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The Epistle of James Chapter 1:1–27
The Writer and the Receivers 1.1. From James, a slave of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings! There are three prominent persons named James in the New Testament, James the son of Zebedee and Salome an elder brother of John, James the son of Alphaeus, called James the less or little. Both of these were among the twelve disciples. Then there was James the “Lord’s brother” (Gal. 1:19) who is generally accepted as the writer of this letter. Although he could claim this half relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ having the same mother, he nevertheless rightly calls himself a slave of God and of Christ. He addresses his letter to Christian Jews who are scattered throughout the world.
The Rewards of Trials 1.2. My brothers and sisters consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials. In calling the Jews to whom he is writing brethren he does so not because they are of the same nationality but part of the greater family of faith that belong to Jesus Christ through redemption. The many different trials that come upon believers and were promised to them by the Lord (John 16: 33) are to be accepted at all times with cheerfulness and with calm delight (Strong). This is completely contrary to human nature and can only be done with the help of the Holy Spirit who is called both Helper and comforter (John 16:7, John 14:26). 1.3. because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. If we put our complete trust in Christ, then we will have that assurance that the testing of our faith accomplishes will work in us that steadfastly constant endurance of character that will take us through all our testing and trials. 1.4. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.