusion
from
the
evidence.
- The
phrase
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works
means: 'Do you see with an ongoing understanding?'. Abraham'sfaith
caused (wrought
) hisworks
. the resultis directly tied to the cause and you don't get thwe result without the cause. Therefore, the resultis evidence of the cause. - The
phrase
and by works was faith made perfect?
means: 'God used Abraham'sworks
, and the resulting reward from God, to make Abraham'sfaith
to increase (wasmade perfect
)'.
- The
phrase
- C2-S22
:
the
scriptural
basis
for
the
statements
by
James.
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
And
, which means that it is added to the prior sentence. This word represents 'the mathematical function of addition'. If you drop either side of an addition problem, you change the answer. Likewise, if you drop either side of anand
, inThe word of God
, then you change the message from God. - The
phrase
And the scripture was fulfilled which saith
is a reference to Genesis 22:16-18. - The
phrase
Abraham believed God
means: 'Abraham was completely convinced that what God promised God would do'. - The
phrase
and it was imputed unto him for righteousness
means: 'After Abraham proved hisbelief
, God used that as a basis for addingrighteousness
to Abraham's legal record in Heaven'. - The
phrase
and he was called the Friend of God
is a reference to is a reference to Exodus 33:11.
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
- C2-S23
:
is
the
conclusion
from
scriptural
example.
It
says:
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only
. In This sentence, James is using the popular, but non-Biblical definition for the wordfaith
, which is actually 'belief'. - C2-S24
:
Rahab
used
as
an
illustration.
- The
word:
Likewise
means: 'In the same way'. With This sentence, James is giving us a second true example from theword of God
. This makes his lesson part of the law of God which will be used to judge all men. - The
story
of
Rahab the harlot
is in Joshua 2; which gives us the story of herworks
, and Joshua 6; which tells us how she wasjustified
. - The
phrase
also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works
means: 'We see in This account that she not only had her sin record blotted out, but she was put into the lineage ofJesus
'. - The
phrase
when she had received the messengerrs
means: 'the Jewish spies were wanted by her king. Yet she hid them and protected them because she believed that the God of the Jews was the one true God'. - The
phrase
and had sent them out another way?
means: 'She returned them to the Jews by letting them out of a window on the city wall'. Truefaith
requires us to do what is necessary and that is often different from what the world tells us is an acceptable way of acting.
- The
word:
- C2-S25 : the reason why all of This chapter is true. Here, James provides the only possible conclusion from This chapter.
Chapter 3 Summary:
The chapter theme 'Our Tongue'.
in
This
chapter
James
starts
out
telling
us
My
brethren,
be
not
many
masters
and
goes
on
to
tell
us
why
that
indicates
fleshly
pride.
He
ends
the
chapter
with
the
true
evidence
and
results
of
having
The
wisdom
of
God
.
Much
of
This
chapter
deals
with
the
tongue
,
which
James
presents
as
the
main
evidence
of
someone
being
truly
filled
with
pride
and
confusing
The
wisdom
of
This
world
with
The
wisdom
of
God
.
- C3-S1
:
Basic
command
that
This
chapter
explains
more.
- The
word
brethren
means: 'the saved and serving people'. The wordbrethren
is not used for lost people nor for saved but carnal people. - The
phrase
be not many masters
means: 'Don't be teaching lots of disagreeing doctrines'(Masters
are 'teachers'). Paul called the saved peoplebabes
in 1Corinthians because they were divided over different doctrines taught by different men. Thus, James is telling the church leaders to not cause that type of divisions in God's church. - The
phrase
knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation
means: 'If we cause that type of divisions, we will becondemned
at thejudgment seat of Christ
'.
- The
word
- C3-S2
:
Why
we
are
to
obey
the
command
of
the
prior
sentence.
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
For
, which means that it is giving us the reason why the prior sentence is true. - The
phrase
in many things we offend all
means: 'We cause offenses to God's people simply because we are sinful people'. We should avoid adding to those offences by causing doctrinal disputes.
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
- C3-S3
:
Evidence
of
being
spiritually
mature.
- The
word
If
makes This a conditional sentence. all who fulfil the condition receive the resultand no one who fails to fulfil the condition receives the result. - The
phrase
any man offend not in word
is the condition which must be fulfilled in order for the rest of This sentence to be true. - The
phrase
The same is a perfect man
means: 'This person is spiritually mature'. - The
phrase
and able also to bridle the whole body
means: 'His spiritual maturity indicates that he is able to avoid doing other sins of the flesh'.
- The
word
- C3-S4
:
Illustration
from
a
horse
bridle.
- The
word
Behold
means: 'Take a very close look and examine in detail so that you truly understand what is said after This word'. - The
phrase
we put bits in the horses' mouths
is a fact which is used as an illustration. - The
phrase
that they may obey us
means: 'This is why thwe bit is used'. - The
phrase
and we turn about their whole body
means: 'This is the desired end result'.
- The
word
- C3-S5
:
Second
illustration.
