Have you been looking for easy-to-understand James 1 commentary? Your search is over! Read this simplified commentary that you can easily understand with key lessons to apply in your life and also downloadable bible study questions to reflect on.
The book of James is a practical guide to Christian Living. James 1 has given me some astounding revelations while studying it in depth.
There are some mind-blowing takeaways, and we will be covering:
- What is James Chapter 1 all about?
- What is the main theme of James Chapter 1?
- Bible Study with Commentary on James 1
- Lessons from James chapter 1.
- James chapter 1 bible study questions and answers.
- Tools and Resources for further study of James Chapter 1.
What is James Chapter 1 all about?
James Chapter 1 is about how we can put our faith into action. This message with demonstration is explained not only in this chapter but is scattered throughout the book of James.
Who wrote James 1? There has been a lot of debate about the author of James. After much discussion, it is considered that James, the brother of Jesus, may have written James Chapter 1.
What is the main theme of James 1?
Before we understand the theme that runs through James Chapter 1, let us first understand what is the main point of James 1? The main point of James Chapter 1 is how our actions are the byproduct of our faith in Christ.
James explains the importance of applying the foundational principles and teachings laid down by Jesus’ sermons on the Mount. We, as Christians, ought to keep these at the core of our existence as brand ambassadors of Christ.
James 1 can be divided into two main themes.
- How Christians are meant to endure trials (James 1:1-18).
- What true Christian Living is all about (James 1:19-27).
We’ll be studying both these themes in depth, along with commentary.
1. How Christians are meant to endure trials (James 1:1-18)
To understand the meaning and what James is explaining in James 1:1-18, we need first to understand the context of the scripture.
James 1:1 Meaning and Explanation (Bible Study with Commentary)
James 1:1 (NKJV) – James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.
This verse answers the question, who is James speaking to in James 1?
This epistle addresses Jewish Christians in a state of great disturbance and brutality in Roman Judea at that time. The Jews had started scattering around the world as they could not bear the trials and persecutions they were facing.
Although it addresses Jewish Christians, these teachings are applicable and greatly benefit all Christians. This epistle was likely written before a noticeable number of Gentile Christians were in the church.
James 1:2-4 Meaning and Explanation (Bible Study with Commentary)
James 1:2-4 (NKJV) – My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James is encouraging all his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ not to lose heart because of all the persecutions they were facing. Instead, James is calling them to count it all joy because he knows that when they count it all joy, it will empower them to endure through the trials.
When people are under the pressure of their circumstances, they feel very uncomfortable. During those times, their carnal mind takes over, and they are bound to choose a path of least resistance to escape that discomfort as soon as possible.
That urge most likely could lead to sin – like complaining about their circumstances, blaming God or others, bending the rules if need be, getting into aggression or violence, getting into different addictions, etc.
That is why JOY plays a vital role during trying times. It is THE ingredient required when your faith is tested. However, that does not mean Christians enjoy and party during their trials but CONSIDER trials as joy.
When Christians do not count it all joy, there is a high chance of their carnal self succumbing to temptation. Therefore, Christians should walk in the spirit during happy times and even more during hard times.
James is advising them that as Christians, their faith will be tested. And when they endure through faith, it will produce patience in them.
Most Christians think that when they face challenges, their faith grows. But in reality, Christians have a measure of faith residing inside them which is tested when faced with challenges. Therefore, Christians are to exercise the faith inside them!
James suggests their patience will work for them when they continue with endurance. The Greek word used for Patience in this context is hupomone. This word means active, engaging endurance.
It does not mean waiting and doing nothing about the trials, but having active faith through praying and declaring the Word of God over the situation and believing for victory. This patience is like the physical and mental stamina needed to finish a marathon.
Christians prioritizing patience during their challenges will mold their character to be perfect and acceptable unto God. It will deny the flesh, which asks for comfort all the time, and exercises their spirit, which connects them on a deeper level with God.
Lessons from James 1:2-4
What can we learn from James 1:2-4? We can learn five important lessons from this passage on the first theme of James Chapter 1: How Christians are meant to endure trials
- You will face difficulties in life
- Your faith will be tested through trials
- Count it all joy when faced with challenges
- Faith during trials produces patience
- Let patience do its complete work inside you
James 1:5-8 Meaning and Explanation (Bible Study with Commentary)
James 1:5-8 (NKJV) – If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
After explaining patience, James straight away talks about wisdom. Why? From the context, we can understand that James encouraged them to ask for wisdom if they struggled to count their persecutions as joyous. Because James knew the role joy plays when facing trials. Counting it all joy works as a catalyst in producing patience.
Wisdom would give perspective to their trials if they could not understand the reason for their trials or ways to mitigate them. Therefore, operating in wisdom is essential to every Christain’s life!
James also explains that Godly wisdom was not something they could cultivate but something they needed to ask God to provide. Their role was to receive God’s wisdom by faith! James again points out the importance of faith. Nobody can receive wisdom without exercising their faith.
