Logan Daily begins our series on the Letter of James by discussing some of the context for the book, and working through the first chapter.
A
B
C
D
C'
B'
Possible James Chiasm Structures
A. 1:2-8 – Trials, faith, steadfastness
B. 1:9-27 – Suffering, patience, etc.
C. 2:1-7 – Rich and “the poor man”
D. 2:8-13 – Love, liberty, and mercy
E. 2:14-26 – Justification [dikaio] & works
F. 3:1-12 – The tongue
E’ 3:13-18 – Righteousness [dikaiosune], Wisdom, & works
D’ 4:1-12 – The members at war
C’ 4:13-5:6 – Rich & “the righteous one”
B’ 5:7-18 – Suffering, patience, coming judgment, fruit, etc.
A’ 5:19-21 – Wandering, sin, death
B. Rich will fade – 1:9-11
C. Lustfulness – 1:12-15
D. Perfect Gift – 1:16-25
E. Restraining the tongue – 1:26
F. Religion in deed – 1:27
G. Distinctions of rich and poor – 2:1-13
F’. Faith in works – 2:14-26
E’. Restraining the tongue – 3:1-12
D’. Wisdom as a perfect gift – 3:13-18
C’. Lustfulness and sin – 4:1-12
B’. Ways of the rich – 4:13-5:6
A’. Patience in suffering – 5:7-20
Your problems are yours. No one else’s desires control you.God is always rooting for you. He isn’t toying with you and He isn’t ignoring you.The word isn’t a magic bullet or some kind of instant fix.Real faith is a journey. It requires movement and demands action.