James 1
Lutheran reading notes
In James chapter 1, the message of the gospel develops the theme of practical faith demonstrated through works. Lutheran interpretation frequently emphasizes the proclamation of Christ, the distinction between law and gospel, and the promise of justification through faith.
1
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
James 1:1 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; {temptations: or, trials}
James 1:2 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3
Knowing {this}, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
James 1:3 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4
But let patience have {her} perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 1:4 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all {men} liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 1:5 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
James 1:6 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
James 1:7 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8
A double minded man {is} unstable in all his ways.
James 1:8 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: {rejoice: or, glory}
James 1:9 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10
But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
James 1:10 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
James 1:11 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
Blessed {is} the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
James 1:12 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: {evil: or, evils}
James 1:13 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
James 1:14 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
James 1:15 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16
Do not err, my beloved brethren.
James 1:16 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
James 1:17 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18
Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
James 1:18 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
19
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20
For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
James 1:20 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
21
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
James 1:21 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
22
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
James 1:22 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
23
For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
James 1:23 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
24
For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
James 1:24 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
25
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth {therein}, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. {deed: or, doing}
James 1:25 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
26
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion {is} vain.
James 1:26 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
27
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, {and} to keep himself unspotted from the world.
James 1:27 highlights apostolic teaching for the church with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.