ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for James 1

James 1:1 Greeting. Jesus chose 12 disciples to symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel. Thus he identified the church as the new Israel (see Matt. 10:1). James reminds these Jewish Christians of their spiritual heritage as God’s people, gathered by Jesus the Messiah. in the Dispersion. The tribes of Israel were scattered throughout the world by the Assyrians and Babylonians. They looked forward to being regathered as a people (Jer. 31:7–14; Ezek. 37:15–28). James implies that the true Israel is also away from its heavenly homeland and oppressed, but they are assured of their final gathering to the Lord.

1:2–18 The Testing of Faith. Trials are part of God’s “good gifts” (v. 17) to his people, to strengthen them in their faith.

James 1:2 Trials are “tests” designed to strengthen one’s faith (vv. 2–5). When trials occur, one should count it all joy. God is sovereign over all things, including trials.

James 1:3 testing of your faith. Just as Jesus was “tested” in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1–13), believers are tested to make their faith “genuine” (1 Pet. 1:7).

James 1:4 Believers are growing in holiness but are not yet perfected in it. This perfection will come only when Jesus returns.

James 1:5 wisdom. As in the OT, wisdom is a God-given and God-centered understanding of the practical issues in life. without reproach. God knows that his people need to grow in wisdom, and he is willing to give it.

James 1:6 faith. A settled trust and confidence in God, based on his character and promises revealed in Scripture (see Heb. 11:1). doubting. Being torn between trusting God or trusting the world or one’s own natural abilities. a wave of the sea. A picture of instability and constant change.

James 1:7–8 A person who doubts is a double-minded man. He has “two minds,” torn between God and the world (compare v. 6).

James 1:9–11 Given the context, James seems to be saying that the challenges of both poverty and wealth may be among the greatest “trials” for Christians (see v. 12).

James 1:12 James returns to the theme introduced in v. 2. crown of life. The laurel wreath given to winners in athletic games (1 Cor. 9:25) and to victorious emperors. The reward for faithful endurance is eternal life and its blessings (see Rev. 2:10).

James 1:13–18 James turns to the other side of trials, when testing becomes temptation.

James 1:13 God tests his people (e.g., Abraham, Genesis 22; Israel, Ex. 16:4; Hezekiah, 2 Chron. 32:31) to strengthen their character, but he never tempts them (never lures them into sin). Tempted is the verb form of the noun translated “trial” in James 1:12, but the context shows that different senses of the word are intended (see note on Heb. 4:15).

James 1:14 lured and enticed. A fishing metaphor for drawing prey away from shelter.

James 1:15 The picture changes to a birth/rebirth metaphor.

James 1:17 Nothing in this world is truly good unless it comes from above, heaven, down from the Father of lights (see Ps. 74:16; 136:7–9). God’s character never changes. He always gives good gifts. This contrasts with the variation of the night changing to day or the shifting shadow caused by the sun or moon.

James 1:18 Brought us forth by the word of truth speaks of spiritual salvation. “Us” refers to believers. The “word of truth” is the gospel. Being “brought . . . forth” (from the womb) is a metaphor for the new birth. The firstfruits of the harvest (compare Ex. 23:16–19; Lev. 23:9–14) are the early Christians.

James 1:19–27 Hearing and Doing the Word. This section focuses on living as a Christian directed by “the word of truth,” the gospel (v. 18). Christian living includes both “hearing” and “doing” the truth. Obedience is the mark of the true child of God.

James 1:19 James echoes Proverbs on the misuse of speech and the anger that can result (see Prov. 10:19; 11:12; 15:1; 17:28). Christians should be slow to anger, as God is (see Ex. 34:6).

James 1:20 Not all human anger is sinful (see Eph. 4:26). However, the quick-tempered, selfish anger of man shows a lack of trust in God and a lack of love for others. Even when directed against wrongdoing, anger cannot change another person’s heart. Thus it does not produce the righteousness of God. “Righteousness” here means conducting one’s life by the will of God, according to his standards (see Isa. 61:3; Matt. 5:6; 10; 20; 6:1; 33).

James 1:21 Put away all filthiness pictures taking off dirty clothes (compare Rom. 13:12; Eph. 4:22; Col. 3:8). The person wants nothing to do with the dirt (moral evil) ever again. In place of filthy behavior, the implanted word must take root in God’s people (see Deut. 30:14; Jer. 31:33). Save your souls refers here to progressive sanctification and the completion of God’s saving work on judgment day.

James 1:23–24 It is useless for a man to look intently at his natural face in a mirror and then forget what he was like. This shows the foolishness of examining oneself in God’s “mirror,” the “implanted word” (v. 21), but not changing one’s behavior based on what one sees there (v. 22).

James 1:25 the law of liberty. In James, the “law” and the “word” are two ways of describing the same thing. The “law” here refers to the OT as it has been interpreted and fulfilled in Christ. Together with the power of the Holy Spirit, it can change hearts. See note on 2:12.

James 1:27 Orphans and widows were particularly helpless in ancient culture, usually lacking anyone to support them (see Deut. 10:18; Isa. 1:17; Jer. 7:5–7). unstained from the world. James uses the sacrificial language of “the lamb without blemish” (Ex. 12:5; 1 Pet. 1:19) to describe the pure religious person.