Brief Summary:
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.
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The Book of James Summary
Summary of the Book of James – Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org
Context Summary
James 3:1–12 discusses talking. This passage continues James’s big idea that faith and works go together. Specifically, that what one does (or says) proves what they really believe. Those who trust God, who really believe Him, begin to be changed in their speech, as well. And yet, everyone still stumbles. The tongue is untamable, capable of great destruction. In fact, James calls it a fire and a restless evil that is itself set on fire by hell. We need to be changed. It shouldn’t be that we praise God and curse the people made in His image. And yet, as fallen people, we do just that.
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“James 3:6” Bibleref.com
What does James 3:6 mean? | BibleRef.com
James 3:6
6 And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.
Context Summary
James 3:1–12 discusses talking. This passage continues James’s big idea that faith and works go together. Specifically, that what one does (or says) proves what they really believe. Those who trust God, who really believe Him, begin to be changed in their speech, as well. And yet, everyone still stumbles. The tongue is untamable, capable of great destruction. In fact, James calls it a fire and a restless evil that is itself set on fire by hell. We need to be changed. It shouldn’t be that we praise God and curse the people made in His image. And yet, as fallen people, we do just that.
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“James 3:8” Bibleref.com
What does James 3:8 mean? | BibleRef.com
James 3:8
8 but nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Context Summary
James 3:1–12 discusses talking. This passage continues James’s big idea that faith and works go together. Specifically, that what one does (or says) proves what they really believe. Those who trust God, who really believe Him, begin to be changed in their speech, as well. And yet, everyone still stumbles. The tongue is untamable, capable of great destruction. In fact, James calls it a fire and a restless evil that is itself set on fire by hell. We need to be changed. It shouldn’t be that we praise God and curse the people made in His image. And yet, as fallen people, we do just that.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“James 3:10” Bibleref.com
What does James 3:10 mean? | BibleRef.com
James 3:10
10 Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
Context Summary
James 3:13–18 questions our concept of who is wise and understanding. James quickly answers: the truly wise, understanding person is one whose faith in God leads to selfless good works. Wise people live in the humility of wisdom, setting themselves aside to serve others. That’s not worldly wisdom, which leaves each person responsible to serve him- or herself first. Earthly attitudes are driven by envy for what others have, and an ambition to take it. The result is disorder and evil instead of the peace, gentleness, and mercy that follow from living by heaven’s wisdom.
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“James 3:13” Bibleref.com
What does James 3:13 mean? | BibleRef.com
James 3:13
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.
Context Summary
James 3:13–18 questions our concept of who is wise and understanding. James quickly answers: the truly wise, understanding person is one whose faith in God leads to selfless good works. Wise people live in the humility of wisdom, setting themselves aside to serve others. That’s not worldly wisdom, which leaves each person responsible to serve him- or herself first. Earthly attitudes are driven by envy for what others have, and an ambition to take it. The result is disorder and evil instead of the peace, gentleness, and mercy that follow from living by heaven’s wisdom.
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“James 3:14” Bibleref.com
What does James 3:14 mean? | BibleRef.com
James 3:14
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth.
Context Summary
James 3:13–18 questions our concept of who is wise and understanding. James quickly answers: the truly wise, understanding person is one whose faith in God leads to selfless good works. Wise people live in the humility of wisdom, setting themselves aside to serve others. That’s not worldly wisdom, which leaves each person responsible to serve him- or herself first. Earthly attitudes are driven by envy for what others have, and an ambition to take it. The result is disorder and evil instead of the peace, gentleness, and mercy that follow from living by heaven’s wisdom.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“James 3:16” Bibleref.com
What does James 3:16 mean? | BibleRef.com
James 3:16
16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.
Context Summary
James 4:1–12 builds on the end of chapter 3, describing how living according to the world’s wisdom has led to great conflict among James’s Christian readers. They were fighting with each other because they couldn’t get what they wanted. James says that living that way is adultery. It’s ”cheating” on God. He calls them to quit their friendship with the world, humble themselves, repent from their sin, and receive God’s grace. God is the Lawgiver and Judge, not man.
