The Book of James by Paul Fowler

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction to James: The Question of Genre

Page 2

How to Use This Study

Page 4

Study 1 – James 1:1-18

Page 6

Study 2 – James 1:19-27

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Study 3 – James 2:1-13

Page 12

Study 4 – James 2:14-26

Page 15

Study 5 – James 3:1-12

Page 18

Study 6 – James 3:13-4:12

Page 21

Study 7 – James 4:13-5:11

Page 24

Study 8 – James 5:12-20

Page 27

Introduction to James: The Question of Genre Welcome to the study of the letter of James! Few books in the Bible are as direct, applicable, and convicting. The letter is packed with imperatives and illustrations, all with the purpose of pushing followers of Jesus Christ to live out their faith in a visible and enduring way. But the letter is also one of the most difficult books to follow. James may be clear in his application, but he is not nearly as clear in his structure and thought process. As a result, while we will be seeking to introduce you to the author, the audience, their situation, etc. as we go through the letter, there is one question that needs to be addressed before diving in – namely, genre. The genre of a text dictates how we approach any given piece of literature. We do not read poems the same as a textbook, novels are not interpreted identical to biography, and letters are not read the same as a song. The question of James’ genre, therefore, is vital to our interpretation. As we have already stated, James is a letter. The actual title of the book is The Letter of James. Letters are occasional pieces of literature that are written to address specific circumstances. As a result, we need to read James with the understanding that he is responding to something, which seems to be Jewish Christians struggling to live with a visible and enduring faith in Christ because of the difficulties of the world. Nevertheless, many of the customary things we see in a New Testament letter written by the Apostle Paul are not present. In fact, James has a very different feel from any of the other letters that are included in the New Testament. This has led many scholars to consider James as not only belonging to the genre of letter, but also in some way to the genre of wisdom literature. Understanding this should guide the way we approach this book. Wisdom books within the Bible, such as Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, can often be bewildering to their readers as they offer punchy and direct sayings without displaying an obvious structure or flow. As a result, topics can be brought up in a way that does not feel natural to the reader. However, as many have shown, the structure of wisdom books is often founded in common themes that relate to the various topics touch upon within a section. This is what James does, and we need to be prepared to look for his structure through finding these themes. Further, wisdom books in the Bible are not usually as explicit in their relationship to the storyline of the Bible. Few references to significant biblical events or figures such as Abraham, Moses, or David appear. And yet, wisdom books in the Bible only make sense when understood within the context of the biblical God’s gracious action toward his people. This, again, is the same as James. For while few explicit references to the work of Jesus Christ appear, we must notice that you cannot read James and understand it correctly outside the context of the church who has been redeemed by God through Jesus Christ.

How to Use This Study Guide The study guide is broken down into 3 parts, each with a different purpose or goal. The first part of each study is the study section. This section consists of six questions¹ that remain the same for each text. Each of the questions is meant to help you study the text for yourself, make decisions on how you think the text is structured, what it is emphasizing, what is main point, how it applies, etc. It may be tempting at times to skip this section. However, the purpose of this section is for you to study the text on your own using the kinds of questions we believe we should always be asking when seeking to study any text. You may come to disagree with yourself or to see the text in a different way later, but we believe it is important that the study of each text begins with you making your own observations about the text based on a few simple questions. This section will not only help you apply the text to yourself, but help you grow as an interpreter of God’s Word! The second section is the shortest and is simply titled Help. In this section, we simply want to point out some things that are easily missed without knowing the original language the letter was written in, or without the help of some historical studies that put phrasing in perspective, or to explain that the flow is not as unnatural as it may feel. The third section is called Questions (for personal reflection or group study), and is simply meant to help you take another look at the passage either by yourself or in a group situation. Our strong preference is for this third part to do be done in an HTC Community Group. Our desire is that this section help you think in a deeper way about the passage – how it connects to the rest of the letter, how this passage speaks to your life, and how you can be praying for one another as you seek to live for Christ with a visible and enduring faith.

1 These six questions are taken from the Charles Simeon Trust’s text worksheets for Epistles.

James 1:1-18 Study:

1. Outline the structure of the text in a way that you think represents how James has organized the text. Write down an outline that clearly indicates verse breaks for each unit and titles for each. [Consider grammar, repe-

tition, key terms, sequence, sudden grammatical/topical changes, rhetoric, etc.]

2. What emphasis does the structure reveal?

3. How do you believe the immediate context – the closest passages on both sides of your text – inform the meaning of your text? [Consider this immediate context first, and the author’s situation and the situation of

the church or person to whom the letter was written second.]

4. Drawing on your work in structure, emphasis and context, what do you believe is the main point or central theme of the text? [A theme should reveal the author’s big idea or primary teaching point in the passage.]

