Expedition 44

James 5

James 5:1-6

James begins with a scathing reprimand against the rich in his congregation for trusting in their possessions.  James continues his message to the rich from chapter 4 and tells them to weep and wail over their riches. 

“in these last days you have stored up your treasure”

Last days was a common way to talk about the time after Jesus rose from the dead. (Acts 2:17; 2 Tim. 3:1; Heb. 1:2; 2 Pet. 3:3; 1 John 2:18; Jude 18 all use “last days” to talk about their present day.)

Workers and wages

The law of Moses forbade withholding wages, even overnight; if the injured worker cried out to God, God would avenge him (Deut 24:14–15; cf., e.g., Lev 19:13; Prov 11:24; Jer 22:13; Mal 3:5). The rich have fattened hearts for the day of slaughterThe picture here is of the rich being fattened like cattle for the day of their own slaughter (cf., e.g., Jer 12:3; Amos 4:1–3); similar imagery appears in parts of the early apocalyptic work 1 Enoch (94:7–11; 96:8; 99:6). As often in the Old Testament (Amos 6:4–7), the sin in verse 5 is not exploitation per se (as in v. 4) but a lavish lifestyle while others go hungry or in need.James is saying that it is not the workers who are against the rich, but God himself is. They have lived in luxury while the poor starve from not being paid and God is pissed. 

James 5:7-12

James returns to his opening argument about trials and addressed the poor telling them to have perseverance.James is telling the poor to leave vengeance to the Lord. This is part of wisdom and found throughout the psalms and proverbs as well as Paul in Romans 12:19-21 

Prophets and Job

The prophets often suffered for doing what God called them to do. God is calling them to be patient and allow Him to repay. The whole structure of the book of Job was probably meant to encourage Israel after the exile; although God’s justice seemed far away and they were mocked by the nations, God would ultimately vindicate them and end their captivity. Again, James is telling the audience to rest in God’s Character (v11)- The Lord who is full of compassion and Mercy (Ex 34:6-7)

Oaths

It is obvious that James is quoting Jesus in Matthew 5:33-37 here in verse 12. Many commentators bring up the zealot oath when commenting on this verse in James. Craig Blomberg says: “Oaths can force us into behavior that does not glorify God.” James 5:13-20James’ call to nonresistance doesn’t mean he’s calling the church to pretend that these things don’t matter. God is a God of justice. James calls his church to fight…. In prayer and in care for one another. 

Confession and prayer

Protestants get a little worried about confession. But here James commands it. We are called to confess to each other (not to a priest necessarily). We have the tendency to make this just a thing between us and God. The emphasis here is on community. Confess to each other, pray for each other. Vulnerability and accountability is so important in our growth as disciples. The Body of Christ is need to grow up into the fullness of Christ in each one of us. Confession also brings restoration between factions in the Body 

Conclusions:

James warns about putting trust in the things of this world such as riches. Even more he warns against the neglect of the needy. When we are in trials we are to count it joy and have endurance. In this endurance we are to take on the mind of Christ and leave revenge to the Lord. He will bring justice. It is not our job to use violent resistance.Instead, we are to resist through prayer and confession. This will bring unity to the Body of Christ and form us into the people we are called to be. Prayer also opens us up to the power of God so that we can be used to bring healing and restoration to others. 

James 4

James 4:1-12 is an extension of James 3:13-18. James is addressing the zealot and revolutionary mindset in the church which is framed as wisdom from below which is worldly, demonic, and natural (fleshly).  Rather than the wisdom from above which is about peacemaking. 

Friendship with the world (v1-5)

Fighting vs. peacemaking The point is that God will not share his people with the world. He expect them also to be faithful and not adulterous with the world systems. Going after the things of the world is to worship another godThe solution:

Prayer and humility (v6-10)

Humility was a central characteristic of Jesus- not pride or power seeking. It was power under and not over. The zealot mindset was rooted in pride thinking it was God’s will yet it looked nothing like Jesus and the way of humility. Prayer forms us a seems to be the way that we overcome thisPrayer is more than asking God for things. James says to ask with God’s motives in mind. He also says to draw near. Prayer also resists the evil one (Lord’s prayer) …Prayer does all of this. It aligns us with God and his heart. It helps detach us from the world. 