- The
word
Behold
means: 'Take a very close look and examine in detail so that you truly understand what is said after This word'. - The
phrase
also the ships
means: 'This is the second thing which is controlled by a small part'. - The
phrase
which though they be so great
means: 'It does not matter how big the ship is'. - The
phrase
and are driven of fierce winds
means: 'It does not matter how much power drives the ship'. - The
phrase
yet are they turned about with a very small helm
means: 'Here is the application of the principal'. - The
phrase
whithersoever the governor listeth
means: 'A person uses This small thing to control the large ship'.
- The
word
- C3-S6
:
the
conclusion
has
equal
weight
to
the
illustrations.
- The
phrase
Even so the tongue is a little member
means: 'thetongue
is a very small part of the body'. - The
phrase
and boasteth great things
means: 'thetongue
can get the entire body in trouble'.
- The
phrase
- C3-S7
:
the
result
of
letting
the
tongue
boast
.- The
word
Behold
means: 'Take a very close look and examine in detail so that you truly understand what is said after This word'. - The
phrase
how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
means: 'Look at hpw upset people can get at what others say to them'.
- The
word
- C3-S8
:
the
tongue
is motivated fromHell
.- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
And
, which means that it is added to the prior sentence. This word represents 'the mathematical function of addition'. If you drop either side of an addition problem, you change the answer. Likewise, if you drop either side of anand
, inThe word of God
, then you change the message from God. - The
phrase
The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity
give us two expressions showing the problems which ourtongue
can cause. - The
phrase
so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body
means: 'thetongue
is like the earlier illustrations of the bit and the helm of a ship'. - The
phrase
and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell
means: 'these are possible end results of the wrong use of ourtongue
'.
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
- C3-S9
:
Why
the
tongue
defiles.- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
For
, which means that it is giving us the reason why the prior sentence is true. - The
phrases:
every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea
name several different kinds of animals. - The
phrases:
is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind
tell us what has been done. - The
phrase
But the tongue can no man tame
means: 'Even if we control ourtongue
most of the time, we all mess up some times and say the wrong thing or say it the wrong way'. - The
phrase
it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison
means: 'This is the conclusion from James'.
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
- C3-S10
:
Example
of
how
we
are
double minded
because of thetongue
.- The
phrase
therewith bless we God, even the father
tells us how we use ourtongue
the right way. - The
phrase
and therewith curse we men
tells us how we use ourtongue
the wrong way. - The
phrase
which are made after the similitude of God
tells us why This should not be.
- The
phrase
- C3-S11
:
says:
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing
This is a statement of fact for many people. - C3-S12
:
Correction
of
error.
- The
word
brethren
means: 'the saved and serving people'. The wordbrethren
is not used for lost people nor for saved but carnal people. - The
phrase
these things ought not so to be
means: 'Even If This is true for most people, it should not be true for the saved and serving'.
- The
word
- C3-S13
:
says:
Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
This is the first illustration of why the prior thingsought not so to be
. - C3-S14
:
says:
Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries?
This is the second illustration of why the prior thingsought not so to be
. - C3-S15
:
says:
either a vine, figs?
This is the third illustration of why the prior thingsought not so to be
. - C3-S16
:
says:
so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh
This is the fourth illustration, and the conclusion, of why the prior thingsought not so to be
. - C3-S17
:
says:
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you?
. While This might seem to not be related to prior sentences, it is, in fact, related. Everything said before This sentence, in This chapter, is the result of disputes between saved church members. Before This , James was showing the problems which result from using worldlymethods to resolve disputes. Now, James is telling them how to resolve disputes. That is: take the dispute toa wise man and endued with knowledge among you
. - C3-S18
:
says:
let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom
. This is how you determine who should settle disputes. The word:good
means: 'In the Bible, only what comes from God is called good. therefore, the Biblical definition ofgood
does not match what men think it should be'. The word:conversation
means: 'life-style ; Your way of life. How we live speaks louder that what comes out of our mouth and if the two disagree, we prove ourselves to be a liar'. The word:meekness
means: 'Power under Gods control. This is totally different from weak'. That is: 'Find someone, in the church, whose life shows God's control and the blessings which only come from God. have This person mediate disputes within the church'. - C3-S19
:
Disqualifier
to
the
first
test.
- The
word
But
means that This phrase iscontinuing the subject of the prior phrase while changing direction. - The
word
If
makes This a conditional sentence. all who fulfil the condition receive the resultand no one who fails to fulfil the condition receives the result. - The
phrase
ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts
means: 'If you personally have these wrong feelings in your heart'. - The
phrase
glory not
means: 'Don't be glad about your feelings and, definitely, don't be glad when the other person is hurt'. - The
phrase
and lie not against the truth
means: 'Don't lie about your feelings because that can destroy you'. People only lie about their feelings when they know that their feelings are wrong but they are not willing to give them up. This is how Satan brings sin into the church and destroys many lives. the remainingsentences of This chapter need to be considered with This sentence for contextual requirements.
