Background Material
James Biographical Info:
• The author was James, Jesus' half-brother; James and Christ had different Fathers (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3).
• James, also called James the Just, (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3).
• James was not a believer (John 7:3-5) until after the resurrection (Acts 1:14; 1 Corinthians 15:7; Galatians 1:19).
• James was the pastor of the church in Jerusalem and was Jewish and this book reflects his Jewish up bring; he is mentioned first as a pillar of the church (Galatians 2:9).
• According to the historian Josephus, James was martyred in approximately A.D. 62, prior to the first council of Jerusalem in A.D. 50.
Date:
• This book was written to Hebrew Christians outside of Palestine. It was written around A.D. 46-49. Approximately fifteen years after the resurrection of Christ.
• Even before Paul went on his first missionary Journey.
• It possible that this was the first letter written in the New Testament.
• James 1:1 says "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings." These who James was writing to were Jewish Christians who were under a lot of persecution which started right after the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7:54-60; 8:1-3, which describes the scattering of the Christian.
• They had no Bible to speak of except the Old Testament. The only thing they had to hang on too was their faith in Christ. Then after ten years of suffering persecution you receive this letter that says.
The Stoning of Stephen
The death of Stephen and the scattering of the believer happen around 35 to 37 A.D. Have been scattered for about ten or twelve years.
(Acts 7:54-60)
54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. 8 1On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
Are You A Wise Guy?
James 3:1-4:16
Key Center: James 3:13
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
Be Wise In Leadership (3:1-2)
31 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
Exegesis: There are two things here in the this paragraph that stands out. First that of humility the an-thesis to arrogance among the leadership. Secondly, its implied the soundness of what is being taught both in content and lifestyle and the seriousness of being judged accordingly. God did not call everyone to be teachers rather He gave different gifts to different people (Eph. 4:11-13 & I Cor. 12:27-31). A teacher is a person in authority and who at times makes judgments on peoples spiritual well being and/or leads others in spirituality. This can be dangerous because God does not considerate it lightly when it comes to teaching His Word. "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." If leaders going to be wise, than their actions should coincide with our attitude and our lifestyle. A life of humility towards God, His Word and others are interconnect with a life in leadership. James’ message is not that we should not get into leadership but that there are higher standards for those who choice to be in authority. For if one teaches one should be living out what he/she teaches, as a direct result of them teaching themselves (Matt. 7:1). James’ reoccurring motif of humility is assumed and is a strong directive throughout the book (1:5, 1:9-11, 1:13-15, 1:16-18, 1:19, 1:21, 1:26 and 2:13). “we who teach will be judged more strictly” is an al encompassing in relation to the central focus of the passage, understanding, deeds, good life, humility and wisdom (vs.13). James is not subtle here if a person wants to be in leadership, it must evident that their “wisdom” incorporates these qualities. Especially since they are held accountable to God. Humility is an attribute that is to be cultivate into the lives of the leaders. Titus speak about qualities of leadership also which is a long the same train of thought as James does in 1:7, “7 Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.” It’s no wonder that James says that “"Not many of you should presume to be teachers.” Peter speaks of this too when he says in 1 Peter 5:1-4,
“To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Being “shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care” and “not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock..” In others words, not warring the badge of leadership as a means of superiority is seems to be one of things that James is concerned with here. Leaders should take note that God judges more strictly the attitude of leaders in the church. Since James is the most likely the first book written in the New Testament, it also would prudent to look to the Old Testament also. James being a Jew was quite familiar with the Scripture, it quite possible that he had Ezekiel 34:1-10 in mind when he wrote this.
“1The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? 3 You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. 4 You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. 5 So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals. 6 My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them. 7 “‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: 8 As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock, 9 therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: 10 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.”
