Search for commentaries – James 1

How to Profit from Trials
James, the half-brother of Jesus Christ and a key leader in the Jerusalem church writes to scattered Jewish believers (v. 1). These are thriving Jewish-Christian communities in Rome, Alexandria, Cyprus, and cities in Greece and Asia Minor. Many were severely persecuted and ev …

How to Deal with Trials
In these verses three things are mentioned as necessary for dealing with the tests of life in a successful way. These are: Wisdom (v. 5a) - Divine wisdom is not some philosophic speculation and intellectual knowledge but is a quality of life whereby a person knows and practi …

The Perspective of Rich and Poor
Having been given the resources needed to deal with the trials of life we are introduced to two specific examples of trials: The test of poverty (v. 9). James speaks first of the man of “low degree”. This is not refer­ring to spiritual condition but to earthl …

Loving God In Spite of Trials
In this passage James reminds Christians who are going through trials that God rewards those who remain steadfast. The reward is twofold: The possession of an inner blessedness (v. 12a). Happiness is not affected by outward circumstances. It is for those who are poor, …

Qualities Needed in Trials
The thought of this scripture passage, as it pertains to the Word of God, may be described as follows: It demands attention (vv. 19-20). The inferen­ce is that many do not adequately hear because they are so quick to speak. The Lord gave us two ears and one mouth so we o …

Doers - Not Hearers Only
I contend that we are educated as Christians way beyond our level of obedience. John Maxwell said, “What would happen if, after I finished a Sunday morning sermon and gave an application, we didn’t have church again until people did something about it? (Some people I wou …