- The
word
- C3-S20
:
says:
This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish
. This claimedwisdom
isThe wisdom of This world
. 3:14 through 3:18 all need to be considered with This sentence for contextual requirements. - C3-S21
:
Why
the
evidence
given
is
true.
3:14
through
3:18
all
need
to
be
considered
with
This
sentence
for
contextual
requirements.
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
For
, which means that it is giving us the reason why the prior sentence is true. - The
phrase
where envying and strife is,
tells us the result of people holding onto wrong feelings. - The
phrase
there is confusion and every evil work
tells us the consequence to God's church.
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
- C3-S22
:
True
evidence
for
having
The wisdom of God
. 3:14 through 3:18 all need to be considered with This sentence for contextual requirements.- The
word
But
means that This phrase iscontinuing the subject of the prior phrase while changing direction. This sentence tells us how to tell the difference betweenearthly wisdom
andwisdom from God
. - The
phrases:
The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy
tell us the several attributes to look for in anywisdom
that people claim comes from God. Please see the detail note for more on the definitions of these words.
- The
word
- C3-S23
:
True
results
of
having
The wisdom of God
. 3:14 through 3:18 all need to be considered with This sentence for contextual requirements.- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
And
, which means that it is added to the prior sentence. This word represents 'the mathematical function of addition'. If you drop either side of an addition problem, you change the answer. Likewise, if you drop either side of anand
, inThe word of God
, then you change the message from God. - The
phrase
The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace
means: 'Here is how to get the blessings from God. Be a peace maker'.
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
Chapter 4 Summary:
The chapter theme 'Fightings and Wars in the Church'.
This
chapter
is
summarized
in
the
last
sentence
which
says
therefore
to
him
that
knoweth
to
do
good,
and
doeth
it
not,
to
him
it
is
sin
.
James
has
just
concluded
a
chapter
on
how
to
get
the
wisdom
of
God
and
said
that
the
saved
people
who
truly
have
the
wisdom
of
God
will
also
have
The
fruit
of
righteousness
and
that
they
will
make
peace
.
Now,
in
This
chapter,
James
is
dealing
with
people
who
do
not
have
the
wisdom
of
God
and
the
evidence
that
they
don't
have
The
fruit
of
righteousness
nor
do
they
make
peace
.
His
first
sentence
of
This
chapter
is:
From
whence
come
wars
and
fightings
among
you?
This
is
obviously
the
opposite
behaviour
from
those
people
who
make
peace
.
Following
his
opening
question,
James
tells
evidence
of
saved
people
who
are
in
the
church
but
who
are
not
using
the
wisdom
of
God
.
As
a
result,
they
have
the
consequences
of
sin
in
their
life.
James
then
tells
us
how
to
stop
doing
those
sins
so
that
we
can
get
God's
blessings
in
This
life.
Saved
people
who
are
in
the
church
but
who
are
not
using
the
wisdom
of
God
are
in
that
condition
for
one
of
two
reasons.
they
either
have
never
being
taught
how
to
do
right
or
they
are
refusing
to
obey
those
commandments.
With
his
final
sentence,
James
makes
it
clear
that
the
wisdom
of
God
has
been
preached
and,
therefore,
these
people
sin
by
refusing
to
obey.
- C4-S1
:
says:
From whence come wars and fightings among you?
. This is the opening sentence of This chapter and the entire chapter is dealing with the answer to This question. The saved people whom James is dealing with, in This chapter, do not have thewisdom of God
, which our last chapter ended talking about. - C4-S2
:
says:
come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
. It is basically impossible for people to honestly deny This answer to the prior question. - C4-S3
:
the
result
of
being
motivated
by
lusts
. People try to obtain in their own way instead of serving God and asking God for their needs.- The
phrase
Ye lust
means: 'they personally desire the wrong things (lust
) and they seek them the wrong way'. - The
phrase
and have not
means: 'God will not give them wrong things which they seek the wrong way'. - The
phrase
ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain
means: 'they are using the wrong ways to obtain what they desire and God prevents them from obtaining those things'. - The
phrase
ye fight and war, yet ye have not
means: 'God will not honor his children using the wrong methods and will prevent them from obtaining using the wrong methods'. - The
phrase
because ye ask not
means: 'All of This results from their not using the right way to obtain things'.
- The
phrase
- C4-S4
:
Why
prayers
are
not
answered.
This
sentence
is
added
to
the
prior
sentence
even
though
it
does
not
start
with
a
connecting
word.
- The
phrase
Ye ask, and receive not
tells us what happened. - The
phrase
because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts
tells us why. From these phrases we see that our motivations and attitudes are critical to receiving the answer to our prayers.
