So, how are we going to do this study of James?
Each lesson will start with a passage and then explain it. Here goes, with James 1:1–4.
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:
Greetings.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (NKJV)
Wow. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds?!? Is James for real?
Yes, and look at who he’s writing to—the twelve tribes in the Dispersion. The Dispersion (διασπορᾷ, diaspora in Greek) literally means the Jews that were “dispersed” around the world by persecution.
You mean after the Roman crackdown?
Not the crackdown in AD 70; this was written before that. (James was martyred in AD 62.) Still, Jews were generally dispersed by persecution—and that was mainly Roman.
But this specifically is for the Christians (especially Jewish Christians) who were dispersed after the martyrdom of Stephen.
And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. — Acts 8:1b–2 (ESV)
The trials faced by James’s readers make our trials look like picnics. Many of them were literally refugees.
Counting trials like these as all joy is not exactly the first thing that comes to mind. Praying to be delivered is more like it.
And that’s why James wrote this. He is instructing his readers to do something that’s anything but obvious. He’s also not minimizing their suffering. He’s steeling his readers for the trials to come.
So, he’s saying that it’s all worthwhile?
Yes, but James’s main point isn’t simply that the suffering is worthwhile; it’s how—because it produces steadfastness. The Greek word that’s translated as “steadfastness” (ὑπομονὴ, hoo-pom-on-ay) means patience, endurance, fortitude, steadfastness, endurance. The NKJV translates it as “patience” here; the NIV translates it as “perseverance.”
But how is learning steadfastness/patience/endurance so important that it’s worth major trials?
That question is the perfect intro to the book of James. Growth in Christ (AKA sanctification) is at the core of the practice of Christianity. The word “practice” is particularly apt here.
James is writing against the variation of “Christianity-lite” that says, “Just say the sinner’s prayer, and I’ll meet you at the pearly gates.”
But isn’t that how Christianity is often “sold”?
Yes, but this isn’t about how to become a Christian; James’s readers already are Christians. This is about how to glorify God by being a useful one.
So, this is coming back to your main theme—God’s glory, right?
Yes, and don’t miss the tie-in to the lessons about Job. Remember Job’s character development was “worth” all the pain and suffering.
Here, James says, “the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”
But it’s the next sentence that’s the full character development. “And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
This is the growth in faith that we just discussed. It’s part of how we glorify God.
Interesting that James would start on such a negative note though.
Yes! This kind of reminds me of someone saying, “Location, location, location. Did I mention location?” James is absolutely hammering this point.
In the first century, people needed to be hammered with this lesson to help them face their trials. Ironically, we need to be hammered with the same lesson to help us face our lack of trials.
We need to be reminded that Christianity is designed to be tough. The attitude that Christianity is there simply to help us is toxic. Many churches make it seem as if Christianity is all fun and games. They expect nothing from Christians except, maybe, money.
Yeah, I’ve noticed.
Good. Our study of James will show you that there’s a serious Christianity—one that you, and the media, don’t see. On to tomorrow!
