THE BOOK OF JAMES - James generally believed to be the brother of Jesus according to Christian tradition (could explain why

fundamentals position to Paul) - No decisive clues to time of composition - No solid indications of historical context that prompted letter - The esteem for the law, reference to their assembly by Greek synagogues (2:2), and use of many examples from the Septuagint convince most interpreters that the letter was directed to ethnic Jews who believed Jesus was the Messiah/Christ - The Septuagint was scripture for both ethnically Gentile and Jewish Christian communities - Structure: salutation, two-fold intro (major themes (testing, wisdom, consistency)), specific theme development (consistency of word and action (1:22-2:13), faith and works (2:14-26), proper speech (3:1-18), relations with others and God (4:1-12), coming judgment (4:13-5:9)), brief exhortations/conclusion - Unclear if Paul and James are in fundamental disagreement with each other - Both define faith the same (trust in God Rom. 4:5, Ja. 1:5-6) and agree it warrants action (Rom. 2:13, Phil. 2:12-13, Ja. 2:18) - Justification, relations between Jews and Gentiles within the church Paul and James primary disagreement do not dictate all content of James letter - Reading James on its own terms requires seeing how the understanding of consistently living out the implanted word (1:21) leads to the specific ethical teachings at both personal (1:19-21, 26, 3:13-18) and communal (2:2-4, 4:11-12) levels and a strong stand in favor of social justice (1:27, 2:5, 5:4) in the second half of the book. James 1 - Consider it nothing but joy (v. 2) compared to Paul (not sure what Scripture) - Faith produces endurance (v. 3) compared to Romans 5:3-5, suffering produces perseverance > character > hope - Mature and complete (v. 4) compared to Philippians 1: 6, he who began a good work in you will carry it to completion - Ask God (v. 5) reflective of Matthew 7:7, ask, seek, knock - Believer who is lowly boast in being raised up (v. 9) reflective of the Beatitudes (Matt. 5:3-12 & Luke 6:20-22) - Salutation (v. 1) a servant of God and Christ is a unique dual designation in the NT; Paul used both God (Titus 1:1) and Christ (Rom. 1:1, Eph. 6:6, Jude 1), but never both simultaneously - Lacking in wisdom (v. 5) suggests that wisdom is a gift from God rather than learned through trials (1 Kings 3), something Paul affirms as well (not sure where) - He [God] himself tempts no one (v. 13) compared to Romans 9 (Pauls predestination agenda with the Pharaoh example) - Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above (v. 17) seems like something Paul would back - Rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth (v. 21) compared to 1 Corinthians 6: 13-15, flee from sexual immorality bodies are members of Christ - Be doers of the word (v. 22) action and faith, relationship still unclear at this point

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world (v. 27) seemed important. James 2 - Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith, (v. 5) again reflective of the Beatitudes - You commit sin and are convicted by the law accountable for all of it (v. 910) compared to Galatians 5: 3-4, obligated to the whole law - Mercy triumphs over judgment (v. 13); faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead (v. 17) - Thus the scripture was fulfilled (v. 23) compared to all of Paul, particularly Romans 9: 30-33 - Whole law (v. 10) unity of the law in the command to love as seen in Romans 13: 8-9 and Galatians 5: 14 James 3 - We who teach will be judged with greater strictness (v. 1) - The tongue [] stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell (v. 6) - No one can tame the tongue (v. 8) - Can a fig tree [] yield olives, or a grapevine figs? reflective of Matthew 7: 1619, Watch out for false prophets [] By their fruit you will recognize them - 17-18: Genuine wisdom is proven by its origins (from above, see 1: 5, 17) and effects (virtues and preceding vices with Galatians 5:19-24) James 4 - Your cravings are at war within you (v. 1) compared to Romans 6:11-14, do not let sin reign in your mortal body - Adulterers! [] friendship with the world is enmity with God (v. 4) adulterers recalling prophetic tradition of casting Israel as Gods unfaithful wife paralleling Gentiles to Jews? - If you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge (v. 11) compared to Pauls ideas on accountability not the same thing, but the other side might argue this - There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy (v. 12) God is able to save by changing ones will (1:18, 21) or to destroy by being left to ones desire sin and death (1:14-15) James 5 - Your gold and silver have rusted [] it will eat your flesh like fire (v. 3) reflective of Matthew 6:19-21, Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy [] where your treasure is there your heart will be also - An example of suffering and patience [] You have heard of the endurance of Job (v. 10-11) Gods purpose during times of endurance is not to put people through trials or temptations, but to be compassionate and merciful - 12: If ones actions are consistent with ones words there will be no need for an oath (Matt. 5:33-37 almost verbatim of Ja. 5:12) works are important, but this seems to support Pauls theory of faith produces works, rather than justification by works (which James doesnt seem to be about) - Confess your sins to one another (v. 16) in contrast to 4:11-12, but [somewhat] resolves Pauls idea of accountability