- The
phrase
- C4-S5
:
Saved
people
can
become
enemies
with God
.- The
phrase
Ye adulterers and adulteresses
is a critical phrase for understanding the true definition of the wordadultery
. The true definition of any Bible word is what is the same in every usage with the differences, from one Bible reference to another, giving the many applications. In This sentence, a virgin who seeksThe friendship of the world
is calledadulterers and adulteresses
. This sentence has nothing to do with sex but these people have violated their covenant relationship withJesus Christ
when they accepted Him as their personalLord
and were saved. This is a spiritual sin and not physical. It is a violation of our oath. Please see the Word Study on Adultery for more details on the true Biblical definition of This word. - The
phrase
know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?
means: 'This is how someone personally becomes anadulterers or adulteresses
'.
- The
phrase
- C4-S6
:
says:
whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God
. This is a precept. - C4-S7
:
says:
Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, the spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
. This is speaking about thespirit
of man. Please see the references from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge found with the Detailed Note for many Bible references where This truth is found. - C4-S8
:
God's
grace
can overcome.- The
word
But
means that This phrase iscontinuing the subject of the prior phrase while changing direction. - The
phrase
he giveth more grace
is speaking about God givinggrace
to overcome ourenvy
. And, our next sentence tells us how to receive Thisgrace
from God.
- The
word
- C4-S9
:
How
to
get
God's
grace
.- The
word
Wherefore
means: 'what follows the wherefore is a future result that is based upon what came before the wherefore and it to be seen wherever you look'. - The
phrase
he saith
means: 'there are several places in scripture where we can read This truth'. Please see the references from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge found with the Detailed Note for many Bible references where This truth is found. - The
phrase
God resisteth the proud
is a truth that mostproud
people refuse to accept. - The
phrase
but giveth grace unto the humble
is a truth that many people refuse to act on, even if they claim to believe it. However, many places in scripture tell us about people who acted on This truth and received blessings from God.
- The
word
- C4-S10
:
says:
Submit yourselves therefore to God
. This sentence, with the next two sentences, tell us how to get the presence of God and the blessings from His presence. - C4-S11
:
says:
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you
. This sentence is meant to be understood to be the second step after doing the prior sentence. We cannot do This sentence without the presence and power of God first being made available to us. - C4-S12
:
says:
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you
. This is very clear and easily understood. Unfortunately, many people expect God todraw nigh
to them, and help them, even while they resist God and try to flee Him. - C4-S13
:
How
to
have
The Lord (to) lift you up
. This sentence must be done in conjunction with the next two sentences.- The
phrase
Cleanse your hands, ye sinners
means: 'Stop trying to grab sinful things'. This goes along with Romans 13:14; which says:But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof
. - The
phrase
and purify your hearts
means: 'Dedicate your heart 100% to the service ofThe Lord
'. - The
phrase
ye double minded
means: 'As saved people, we have the sinful mind of our flesh and themind of Christ
'. We need to stop listening to mind of our flesh.
- The
phrase
- C4-S14
:
How
to
have
The Lord (to) lift you up
. This sentence must be done in conjunction with the prior sentence and the next sentence.- The
phrase
Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep
means: 'This is the proper attitude to have about our sin and our addiction to it'. - The
phrase
let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness
means: 'Stop enjoying the flesh and view your life from the spiritual perspective'.
- The
phrase
- C4-S15
:
How
to
have
The Lord (to) lift you up
. This sentence must be done in conjunction with the prior two sentences.- The
phrase
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up
says the same thing as 1Peter 5:6. Please notice that This is what we are to do. If we don't do it thenThe Lord
may do This and we will much prefer that we did it.
- The
phrase
- C4-S16
:
says:
Speak not evil one of another, brethren
. It is not our place, unless we are the pastor or sent by the pastor, to correct a brother. And, even then we are to do it in love and consider how we would want to be treated if we were the one in the wrong. In addition, even then there is no justification toSpeak not evil one of another
. It is God's place to judge people, not our place. Yes, we can condemn the sin but not the sinner. Finally, our next sentence explains the command of This sentence. Therefore, it needs to be considered with This sentence. - C4-S17
:
Be
a
doer
instead of ajudge
. This sentence is explaining the command given in the prior sentence.- The
phrase
He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother
means: 'This is the wrong attitude and action which James is correcting'. Please notice that both action verbs end inth
, which makes them life-style actions. And, no one canpeaketh evil of his brother
, unless he firstjudgeth his brother
. - The
phrase
speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law
means: 'the prior phrases speak about a servant of God directly disobeying the law of God. And, no one can do the prior phrases unless they do these phrases first'. - The
phrase
but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge
means: 'We are commanded to do the law, not judge if the law is correct or not. When we act This way, we take a position which God has reserved for Himself'. Our next sentence gives us furtherconsiderations to take before we do This sentence.
- The
phrase
- C4-S18
:
asks:
'Who
are
you
personally
when
compared
to
God?'.
This
sentence
is
given
as
a
consideration
when
we
are
tempted
to
do
the
prior
sentence.
- The
phrase
there is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy
means: 'This identifies God and God's power'. We do not have the same power. Therefore, it is foolish for us to anger God by taking a position which He has reserved for Himself. This motivated God todestroy
us. - The
phrase
who art thou that judgest another?
means: 'This type of action proves that someone has taken a position which God has reserved for Himself'.
