(Santiago) James
The Book of James outlines the faith walk through genuine religion (1 : 1 – 27), genuine faith (2 : 1 – 3 : 12) and genuine wisdom (3 : 13 – 5 : 20). This book contains a remarkable parallel to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 – 7. James begins in the first chapter by describing the overall traits of the faith walk. In chapter 2 and the beginning of chapter 3 he discusses social justice and a discourse on faith in action. He then compares and contrasts the difference between worldly and godly wisdom and asks us to turn away from evil and draw close to God. James gives a particularly severe rebuke to the rich who hoard and those who are self-reliant. Finally he ends with encouragement to believers to be patient in suffering, praying and caring for one another and bolstering our faith through fellowship.
The Book of James is the ultimate description of the relationship between faith and works. So ingrained in the Mosaic Law and its system of works were the Jewish Christians to whom James wrote that he spent considerable time explaining the difficult truth that no one is justified by the works of the law (Galatians 2 : 16). He declares to them that even if they try their very best to keep all the various laws and rituals, doing so is impossible, and transgressing the tiniest part of the law made them guilty of all of it (James 2 : 10) because the law is one entity and breaking one part of it is breaking all of it.
We see in the Book of James a challenge to faithful followers of Jesus Christ to not just “talk the talk,” but to “walk the walk.” While our faith walk, to be certain, requires a growth of knowledge about the Word, James exhorts us to not stop there. Many Christians will find this epistle challenging as James presents 60 obligations in only 108 verses. He focuses on the truths of Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount and motivates us to act upon what He taught.
The epistle also puts to rest the idea that one can become a Christian and yet continue living in sin, exhibiting no fruit of righteousness. Such a “faith,” James declares, is shared by the demons who “believe and tremble” (James 2 : 19). Yet such a “faith” cannot save because it is not verified by the works that always accompany true saving faith (Ephesians 2 : 10). Good works are not the cause of salvation, but they are the result of it.
Summary of the Book of James from GotQuestions.org — is a popular Christian website and "parachurch" ministry that provides answers to a vast array of questions about the Bible, theology, and spiritual life.
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