Note: The end of 1:26 and verse 27 will be addressed later at which point the subjects (the tongue and helping the brethren) will be discussed in greater detail. Verses one through seven: Note in verse 1 that we are to operate in (live by–Rom. 1:17) the same faith as Jesus Christ (“the faith OF our Lord Jesus Christ”). […]

Verse twenty-six: Four Words stand out in this verse and must be highlighted: “any,” “among you” and “seems.” It is important that we do not forget that the Apostle James, under the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit, is writing to and about people in the Church of God–the only name by which God’s true church is called and known by Him. All […]

Verse twenty-two: Many people “hear” the Word of God to some degree. Many have a regular reading or listening program where they partake of God’s Truth on a daily basis. However, as today’s focal passage attests, the Word they ingest is forgotten within minutes as the cares and concerns of the day–the really important things–consume their attention. God and His Word […]

Verse 17: The Biblical God is the source of every good and perfect gift. Therefore His people serve as spiritual gifts (light) to a dark world as a beacon that will lead God seekers to Him. This is brought out in Matthew 5:38-48 where Jesus tells His disciples and all who would follow Him that as […]

Verse thirteen: God, Who cannot be tempted because He has no lust, tempts no one. If a man says God tempted him he is accusing God of what he cannot do, as well as calling Him a liar for He said He cannot be tempted. We live in a society of victims. Turn on the […]

Verse twelve: Here James is telling the church that His true saints will be severely tried, tested and tempted, and that the result of “enduring to the end” (Mat.10:22) will be to receive the crown of life which Jesus promised to those who love him. Notice in the Matthew reference that salvation will come at the return of […]

Before returning to James’ letter to the converted children of Israel (the church), I want to respond to a news clip I’m sure most of you have seen on t.v. or the internet which has, as they say, “gone viral.” In this segment a man who looks like the world’s concept of Santa Claus has been called to […]

Verses nine-eleven: Here James is comparing two classes of people–rich and poor. In verse nine he echos a statement made by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:4 where he tells church members to allow the “least among you” to judge social matters that arise among church members instead of taking such matters to unbelieving judges within the society’s […]

Verses five-eight– Note again to whom James is writing–“you”–the globally scattered Israelites who, having become servants to the Lord Jesus Christ, today number in the hundreds of millions world-wide and who comprise the vast majority within God’s church. As a rule those in the Institutional Church (Catholicism/Protestantism) do not know that they are Israelites. Having lived among Gentiles for many generations […]

For some time now I have been thinking about teaching another book of the Bible in verse by verse order as I did previously using First John as my subject. I normally teach specific subjects, but at this point I will change my ministry style again in order to explore the Epistle of James. Let us look forward to an examination […]