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| What We Believe |
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Name - This Epistle is addressed to "the twelve tribes which are scattered
abroad"; it is truly a Jewish book, even more so than Matthew, Hebrews, and the Apocalypse, but
the author introduces himself as "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ," and
refers to "the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1:1; 2:1). He is, therefore, quite evidently a Jewish
Christian, and his Epistle is intended for the dispersed Jewish Christians. There are four who bore the name James mentioned in the New Testament, but it is quite generally agreed that it was James referred to as the Lord's brother (Matt. 13:55) who wrote this Epistle. After the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, James became a disciple and was honoured by the appearance of the risen Christ. Theme - As a patriotic Jew, and at the same time a devout Christian, James seeks to counsel his Jewish Christian brethren with respect to the privations, sufferings, and characteristic needs in which they are living. Outline - The following outline sets forth the purpose of the Epistle: I. The Right Attitude toward Trials and Tests (1:1-18) II. Exhortation to Receive the Word (1:19-27) III. Exhortation to Impartiality (2:1-13) IV. Inadequacy of Faith without Works (2:14-26) V. Warnings Against Sins of the Tongue (3:1-12) VI. Admonition with Reference to False and True Wisdom (3:13-18) VII. Rebukes for Worldliness and Pride (4:1-10) VIII. Considerateness toward Their Brethren (4:11, 12) IX. Rebukes of Unchristian Conduct (4:13-5:6) X. Exhortation to Patience (5:7-12) XI. Proper Conduct in Affliction (5:13-18) XII. Proper Treatment of an Erring Brother (5:19,20) |
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