- The
phrase
- C4-S19
:
We
are
not
promised
to
live
tomorrow.
This
sentence
is
continuing
the
though
of
the
prior
sentence
where
a
servant
of
God
refused
to
recognize
his
position
in
relationship
to
God's
position.
- The
phrase
Go to now
means: 'Leave the wrong attitude'. - The
phrases:
ye that say, to day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain
'show that people forgot their position as servants ofThe Lord
. they have forgotten that they need His permission first'. - The
phrase
Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow
means: 'God may very well make our pl and impossible'.
- The
phrase
- C4-S20
:
How
long
is
life?
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
For
, which means that it is giving us the reason why the prior sentence is true. - The
question:
what is your life?
is answered in the next sentence. This sentence is presented as a question to make us think about the answer.
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
- C4-S21
:
says:
It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
This sentence answers the question in the prior sentence and is presented for people who match the second prior sentence. People make pl and and ignore their position as servants of God. they make pl and for what they consider to be the best for This short-term physical life and do not consider how that affects their everlasting spiritual life. This sentence gives the comparative values of the physical life and the spiritual life. And, our next sentence tells us the attitude that we should take if we really consider these relative values. - C4-S22
:
Always
seek
the
will
of
The Lord
before making plans.- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
For
, which means that it is giving us the reason why the prior sentence needs to be considered. - The
phrase
that ye ought to say
means: 'Here is the wise attitude to have'. - The
phrases:
If the Lord will, we shall live, and do This , or that
express the right attitude for God's people to maintain.
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
- C4-S23
:
When
we
rejoice in your boastings
we doevil
.- The
word
But
means that This phrase iscontinuing the subject of the prior phrase while changing direction. - The
phrase
now ye rejoice in your boastings
expresses the attitude of people who do not have the attitude of the prior sentence. Such peopleboast
about their own pl and and actions and the results of such. they do notgive God the glory
for what happens in their life. - The
phrase
all such rejoicing is evil
means: 'This is the judgment of God on the attitude expressed in the prior phrase'.
- The
word
- C4-S24
:
is
the
conclusion
of
these
last
few
sentences
and
of
the
chapter.
- The
word
therefore
means: 'what follows thetherefore
is a future result that is based upon what came before thetherefore
and only seenthere
'. People will obey the command of This sentence only if they truly consider the doctrine of This chapter. - The
phrase
to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not
means: 'This person is knowingly doing wrong'. - The
phrase
to him it is sin
means: 'This is a very simple and clear judgment from God'. Unfortunately, too many of God's people believe the lie from Satan that there is no punishment for saved people. Believing that lie is one of the main reasons why This sentence is true for saved people.
- The
word
Chapter 5 Summary:
The chapter theme 'Where is your Trust?'.
James starts out talking against putting our trust in the riches of This world . He ends the chapter with converting a brother who has gone into doctrinal error. Between the beginning and end he deals with practical things which make up daily life for people.
Within
our
chapter
we
find
the
phrase
The
prayer
of
faith
shall
save
the
sick
.
This
causes
lots
of
arguments
because
different
religions
do
different
religious
activities
based
upon
This
phraseand
then
have
to
find
some
excuse
why
their
religious
activity
failed
to
force
God
to
provide
physical
healing.
What
we
see
in
This
last
chapter
matches
what
we
have
seen
in
other
chapters
of
This
book.
It
is
easy
to
misunderstand
what
James
is
really
saying.
But,
the
end
of
the
message
from
James
is
to
try
and
convert
saved
people
who
believe
error.
We
cannot
convert
someone
to
God's
truth
while
we
believe
error
ourselves.
James
uses
the
title
of
Lord
15
times
in
his
epistle
with
8
(over
1/2)
in
This
chapter.
other
than
that
,
James
uses
God
17
times
in
13
verses
before
This
chapter,
he
uses
son
once,
and
he
uses
Lord
Jesus
Christ
twice.
Thus,
we
see
that
James
concentrates
on
the
power
and
authority
of
God
within
His
role
as
Lord
.
In
his
earlier
chapters
James
also
used
God
for
those
people
who
didn't
want
to
submit
to
and
obey
the
Lord
.
He
dealt
with
people
who
wanted
to
get
blessings
from
God
,
without
submitting
to
the
Lord
,
and
let
them
know
that
these
blessings
only
come
through
God's
role
as
Lord
.
Now
that
he
has
made
that
fact
clear,
he
is
speaking
strictly
about
what
saved
people
can
get
from
their
Lord
.
This
chapter
tells
us
to
do
many
things
in
order
to
receive
certain
blessings
from
our
Lord
.
Many
religious
leaders,
who
claim
to
speak
for
the
Lord
make
excuses
when
they
can't
deliver
things
like
the
healing
promised
within
our
chapter.
they
say
things
like:
'You
weren't
healed
because
you
didn't
have
enough
faith'.
