CHAPTER ONE

 

 

1:2-4:  “patience” = According to these verses, if we master “patience” we will master everything else that we need in our Christian experience and walk with God.  Therefore, why not begin by making “patience” our highest priority?

 

“Impatience, then, is the result of a lack of faith.”  ST, September 29, 1887; HS:134.

 

1:4:  “work” = A key to help clarify James 1:4 & 25; 3:16 in regards to the word “work,” is to substitute it with “working faith.”

 

1:5:  “wisdom” = Taken in context, this asking for “wisdom” is in reference to asking of it in order to better know how to handle the trials of life (see verse 3).

 

“upbraideth” = The Greek word used here is, “oneidezo,” meaning, “to defame, reproach, revile, upbraid.”

 

“. . . ‘upbraideth not (any man for his lack of knowledge)’.”  GHA:122.

 

1:17:  “Perfect Gift” = I believe this is a reference to the gift of (being like) Jesus; not that every gift from our Lord is not “perfect,” but there is a definite separation in the structuring of this sentence:  “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,” i.e., the first mention is all the gifts, then the “perfect gift.”  See the separation?

 

“Father of lights” = This is a reference to Creation, i.e., The Creator.

 

“no variableness, neither shadow of turning” = See Numbers 23:19; First Samuel 15:29; Ecclesiastes 3:14-15; Psalm 89:34; 102:27; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 1:11-12; 13:8; First Peter 1:23.

 

1:18:  “Of His Own Will” = It has always been the “Will” of God that all be saved.

 

1:19:  “swift to hear” = Problems arise when we stop listening to God and to each other.

 

1:21:  “superfluity” = The Greek word used here is, “perisseia,” meaning, “abundance.”

 

“the engrafted Word” = This equals none other than the Ten Commandments.  See Exodus 32:16, where we have “graven upon the tables.”

 

1:22:  “doers” = Notice that only the “doers” are the ones qualified.

 

1:23:  “a glass” = Better, “a mirror.”  One can look into “a mirror” and see the dirt on one’s face.  However, one cannot get the dirt off of one’s face by rubbing one’s face against the “mirror’ (equaling God’s Law; Paul references this as the “schoolmaster,” Gal. 3:24-25).  One must go to a Higher source (equaling soap and water, i.e., Jesus Christ) in order to clean oneself up (equaling becoming presentable to the Father through the sacrifice of Jesus).

 

1:25 & 2:12:  “Perfect Law of liberty” = That the Ten Commandments equals the “Law of liberty” spoken of here, see James 2:8-12.

 

“The Divine Law, to which we are brought into subjection, is ‘the Law of Liberty.’ ”  DA:466.

 

“The Ten Commandments are called in the New Testament the Royal Law of Liberty.”  ST, October 17, 1895.

 

“[337] Says the great deceiver:  ‘We must watch those who are calling the attention of the people to the Sabbath of Jehovah; they will lead many to see the claims of the Law of God; and the same light which reveals the true Sabbath, reveals also the ministration of Christ in the Heavenly Sanctuary, and shows that the last work for man’s salvation is now going forward.  Hold the minds of the people in darkness till that work is ended, and we shall secure the world and the church [WHICH CHURCH?] also.

 

“The Sabbath is the great question which is to decide the destiny of souls.  We must exalt the Sabbath of our creating.  We have caused it to be accepted by both worldlings and church-members [WHICH CHURCH?]; now the church [WHICH CHURCH?] must be led to unite with the world [338] in its support.  We must work by signs and wonders to blind their eyes to the truth, and lead them to lay aside reason and the fear of God, and follow custom and tradition.

 

“I [Satan still speaking] will influence popular ministers to turn the attention of their hearers from the Commandments of God.  That which the Scriptures declare to be a Perfect Law of Liberty shall be represented as a yoke of bondage.  The people accept their ministers’ explanations of Scripture, and do not investigate for themselves.  Therefore by working through the ministers, I can control the people according to my will.’ ”  4SP:337-338.

 

1:25:  “doer” = Notice that only the “doer” is the one qualified.

 

“work” = See my James 1:4 Note.

 

 

CHAPTER TWO

 

 

2:8:  “Royal Law” = Same as “The Law of Liberty” in verses 1:25 & 2:12.

 

2:9:  “But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin” = James declares that showing favoritism to someone because of their wealth or power in society is a “sin,” which is breaking the Commandment to “love thy neighbor as thyself,” Matthew 22:39.

