Full Answer
What is the meaning of James 1?
He's essentially saying, “Watch your words. Don't just listen to God's word; put it into action, or your words will invalidate your faith.” There are many ways we put faith into action and let God's word change us, but the direct context here is in our language.
What does it mean to fall into divers temptations?
Temptations come in many different forms. “Divers temptations” mean many different kinds. We're tempted to lie, cheat, steal, commit adultery, and murder, etc. A temptation puts to test what a Christian says they believe to find out if they really believe it.
What does it mean to let patience have its perfect work?
It's about facing problems with a sense of confidence that God, divine Truth, is always active and helping us gain a higher, more spiritual understanding of life – just as leaven helps the dough to rise. And when patience has “its perfect work,” the result is healing.
What does the trying of your faith worketh patience mean?
In fact patience is the outcome of faithfulness, for it says in James 1:3, “The trying of your faith worketh patience.” There is absolutely no other way in which to gain patience. It has to come by the trial of our faith.
What does divers mean in the Bible?
Various; several; sundry. adjective. 16. 6. (archaic) Diverse.
What does the Bible mean when it says count it all joy when you fall into divers temptation?
To count it all joy when we face trials, we must evaluate the difficulties in life with eyes of faith and see them in light of God's good purpose. To put it plainly, when all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, don't resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends!
What does it mean by lacking nothing?
Definition of lack/want for nothing : to have everything one needs Their children lack/want for nothing.
For when your faith is tested your endurance has a chance to grow?
3For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. 5If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
What did James say about perseverance?
Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
Who through faith and patience inherit the promises?
Here it points to our Imitation of those who through Faith and Patience inherit the Promises: and strongly implies our diligent Endeavour to be like them, and in our Times and Places, to live and do as they. (g. * on Heb. xiii.
What does worketh mean?
workVerb. worketh. (archaic) third-person singular simple present indicative form of work quotations ▼
What is the spiritual meaning of James?
In fact, the name James means the same exact thing as Jacob—“supplanter” or substitute—and comes from the original Hebrew word for Jacob. Because of its connection to Jacob, James is a Biblical name (two of Jesus' apostles were named James).
What does James 1:2-4 mean?
Before we end I want you to hear James 1:2-4 paraphrased in The Message (on your screen there is a different translation), “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way” (Msg).
When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy?
For you know that when your faith is tested….” Let’s stop right here and focus on this word “tested” (dokimion). This word “tested” has two aspects to its meaning. It’s important that you understand this so that you have a better understanding of what’s happening within your test.
What does it mean to have saving faith?
Every believer has saving faith, this means you trusted Jesus to save you, forgive you, and you believed that what Jesus did on the cross was for you. You have saving faith. Now, as a follower of Jesus you will find yourself at one of three levels of faith. Let me introduce to you these three levels of faith.
What is the context of James 1:2-18?
James 1:2–18 begins with a challenging command for Christians. We are to classify hard things in their lives as ''joyful,'' because those ordeals help us develop a deeper trust in God. Christians who trust God also seek wisdom from Him—and not from ungodly sources.
Why do people trust God?
People who trust God don't blame Him for their desire to sin; they give Him credit for all that is good in their lives. They look into His Word, and they act on what they see there.
What does James 1:2 mean?
Answer. In some English translations of the Bible, James 1:2 contains the clause count it all joy. It is the first command James gives in his epistle; to understand what he means by it, we must look at the full passage and surrounding verses: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, ...
What does James say about trials?
James wants believers to know to expect “trials of various kinds” ( James 1:2) in the Christian life. We should be prepared and not caught off guard when a sudden trial comes upon us. Trials are part of the Christian experience. Jesus told His disciples, “In this world you will have trouble” ( John 16:33 ). Typically, a trial is not an occasion ...
Why does James encourage Christians to embrace trials?