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“James 4:2” Bibleref.com
What does James 4:2 mean? | BibleRef.com
James 4:2
2 You lust, and don’t have. You murder and covet, and can’t obtain. You fight and make war. You don’t have, because you don’t ask.
Context Summary
James 4:1–12 builds on the end of chapter 3, describing how living according to the world’s wisdom has led to great conflict among James’s Christian readers. They were fighting with each other because they couldn’t get what they wanted. James says that living that way is adultery. It’s ”cheating” on God. He calls them to quit their friendship with the world, humble themselves, repent from their sin, and receive God’s grace. God is the Lawgiver and Judge, not man.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“James 4:4” Bibleref.com
What does James 4:4 mean? | BibleRef.com
James 4:4
4 You adulterers and adulteresses, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
Context Summary
James 4:1–12 builds on the end of chapter 3, describing how living according to the world’s wisdom has led to great conflict among James’s Christian readers. They were fighting with each other because they couldn’t get what they wanted. James says that living that way is adultery. It’s ”cheating” on God. He calls them to quit their friendship with the world, humble themselves, repent from their sin, and receive God’s grace. God is the Lawgiver and Judge, not man.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“James 4:6” Bibleref.com
What does James 4:6 mean? | BibleRef.com
James 4:6
6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Proverbs 3:34
Context Summary
James 4:1–12 builds on the end of chapter 3, describing how living according to the world’s wisdom has led to great conflict among James’s Christian readers. They were fighting with each other because they couldn’t get what they wanted. James says that living that way is adultery. It’s ”cheating” on God. He calls them to quit their friendship with the world, humble themselves, repent from their sin, and receive God’s grace. God is the Lawgiver and Judge, not man.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“James 4:7” Bibleref.com
What does James 4:7 mean? | BibleRef.com
James 4:7-8
7 Be subject therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double-minded
Context Summary
James 4:1–12 builds on the end of chapter 3, describing how living according to the world’s wisdom has led to great conflict among James’s Christian readers. They were fighting with each other because they couldn’t get what they wanted. James says that living that way is adultery. It’s ”cheating” on God. He calls them to quit their friendship with the world, humble themselves, repent from their sin, and receive God’s grace. God is the Lawgiver and Judge, not man.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“James 4:8” Bibleref.com
What does James 4:8 mean? | BibleRef.com
James 4:7-8
7 Be subject therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double-minded
Context Summary
James 4:1–12 builds on the end of chapter 3, describing how living according to the world’s wisdom has led to great conflict among James’s Christian readers. They were fighting with each other because they couldn’t get what they wanted. James says that living that way is adultery. It’s ”cheating” on God. He calls them to quit their friendship with the world, humble themselves, repent from their sin, and receive God’s grace. God is the Lawgiver and Judge, not man.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“James 4:11” Bibleref.com
What does James 4:11 mean? | BibleRef.com
James 4:11
11 Don’t speak against one another, brothers. He who speaks against a brother and judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.
Context Summary
James 4:13–17 focuses on the arrogance of planning for our own success without acknowledging that we are dependent on God. It is foolish to ignore the fact that we can’t see the future. Our lives are short and fragile. This doesn’t mean never making plans. Rather, we should always make plans with the awareness that they can only succeed if God allows them to. Any other attitude is sinful, arrogant, and short-sighted.
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“James 4:15” Bibleref.com
What does James 4:15 mean? | BibleRef.com
James 4:15
15 For you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this or that.”
Context Summary
James 4:13–17 focuses on the arrogance of planning for our own success without acknowledging that we are dependent on God. It is foolish to ignore the fact that we can’t see the future. Our lives are short and fragile. This doesn’t mean never making plans. Rather, we should always make plans with the awareness that they can only succeed if God allows them to. Any other attitude is sinful, arrogant, and short-sighted.
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“James 4:16” Bibleref.com
What does James 4:16 mean? | BibleRef.com
James 4:16
16 But now you glory in your boasting. All such boasting is evil. 17 To him therefore who knows to do good, and doesn’t do it, to him it is sin.
