Studies in James, Part 2: James 1:1-8

This will be the first proper expository blog post in a series of posts where I go through the book of James in-depth.  Today, I will look at the first eight verses.

 "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting." (1:1)

  This is a greeting wherein James identifies himself and his recipients. James was the physical half-brother of Jesus Christ, and probably the oldest of Jesus' half-siblings, since he is at the top of the list in Matthew 13:55.

  James was originally not a believer (John 7:5), but he was one of those whom Jesus appeared to after his Resurrection (1 Cor. 15:7), and he ended up becoming a prominent leader in the Jerusalem Church (Galatians 2:9 mentions him as a 'pillar').

  Interesting to note is the designation which James applies to his recipients. He mentions them as the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad. This is in part because they were Jewish, and in part because they were scattered. Acts 8:1 informs us that there was a great persecution against the Church which caused them to be scattered.

  "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." (1:2-3)

  James exhorts his readers to count it all joy when they fall into diverse temptations. Why would this be? Because the trying of their faith produces patience (which is properly rendered 'steadfastness' in some versions). 

  God uses trials to strengthen our faith.  When our faith is tested, whether it be spiritually, intellectually, or circumstantially, we can rest assured knowing that God is allowing these things to happen to strengthen our faith.  He will not suffer our foot to be moved (Psa. 121:3), and when our faith is tempted, we can be comforted knowing that God is not allowing our faith to be destroyed.

  Hence, when our faith is tested, we should count it as a positive thing.  Trials and temptations cause us to be dependent on Him who allows them in our lives - thus increasing our faith, and causing us to be more steadfast. 

 "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." (1:4)

Again, 'patience' here means 'steadfastness'.  James exhorts his readers to be steadfast and unwavering when faced with temptations and trials, that they may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing. For when one is steadfast and unmovable (1 Cor. 15:58), he lets no foe drag him down. In Christ, we have victory - no matter how strong the foe seems to be. Greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).  When we are completely steadfast, and let steadfastness have its perfect work (or 'full effect'), we are complete and entire, lacking nothing.  Why is this? Because we stand steadfast in Christ, and He never fails. He gives us the victory - time and time again.

  "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (1:5)

  Here James assures us that those who lack wisdom and ask God for it will most surely get it, the condition being that they ask it in faith (I will touch on the faith aspect in just a moment). What kind of wisdom is James prescribing? It is wisdom that comes from above (James 3:17).  It is wisdom that is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. It is wisdom that effects in us the fruit of the spirit (Gal. 5:22, Eph. 5:9). James assures us that those who lack such wisdom, if they ask it in faith, will be given it.

  "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." (1:6-8)

  Here James places a condition on what he said previously - that those who ask God for wisdom (or ask him for anything, for that matter) must do so in faith.  We must believe that God will actually give us that which we have asked (as long as what we have asked is according to his will).  In this case, the Bible is full of exhortations to find wisdom, so we can know beyond a doubt that it is God's will that we all have wisdom, and do not lack. So then, let those who lack wisdom ask in faith, that it may be given to them.  If we go to God and say "God, I want wisdom", but we are not fully persuaded, beyond the shadow of a doubt that He will give it to us, we should not expect to get any wisdom, for we did not truly ask it of Him in faith.

  What is this reference to a double minded man?  A double minded man is one who does not go to God in faith, but rather (in some way) doubts God's capability to do as He promises .  Such a man is unstable in all his ways, for he is leaning on his own understanding and trying to do things his own way (Prov. 3:5).

 What do these verses have in common? Verses 2-4 exhort us to be steadfast when our faith is tempted, and verses 4-8 tell us to have faith when we go to God.  What James is telling us here is that we must completely trust God, whether it be in trials and temptations, or when asking God for wisdom (or anything else).