James has been giving counsel on how to obtain the good gifts that are available in abundance from the father of lights, as he calls our heavenly father in verse 17. This series of five lessons will cover each chapter of james with the goal of outlining how we can become stronger in our faith. There is no more jewish book in the new testament than the epistle of james, not even excluding matthew, hebrews, and the apocalypse thiessen. These letters are james, 1 peter, 2 peter, 1 john, 2 john, 3 john, and jude. James, taught by christ, exalts the lawhe glorifies it, identifying it with the gospel in james 1, when speaking of the word and the importance of hearing and doing it, he, in the same breath, speaks of looking into the perfect law of liberty. Visit our library of inductive bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the bible you can use in your small group. James mentions law ten times in his epistle, and in each case it is the moral law. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
James 1 niv bible james, a servant of god and of the. This verse launches the nexttolast paragraph in the first chapter, but one could say it is the launching pad for the balance of the book. We must also do more than obey jamess instruction in verse 21. John gills exposition of the bible he preached in the same church as c. Study guide for james 1 by david guzik blue letter bible. At the very beginning of his letter james describes himself by the title wherein lies his only honour and his only glory, the slave of god and of the lord jesus christ. Faith tested by its response to the word of god james 1. It is that internalizing of scripture that james describes now. Christians need to listen well both to people james 1. Themes in james 1 chapter 1 of this letter functions like an overture to a great piece of music. He has taught that by asking in faith, we can obtain wisdom. Yet most people today have never heard of john gill. The book of james is generally considered the most practical book on christian living in the new testament and this verse is often cited as the reason why.
The term deceiving is the contrary of that rendered word, and means its corruption. James lines up with all of scripture when he says that it is the doer of the. Key points lessons and teachings from james by brother michel lankford a personal note. How to teach a sunday school lesson for children based on. Greetings to all gods people scattered over the whole world. Now viewing scripture range from the book of james chapter 1. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror read verse in new international version. Joyful living requires selfcontrol and contentment. Themes are introduced to which the writer will return later in the letter. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Different bible translations of the letter of james and other bible study resources are available. This verse sums up the practical side of what it means to follow jesus.
But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts. The text has been edited and condensed by ihcc staff for use as a bible study aid. James 1, new king james version nkjv the bible app. Other men mentioned in the bible named james include. Key points lessons and teachings from james faithlife. James 1 commentary william barclays daily study bible.
Full chapter compare different versions of this verse. Those who hear and dont act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like. Devotions with scripture from james today daily devotional. Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger james 1. We listen, not as a technique to influence anyone else, but as a way to let gods word rid ourselves of all sordidness and.
This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the jews. It is believed that the book of james is the earliest writing contained in the new. David platt, president of the international mission board, says, james 1. The call to do what it says lies at the center of all that james teaches. James wrote from the perspective of a jewish christian.
James is writing to people who are facing a variety of trials. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. But i believe that every chapter in the bible is designed in some way to apply to our daily lives. Check out these helpful resources biblical commentary sermons childrens sermons hymn lists. If we dont, we demonstrate that we dont truly trust the father, at least not in that moment. In part 1, strong and wise, there will be an emphasis on trusting gods plan, persevering. Scheduleyou wont be surprised to hear me say that time spent studying the bible is never wasted. We are then doers of the word, when, being enlightened by its doctrines, awed by its threatenings, and encouraged by its promises, we, through the aid of divine grace, love and obey its precepts, both those which enjoin repentance toward god and faith in our lord jesus christ, as terms necessary to be complied with. There appears to be a progression in this verse in which the nkjv helpfully. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in itnot forgetting what they have heard, but doing itthey will be blessed in what they do. What follows is a devotional bible study of the book of james.
The book of james contains a plethora of information for believers to become mature in their relationships to christ. Beholding with the notion of attentively considering, down into, or through. So that the contrast is not between a hasty look and a careful contemplation james 1. How to teach a sunday school lesson for children based on bible verse james 1. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. Late last year, the lord was impressing upon me that i should start reading certain books of scripture, and keeping a running. There are several men named james mentioned in the new testament, but reliable tradition assigns this book to the one called james the just, the halfbrother of jesus matthew. James 1 james, a servant of god and of the lord jesus. Hearing and doing 21 therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.
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