 

2:12:  “Law of liberty” = See my James 1:25 Note.

 

2:13:  “For He shall have judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy” = We will be judged based not only on what we have done but also on what we have not done; no mercy is to be shown when the character is not what it should be.  From “Albert Barnes Notes On The Bible” we read, “God will be impartial, and [we] should frame our lives accordingly.”  The word “judgment” is “Divine Judgment.”  With that understanding the “He” is referring to God.  To break it down then, God will have no mercy towards those who show no mercy to others.

 

“and mercy rejoiceth against judgment” = The Greek word for “rejoiceth” is, “katakauchaomai,” meaning, “glorieth.”  The Greek thought process is that of “boasting, glories, or exults.”  The idea is that of “glorying over,” such as where one is superior to another, or has gained a victory over another.

 

2:14 & 17 & 18 & 20 & 26:  “Faith without works” = You can have works without faith; however, by contrast, you cannot have faith without works.  The breakdown:  Actions speak louder than words.

 

“. . .though one cannot be saved without good works, yet these alone will not suffice to win eternal life.  After he has done all he can, Christ must impute to him His Own righteousness.”  2SP:205.

 

“That so-called faith in Christ which professes to release men from the obligation of obedience to God, is not faith, but presumption.”  SC:61.

 

2:19:  “one God” = Here is my Deuteronomy 6:4 Note:  The word “one” in Hebrew, “heis,” means one in unity, not in quantity.

 

The actual Hebrew is:  “Jehovah Elohyim ‘echad Yehovah.”  Equals, “God God one God.”  The three times of mentioning “God” is very plurality in interest.  The Hebrew “Elohyim” is always understood as meaning the plurality of the Godhead.

 

According to Genesis 2:24:  “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife:  and they shall be one flesh.”  This would be just “one” example of more than “one” personality becoming “one” in purpose.  When a husband and wife work together as a team they cannot be broken or separated.

 

“the devils also believe, and tremble” = An intellectual faith that has no effect on how we act is useless.  Notice that there is emotion (“tremble”) with their belief.  If we do not “tremble” or have “joy” or any type of emotion with our belief, we are not being genuine.

 

2:20:  “faith without works is dead” = “Doctrine” in the Hebrew line of thinking is what you do.  Whereas in the western line of thinking, although expressed in the Greek here, “Doctrine” is “what you believe,” regardless of what you do or do not do.

 

2:21-23:  “justified by works” = James is here quoting Genesis 15:6.  And if we go to Romans 4:3-6, we seem to have a contradiction.  What is really going on here is James is discussing cheap grace and Paul is discussing grace.

 

2:22:  “Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect” = This is the verse where “faith” is explained.

 

 

CHAPTER THREE

 

 

3:1:  “be not many masters” = Many wish to be teachers who have more need to learn.

 

“masters” = From “Albert Barns Notes On The Bible” we read:  “The word here rendered ‘masters’ (didaskaloi) should have been rendered ‘teachers.’  It is so rendered in Joh. 3:2; Act. 13:1; Rom. 2:20; 1Co. 12:28-29; Eph. 4:11; 1Ti. 2:11; 1Ti. 4:3; Heb. 5:12; though it is elsewhere frequently rendered master.  It has, however, in it primarily the notion of ‘teaching’ (“didasko”), even when rendered ‘master;’ and the word ‘master’ is often used in the New Testament, as it is with us, to denote an instructor -- as the ‘school-master.’ ”

 

3:11-12:  “fountain. . . fig tree” = Water quality depends on its source, just as roots extending out into a good soil source determines the fruit value.  James wants us to focus on only the good source of water, the “living water,” John 4:10, Jesus Christ.

 

3:14:  “glory not” = “. . . ‘glory not,’ tho you may suppose that you have gained the mastery in argument. . . You may be keen in argument, but with a controversial spirit God is not pleased.”  ST, October 30, 1901.

 

“lie not against the truth” = “What is lying against the truth?  It is claiming to believe the truth while the spirit, the words, the deportment, are representing the attributes of Satan and denying Christ.  To surmise evil, to be impatient and unforgiving, is lying against the truth.  Truth is ever pure in its operations, ever kind, breathing a Heavenly fragrance unmingled with selfishness.”  ST, October 30, 1901; 15MR:177-178.

 

3:16:  “work” = See my James 1:4 Note.