Disunity and Judgement (v11-12)

James now turns in 11-12 to addressing violent speech. He just dealt with motivations and actions and now goes to speech rooted in the heart. 

Prov 6:16-19 Disunity in the church is proof we are more like the world than like Jesus

James 4:13-17

Those tending towards the zealot mindset were likely those being oppressed (the poor). Now James turn more towards the rich but still riffing on the topic of wisdom from above vs. the world. He’s specifically targeting materialism and individualism and how it leads to putting trust in ourselves and not in God. Likewise, making our own plans rather than seeking God’s path. 

Conclusions:

This section is an expansion of the contrast of the Wisdom of God vs. the wisdom of the world. 

·      The world’s wisdom is self-seeking, God’s wisdom is focused on others and rooted in God’s character

·      The world seeks power over others, God’s way is power under (power through serving)

·      The world’s way is pride, God’s way is humility

·      The world trusts in its possessions and selfish ambition, those who trust in God seek His provision and plan.

James 3 connects to the theme of wisdom in James 1:5-8 of seeking wisdom and not being double minded, James 1:19 speaking of wisdom as being slow to speak, and the expansion of it in James 1:26 where James talks about the tongue and the one who does not bridle it having worthless religion because his heart is deceived.

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Expedition 44

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James expands on James 1:9-11 here and deals with the sin of favoritism. 

 Favoritism (prosopolempsia) literally means to “lift up face” or to “receive face”. It describes the basis of receiving someone based on external appearance.

  It’s also interesting to note that 2:1 is the last time we see Jesus mentioned in this epistle.

  The big idea here is that our faith leads us to not treat certain people better than others. In the rest of this chapter James will get at faith and actions of love being 2 sides of the same coin.  

Conclusions- Paul vs. James… 

o It has been argued that James and Paul are talking about 2 different points of faith. Paul is talking about entrance into a community (who’s in and who’s out) and James is talking about who’s already in and how to live your faith. Faith results in action. 

o If this is so Paul is saying trust is what puts you in but once you are “in” you need to walk the journey by embodying Christ’s faithfulness (James’ POV). Trust is just the starting line. 

o James and Paul both seem to be against easy-believism. The analogy of a marriage or a friendship (James 2:23) is fitting… If I simply believe I am married or someone’s friend and that as far as it goes, simply affirming that fact- what happens? If I am married or a friend I will invest in the relationship and live according to that. 

o “Works” in James are work of love (The Royal Law), “Works” in Paul are works of Torah that marked someone out as Jewish. 

o James and Paul both affirm actions that flow out of faith (faithfulness)… true faith results in action. See the end of Galatian and the fruit of the Spirit, See Romans 12 and the actions and mindset that come along with being a living sacrifice, See all that we covered in James today. 

o James and Paul might be talking about different situations but they agree that you are saved by faith and works that working together in love. True faith fulfills the Royal Law.

James expands on James 1:9-11 here and deals with the sin of favoritism. 

 Favoritism (prosopolempsia) literally means to “lift up face” or to “receive face”. It describes the basis of receiving someone based on external appearance.  It’s also interesting to note that 2:1 is the last time we see Jesus mentioned in this epistle. 

 The big idea here is that our faith leads us to not treat certain people better than others. In the rest of this chapter James will get at faith and actions of love being 2 sides of the same coin.  

