Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court? 7Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called?Ģ:1 "My brethren" See notes at James 1:2 and 1:9. 2For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, 3and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, "You sit here in a good place," and you say to the poor man, "You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool," 4have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? 5Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6But you have dishonored the poor man. 5:3 Luke 6:20).ĭ. The section develops into two related topics:Ģ. the ways of the coming Messianic Age (James 2:8-13)ġMy brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. Poverty even came to be a metaphor for spiritual hunger (cf. Leviticus 26 Deuteronomy 27), but later teachings bring the needed balance to this concept (cf. Possibly they were wealthy Jews, the very ones who persecuted the early Christians.Ĭ. Wealth in the OT was a sign of God's pleasure (cf. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.Ī. James 2:1-13 is an expansion of the discussion about the relationship between the rich and poor in James 1:9-11,27.ī. It is uncertain whether the rich referred to in James 1:10-11 2:6 or 5:1-6 are believers. Paragraphing is not inspired but it is the key to following the original author's intent which is the heart of interpretation. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. You must not relinquish this to a commentator. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. Each of us must walk in the light we have. This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. READING CYCLE THREE (see "Bible InterpretationįOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS UBS 4 We pray that God Almighty blesses you with a deeper understanding of His Holy Word and therefore Himself, as you work in these Book of James Bible Study pages.| Home | New Testament Studies | James Table of Contents | Previous Section | Next Section | Also learn exactly what to do when we are sick.
In this final study of James, learn about God's view of rich oppressors in this life and therefore what our attitudes should be, how we can persevere with patience, and how we can cover a multitude of sins. Learn the biblical standards in contrast to these worldly standards. In this study of James chapter 4 we learn of the problems with pride, the judgment of others, and boasting. This is the chapter of the Book of James that tells us about our unruly tongues and teaches us the difference between man's wisdom and God's wisdom. Does this contradict what Paul said about justification by faith?
In this Bible study, learn about the dangers of personal favoritism and that faith without works is dead. Learn that we're to be not only hearers, but doers of the Word of God. With trials and temptations that undoubtedly will come our way. In this study of James chapter 1, learn how Christians are to deal We pray that this Book of James Bible study blesses you and inspires you to become more like the man James admired most, the Lord Jesus Christ. As fellow Christians, we could all learn a lot about James by simply reading the Book of James. Yes, James is an interesting man to study.