Africa Study Bible Sampler - Flipbook - Page 74
THE BOOK OF
JAMES
Author: James, a half-brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem council (Acts 15:6-29). He
wrote the letter to the Jewish Christians in the diaspora—those living in other countries.
Date: Probably in the mid or late ad 40s, prior to the Jerusalem council of ad 49 or 50.
James may have been the first book in the New Testament to be written.
Purpose: To show, through many practical examples, that the faith of a Christian
should result in a change of behaviour. True faith, guided by godly wisdom, is
evidenced in godly living.
Overview and Story: The church in Africa, like the church in other parts of the world, is
torn between emphasizing evangelism and social action. It tries to balance faith declared
in words with faith declared in action. James says, however, that there should not be a
choice between the two. Instead, genuine faith will be demonstrated in action. The real
contrast is between just saying “I believe” and not letting it make a difference in how one
lives compared with a genuine saving faith that results in doing good works.
James is not like other New Testament letters that follow a logical train of thought from
the beginning to the end. Instead, it is more like Proverbs or other wisdom literature that
uses one short idea after another to make a point. This is a more Semitic form of writing.
For instance, James is concerned about the way believers speak. He tells us to be slow
to anger (James 1:19), control our tongues (James 1:26), avoid speaking evil against one
another (James 4:11), and not be boastful (James 4:13-17). Other themes in James are
wisdom, the relationship between faith and deeds, the trials of faith, favouritism, and the
dangers of wealth.
In chapter 1, James urged his readers to put their faith into action through their words and
activities. In chapters 2 and 3, he established the relationship between faith and works.
He asserted that one may claim to have faith but that failing to “love your neighbour as
yourself” makes one a transgressor of all the other laws. The evidence of faith is seen in
action and speech. In chapters 4 and 5, James answered the question of who is a wise
person and told the readers to be humble before God and resist the devil (James 4:7).
He warned his readers against the evils of pride, discrimination, greed, lust, hypocrisy,
worldliness, and slander. He explained the value of winning a “wandering believer.
What James Teaches Us:
• Believers are to take care of one another instead of following the world’s principle of
“every man for himself and God for us all.” As Christians, our faith must bear fruit by
causing us to take care of those in trouble—the oppressed and those who are disregarded (James 1:27). This message is of particular importance to the African church
in the diaspora and the African church in persecution.
• Believers must understand that integrity and uprightness in all aspects of life should
be the natural result of a living faith. This living faith results in a godly life guided by
godly wisdom.
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