James 5:16b: "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark." James 3:5: "Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. But someone will say, ‘You have faith I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.” James 2:17-18: "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 1:19: "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." James 1:2-3: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." James emphasizes that good actions will naturally flow from those who are filled with the Spirit and questions whether someone may or may not have a saving faith if the fruits of the Spirit cannot be seen, much as Paul describes in Galatians 5:22-23. James was writing to Jews to encourage them to continue growing in this new Christian faith. While Pauline teachings concentrate on our justification with God, James’ teachings concentrate on the works that exemplify that justification. Martin Luther, who detested this letter and called it “the epistle of straw,” failed to recognize that James’s teaching on works complemented-not contradicted-Paul’s teaching on faith.
The Book of James is directed to Jewish Christians scattered among all the nations (James 1:1).
BOOK OF JAMES OVERVIEW FREE
This extreme view, called antinomianism, held that through faith in Christ one is completely free from all Old Testament law, all legalism, all secular law, and all the morality of a society.
Some think that this epistle was written in response to an overzealous interpretation of Paul’s teaching regarding faith. 45, before the first council of Jerusalem in A.D. The Book of James is probably the oldest book of the New Testament, written perhaps as early as A.D. He became the head of the Jerusalem church and is mentioned first as a pillar of the church (Galatians 2:9). James was not a believer (John 7:3-5) until after the resurrection (Acts 1:14 1 Corinthians 15:7 Galatians 1:19). The author of this epistle (letter) is James, also called James the Just, who is thought to be the brother of Jesus Christ (Matthew 13:55 Mark 6:3).