God takes being a leader quite seriously and the church should too. This reinforces James’ idea of not everyone “should presume to be teachers,” and that is just not what teachers say but what they do, how they treat those under their ministry. Again points back to the central theme of the passage, “13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” James knew the teaching of Christ and Mathew provides us with a clear directive about abuse in leadership 18:6, “6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” Soundness of Teaching is also not just in lifestyle but also in doctrine. Leaders to make sure that what they are teaching is indeed the truth (Matt. 18:6). In addition, the Scriptures make it very clear that believers are to judge and test everything this includes everything we are taught (I John 4). Theirs is a great responsibility to ensure leadership give their very best to make sure they handle God’s Word correctly, a strong motif throughout Scripture. 1 Peter 4:10-11 states, “10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.” This too goes along with James’ idea that not everyone “should presume to be teachers.” Believers are to express whatever gifts he/she has received to encourage or uplift the other members of the body of Christ especially in times of persecution as seen in this context. This of course emphases the quality of humility that James is expressing here. Humility is common thread among the Apostles teaching. Leaders are held accountable for everything that is said and taught as a leader. They have a responsibility as Paul puts it, “15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Paul also talks about speaking before with sincerity, “17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God” (2 Corinthians 2:17). God hold leaders accountable for what they say, how they say it and how they treat those whom they are leading. Perfect man: James is saying that if we can control what we say we can control other areas in our lives more effectively. James did not say perfect in every way, rather perfect in body which means the outward manifestation of our life. Jesus himself said in Matthew 5:20, “20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Not that we have to be Pharisees but James is expressing his emphasis on our actions. He is reinforcing what he states early when he said, 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” James knows that mankind is fallen with the sinful nature and leaders are not immunized from it. James is emphasis that leaders will be by default place under a microscope. James may be referring to Christ words about the Jewish leaders in Matthew,
“34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (12:37).
It’s by what the leaders say and how they treat those under them is how God’s going to judge them. He is also setting up what he going to be talking about in the next paragraph.
Illustration: With great responsibility
Application: Are you desiring to be in leadership? We have been in a situation with someone in charge and they miss used their authority and suffered the results of being powerless and visa versa.
Transition: Because James says, 3:13. . .
“13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”
Be Wise With Your Mouth (3:3-12)
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Exegesis: That is that our good faith is made complete by what we do. The same grace that enables believers to put their faith in actions is the same grace that will enable them to hold their tongue and that is the deeds of wisdom. Bit & Rudder is a parable and is what we speak: This mean that by what we say is what we will probably live out. What we say is were our lives would most of the time; because out of the abundance of the month the heart speaks. So when "bit" is in the horses mouth whenever the mouth is turned the body will follow. The same is true with the "bit" in our own mouths., what we speak about most of the time is where our heart is and where our life style is as well. The next parable mean basically the same thing. The rudder is our mouth and our pilot is our hearts. Where our hearts is, is what going to come out of our lips and life. In this context it is where the horse and ship is going to go. The tongue is a small part of the body and it speaks about what is in the heart. The fire in the forest is a good example of what sinful talk can do in our lives. The more we indulge in sinful talk and chatter the more sin becomes apart of our lives and corrupts our whole body. When evil and sinful talk comes out of our mouths that sin spreads through our whole body like fire, and sets our life on a one way trip to hell, all by what we say (c.f. Matt. 5:22 & Prov. 18:21). All kinds of animal; lots of animal in this world today have been tamed but the fact is that it is very difficult to tame the tongue. It’s the tongue that is so much out of control most of the time, and when we speak evil among one another it is like poison in our spirits and can give birth to emotional pain in others which is murder according to the Scriptures (Mat. 5:21-26). In the context of Matthew 5:21-26 it is talking about physical murder but also connotes the meaning of murdering someone's spirit by demeaning, insulting, emotional abusing, or verbally abusing others. Since we are made in God likeness to curse man is to curse God (c.f. I Cor. 11:7 & Gen. 9:6). To speak about life and curse at the same time has or should have no place in the Christian life. As James puts it "My brothers, this should not be."
Illustration: What kind of things can come from our lips that are evil? Make a list
Application: How many of you have been the victim of someone else tongue? James’ is saying that this should not be apart of the Christian life.
• Luke 6:45, “45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
• “By swallowing evil words unsaid, no one has ever harmed his stomach.” Winston Churchill
Transition: Because James says, 3:13. . .
“13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”
Be Wise In Your Heart (3:13-17)
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. (Key Center & Paragraph Point) 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Exegesis: If anyone claims to have godly wisdom it will show itself through his/her lifestyle. I thought that it is good to note that the Greek word for wisdom in this is "phonimos" which means intelligence, discrete, one who is thoughtful in what he/she does and a person of practical skill. In the bad sense it means to be conceited, prideful, overbearing and acting out of a lack of knowledge. Basically there are two kinds of wisdom, Godly, and ungodly. Godly wisdom is living by the Spirit and ungodly wisdom is living for the flesh. Living righteously and wisely also mean in thought, attitude and action.
• Matthew 7:13, “13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.”
• Luke 22:26, “26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.”
wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all
• Pure: The
• Peace-loving: The
• Considerate: The
• Submissive: The
• Full of mercy and good fruit: The
• Impartial and sincere: The
Illustration: What are characteristics of godly wisdom? What are characteristics of ungodly wisdom?
Application: Are you wise or unwise? Are you a wise guy or a unwise guy?
