First Section: James 1. 1-18

Begin by praying and reading through the specific passage as many times as you deem fit before answering the questions. You may find it helpful to write down your answers to the questions and any other thoughts you may have. Putting things on the paper will help you think through the issues, pin the most relevant thoughts in your mind and reflect on how they specifically apply to your own situation. It will also be of help when you look back to bring back all that God has been teaching you.

James 1:1-18 Amplified Bible (AMP)

a. Greeting (1:1)

James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve [Hebrew] tribes [scattered abroad among the Gentiles] in the dispersion: Greetings (rejoice)!

b. Trials and how to meet them (1:2–4)

Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.

c. Wisdom and how to obtain it (1:5–8)

If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him. But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s willingness to help], for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind. For such a person ought not to think or expect that he will receive anything [at all] from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable and restless in all his ways [in everything he thinks, feels, or decides].

d. Wealth and how to regard it (1:9–11)

Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his high position [as a born-again believer, called to the true riches and to be an heir of God]; and the rich man is to glory in being humbled [by trials revealing human frailty, knowing true riches are found in the grace of God], for like the flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; its flower falls off and its beauty fades away; so too will the rich man, in the midst of his pursuits, fade away.

e. Temptation and trial distinguished (1:12–15)

Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God” [for temptation does not originate from God, but from our own flaws]; for God cannot be tempted by [what is] evil, and He Himself tempts no one. But each one is tempted when he is dragged away, enticed and baited [to commit sin] by his own [worldly] desire (lust, passion). Then when the illicit desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin has run its course, it gives birth to death.

f. Good gifts (1:16–18)

Do not be misled, my beloved brothers and sisters. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes]. It was of His own will that He gave us birth [as His children] by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits of His creatures [a prime example of what He created to be set apart to Himself—sanctified, made holy for His divine purposes].

STUDY QUESTIONS

Begin the study of this chapter by asking yourself the following introductory question.
[Be totally candid with you in your answer. Remember that no one is judging you and that the goal is to improve what can and should be improved, if any.]

Could people who know you know what God is like by your words and actions, in short, by your way of life?

James 1,

This is the greeting part of the letter. This is the only section of the letter which properly fit within the scheme of the ancient epistolary genre. In this verse the author identifies himself and the addressees.

As you have already read, James identifies himself as “a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”. The word which appears in the Greek text is δοῦλος [doûlos]. Doûlos means slave, bond-servant, person of servile condition, derived by most from δέω, to tie, bind. It refers to a person who voluntarily bind himself or herself to another person for life after receiving a letter of manumission from his master.

1. James identifies himself as a bond-servant. Reflect on this fact, try to figure out why James uses this word to describe who he is and the kind of relation he has with God and Jesus. In which manner this description of himself reflects the teachings of Jesus? How do you feel when you hear or read the word ‘bond-servant’? What words or thoughts come to your mind?

2. What does the term ‘bond-servant’ teach us about the Christian ordinary life?

3. How likely is it that someone would identify you as a bond-servant of Jesus, and more importantly, how likely is it that you would identify yourself as a bond-servant of Jesus, as James did?

For further prayer and reflection.

Am I willing to live as a bond-servant of Christ no matter what? Even if this puts me at odds with the teachings, philosophies trends and fads of this world?

James 1, 2

Verse 2 deals with two themes that in our minds are undoubtedly contradictory, but which James joins together in one sentence: joy and trials (we could also say problems, difficulties, struggles). James is not saying that difficulties are fun or a source of joy but that we need to see them that way because they are an occasion for us to grow into maturity. The outcome of the trial is the reason for the joy, not the trial itself, James was not a masochistic nor sadistic and neither do we. The biggest the trial the biggest your closeness to God because nobody is tempted beyond their capacity to face temptation. If you have to face a big challenge is because you can overcome it.

In the end, this is a call to see God acting in every circumstance of your life, and especially in the hard times. James is not talking about feeling and emotions but about character, a mature character which is resilient and able to tally the troubled times under ‘joy’.

1. What does the epistle of James tell you about trial and temptation? How can anyone find joy when facing difficulties? Is that even possible?

2. How do you usually feel and respond when facing trial [difficulties, troubles, problems]? Do you find the kind of joy James is speaking of? Can you see hard times as times of opportunity?

3. What makes it hard for us to find joy in the midst of difficulty?

This same idea of being joyful in trials and hard times is also present in Paul: Romans 5:3 and Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness] are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you because of [your association with] Me. 12 Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great [absolutely inexhaustible]; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” [Matthew 5, 11-12]

For further prayer and reflection.

List some of the things that are presently pressing down on you. Keep them on a sheet of paper, or hold them in mind, as you look at the benefits of trial that James is going to introduce, and think how these qualities might be demonstrated and be of help in your own situation.

James 1,3-4

The trials are presented by James as an instrument to test the true nature of our faith, to purify it and ultimately to strengthen it. Trials and tests grow us into maturity and produce perseverance and endurance in us; the strength to stand firm, the determination not to give up. Now, in the next two verses, James provides us with a reason to why God would ask us to do that. God wants you to respond to trials in a way that build your character, who you are, and strengthens and demonstrates your faith in him.

1. Do you think trials are the only way to get those goals? Why do you think that nothing seems to be as effective as trials at this? (See 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, 12:7-10)

2. How do you normally feel and respond when you have to face problems? Do you avoid them, dodge them, flee away or do you face them and go through them trusting in God's help and mercy?

3. During hard times, what's your reaction? Do you turn to God, trusting deeply that He is with you and for you? Or do you turn away from God and look for someone or something else to put your trust in?

There is a word that stands out from the others in these two verses: endurance. When you choose to go through the trials with God, you develop and strengthen your endurance. ‘Endurance’ is the consequence of choosing trust in God and look for His guidance and strength during your time of trial, and endurance gives you the ability to keep trusting God through hard times and facing them with the joy offered by the certainty that you are not alone, that God is there with you offering you consolation, hope and fortitude. So, this is why you can rejoice always, even in trials, because you know that through them God is building your character, bringing you to a more intimate relationship with Him and, in the end, perfecting His image in you, so that you can live a more plentiful life.