James 1 Study Notes

1:13-14 The twofold negative stance (God is not tempted and he himself doesn’t tempt anyone) emphatically denies that God leads people into temptation. The source of temptation is one’s own evil desire. “Desire” focuses on the immediacy that carnal desire creates, spurring a person to act, to be drawn away and enticed like a fish is baited to bite a hook and is then pulled from the water.

1:17 Father of lights refers to God (v. 5), who created the lights that rule days and seasons (Gn 1:14-19). Who does not change like shifting shadows alludes to the fact that God’s nature is unchanging and that his promises are secure.

1:18 Word of truth refers to the gospel, by which new birth comes. Firstfruits refers to the best that the harvest produces. God gives good gifts that yield wondrous fruit, not temptation that leads to death through wayward desires.

1:19-27 The focus of this section is on proper Christian conduct, especially regarding use of the tongue.

1:19-20 Proverbs has much to say on controlling the tongue to prevent outbursts of anger (e.g., Pr 10:19; 17:27-28). James reminds believers of the virtue of being quick to listen and slow to speak to avoid unrighteous anger.

1:21 Implanted word refers to the gospel as received by the believer.

1:22 The presence of the “implanted word” should produce more than idle listening. True worship leads to putting gospel exhortations into action.

1:23-25 In the contrast between the hearer of the word who looks at his own face in a mirror and yet forgets, and the doer of the word who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres, the distinction is found in whether the one who looks allows “the perfect law of freedom” (the gospel) to shape his life’s course. The person who hears and does “the word” puts faith into action and is blessed; his worship influences his life.

1:26-27 James made an observation about true religion. Just as the hearer looks in a mirror and forgets his own face, so the person who refuses to hold his tongue is deceived about his faith. He hears and talks, but he does not act on what he has heard. James’s definition of pure and undefiled religion is based on action, not heedless hearing and meaningless lip service. Care for orphans and widows has always been a special concern of God’s (e.g., Ex 22:22-24; Dt 10:18; Is 1:17).