James explains that a doubting person is like the waves in the sea tossed by the wind. So James is encouraging Christians to have complete faith in the wisdom-giving power of God because God is a liberal giver!
When a Christian doubts, he trusts his seen factual circumstance more than the unseen giving power of God. A very precious verse for every Christian tells us to walk by faith and not by sight.
Lessons from James Chapter 1:5-8
What can we learn from James chapter 1:5-8? We can learn four important lessons from this passage on the first theme of James Chapter 1: How Christians are meant to endure trials.
- Counting trials as joy requires wisdom
- You need to ask God for His wisdom during trials
- Only by faith can you receive Godly wisdom
- Being double-minded means doubting God
James 1:9-11 Meaning and Explanation (Bible Study with Commentary)
James 1:9-11 (NKJV) – Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.
James goes on to explain how delicate the life of a human on this earth is. Our life on this earth is for a little while. We are like a flower in the field, here today, but tomorrow fades away. The many issues and problems we face on this earth are also for a little while. Sometimes it is essential to think of those problems as mere thorns in the flowers.
He compares the rich and the poor not to differentiate them as good or bad people but to point out that there is no use focusing only on making riches in this world.
When James says that the pursuit of the rich fades away, he means that the riches one makes on this earth remain here and cannot be taken to heaven. What would he gain from it in heaven? His efforts to make riches and how he makes those riches affect his salvation.
We can get a clear understanding of what James is explaining from Matthew 16:26 (NKJV) says, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Another way of understanding this scripture is that when we focus on the things that fade away (things of this earth), we focus away from God’s things.
If Christians reflect on the things that actually worry them, most of the time, those are things of this world! When they are not able to count it all joy, it is beneficial to compare the things they are worried about to the gift of eternal life promised to them. When Christians rejoice in the Lord for their salvation, it is easy to endure trials in this world.
Lessons from James Chapter 1:9-11
What can we learn from James chapter 1:9-11? We can learn two important lessons from this passage on the first theme of James Chapter 1: How Christians are meant to endure trials
- Human life on this earth is like a flower in the field
- Do not focus on the things that fade away
James 1:12-15 Meaning and Explanation (Bible Study with Commentary)
James 1:12-15 (NKJV) – Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
James makes a valuable statement when he says, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation” this was an immensely encouraging statement to the Jewish Christians!
James understands the pain of undergoing trials and temptations, and he encourages them by saying that when they endure those temptations, they will be blessed and receive the crown of life because endurance approves them of the promises of God.
James also makes another profound statement here when he explains that enduring temptation is a way to love God! When we do not give into temptation, we are saying yes to God. But when we give into temptation, we are saying yes to satan!
James also knew Christians had a habit of blaming God for all their troubles. Why did God do this to me? Or Why did God let this happen? These are familiar statements we all have come across in our Christian journey.
God never brings problems into people’s lives. God never tempts anyone. Satan brings the temptation to everyone; he also brought it to Jesus! But when Christians are persuaded to give into temptation during trials, they give into our worldly nature, which leads to sin.
Lessons from James Chapter 1:12-15
What can we learn from James chapter 1:12-15? We can learn five important lessons from this passage on the first theme of James Chapter 1: How Christians are meant to endure trials.
- When we endure temptation, we are blessed
- Enduring temptation approves us of the promises of God.
- Resisting temptation is loving God
- God does not tempt anyone
- Giving into temptation causes us to sin
James 1:16-18 Meaning and Explanation (Bible Study with Commentary)
James 1:16-18 (NKJV) – Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
James reminds them that every good gift comes from God. God is a giver! He gives life in abundance! He wants to bless in abundance! He is able to give beyond what we can ask, think or imagine!
“Father of lights” is a spectacular way of explaining God’s beauty, might, and power. But, how can the one who is the creator of light bring darkness to anyone?
If we take the example of the sun, it never stops giving light. It is the rotation of the earth around its own axis and the sun that produces night and day. When the earth is away from the sun, there is darkness, not because the sun has stopped giving light but because the earth has moved away from the sun.
Likewise, when there is darkness in our lives, God has not stopped shining! He is right there intact – loving us, blessing us, and waiting to embrace us with His amazing love! It is we who have moved away from the presence and the light of God. It is a reality check for all Christians during times of trouble.
God, in His everlasting love, brought us to the truth of His salvation so that we can have eternal life and live a blessed life here on this earth.
Lessons from James Chapter 1:16-18
What can we learn from James chapter 1:16-18? We can learn two important lessons from this passage on the first theme of James Chapter 1: How Christians are meant to endure trials
- Remind yourselves often that every good gift comes from God
- Remember that God always shines His love upon you, even during your darkest times.
2. What true Christian Living is all about (James 1:19-27)
The second theme of James Chapter 1 is what true Christian Living is all about. In this part of James 1:19-27 Bible study, James explains the qualities of a Christian – Christians as doers of the Word of God and the real meaning of calling yourself a Christian.
