Page 69 - Biblical Ethics Course

problems in their Christian practice. He knows that they are acquainted with the basic doctrines of the church
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and does not need to go over them again

James has a practical emphasis, stressing not theoretical knowledge, but godly behavior. James wrote with a
passionate desire for his readers to be single-mindedly obedient to the Word of God. James is all about faith and
wisdom coming to life through action. Trust in God can’t be confined to one compartment of life; it has
implications for everything. It affects how we speak and how we spend money.

James’s most important contribution to NT theology comes in the realm of ethics: “no other book of the New
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Testament concentrates so exclusively on ethical questions.” James says that if you can control your tongue,
you can control your other actions as well. Wise speech leads to wise actions, including the wise use of time and
resources (James.1:19–2:13; 5:1–6). Biblical faith cannot exist apart from acts of obedience to God. This is
James’s overriding concern in the passage in question, as he makes clear repeatedly: “faith by itself, if it is not
accompanied by action, is dead” (2:17)
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Watch your speech.

James 1:19–22 (NASB95)
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19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for
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the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that
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remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove
yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

Watch the purity of your Religion.

James 1:26–27 (NASB95)
26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this
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man’s religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit
orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Watch your motives.
James 2:1–4 (NASB95)
1 My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. For
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if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor
man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit
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here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” have
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you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?

Watch your love for the Neighbor
James 2:8 (NASB95) -Let love lead.
8 If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF,”
you are doing well.

37 Douglas J. Moo, The Letter of James, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester,
England: Eerdmans; Apollos, 2000), 27.
38 Ibid,.36.

39 Ibid,.38.

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