While
they
claim
that
my
faith
can
prevent
my
healing,
they
also
claim
that
my
faith
is
not
enough
to
get
me
healed.
While
they
claim
that
I
need
their
'gift'
in
order
to
be
healed,
they
also
claim
that
it
is
not
possible
that
their
'gift'
failed.
What
I
am
trying
to
point
out
is
that
lots
of
religious
liars
claim
parts
of
This
chapter
to
support
their
position
even
while
they
can't
produce
the
results.
However,
one
thing
that
James
says
8
times
within
This
chapter
is
that
we
get
these
results
from
our
Lord
.
The
very
first
step
to
getting
anything
from
our
Lord
is
to
submit
and
obey
His
commands,
especially
when
they
don't
make
sense
to
our
flesh.
The
second
thing
is
to
always
worship
and
be
thankful
to
our
Lord
,
especially
when
He
puts
us
in
circumstances
that
our
flesh
objects
to.
The
bottom
line
is
that
it
is
far
more
important
for
us
to
recognize,
and
properly
respond
to,
our
God's
role
as
Lord
,
than
it
is
to
do
some
religious
activity
specified
by
some
self-proclaimed
representative
of
God
who
fails
to
deliver
on
his
promises.
And,
I
say
This
based
upon
having
a
Muslim
doctor,
and
other
non-believing
medical
people,
say
that
I
had
'undeniable
multiple
miracles'
while
the
guy
in
the
next
bed
failed
to
be
healed
by
his
religious
healer.
- C5-S1
:
Miseries
will come to saved people who trust in riches. James 5:1 through James 5:6 are in context and must be considered as a single unit.- The
phrase
Go to now, ye rich men
means: 'these people are whom James is writing to and how they should act. they should leave their trust in their worldlyriches
'. - The
phrase
weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you
means: 'Here is how they should react when they realize the results of trusting in worldlyriches
'.
- The
phrase
- C5-S2
:
Spiritual
corruption
of
what
they
trusted
in.
James
5:1
through
James
5:6
are
in
context
and
must
be
considered
as
a
single
unit.
- The
phrase
Your riches are corrupted
means: 'worldlyriches destroy spiritual things if people are not careful to avoid the corruption from spreading'. - The
phrase
and your garments are mothe aten
means: 'is speaking about spiritual clothing'. Revelation 3:17 says:Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked
. Thus, we see other places, in the Bible, where people who trusted in worldlyriches
found out that their spiritual condition was totally different.
- The
phrase
- C5-S3
:
Riches
will
witness
that people trusted in the wrong thing. James 5:1 through James 5:6 are in context and must be considered as a single unit.- The
phrase
Your gold and silver is cankered
means: 'Trusting in worldlyriches
is like helping cancer to spread throughout your body'. - The
phrase
and the rust of them shall be a witness against you
means: 'the things bought with worldlyriches
, instead of using the worldlyriches
, to support missionaries, will be used as a testimony against people when they are atThe judgment seat of Christ
'. - The
phrase
and shall eat your flesh as it were fire
means: 'Things will be burned byfire
atThe judgment seat of Christ
' (1Corinthians 3:13-15).
- The
phrase
- C5-S4
:
says:
Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days
. This means that Rich people saved for theirlast days
('retirement') on Earth. While This money would be better spent supporting missionaries, our next sentence tells us that there is another consideration. If people gain worldlyriches
using unjust methods, that will bring punishment atThe judgment seat of Christ
.
James 5:1 through James 5:6 are in context and must be considered as a single unit. - C5-S5
:
the
Lord
has heard of their crimes. James 5:1 through James 5:6 are in context and must be considered as a single unit.- The
word
Behold
means: 'Take a very close look and examine in detail so that you truly understand what is said after This word'. - The
phrase
The hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields
identifies the saved people who bring their complain toThe Lord of sabaoth
. Our sentence says that these people did the work but were not paid a just wage. - The
phrase
which is of you kept back by fraud
means: 'the rich saved people act like the world and defraud saved workers from a just wage'. - The
phrase
crieth
means: 'the people who were defrauded keep on complaining to God'. - The
phrase
and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth
means: 'the Lord of the multiple armies of angels has heard their cry. He will judge righteously and no one can avoid His punishment'.
- The
word
- C5-S6
:
the
rich
personally
sought
pleasure
at
the
cost
of
others.
James
5:1
through
James
5:6
are
in
context
and
must
be
considered
as
a
single
unit.
- The
phrase
Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth
means: 'Each and every one of these people have personally put their own fleshly pleasure above the needs of other saved people'. - The
phrase
and been wanton
means: 'they did not restrain their flesh nor did they restrain the lusts of their flesh'. - The
phrase
ye have nourished your hearts
means: 'they did everything that their fleshly heart desired'. - The
phrase
as in a day of slaughter
means: 'they are like animals which are made fat before the slaughter'.