James 1:19-20 Meaning and Explanation (Bible Study with Commentary)
James 1:19-20 (NKJV) – So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
James is evident in his instructions about the qualities needed as a Christian. He is explaining to the Jewish Christians the true meaning of Christian Living.
He starts in a very encouraging tone as he calls them brethren. By saying this, he includes himself too, which speaks a lot about James. These instructions are for him to follow as well.
James urges everyone not to be impulsive and impatient but rather to be good listeners, to think before speaking, and to analyze every detail before jumping to conclusions in anger.
Anger is an emotion, but that emotion should not lead to sin. When Christians give into anger, it leads to sin, which goes against the nature of Christ, of whom Christians are a part.
James knows what he is talking about because he, too, was going through many trials in his life. If we see his life, we know that he was persecuted to the point that he was thrown off the temple cliff to die, but even then, when he did not die, he was beaten to death.
Regardless of the situation, James encourages all believers to have the qualities of a faithful Christian, shaping our character.
Lessons from James Chapter 1:19-20
What can we learn from James chapter 1:19-20? We can learn four important lessons from this passage on the second theme of James Chapter 1: What true Christian Living is all about.
- The quality of a true Christian is to be a good listener
- The quality of a true Christian is to think before you speak
- The quality of a true Christian is to be slow to anger
- The quality of a true Christian is not to give into anger which can lead to sin
James 1:21-25 Meaning and Explanation (Bible Study with Commentary)
James 1:21-25 (NKJV) – Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
James counsels the Jewish Christians to forgo every kind of sin from their lives BEFORE receiving the Word of God with humbleness. It is eye-opening! When sin and wickedness fill us, there is no place for the Word to be planted inside our hearts.
It explains why you keep listening to sermons and studying the Bible but cannot apply any of it. For the Word of God to be planted inside us, our inner soil should be clean and fertile!
James instructs everyone to be doers of the Word of God and not just hearers. He explains that if we have sin in our lives, there is no way we could apply the Word of God in our lives. So we’ll keep hoping, wishing, and thinking about it but will not be able to live it!
Christians must first eliminate the old sinful habits before we can implement the new habit that we learn from the Word of God.
James shares an anecdote about a person forgetting how he looks after seeing himself in the mirror. Ever wonder how you would feel if you just forgot how you looked every day, even after looking at yourself in the mirror?
That happens when Christians are full of sin and distractions in their lives. The brain has no capacity to implant the Word of God to make it a reality in our lives.
James goes on to say that when Christians can continually apply God’s Word in their lives, that is when they are blessed! Applying the Word of God is nothing but Christian Living.
Transformational Living does not happen by applying the Word of God just once or twice. But, it occurs when Christians continually apply the Word of God, which eventually becomes a habit or a lifestyle!
Lessons from James Chapter 1:21-25
What can we learn from James chapter 1:21-25? We can learn four important lessons from this passage on the second theme of James Chapter 1: What true Christian Living is all about.
- Christians are called to be doers of the Word of God and not just hearers.
- Sin neither allows the Word of God to be planted in your heart nor lets you apply it in your lives.
- Real transformation happens when you forgo all your sin before implementing the Word of God.
- Transformational Living is when you apply the Word of God continuously.
James 1:26-27 Meaning and Explanation (Bible Study with Commentary)
James 1:26-27 (NKJV) – If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
James informs the Jewish Christians that Christianity is less a matter of religion but more a matter of lifestyle! He advises that anyone who calls themselves a Christian should visit orphans and widows during their hard times.
James warns everyone that it is essential to bridle one’s tongue. If we take this instruction lightly, we are deceiving ourselves. James goes on to say that everyone should live unspotted in this world.
Lessons from James Chapter 1:26-27
What can we learn from James chapter 1:26-27? We can learn four important lessons from this passage on the second theme of James Chapter 1: What true Christian Living is all about.
- Christianity is less a matter of religion but more a matter of lifestyle.
- True Christians bridle their tongue
- True Christians visit orphans and widows during their trouble
- True Christians keep themselves unspotted from the world.
James 1 Bible Study Tools
If you want James 1 Bible Study Questions based on the commentary above, you can download James 1 bible study pdf.
If you want all the life lessons from James 1 Commentary in one document for reflection, you can download lessons from James Chapter 1.
If you are interested in James 1 bible study guide, then you can get the following helpful James 1 bible study tools.
James 1 Commentary Spurgeon – Commentary on James (Spurgeon Commentary Series)
James 1 Commentary John Macarthur – James: Guidelines for a Happy Christian Life
In conclusion, we can say that James 1 commentary lays a beautiful foundation for true Christain living by explaining how Christians are meant to endure the various challenges of life and how visiting orphans and widows is faith in action.
In the next four chapters of the book of James, we will learn:
- James 2: Living a Life with No Discrimination.
- James 3: Taming the Tongue with Heavenly Wisdom
- James 4: Encouraging Christians Not to Live in Strife with Other Christians.
- James 5: Cautioning Christians Not to Run After Riches but to Run After God and to Love People by Serving them.
What is your best takeaway from this James 1 Commentary? Comment below.
