James

Overview

Theme: Faith and Works Faith 16 times; Works 16 times; Law 10 times Key Scripture: 2:17 Time of Writing: 40-50 A.D. (first New Testament book ever written?)

Chapter 1:1-21 → Faith Tested and Shown by our Temptations Chapter 1:22-2:26 → Faith Shown by our Works Chapter 3:1-18 → Faith Shown by our Words Chapter 4:1-5:6 → Faith Shown by our Unworldliness Chapter 5:7-12 → Faith Shown by our Patience Chapter 5:13-20 → Faith Shown by our Prayers

Purpose:

1. To comfort and encourage Hebrew believers who were going through trials and temptations
2. To correct some disorders and misconceptions among the Hebrew believers’ assemblies
3. To refute the tendency to divorce faith and works (faith justifies your soul; works justify your faith)

Message:

1. Trial and striving is God’s way of maturing the believer.
2. True faith is shown by its good works.
3. Good works are not a means to justification, but rather a product of sanctification and the means to glorification.

TheosU

James exhorts his audience to consider it joy whenever they face adversity since we know God is for their growth and edification. God is not the source of our temptations and trying to make us disobey. Rather, he desires that we persevere and that our character would align with his.

Martyrdom - Bk. II ch.23

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James2

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