They promote joy because they produce holiness in the life of steadfast believers. James encourages Christians to embrace trials not for what they presently are, but for the outcome God will accomplish through them. James 1:12 promises, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, ...
Why do trials give us joy?
We can count it all joy in trials because in them we learn to depend on God and trust Him.
What did Joseph say to his brothers?
Joseph was able to see God’s sovereign hand in it all. Mature and complete, Joseph spoke these words of forgiveness to his brothers: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” ( Genesis 50:19–20 ). James 1:4 says a believer who perseveres through trials is made “perfect.”.
What does the word "count" mean in the Bible?
The word count is a financial term, and it means “to evaluate.”. When James says to “count it all joy,” he encourages his readers to evaluate the way they look at trials. He calls believers to develop a new and improved attitude that considers trials from God’s perspective. James wants believers to know to expect “trials ...
Is a trial an occasion for joy?
Typically, a trial is not an occasion for joy. James isn’t suggesting that we pursue trials or court hardship; neither are we to pretend that trials are enjoyable to endure. Trials are difficult and painful. But they exist for a purpose.
SUMMARY
The chapter includes practical ‘how to live life’ instructions on dealing with tests and trials capped off by an admonition basic to all believers, doing the Word.
DEFINITIONS
Brother; a male from the same womb. 2; also brother or sister or siblings as Acts 1:15-16 shows. This ‘all encompassing’ definition is the sense here.
COMMENTS
The word ‘brethren’ in Greek means brothers of the same womb. The term is unisex. Brothers, in the Christian sense, come from the same spiritual womb – the same Holy Spirit. The blood of Jesus, our elder brother ( Romans 8:29 ), made us family. The bond between the saints of God are like double helix DNA strands.
When ye fall into, what is the meaning of "all joy"?
So allis taken, 1 Timothy 1:15. When ye fall into; when ye are so beset and circumvented by them, that there is no escaping them, but they come upon you, though by the directeth of God’s providence, yet not by your own seeking.
What does the Apostle Paul mean by "use"?
By use (or habit, more properly) our senses may be exercised to the discernment of good and evil. The grace of God given to the soul is capable of growth and enlargement, like the powers of body and mind.
What does Matthew Poole say about my brethren?
My brethren; both as being of the same nation and the same religion; so he calls them, that the kindness of his compellation might sweeten his exhortations. Count it; esteem it so by a spiritual judgment, though the flesh judge otherwise. All joy; matter of the chiefest joy, viz. spiritual.
What does Matthew 5:10 mean?
Hence our Lord declared those to be blessed who were persecuted for righteousness’ sake, Matthew 5:10; and exhorted such, (Matthew 5:42,) to rejoice and be exceeding glad; sentiments which doubtless the Apostle James had in his eye when he spoke to the Jewish Christians in this manner.
Is there a condition of life that hinders rejoicing in God?
No condition of life is such as to hinder rejoicing in God. Those of low degree may rejoice, if they are exalted to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom of God; and the rich may rejoice in humbling providences, that lead to a humble and lowly disposition of mind. Worldly wealth is a withering thing.
Is innocence a sin?
Innocence is a grace indeed, and yet there is a higher stage of the same virtue, viz., the purity which has been won by long and often bitter conflict with the thousand suggestions of evil from without, stirring up the natural impurity within. Temptation is not sin.
Is a Christian soldier more trustworthy than a raw recruit?
And just as the veteran who has proved his armour well, and learned to face habitual danger as a duty, is more trustworthy than a raw recruit, however large of limb and stout of heart, so with the Christian soldier.
Verse Thoughts
Many believers think that our Christian life should be problem-free and devoid of trials and yet Jesus warned that in this world we will have tribulation, while Paul also reminds us that we must, through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
My Prayer
Heavenly Father, there are times when I complain about the trials and tests that seem to pepper my walk through life - but I pray that I may increasingly learn to regard the various trials I face as pure joy.. and the inevitable difficulties that come my way as a glorious opportunity to rejoice in You.