- The
phrase
- C5-S7
:
the
just
did not fight back. James 5:1 through James 5:6 are in context and must be considered as a single unit.- The
phrase
Ye have condemned and killed the just
means: 'they did This to people that God said had no sin marked on their Heavenly record'. - The
phrase
and he doth not resist you
means: 'This person trusted God to bring justice'. God does far more than we ever can to someone who wrongs the child of God.
- The
phrase
- C5-S8
:
the
just
are to forThe Lord
.- The
phrase
Be patient therefore
means: 'God works in God's time and we don't get to dictate to God when He works'. - The phrase means: '. '. . .
- The
word
brethren
means: 'the saved and serving people'. The wordbrethren
is not used for lost people nor for saved but carnal people. - The
phrase
unto the coming of the Lord
means: 'This can be death or the 'Rapture'. Most of the promises for the 'Church Age' are promised to be given in Heaven. Therefore, don't rush God unless you have a death wish.
- The
phrase
- C5-S9
:
People
who
reap
wait
for
the
right
time
before
they
harvest.
- The
word
Behold
means: 'Take a very close look and examine in detail so that you truly understand what is said after This word'. - The
phrase
The husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth
means: 'the farmer does not harvest before it is time'. - The
phrase
and hath long patience for it
means: 'He has patience until it is the time of harvest'. - The
phrase
until he receive the early and latter rain
means: 'there is a big rain in Spring and in Fall. The rain in Spring isearly rain
. The rain in Fall islatter rain
. The rain in Spring is starts plants growing. The rain in Fall causes their greatest growth spurt'. A wise farmer waits until his crops grow all that they will before he harvests.
- The
word
- C5-S10
:
Be
patient
and
know
that
The Lord
comes soon.- The
phrase
Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts
means: 'Learn the lesson from the farmer and wait until the right time'. - The
phrase
for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh
means: 'Wait until God says that your life is done'.
- The
phrase
- C5-S11
:
Remember
your
own
judgment.
- The
phrase
Grudge not one against another
means: 'Don't be upset about another person being happy'. - The
word
brethren
means: 'the saved and serving people'. The wordbrethren
is not used for lost people nor for saved but carnal people. - The
phrase
lest ye be condemned
means: 'We are in danger of God condemning us because we are commanded toRejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep
and This reaction is the opposite of what God commands'. - The
word
Behold
means: 'Take a very close look and examine in detail so that you truly understand what is said after This word'. - The
phrase
The judge standeth before the door
means: 'We are very close to being judged for the attitudes and actions of This life'.
- The
phrase
- C5-S12
:
Use
The prophets
as your example.- The
phrase
Take, the prophets
means: 'UseThe prophets
, and whatThe word of God
says about them'. - The
word
brethren
means: 'the saved and serving people'. The wordbrethren
is not used for lost people nor for saved but carnal people. - The
phrase
who have spoken in the name of the Lord
means: '. '. . . - The
phrase
for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience
means: 'they served God. Don't expect to be treated differently by God Who never changes'.
- The
phrase
- C5-S13
:
Happiness
comes
from
endurance.
- The
word
Behold
means: 'Take a very close look and examine in detail so that you truly understand what is said after This word'. - The
phrase
we count them happy which endure
means: 'Only people whoendure
get to see God work for them'.
- The
word
- C5-S14
:
Use
Job
as
an
example.
- The
phrase
Ye have heard of the patience of Job
means: 'Each and every one of you personally have read and / or heard whatThe word of God
tells us about Job '. Compared to that account, few have a basis to complain. - The
phrase
and have seen the end of the Lord
means: 'At the end of that account,The Lord
doubled everything that Job had'. - The
phrase
that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy
means: 'This is the attitude ofThe Lord
, even while He puts us through a test'. All tests byThe Lord
are designed as the basis of our receiving greater blessings after we pass His test.
- The
phrase
- C5-S15
:
Let
your
life
back
your
mouth.
- The
word
But
means that This phrase iscontinuing the subject of the prior phrase while changing direction. - The
phrase
above all things.
means: 'If you forget everything else, do not forget This command'. - The
word
brethren
means: 'the saved and serving people'. The wordbrethren
is not used for lost people nor for saved but carnal people. - The
phrase
swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath
means: 'Do not call on anyone or on anything to witness your oath in order to get people to believe your oath'. - The
phrase
but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay
means: 'Have true integrity. Always support your claims by how you live'. - The
phrase
lest ye fall into condemnation
means: 'God and men will condemn you otherwise'.
- The
word
- C5-S16
:
says:
Is any among you afflicted?
5:13 through 5:16 need to be considered togetheras a single unit of thought. This sentence asks the question to make us think about the answer. - C5-S17
:
says:
let him pray
. Only God can truly help theafflicted
. Sometimes, God allows us to experience these things in order to increase our prayer life. - C5-S18
:
says:
Is any merry?