 

 

CHAPTER FOUR

 

 

4:4:  “friendship of the world” = “We may deny Christ in our life by the love of ease, love of self, jesting and joking, and by seeking the honor of the world.  We may deny him in our outward appearance, by a proud look or costly apparel, or by conformity to the world.  We shall not be able to exhibit in our character the life of Christ, or the sanctifying influence of the truth, only by constant watchfulness, and persevering and almost unceasing prayer.”  RH, April 22, 1862.

 

4:11:  “doer” = Note the word “doer,” then see James 4:17.

 

 

CHAPTER FIVE

 

 

5:1:  “miseries” = The Greek word used for “miseries” here is, “talaiporia,” which is used in Revelation 3:17 to describe the Church of Laodicea as “wretched.”  Knowing this, their true state comes out here.

 

5:4:  “kept back by fraud” = Could it be that this is the real problem that James has with the rich?  Has all his ranting’s against them brought us to this main point?

 

James 5:4; Romans 9:29:  “Lord of Sabaoth” = The concept that the Seventh Day Sabbath of God’s Ten Commandments is not mentioned in the New testament is taken care of here, and this verse should clear that perception up.

 

5:7:  “early and latter rain” = Here is my Revelation 14:14-20 Note:  In Revelation, Chapter 14, Verses 14-17, are referring to the Second Coming; while verses 18-20, are referring to the Third Coming of our Lord.

 

This Command, also used in verse 18, “Thrust in Thy sharp sickle,” is a direct allusion to Joel 3:13, and has the eschatological meaning of the last of the harvests to be gathered at the end of the harvest season.  It is used by our Lord in Mark 4:29.  However, in Matthew 13:39-43, we are told that the “reapers” are God’s “angels.”  And in the parable of the fish caught in the net, angels are the ones who separate the wicked from the righteous.  Thus, the role of God’s angels as “reapers,” sent by Jesus, to gather the righteous for the habitation of the kingdom of Heaven, is further affirmed in our Lord’s discourse upon the Mount of Olives (see Mat. 24:31; Mark 13:27).

 

However, whether or not the additional mention of “for the harvest of the earth is ripe” is present or not, the Biblical reference to the thrusting in of the “sickle” is a well-known Biblical metaphor for the eschatological judgment on the enemies of ancient Israel (see Jer. 51:33; Hos. 6:11; Joel 3:13) and the “harvest” of God’s people into His kingdom (Mat. 9:37-38; Luke 10:2; John 4:35-38).  Therefore, this action can both refer to the positive sense for the gathering of God’s people, and the negative aspect of the final abode and judgment of the wicked.

 

According to EV:701; FLB:246 & 333, this is none other than the “latter rain,” which equals “the baptism of the Holy Spirit.”

 

“The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was the ‘former rain,’ and glorious was the result.  But the ‘latter rain’ will be more abundant.”  AUCR, June 1, 1904; ChS:251; Ev:701; 8T:21; ML:60; ST, Feb. 17, 1914; YRP:287, 307.  [SDA’s:  Last sentence left out of AA:54-55 and LDE:184, but it is in LDE:185].

 

See if you agree with my breakdown of Zechariah 10:1:  “Ask ye of the LORD rain [for the Holy Spirit] in the time of the latter rain [the outpouring of the Holy Spirit]; so the LORD shall make bright clouds [a people worthy of the white robes of Heaven], and give them showers of rain [the outpouring of the Holy Spirit], to every one grass in the field [the indwelling of the Holy Spirit].”

 

“In the East the former rain falls at the sowing-time.  It is necessary in order that the seed may germinate [The Christian life begins].  Under the influence of the fertilizing showers [the Holy Spirit], the tender shoot springs up.  The latter rain, falling near the close of the season [close of probation], ripens the grain, and prepares it for the sickle [the Second Coming of our Lord].  The Lord employs these operations of nature to represent the work of the Holy Spirit [meaning, the rain represents the Holy Spirit].  As the dew and the rain are given first to cause the seed to germinate, and then to ripen the harvest, so the Holy Spirit is given to carry forward, from one stage to another, the process of spiritual growth.  The ripening of the grain represents the completion of the work of God’s grace in the soul [the latter rain].  By the power of the Holy Spirit the moral image of God is to be perfected [ready for transformation to Heaven] in the character.  We are to be wholly transformed into the likeness of Christ [ready for His Second Coming].  

