James Chapter One

The audience are converts from the Diaspora and so the shortcomings
of that age that Jesus highlighted in the gospels will be applicable to
this generation. The subject of formalism and appearances without
sincerity is what Jesus upbraided the leadership and the nation of
Israel.
This is why James seems to have a moralistic tone to his epistle that
has often raised questions about the evangelical nature of his beliefs.
However, one must consider that many aspects of James resemble
Paul’s challenge to the Jewish people in Romans Chapter two where
he questions privilege in regard to moral superiority of Israel over the
Gentiles. Paul speaks of this nation as having the law in letter but not
in spirit, as Jesus did, and as we shall see, James also presses this
perspective of doing not just holding certain religious convictions.
Whilst Paul berates Jews, James cautions Jewish converts.
The first issue is persecution. This was not a sign of God’s displeasure
with the newfound Christian diaspora. This may have been part of the
philosophy of Judaism that suffering equated sinfulness but James
places suffering in a positive tone with a positive outcome.
James then claims that suffering produced completeness but if one
lacked anything then one only need to ask God to supply that lack. Is
it wisdom in general or wisdom related to the doctrine of Christian
suffering? Regardless, for those who doubt that James lacks an
evangelical tenor, here is clear evidence that faith is grace that obtains
the gift of wisdom and faith without doubting and unwavering. Faith
without works obtains the gift of wisdom. How much more will faith
without works obtain the greater gift of salvation. James supports
faith and an Abrahamic faith that grows in strength.
The next caution is about wealth and the tradition that wealth was a
sign of blessing. It is interesting to note the social dynamics common
in all the churches that wealthy people considered themselves superior
to others and deference was shown to wealth rather than to religious
faith. James lauds the lowly, not so much poverty, but humility and
exalting in the gift of adoption as God’s child. This is the lasting
wealth and treasure. This is why he mentions it first in this section.
The pursuit of wealth is discouraged because it is not the wealth itself
that is ephemeral but drawing on the Old Testament analogy, James
shows that it is the person who fades away despite the splendour of
wealth because life is short. A rich person will fade away like a flower
whilst a person glorying in the kingdom of God and suffering for the
sake of the kingdom rather than pursuing wealth will receive the
crown of glory, an eternal treasure to be bestowed on any individual.
Following the correction for seeking riches, temptation and its source
is now dealt with. James attributes the inward propensity to be
tempted to sin not to God, but to human depravity. People must have
been blaming God for their faults and failings according to James who
refers to this common saying. However, God does not have the
capacity to be tempted by evil and so can’t do to others what he
himself is incapable of doing. The source of temptation comes from
within not without.
James’ evangelical outlook is again notable here in this small section.
Salvation is by the will of God and by the word of God and not by
works. James in his epistle has a sound doctrine of grace alone being
the source and origin of salvation in producing a people of his
creation. Receiving the word is what saves a person’s soul, not their
works and this by hearing the word which is “implanted” into our
souls. This introductory chapter is replete with evangelical doctrine.
His final exhortation is for outward action. The analogy of the mirror
is helpful. One who sees their image without the mirror soon forgets
their appearance. Such is the hearer of the word only. Hearing without
doing the word is the same as having a fleeting memory. But the one
who reads and hears the word and acts upon it, is not such a person.
They are not deceived nor is their religion false.
What is doing the word entail? There are positive and negative acts.
The former involves charitable works to those who are vulnerable and
in great need. The latter is to withdraw from the corrupting activities
and influences of the world that press upon us rather than
participating in them and being conformed to them. These outward
acts demonstrate inward salvation. The law no longer condemns
Christians for failing to fulfill its requirements to be saved, but rather
serves as an inward subscription upon the heart to predispose them to
do works that demonstrate the new covenant promises concerning
walking in the ways of God. We are saved by hearing the word and
demonstrate that salvation by works befitting to God’s nature and
ways. Religion is not just hearing and believing but also doing as
evidence of salvation.
In conclusion, James in this chapter teaches salvation by election, a
gift from God, by the Word of God, received by faith. James is
evangelical. He also promotes less talk and more action to
demonstrate genuine faith.