JAMES- written 45-50 AD
James is the English version of the Hebrew name Ya'akov (Jacob) There are 3 James in the New Testament (1) John's brother - Killed in 44 AD. (2) James the Lesser and (3) James the Lord's eldest? brother. Sometimes called James the Just. He was the Lord's half brother and didn't believe his Brother (John 7:2-5). Jesus appeared to him after the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:7). He was the first bishop of Jerusalem. James was called one of the 3 Pillars (Gal. 2:9, with John and Peter). He extended the hand of fellowship after his conversion (Gal. 1:19) He played a key role in the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:13). He received Paul's report on his mission (Acts 21) He possibly took the place of the "other" James in the 1st Presidency. He was killed by stoning in 62 AD by Jewish leaders who took the law into their own hands. The theme of the book, is like a Spencer W. Kimball or Gordon B. Hinckley talk in General Conference; many gospel truths. It has also been compared to the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7) Martin Luther didn't like the book. There was too much talk of works. He said it was "an epistle filled with straw, because it contains nothing of the gospel."
Chapter 1
Vs. 1 - "Paul wrote to the saints of his own day, and if his doctrine and counsel blesses us of later years, so much the better. But James addressed himself to those of the twelve scattered tribes of Israel who belonged to the Church, that is , to a people yet to be gathered, yet to receive the gospel, yet to come into the fold of Christ, and if his words had import to the small cluster of saints of Judah and Benjamin who joined the Church in the meridian of time, so much the better." (DNTC 3:243)
Vs. 2 - Note the JST and this scripture chain; D&C 130:20-There is a law...; Alma 7:20-he cannot walk in crooked paths; Jacob 4:10- seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand; Alma 14:11- agency must not be interrupted; Alma 60:13 - ye need not suppose that the righteous are lost because they are slain; D&C 103:3-4 - Why the Lord allowed the Saints in Jackson County to be persecuted; Abr. 3:5 - part of our test; D&C 136:31 - the Lord requires a tried people; D&C 98:12-14 - I will prove you herewith; D&C 101:4-5. JST Hebrew 11:40- without suffering you cannot be made perfect. Also D&C 54:10; 67:13 And in James; 1:3-4; 5:7-11; 1:14; 1:17; 1:19-21
"Some are tested with poor health, some by a body that is deformed or homely. Others are tested by handsome and healthy bodies; some by the passion of youth; others by the erosions of old age. Some suffer disappointment in marriage; family problems others live in poverty and obscurity. Some (perhaps this is the hardest test) find ease and luxury. All are part of the test, and there is more equality in this testing than sometimes we suspect." (BKP "The Choice" Ensign Nov. 1980 p. 21)
Vs. 5 - "This single verse of scripture has had a greater impact and a more far reaching effect upon mankind than any other single sentence ever recorded by any prophet in any age." (DNTC 3:246) "Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again." (JSH 1:12)
Vs. 6 - Had this wavering thing been a problem with James before his conversion?
Vs. 8 - What is a double-minded man?
Vs. 9-11 - Grass and wealth-temporary and fleeting.
Vs. 13-16 - God does not tempt us, but He does test us. Gen. 22:1; D&C 1014 What is the difference?
Vs. 27 - The President Monson verse in the President Monson book.