 

“The latter rain, ripening earth’s harvest [close of probation], represents the spiritual grace that prepares the Church for the Coming of the Son of Man.  But unless the former rain has fallen, there will be no life; the green blade will not spring up.  Unless the early showers have done their work, the latter rain can bring no seed to perfection [ready for transformation to Heaven].  

 

“There is to be ‘first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.’ There must be a constant development of Christian virtue, a constant advancement in Christian experience.  This we should seek with intensity of desire, that we may adorn the doctrine of Christ our Saviour.

 

“Many have in a great measure failed to receive the former rain [the Holy Spirit].  They have not obtained all the benefits that God has thus provided for them.  They expect that the lack will be supplied by the latter rain [outpouring of the Holy Spirit].  When the richest abundance of grace shall be bestowed, they intend to open their hearts to receive it.  They are making a terrible mistake.  The work that God has begun in the human heart in giving His light and knowledge, must be continually going forward.  Every individual must realize his own necessity.  The heart must be emptied of every defilement [perfection of character], and cleansed for the indwelling of the Spirit.  It was by the confession and forsaking of sin, by earnest prayer and consecration of themselves to God, that the early disciples prepared for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit [there you have it; “the outpouring of the Holy Spirit”] on the day of Pentecost.  The same work, only in greater degree, must be done now.  Then the human agent had only to ask for the blessing [“Ask ye of the Lord rain”], and wait for the Lord to perfect [“perfect”] the work concerning him.  It is God Who began the work, and He will finish His work, making man complete [perfect] in Jesus Christ.  But there must be no neglect of the grace represented by the former rain [the Holy Spirit].  Only those who are living up to the light they have, will receive greater light.  Unless we are daily advancing in the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain [outpouring of the Holy Spirit].  It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it.”  RH, March 2, 1897, par. 4; FLB:333.

 

In addition, FLB:333; AG:220 ; Mar:256; add: “But near the close of earth’s harvest, a special bestowal of spiritual grace is promised to prepare the Church for the Coming of the Son of man.  This outpouring of the Spirit is likened to the falling of the latter rain.”

 

“Under the figure of the early and the latter rain, that falls in Eastern lands at seedtime and harvest, the Hebrew prophets foretold the bestowal of spiritual grace in extraordinary measure upon God’s Church.  The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was the beginning of the early, or [55] former, rain, and glorious was the result.  To the end of time the presence of the Spirit is to abide with the true Church.  But near the close of earth’s harvest, a special bestowal of spiritual grace is promised to prepare the Church for the Coming of the Son of man.  This outpouring of the Spirit is likened to the falling of the latter rain; and it is for this added power that Christians are to send their petitions to the Lord of the harvest. . .”  AA:54-55; AG:220; ChS:250-251; FLB:333; Mar. 256; OFC:212; YRP:316.

 

“The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost was the former rain, but the latter rain will be more abundant.  The Spirit awaits our demand and reception.  Christ is again to be revealed in His fullness by the Holy Spirit’s power.”  COL:121; DA 827; Ev:701; ST, Feb. 17, 1914.

 

“I saw that many were neglecting the preparation so needful, and were looking to the time of ‘refreshing’ and the ‘latter rain’ to fit them to stand in the day of the Lord, and to live in His sight.  Oh, how many I saw in the time of trouble without a shelter!  They had neglected the needful preparation, therefore they could not receive the refreshing that all must have to fit them to live in the sight of a Holy God.”  CET:112; EW:71.

 

“Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them.  It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul-temple of every defilement.  Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost.”  CET:189; CCh:334.

 

“At that time the ‘latter rain,’ or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out.”  EW:85.

 

“I was pointed down to the time when the third angel’s message was closing.  The power of God had rested upon His people; they had accomplished their work and were prepared for the trying hour before them.  They had received the latter rain, or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and the living testimony had been revived.  The last great warning had sounded everywhere, and it had stirred up and enraged the inhabitants of the earth who would not receive the message.”  EW:279.

 

“Today you are to have your vessel purified, that it may be ready for the Heavenly dew, ready for the showers of the latter rain; for the latter rain will come, and the blessing of God will fill every soul that is purified from every defilement.  It is our work today to yield our souls to Christ, that we may be fitted for the time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord -- fitted for the baptism of the Holy Spirit.”  Ev:701.