5. What are a few ways that your text relates to the gospel (i.e. the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, repentance, forgiveness of sins)? Which of these ways best fits your text? [Consider New

Testament references as well as different methods of connecting such as typology, analogy, promisefulfillment, biblical theological themes, and others.]

6. In one sentence, what is the author’s aim for his audience in this text? Given that aim, what implication(s) and/or application(s) would you draw from this text for yourself?

Help: 



1:1 – James – The James who wrote this letter is not the apostle James, but Jesus’ brother (Matt. 13:55; Gal. 1:19), who became the leader of the church located in Jerusalem in the book of Acts (Acts 15:12-21; 21:1718). 1:1 – “To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.” – Though other factors in the letter make this point more clearly, the target audience of the letter of James are Jewish Christians that are scattered all over the world outside of Jerusalem. 1:17-18 – “the Father…brought us forth…word of truth” – The phrase “word of truth” is only used four other times in the New Testament (2 Cor. 6:7; Eph. 1:13; Col. 1:5; 2 Tim. 2:15), and each time refers to the message of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection as the agent of salvation. This, coupled with the birthing imagery in the phrase “brought us forth” – which significantly follows James’ reference to God as Father – suggests that this verse seems to certainly be talking about the “new birth” received through Jesus Christ.²

Questions (for personal reflection or group study): 1. What do you believe is the significance of James beginning his letter by declaring that we should “Count it all joy…when you meet trials of various kinds”? How could this verse help us understand the situation that prompted the writing of this letter? Why does James desire for us to do this? 2. What are examples of some of the trials one could face that James mentions in this opening section? What trials are you currently facing in your life? What attitude toward these trials do you have? 3. According to James, what is the result of remaining steadfast through all the trials of life? What do you think James means by this? 4. How do you believe our temptation to sin in 1:13-15 fits with the trials that are discussed prior to these verses? Why do you believe James brings up temptation to sin right after telling us the reward for enduring trials? 5. Why do you think James says what he does in 1:16-18? How do these verses contribute to what James has already said in this opening section? 6. How could 1:16-18 give us assurance us as we face the various trials and temptations that will come to us throughout our lives (see the note on 1:17-18)? How should 1:2-4 and 1:12 challenge and strengthen us?

2 Douglas Moo, The Letter of James, (Leicaster, England: Apollos, 2000), 79.

James 1:19-27 Study:

tion, key terms, sequence, sudden grammatical/topical changes, rhetoric, etc.]

2. What emphasis does the structure reveal?

the church or person to whom the letter was written second.]

5. What are a few ways that your text relates to the gospel (i.e. the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, repentance, forgiveness of sins)? Which of these ways best fits your text? [Consider New

Testament references as well as different methods of connecting such as typology, analogy, promisefulfillment, biblical theological themes, and others.]

6. In one sentence, what is the author’s aim for his audience in this text? Given that aim, what implication(s) and/or application(s) would you draw from this text for yourself?

Help: 

1:25 – “perfect law, the law of liberty” – James’ context and background mean that his readers certainly would have thought about the Old Testament Jewish law when he said this. However, it is clear that he is paralleling it with the “implanted word” (v.21) and “the word of truth” (v. 18). As a result, even while considering this to be the Old Testament law, James is thinking of it as being the law that is fulfilled through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Questions (for personal reflection or group study): 1. Do you believe you are someone who is normally “quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger”? Why do you believe anger is paired here with hearing and speaking? 2. Noticing the link between “implanted word” in 1:21 and “word of truth” 1:18, what do you believe James is calling on us to do in this 1:19-21? 3. After telling us to receive the “implanted word, which is able to save your souls,” why do you think it is significant what James says in 1:22? How is this challenging to you? How does this connect to when James says, “be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger”? 4. According to 1:22-25, why is it so important to be a doer of the word? Where else have we seen the word “blessed”? How does this verse that previously used “blessed” relate to 1:25? 5. How does 1:26 and the comment to “bridle our tongue” connect to when James says, “be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger”? How does this contribute to James’ point concerning us being doers of the word? 6. How can you fulfill 1:27 today? How can we as a church fulfill 1:27 today? Why is it so important for us to fulfill 1:27 and 1:22 today as a church community? 7. In summary, how do you believe this passage calls us to salvation in Jesus, and also to follow Jesus?

James 2:1-13 Study:

tition, key terms, sequence, sudden grammatical/topical changes, rhetoric, etc.]

2. What emphasis does the structure reveal?

the church or person to whom the letter was written second.]

5. What are a few ways that your text relates to the gospel (i.e. the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, repentance, forgiveness of sins)? Which of these ways best fits your text? [Consider New

Testament references as well as different methods of connecting such as typology, analogy, promisefulfillment, biblical theological themes, and others.]