Transition: Because James says, 3:13. . .
“13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”
Be Wise & Humble (3:18-4:10)
18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. 41 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. 4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Exegesis: The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. There is little doubt that James is referring to the teaching of Christ in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Here James makes an association between the concept of peace and righteousness. This also is a reinforcement of what he said earlier in verse “16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” Its only with peace that and order that the church can flourish and “raise a harvest of righteousness” and be a witness to unbelievers. It’s also the only in which wisdom is demonstrated. A lifestyle of peace is exactly how “good deeds are done,” which reinforces the key center of the passage in verse 13. James also maybe contrasting what he stated in 1:20, in that peace is the opposite of anger. If peace is the catalysts righteous so anger is the harvest of disorder. This again, verse 13 rings out from the heavens in the vicariousness of the human heart. Verse 4:1 is an obvious reference to conflict within the church. While healthy people, even church people is never without conflict it about having health conflict. James mentions that earlier in (1:13-15) and more specifically that sin comes from the vicariousness nature of the human heart. James is reinforcing the what he stated in 1:14, 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.” James tone leaves little doubt that fighting is coming not from heavenly wisdom as mentioned earlier but worldly and selfish. This again points out the main thrust of the passage in verse 13. James calls the church to step back and forces them into a place of reevaluations as the reason they are fighting and their own selfish ambitions. There is some root of carnality is what James flow of thought is getting at; it’s the condition of the heart, is it pride or humility at work? Verse 4 is not a surprise at all. Since it James the first book written in the New Testament it best to look at the Old Testaments and the teachings of Christ that James seems to being influencing his thinking. Since his audience is most likely and primarily converted Jews it would make sense to refer back the Old Testament. This sharp rebuke caries similar vocabulary of the Old Testaments when Israel were attracted to some form of idolatry (Jeremiah 3:8-9, Ezekiel 6:9).
Jeremiah 3:8-9: “8 I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery. 9 Because Israel’s immorality mattered so little to her, she defiled the land and committed adultery with stone and wood.”
Ezekiel 6:9: “9 Then in the nations where they have been carried captive, those who escape will remember me—how I have been grieved by their adulterous hearts, which have turned away from me, and by their eyes, which have lusted after their idols. They will loathe themselves for the evil they have done and for all their detestable practices.”
The tone changes drastically here too; James captures his audiences attentions when he drops his politeness of calling them "my brethren" (Jas 1:2, 16, 19; 2:1, 5, 14; 3:1, 10, 12; 4:11; 5:7, 9, 10, 12, 19) and exchanges his tones for "you adulteresses." How can Christians have friendship with the world when they have been called out of the world? This friendship with the world is antithetical to Christ teaching as well. For Christ Himself said, “18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you” (John 15:18-19). God is indeed a jealous God and the sinful worldly desires is at war with the righteous of the Spirit that lives within us. "7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you.” It’s interesting that James equates resisting the devil to submission to God and drawing near to God. The Geek word for submission is the same word use throughout the New Testament (Lk. 10:17, 20; Rom. 8:7, 10:3, 13:1, 5; Col. 3:18; Heb. 12:9; 1 Peter 2:13, 18; 3:1). It’s the Greek word, “hupotasso” primarily a military term, to rank under, it literally translates to relinquish control of, it means to be obedient and to subject yourself to the controlling authority that’s has been placed over you. To actively be subjected toward (obedient) the final decisive leadership that has been in instituted or set up. Of course in this context is about our relinquish control and out obedience to God is the way in which we as James puts it, “Resist the devil,” so that he will flee. This is interesting form of spiritual warfare James brings up. It the spiritual warfare of submission. Which naturally brings us to the verse 8-9 which is a call to repentance and turning of the heart. This also directly relates to the Key Center. Those who are wise and understanding will naturally demonstrated their deeds of life of submission towards God; and that is a clear unadulterated life of humility and wisdom. All of this which culminates in verse 10.
“That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." James explicitly tells is us from the Old Testament which reinforces that there were converted Jews. The reference is obviously from Prov. 3:34, “34 He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.” This also brings us to the main thrust of this paragraph which culminates in verse “10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
Illustration: We all have heard of the laws of thermodynamics that energy is neither created nor destroyed it merely takes a different form. This is law and it’s never broken much like the law of gravity, it’s as consistent as the sun rising and falling. Well, the first law of spiritual dynamics is that he who exults himself will be humbled but he who humbles himself will be exulted. So a result, James’ advise in verse 13 rings out from the heavens in the vicariousness of the human heart.
