The Word Made Fresh
1James, a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:
Greetings 2to my friends.
Whenever you face any kind of trial, consider it as nothing but a joyful treasure. 3You know that when your faith is tested, you are made stronger. 4You learn to endure, and that helps to complete you and make you mature so that you will want nothing.
5Anyone who lacks wisdom can ask God, who gives to everyone generously without any reluctance. 6But, believe when you ask. Never doubt. Those who doubt are like the waves on the sea that are driven and tossed by the wind. 7People like that shouldn’t expect to receive anything from the Lord 8because they turn here and there in their doubt.
9Let the one in humble circumstances exult in being recognized, 10and let the wealthy be brought down because they will disappear like the flowers in the fields 12when the sun rises and its heat scorches everything. The flower falls over, its beauty dead. That’s how it is with rich people. They will wither away in their busy lives.
13Those who endure temptations are blessed. They have stood the test and they will receive the crown of life the Lord has promised to those who love him. 13No one should say they are being tempted by God. God can’t be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14We are tempted by our own desires that try to draw us away and beguile us. 15When those desires arise they give birth to sin, and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16Don’t be deceived, friends!
17Every generous and perfect gift comes down from above, from the Father of lights, in whom there is no shadow of change. 18With the word of truth he has given us birth to attain his purpose of making us a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
19Friends, understand that you should be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to anger, 20because anger does not produce in you the righteousness of God. 21So get rid of every filthy and wicked behavior and meekly welcome the word given to you to save your souls.
22Be doers of the word, not just hearers who only deceive themselves. 23Those who hear the word but don’t act accordingly are just looking in a mirror. 24They look at themselves and then forget what they look like. 25But those who look into the perfect law that provides their freedom, and are not just hearers who forget but doers who act, will be blessed in the things they do.
26People who think they are religious but can’t control their tongue are just deceiving themselves and their religion is worthless. 27But religion that is true and acceptable to God the Father is to take care of orphans and widows in their time of need, and that keeps you from being stained by the world.
Commentary
1: The very first verse of James presents problems for Biblical scholars. One ancient tradition ascribes the letter (sermon?) to James the brother of Jesus, although there are arguments that in the ancient writings “brother” may mean “half-brother” or “cousin” or even simply “a member of the church.” Another theory is that Jewish text (“James” is the English form of the Greek “Iakobos” or “Jacob” in the Old Testament) which made its way into the New Testament. There is little in James which could not be embraced by Jews. There is no mention of the resurrection, and the few specifically Christian references in it could easily have been added later. A telling clue, according to those who hold to this theory, is the reference to “the twelve tribes in the Dispersion.” This is a standard way of referring to the Jews who were scattered during the time of the Assyrian and Babylonian conquests of Israel. So, take your pick.
2-4: Right away we have a reference to persecution of some sort. The community’s faith is being tested. James tells them to endure, that being tested is the way faith matures.
5-8: The other side of the faith coin is doubt, which causes instability in the community as well as for the individual.
9-11: One of the hallmarks of James is its solidarity with the poor and its antagonism toward the rich. If it is indeed a Christian work, it falls into line with early Christianity’s countercultural affinity with the poor and the powerless.
12-16: Here is an interesting take on temptation: it is neither instigated by evil or by God, but by the individual’s desires. Resisting temptation strengthens the soul; giving in to temptation weakens it.
17-18: Generosity, on the other hand, is instigated by God, and thus is a sign that the giver is attuned to God’s will.
19-21: Meekness is the attitude necessary for receiving holy instruction.
22-25: Put what you receive (in the way of holy instruction) to work; otherwise, it is worthless.
26-27: In the same vein, refrain from talking too much. The result of faith should be seen in your treatment of those on the lowest rung of society; widows and orphans.
Takeaway
Salvation is for those who hear the word of God and do it.