6. In one sentence, what is the author’s aim for his audience in this text? Given that aim, what implication(s) and/or application(s) would you draw from this text for yourself?

Help: 

2:1 – “show no partiality” – another way of translating the word “partiality” is “favoritism.”

Questions (for personal reflection or group study): 1. What is the main command given in this text? 2. What is the specific example of “partiality” or “favoritism” that James gives in this passage? In what ways do you, or are you tempted to, show favoritism? 3. How does the way God has acted toward us in Jesus Christ show demonstrate to us that we must not show partiality? 4. According to James, if we do show favoritism or partiality, what position are we putting ourselves in? Also, according to James, why is this foolish? 5. Read through 1:19-27. What are all the different ways that 2:1-13 connects to this previous passage? How does this help us understand the seriousness of 2:1-13? 6. What are ways that you can take steps, and that we as a church can take steps, toward not showing any partiality or favoritism?

James 2:14-26 Study:

tion, key terms, sequence, sudden grammatical/topical changes, rhetoric, etc.]

2. What emphasis does the structure reveal?

the church or person to whom the letter was written second.]

5. What are a few ways that your text relates to the gospel (i.e. the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, repentance, forgiveness of sins)? Which of these ways best fits your text? [Consider New

Testament references as well as different methods of connecting such as typology, analogy, promisefulfillment, biblical theological themes, and others.]

6. In one sentence, what is the author’s aim for his audience in this text? Given that aim, what implication(s) and/or application(s) would you draw from this text for yourself?

Help: 

2:24 – “a person is justified by works and not by faith alone” – In the past, this entire passage has been taken to hold a contradiction to how the Apostle Paul presents the doctrine of justification in his writings. But while it may be difficult to imagine Paul wording a passage in this way, James’ argument here actually complements Paul’s understanding of justification very well. For example, in Romans 6, after Paul has argued for justification by faith for nearly 5 chapters, Paul begins a chapter on the importance of living free from sin since we have been justified. In other words, for Paul, justification by faith means that one will live a life free from sinning. James’ argument in this passage is not that works, or doing things, earns you salvation and that faith is pointless. Rather, the argument is that faith that is unaccompanied by action, by doing, by works, is an empty, non-saving faith. James never discredits the importance of faith for receiving salvation. He simply argues that the kind of faith that actually does receive the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ is a faith that is visible through actions that reflect the gospel. In other words, “faith by itself, if is does not have works, is dead” (2:17).

Questions (for personal reflection or group study): 1. How does this passage relate to the previous passage? Do you think this link could help us understand what James means by “save” in 2:14? 2. How does James maintain the importance of faith throughout this passage? Why is this important to notice? 3. How would you describe the kind of faith James is fighting against in this passage? 4. Do you have faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior? How is this faith manifest or put on display in your life? 5. What are some practical steps you can take toward making sure you have a living faith? What are some practical steps we as a church can take toward having a living faith? 6. Why is this passage so important?

James 3:1-12 Study:

tition, key terms, sequence, sudden grammatical/topical changes, rhetoric, etc.]

2. What emphasis does the structure reveal?

the church or person to whom the letter was written second.]

5. What are a few ways that your text relates to the gospel (i.e. the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, repentance, forgiveness of sins)? Which of these ways best fits your text? [Consider New

Testament references as well as different methods of connecting such as typology, analogy, promisefulfillment, biblical theological themes, and others.]

6. In one sentence, what is the author’s aim for his audience in this text? Given that aim, what implication(s) and/or application(s) would you draw from this text for yourself?

Help: 

3:2 – “what he says…bridle” – In James 1:22-27 two issues – specifically, being doers of the word and bridling one’s tongue – are brought up. With the beginning of 3:1, it is clear that James 1:22-27 acts as an introduction to these two topics that James will expand on over the next few chapters. Thus, it is here in 3:1-12 that James now expands on the topic of bridling our tongues that he first introduced in 1:26-27.

Questions (for personal reflection or group study): 1. What is the topic of this passage? 2. Why do you think James begins this section by talking about teachers? 3. How powerful is our tongue or the things that we say? How can the tongue clearly reveal hypocrisy? 4. Have you tamed your tongue? Or, do you believe you have good control over your mouth? 5. How do you believe this text relates to the gospel of Jesus Christ? In other words, how should the gospel lead to us taming our tongues? 6. How can you take steps to tame your tongue? How can we as a church take steps toward being a culture of those who tame their tongues?

James 3:13-4:12 Study:

tion, key terms, sequence, sudden grammatical/topical changes, rhetoric, etc.]

2. What emphasis does the structure reveal?

the church or person to whom the letter was written second.]