 

“The great work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the power of God than marked its opening.  The prophecies which were fulfilled in the outpouring of the former rain at the opening of the gospel, are again to be fulfilled in the latter rain at its close.”  FLB:332.

 

5:11:  “end of the Lord” = That is, what our Lord gives as a successful conclusion.

 

5:12:  “above all” = Despite all of James previous instructions, this, to him, is the most important, i.e., I believe, “honesty.”  Honesty with one’s self and with others.  His entire letter covers:  filthiness (1:21); favoritism (2:1, 9); evil surmising (2:4); evil speaking (3:10; 4:11); envy (3:14); quarreling (4:1); and worldliness (4:4, 13, 14).  Then he counters with solutions that could all be “above all’s:” faith (1:3, 6); the engrafted Word (1:21); beholding the Law of Liberty (1:25; 2:12); visiting the afflicted (1:27); showing mercy (2:13); single-mindedness (3:13); Godly wisdom (3:17); and having a pure heart (4:8); and most importantly, “swear not,” (5:12), i.e., keep your word; to name a few.

 

According to our Lord’s instructions upon this subject, He states:

 

“[34] But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by Heaven; for it is God’s throne:

[35] Nor by the earth; for it is His footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

[36] Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

[37] But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay:  for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”  Matthew 5:34-37.

 

Therefore, it would appear that if we are “honest” in all affairs of this life we are on the road to salvation.

 

5:13:   “afflicted” = The Greek word used here is “kakopatheo,” and is from the same root as the word used earlier to refer to the suffering of the prophets (in verse 10).  It refers to both physical and mental suffering -- first and foremost from the danger and toil of war, according to Ceslas Spicq, in his work, “Theological Lexicon of the New Testament,” volume 2, page 239.  But it refers also to exhausting manual labor and costly effort.  It is used in Second Timothy 2:9 and 4:5 to describe the hard apostolic labor that is not deterred by any difficulty or suffering, according to “Theological Lexicon of the New Testament,” volume 2, page 2400).

 

“pray. . . sing” = The time to pray and the time to praise are more intertwined than we generally think.

 

5:14-15:  “any sick among you” = Here is given instruction as to what to do if “any [be] sick among you.”  See Mark 6:13 where this was done as a normal practice.

 

“You inquire if we should pray for none that are sick except those in the third angel’s message, or pray for all that shall make application, et cetera.  It is those that are among us.  God had shown me those who keep God’s Commandments are to have nothing to do [in anointing and special prayer] for the sick of those who are daily trampling them underfoot unless it is in some special case where souls are convicted of the truth and are decided to move out upon it.  The partition wall between Commandment keepers and those who trample them underfoot should be kept.”  EY:404.

 

“Praying for the sick is a most solemn thing, and we should not enter upon this work in any careless, hasty way.  Examination should be made as to whether those who would be blessed with health have indulged in evil speaking, alienation, and dissension.  Have they sowed discord among the brethren and sisters in the Church?  If these things have been committed they should be confessed before God and before the Church.  When wrongs have been confessed, the subjects of prayer may be presented before God in earnestness and faith, as the Spirit of God may move upon you.”  AY:40-41.

 

5:16:  “Confess your faults one to another” = “Says the apostle:  ‘Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.’  This scripture has been interpreted to sustain the practice of going to the priest for absolution, but it has no such application.  Confess your sins to God who only can forgive them, and your faults one to another.  If you have given offense to your friend or neighbor, you are to acknowledge your wrong, and it is his duty to freely forgive you.  Then you are to seek the forgiveness of God, because the brother whom you wounded is the property of God, and in injuring him you sinned against his Creator and Redeemer.  The case is not brought before the priest at all, but before the only True Mediator, our great High Priest.”  ST, March 16, 1888 paragraph 9.

 

“Confess your sins to God, Who only can forgive them, and your faults to one another.  If you have given offense to your friend or neighbor, you are to acknowledge your wrong, and it is his duty freely to forgive you.  Then you are to seek the forgiveness of God, because the brother you have wounded is the property of God, and in injuring him you have sinned against his Creator and Redeemer.”  SC:23; 5T:639; ST, March 16, 1888 paragraph 9; FLB:128.2.

 

5:19:  “err from the truth” = Meaning he was in the truth.  For those who would promote the doctrine of “Once Saved Always Saved,” this passage presents a firm denial of such a false teaching.  Disagree?  See my Bible Study:  “ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED.”