Paul vs. James… 

o It has been argued that James and Paul are talking about 2 different points of faith. Paul is talking about entrance into a community (who’s in and who’s out) and James is talking about who’s already in and how to live your faith. Faith results in action. 

o If this is so Paul is saying trust is what puts you in but once you are “in” you need to walk the journey by embodying Christ’s faithfulness (James’ POV). Trust is just the starting line. 

o James and Paul both seem to be against easy-believism. The analogy of a marriage or a friendship (James 2:23) is fitting… If I simply believe I am married or someone’s friend and that as far as it goes, simply affirming that fact- what happens? If I am married or a friend I will invest in the relationship and live according to that. 

o “Works” in James are work of love (The Royal Law), “Works” in Paul are works of Torah that marked someone out as Jewish. 

o James and Paul both affirm actions that flow out of faith (faithfulness)… true faith results in action. See the end of Galatian and the fruit of the Spirit, See Romans 12 and the actions and mindset that come along with being a living sacrifice, See all that we covered in James today. 

o James and Paul might be talking about different situations but they agree that you are saved by faith and works that working together in love. True faith fulfills the Royal Law.

James 1 3 main points of the letter which fall under the Law of liberty/Royal Law 

·      How to face trials (and their purpose)

 ·      Wisdom from above (not the World) 

·      Love for brothers and sisters (speak in love, care for the poor, no favoritism or hierarchy) 

1:2-4 

Joy 

Purpose of trials 

Perfection. This is not moral perfection (watch our perfection episode). This is about wholeness. The word here is teleios- the goal. In a sacrificial context it’s something fit to offer to God.  

Completeness. Becoming fit for service in humility.

 Lacking Nothing. If we meet our testing in the right way, if day by day we develop this unswerving constancy, day by day we will live more victoriously and reach nearer to Jesus Christ himself. 

1:5-8 

Proverbs 9:10- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 

What is wisdom? Wisdom from a biblical perspective begins with following the God who has now revealed himself in Jesus Christ 

James bases the request for wisdom in God’s character… “who gives to all generously and without reproach” 

Luke 11:11-13 

This has more to do with doubting God’s character than with doubting that God will answer them. Wisdom comes from knowing God’s nature Ex 34:6-7 

James describes this person as double minded or double souled. There is a civil war going on inside. 

1:9-11 

The upside-down kingdom

 In Jesus’ teaching, Matthew and Luke’s versions of the first beatitude (Mt 5:3, Lk 6:20) combine to show that the “poor” who are blessed are both the economically marginalized and those who trust in God as their only hope. 

The rich person must look beyond his wealth. The rich in scripture are often linked to those who trust in themselves or their possession rather than God for their deliverance. Wealth also came with social honor and status in the Roman world. James is cutting down the notion of hierarchy in the church based on a status. 

James draws on Isaiah 40:6-8 to point out that his money and possession are temporary and will fade away. 

1:12-18 

Blessed Verses 13-15 talk about how a trial or test can turn into a temptation when faced without joy and wisdom James talks about the life cycle of sin.  In V16 James says do not be deceived. Again, James is basing everything on God’s character because he continues in 17-18 to show that God is only good and the giver of good gifts. V18 connects our new birth to Wisdom (the word of truth) who is Jesus and our purpose in Him. 1:19-26 James returns to the topic of wisdom from above vs. worldly wisdom and applies to the love of neighbor in verses 19-27. There are 3 parts to this section: 19-21, 22-25, and 26. V19 introduces the section about being quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. 20-21 expounds on slow to anger, 22-25 is about being quick to hear, 26 is about being slow to speak. The perfect Law of liberty (James 2:8) James speaks about the necessity of orthopraxy (correct action) this is based in orthodoxy (correct belief). If one only has orthodoxy this is worthless religion. 1:27 James contrasts V27 with V26 and describes what pure religion (devotion and worship) looks like. James lists 2 things of what pure religion is: visiting orphans/widows and remaining unstained by the world. James clarifies that social justice is very important but not by itself sufficient for “true religion”. The second crucial aspect is to keep yourself unstained by the world. World (kosmos) is used 3 other times in James (2:5; 3:6; 4:4) and each time it is talking about the fallen world systems. These 2 tasks must be held in balance- serving the needy and personal/communal purity.

Dr. Ryan and Matt interview Michael Gaddy on Christianity and the Constitution. 

Michael Gaddy formerly worked in national intelligence and with source documents in the national archives related to the founding of the United States. He is a walking history book and has a passion for teaching real history based on the facts of these source documents. Much of the content of this interview will challenge the narrative of what you were taught in history class in school.