Faith lives in action.
James’s hard-hitting epistle was written to people whose lives were much like those of many modern Christians. The gospel had lifted them to a better life, and their faith had prospered alongside their improved circumstances. But James warns his readers not to forget those who still struggle and not to be discouraged when their own situation takes a turn for the worse. Our obedience to God, James argues, should neither fade in times of prosperity nor waver in times of hardship.
When we find ourselves substituting theory for practice, James jolts us into action. He insists that we put our faith into action, instructing us to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world,” he adds (1:27). Throughout his letter, James urges us to grasp a truth taught by Jesus: “A tree is known by its fruit” (Matt. 12:33; compare James 1:9–11, 18; 3:12–18; 5:7, 8, 17, 18).
Some Bible readers focus on what they perceive as a theological debate between Paul (advocating for justification by faith; Rom. 3:21–26) and James (arguing for faith that is proven by works; James 1:14–25). But both writers maintain that authentic faith results in action. If our relationship with Christ does not result in changed behavior, we should question the reality of that bond.
Apart from a brief introduction, the Book of James bears none of the traits of an ancient letter, reading instead much like a collection of sermons. Pointed illustrations pack its five chapters, each designed to motivate the wills and hearts of believers who perhaps had grown too comfortable and allowed their faith to lie dormant, making them spiritually immature and insensitive to others’ pressing needs.
The author of this letter identifies himself as James (1:1), but at least five men in the New Testament were known by that name. Traditionally James the brother of Jesus is considered to be the author.
James was probably the eldest of Jesus’ four younger brothers (Mark 6:3). Apparently he was at first skeptical about his brother’s claims and ministry (Matt. 12:46–50; Mark 3:31–35; Luke 8:19–21; John 7:5). But after meeting the resurrected Lord (1 Cor. 15:7), he became a strong believer and leader in the early church, and was counted among the apostles (though he identifies himself simply as a bondservant; James 1:1). He oversaw the Jerusalem church and helped settle the dispute over Gentiles having to keep the Law (Acts 15:13–21).
James gives few hints by which his letter might be dated. Assuming that James the brother of Jesus wrote it, it must have been produced before around A.D. 62, the approximate year of his death. Internal characteristics suggest that the letter might have been written very early, maybe even in the late 40s.
Key Verses in James
• “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials” (James 1:2).
• “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach” (James 1:5).
• “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17).
• “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19, 20).
• “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22).
• “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:20).
• “You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:2, 3).
• “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).
• “Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:7).
• “To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).
• “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16).