Application: What are you fighting about and why? We need to take a good hard look at ourselves and reexamine ourselves. Are you doing things for selfish ambition or self-glorification? It’s not about us, it’s about the needs of the people around us! Humility is not thinking less of yourself but it is thinking about yourself and more about the needs of other around you! Are being wise through humility or through selfish ambitions? We can not effectively reach our to other unless we learn to get our eyes off of ourselves. A self-centered person will never reach a lost world! Are we about serving ourselves or are we going to submit ourselves to God?
Transition: Because James says, 3:13. . .
“13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”
Be Wise Judgment (4:11-12)
11 Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you-- who are you to judge your neighbor?
Exegesis: James is explaining the results of slander and gossip. When we slander and gossip about others we place ourselves wrong side of the Law. James is reinforcing what he just stated earlier in (James 3:5-12) about the dangerous of the tongue. We are not to judge other according to our interpretation of the Law. We are to let the Law and the Law Giver (God) do the judging. James is “shows here that evil-speaking flows from the same spirit of exalting self at the expense of one's neighbor as caused the "fightings" reprobated in this chapter (James 4:1 ).” It seems to carry with the idea of being condescending towards others, which of course follows pride that was previously mentioned. Verse 12 James is clearly speaking form the Old Testament. James with a Jewish up bring could realizing one of the oldest story in Jewish history. In Genesis 18 the narrative of Sodom and Gomorrah Abraham also identifies a central aspect of God's nature as he name the Lord as the "Judge of all the earth." In fact it’s also the thematic focus of the passage as Abraham learns in the end that his questions become a rhetorical one with the answer being self-evident. The Judge of all the earth. Deuteronomy 32:35-37 and Joel 3:12 affirms Abraham proclamation that YHWH is the true Judge. John in the New Testament in his Gospel (5:27) depicts Jesus as the Judge of all men and all nations, as does Matthew's Gospel (25:31). There is little doubt as to whom James it reminding these believe of and who is the one whom they are really accountable too. As a result, he instructs them to leave the judging to God and not to take it upon themselves to judgmental towards others. This of course points to the Key Center. “13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” For judgmental dispositions is the deed of humility but that of pride mentions in the previous paragraph. Let the one who is wise show it by not judging others.
Illustration: We are not spiritual policemen that go around and pick and point out the flows of others. Are you a spiritual cat waiting to pounce and pronounce judgment on others? Spreading feathers into the wind
Application: Are you guilty of being on the other side of the Law? Are you guilty of being a spiritual policeman. We are not the Holy Spirit!!!!!!
Transition: Because James says, 3:13. . .
“13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”
Be Wise in All You Do (4:13-16)
13 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16 As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17 Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.
Exegesis: James is concerned with a disposition of arrogance. The infantile of man planning is not the planning of God’s in the grand scheme of eternity. Planning for the future is one things but setting their hopes on what they investments is another. Verse 16 reveals the nature of their hopes and their disposition. The believers were bragging, boasting having misplaced hope, their hope is in what they accomplished and not in hope in Christ. James says is referring what he said in the previous paragraph about friendship with the world. He mentioned money and business which very well could indicated that their money, travel and lifestyle was being used to condensed others. This is also consistent with pride that was mentioned earlier. James says that “such boasting is evil.” The boasting about how they much they have travel, how much better they are than someone else is what James calls evil. This brings the Key Center in sharp focus. The one who is wise and understanding, the one who is humble and whose good deeds done in humidly is what is antithetical in this paragraph. Which James exhorts his listens to stay away from which is self-righteous and condescending. The finality and point of this paragraph is clear, “he who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.” James equates knowledge with sin. James is saying that God clearly does not want us to have merely a cognitive understand of the Law and sin but understand that He expects to us live what we know. It’s a obedience issue that is involved here.
Illustration: The
Application: We cannot be so focused on the future that we forget what’s happening in the present any more then we can focus so much on the moment that we ignore planning for the future. The choices we make today will affects us in the future. At the same time we need to realize what’s happening now and not be consumed by the future. We are here today and gone tomorrow. The point is that if you know what is good and you flat our refuse to do it that’s sin.
Transition: Because James says, 3:13. . .
“13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”
Conclusion and Outline
Be Wise In Leadership (3:1-2)
Be Wise With Your Mouth (3:3-12)
Be Wise In Your Heart (3:13-17)
Be Wise & Humble (3:18-4:10)
Be Wise Judgment (4:11-12)
Be Wise in All You Do (4:13-16)
Works Cited
R. Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and D. Brown., Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. (1871.) (This resource is in the public domain.) Electronic edition as found in the e-Sword software program for Windows.