Chapter 2
Vs. 1-9 - How do we show partiality? 2 Nephi 26:33 (color of skin, gender) 3 Nephi 6:12 (Education, wealth) Alma 31:12-18 (Zoramites-Rameumpton)
Vs. 10 - What is the maximum number of sins a person can take with him into the Celestial Kingdom? See D&C 58:28-29; Matt. 19:16-26 (the foolish rich man); Those who attain exaltation must be cleansed from all their sins (D&C 76:52) Certainly there are kingdoms and reward to correspond with every level of obedience. However, it only takes one area of deficiency to keep us from all that our Father hath. (D&C 84:38) Thankfully, we have been given a probationary time to learn total obedience. Mosiah 4:27
Vs. 14-21 - Note the JST
Chapter 3
Vs. 2-12 If we learn to control our tongue, we can control? "Whenever you get red in the face, whenever you raise your voice, whenever you get hot under the collar or angry, rebellious, or negative in spirit, then know that the Spirit of God is leaving you and the spirit of Satan is beginning to take over." (Theodore M. Burton, Ensign, Nov. 1974 p. 56)
Vs. 14 - Envy is resentment over the good fortune of others. Strife is contention for superiority. And desire for superiority is the quintessential characteristic of Satan. (Moses 4:1)
Chapter 4
Vs. 1-12 - Double-mindedness means being torn between two enticements, being tossed to and fro by divided loyalties, attempting to give attention to both simultaneously, or devoting oneself to one and then the other, alternately. Either approach is fruitless, leaving the person fragmented and ineffective in both camps. Such an approach pleased the devil but not the Lord. He says no other Gods; seek first the kingdom of God; no man can serve two masters; put on the whole armor of God; experience a mighty change of heart; be firm and immovable. In a pluralistic world, some may see this posture as narrow, even bigoted and arrogant. The Savior was none of these. What do we do? See 4:4; 3:10; 1:8
Chapter 5
Vs. 1-6 - At 3 points in his epistle, James discusses riches, twice to warn about how transitory they are (1:9-11, 5:1-6) and once to decry using them as the reason for giving respect or honored social position (2:1-13). What is our attitude about riches and what do the scriptures say? D&C 59:16-20; James 2:1-9; 5:1-6; (Hedonism is a school of thought which argues that pleasure is the only intrinsic good), D&C 38:39; 3 Nephi 6:10-14; 4 Nephi 1:23-26; Jacob 2:18-19
Vs. 4 - Sabaoth has nothing to do with Sabbath. It comes from the Hebrew tzava'ot which means hosts. Christ is the Lord of Hosts.
Vs. 14 - Why olive oil? Anciently olive oil was considered to be the cleanest, clearest, brightest burning, and longest lasting of all the animal and vegetable oils. It was the purest of oils and would thus be appropriate for holy anointings. It was used to anoint; the tabernacle & parts thereof (Ex. 30:24-31), prophets, priests and kings, (1 Sam. 10:1, 16:13, 1 Kings 1:34, 39, 19:15-16. The word "Messiah" means-the anointed one. Pure olive oil is the symbol of the Savior himself and of his atonement. The Garden of Gethsemane (oil press in Hebrew). In the Garden, Jesus became like unto the olive, whose oil is pressed out. Throughout the ages the kingdom of God on earth has used symbols-physical objects and substances representing sacred powers and practices. Baptism- the water does not cleanse, it is the faith and repentance that allows God to remit sin. The sacrament symbols represent the body and blood of the Savior, but they have no redeeming value. So it is with administration to the sick: we apply hands and oil, the physical touch and the tangible substance, in the ordinance, but the hand and the oil do not heal. It is faith in Jesus Christ and his power that heal. The pure olive oil is the symbol of the greatest healing agent in the universe-Christ and his atonement. If there is no oil, then they should administer by the laying on of hands in the power of the priesthood and in the prayer of faith. (paraphrased from Ogden, p. 271-2)
o Vs. 19-20 - "Every person who is beginning the long journey of emancipating himself from the thralldom ((n) the state of being under the control of another person) of sin and evil will find comfort in the thought expressed by James. We could expand it somewhat and remind the transgressor that every testimony he bears, every prayer he offers, every sermon he preaches, every scripture he reads, every help he gives to stimulate and raise others-all these strengthen him and raise him to higher levels. The proper motivation for missionary work of any kind, as for all Church service, is of course love for fellowmen, but always such work has its by-product effect on one's own life. thus as we become instruments in God's hands in changing the lives of others our own lives cannot help but be lifted. One can hardly help another to the top of the hill without climbing there himself. (SWK - Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 205)