5. What are a few ways that your text relates to the gospel (i.e. the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, repentance, forgiveness of sins)? Which of these ways best fits your text? [Consider New

Testament references as well as different methods of connecting such as typology, analogy, promisefulfillment, biblical theological themes, and others.]

6. In one sentence, what is the author’s aim for his audience in this text? Given that aim, what implication(s) and/or application(s) would you draw from this text for yourself?

Help: 

4:4-6 – “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?...But he give more grace” – These verses represent what some believe to be the climactic moment of James, primarily because this is the most intense moment of the letter and also because it is what seems to be the most personal moment of the letter. To call these people “adulterous” picks up on OT imagery of the Israelites abandoning God to indulge in the world.

Questions (for personal reflection or group study): 1. How does James relate our quarrels with our desires for the things of the world? According to James, what does desiring the things of the world reveal about our relationship with God? 2. How does this text show us that those who follow Jesus and God the Father should live different lives than what we normally see? What kind of lives should those who follow Jesus Christ live? 3. According to this text, how are we able to live different lives? 4. Why does James tell us not to speak evil against one another? What does he mean by this? 5. Do you believe you desire to be a friend of God or a friend of the world? How can you take steps to ensure you are seeking a relationship with the Lord over a friendship with the world? 6. Do you believe you have often allowed yourself to become a judge of others by speaking evil against them? How can you take steps to not let this happen anymore? 7. How did Jesus model these things perfectly?

James 4:13-5:12 Study:

tition, key terms, sequence, sudden grammatical/topical changes, rhetoric, etc.]

2. What emphasis does the structure reveal?

the church or person to whom the letter was written second.]

5. What are a few ways that your text relates to the gospel (i.e. the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, repentance, forgiveness of sins)? Which of these ways best fits your text? [Consider New

Testament references as well as different methods of connecting such as typology, analogy, promisefulfillment, biblical theological themes, and others.]

6. In one sentence, what is the author’s aim for his audience in this text? Given that aim, what implication(s) and/or application(s) would you draw from this text for yourself?

Help: 

4:13, 5:1 – “Come now” – While these verses do not display an obvious unity or natural flow, the unity in this section can be found in how James is attacking the attitudes of those who can live with no thought of God.

Questions (for personal reflection or group study): 1. Why do you think speaking about the future as a guarantee is “boasting”? What is the perspective James is pushing for us to have concerning our lives? 2. How do you believe what James is talking about in 5:1-6 is similar to what he discusses in 4:13-17? How do these verses convict you and what you are pursuing? 3. Why does 5:7 include the word “therefore”? How does noticing this help us understand the situation into which James was likely writing? Again, what is the perspective James is pushing for us to have in these verses? 4. What is the significance of 5:10-11? Compare these verses to 1:2-4, 12, 25. What do you notice? Why is it significant that we find these verses at the beginning and end of the letter? 5. In light of question 4, what do you think could be the main point for our lives in this letter? How can you take steps toward seeing this point lived out in your life and in the life of the church?

James 5:13-20 Study:

tion, key terms, sequence, sudden grammatical/topical changes, rhetoric, etc.]

2. What emphasis does the structure reveal?

the church or person to whom the letter was written second.]

5. What are a few ways that your text relates to the gospel (i.e. the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, repentance, forgiveness of sins)? Which of these ways best fits your text? [Consider New

Testament references as well as different methods of connecting such as typology, analogy, promisefulfillment, biblical theological themes, and others.]

6. In one sentence, what is the author’s aim for his audience in this text? Given that aim, what implication(s) and/or application(s) would you draw from this text for yourself?

Help: 

5:13 – “Is anyone among you suffering” – This clause ties us back to 5:10 where James discusses the example the prophets laid down for us by being steadfast in the midst of suffering. This is important because 5:10-11 helps reveal one of the main points of the letter, which is remaining steadfast in the midst of trials by remaining faithful to God. Here, James shows how prayer relates to this theme he has been discussing the entire letter.

Questions (for personal reflection or group study): 1. What is the main topic of this section? (Hint: it is mentioned in every single verse from 5:13-18) 2. Why is it significant that James says in 5:15 that the prayer of faith will “save the one who is sick…the Lord will raise him up…he will be forgiven”? 3. According to James how powerful are our prayers? 4. How is your prayer life? Do you believe that your prayers have the power that Elijah had? Do you believe that a prayer of faith is as powerful as James says? What are things you should be praying for more often? 5. How can you take steps to make sure you are praying with others and confessing your sins? How can we as a community take steps to be praying with one another and confessing our sins? 6. Who in your life is walking or has walked away from the grace of Jesus Christ? Have you been praying for him/her? How can you take steps to bring him/her back? 7. Who in your life needs prayer? Do you need prayer? Are you willing to ask for it?