. The next sentence says what to do. When compares to the prior two sentences, we have the opposite end of the spectrum of emotions. The answer, in both cases, is personal dealing with God having the right attitude. - C5-S19
:
says:
let him sing psalms
This is the answer to the question in the prior sentence and amounts to personal worship. - C5-S20
:
says:
Is any sick among you?
. The answer to This question is in the next sentence. - C5-S21
:
Let
the
sick
call
on
people
who
can
get
prayers
answered.
This
sentence
is
used
as
a
basis
for
doctrinal
error.
there
are
religions
which
claim
that
you
have
to
call
the
right
person,
who
has
the
gift
of
healing,
in
order
for
This
sentence
to
work.
then,if
it
works,
they
claim
that
the
person
was
healed
because
of
what
that
other
person
did.
If
the
sick
person
is
not
healed,
then
they
claim
that
the
sick
person
did
not
have
enough
faith.
Those
claims
are
wrong.
When
I
was
last
in
the
hospital,
multiple
lost
doctors
each
independently
said
that
'I
had
undeniable
multiple
miracles'.
Yet,
the
man
in
the
next
bed
called
fort
his
religious
healer
and
received
nothing
from
God.
Therefore,
what
I
write
here
is
based
upon
personal
experience.
- The
phrase
let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord
means: 'Let This person make sure that they have a right relationship with God and the God appointer leaders of the church. then,together, they are to call onThe Lord
in recognition that onlyThe Lord
can truly do a miracle. And, they are to prove their willingness to obey even when they do not understand how their obedience has any effect on the healing. (It is the true attitude of submission toThe Lord
)'. - The
phrase
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up
means: 'It isThe Lord
Who does the healing. It is not theprayer of faith
, by the right person, which forces God to heal'. - The
phrase
and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him
means: 'OnlyThe Lord
can do This and He does This , along with the healing, when we pray and worship Him from our heart that has the proper attitude towardsThe Lord
'.
- The
phrase
- C5-S22
:
How
to
get
right
before
we
are
healed.
- The
phrase
Confess your faults one to another
uses the wordfaults
and not the wordsins
. Afault
is a place of weakness where we can use help. When we truly do This , it humbles us. - The
phrase
and pray one for another
means: 'Have more concern for the needs of others than what you have for your own needs'. - The
phrase
that ye may be healed
tells us the possible result. Please pay attention to the wordmay
.
- The
phrase
- C5-S23
:
says:
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much
. It is hoped thatThe elders of the church
arerighteous
. This sentence, combined with the prior sentence, is why James wrote what we read in This section. And, in addition to healing, This sentence applies to other circumstances, as many saved people realize. - C5-S24
:
James
uses
Elias
as
an
example
for
the
prior
sentence.
The
next
sentence
starts
with
the
word
And
, which means that it needs to be considered with This sentence.- The
phrase
Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are
tells us the type of man that he was. - The
phrase
and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain
tells us what he did. - The
phrase
and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months
tells us how God responded.
- The
phrase
- C5-S25
:
the
results
of
his
prayer.
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
And
, which means that it is added to the prior sentence. This word represents 'the mathematical function of addition'. If you drop either side of an addition problem, you change the answer. Likewise, if you drop either side of anand
, inThe word of God
, then you change the message from God. - The
phrase
he prayed again
tells us what Elias did the second time. - The
phrase
and the heaven gave rain
tells us how God responded the second time. - The
phrase
and the earth brought forth her fruit
tells us the second result.
- Our
sentence
starts
with
the
word
- C5-S26
:
Convert
those
who
are
led
into
error.
- The
word
brethren
means: 'the saved and serving people'. The wordbrethren
is not used for lost people nor for saved but carnal people. - The
word
If
makes This a conditional sentence. all who fulfil the condition receive the resultand no one who fails to fulfil the condition receives the result. - The
phrase
any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him
means: 'This is the condition which 'Revival Meetings' are supposed to deal with'. However, those meetings often fail to do This thing. Notice that our sentence says:one convert him
. This is a personal level ministry. - The
phrase
Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death
means: 'Make sure that God's people know the results for doing This personal ministry'. Please note thatThe sin unto death
(1John 5:16 and Romans 6:16) is for saved people. . - The
phrase
and shall hide a multitude of sins
means: 'This is a secondary result'. When done properly, the sinful saved person confesses and stops certain sins before they become public and must be dealt with in public.
- The
word
God in James
| God: | |
| cannot be tempted with evil | 1:13 |
| choose | 2:5 |
| one God | 2:19 |
| of God: | |
| servant | 1:1 |
| ask | 1:5 |
| I am tempted - not | 1:13 |
| righteousness | 1:20 |
| man - God: | |
| before God | 1:27 |
| believed God | 2:23 |
| friend of God | 2:23 |
| bless God | 3:9 |
| made after the similitude of God | 3:9 |
| enmity with God | 4:4 |
| enemy with God | 4:4 |
| God resiseth proud | 4:6 |
| God giveth grace to humble | 4:6 |
| submit to God | 4:7 |
| Draw nigh to God | 4:8 |