Jacob Abshire

Introduction and Outline of James

The book of James is a practical guide for Christians facing trials, emphasizing that genuine faith is demonstrated through actions. Written by James, the half-brother of Jesus, to Jewish Christians scattered across the Roman Empire, this early New Testament letter urges believers to embrace trials as opportunities for growth, to live out their faith with integrity, and to seek God’s wisdom. Divided into three sections, James explores the purpose of trials, confronts readers with specific tests of faith, and concludes with a call to prayer and steadfastness. The letter challenges Christians to examine their faith, endure hardships with joy, and mature into complete followers of Christ.

Outline

As mentioned above, the book of James is divided into three major sections, with its middle section (Ja. 1:19-5:12) containing subsections of trials.

  1. The Test of Faith — 1:1-18
  2. The Trial of Works — 1:19-27
  3. The Trial of Partiality — 2:1-13
    • Principle, Illustration, and Indictment = 2:1-4
    • Six Reasons Why We Should Hate Partiality = 2:1-7
    • Defining Partiality = 2:1-13
    • Live Under the Law of Love = 2:8-13
  4. The Trial of Faith = 2:14-24
    • Three Characteristics of Dead Faith = 2:14-17
    • Deader Than Demons = 2:18-20
    • Dynamic Faith = 2:21-26
      • The Example of a Jewish Patriarch = 2:21-24
      • The Example of a Gentile Prostitute = 2:25-26
  5. The Trial of Speech = 3:1-12
  6. The Trial of Wisdom = 3:13-18
    • Big Idea: True Faith is Expressed through Wisdom from Heaven
    • The Challenge to Show Divine Wisdom = 3:13
    • The Evidence of Worldly Wisdom = 3:14-16
      • The Manifestation of Worldly Wisdom = 3:14
      • The Character of Worldly Wisdom = 3:15
      • The Outcome of Worldly Wisdom = 3:16
    • The Evidence of Heavenly Wisdom = 3:17-18
      • The Character of Heavenly Wisdom = 3:17
        • Heavenly Wisdom is Pure
        • Heavenly Wisdom is Peaceable
        • Heavenly Wisdom is Gentle
        • Heavenly Wisdom is Reasonable
        • Heavenly Wisdom is Merciful
        • Heavenly Wisdom is Fruitful
        • Heavenly Wisdom is Impartial
        • Heavenly Wisdom is Sincere
      • The Outcome of Heavenly Wisdom = 3:17
  7. The Trial of Loyalty = 4:1-12
    • Big Idea: True Faith is Expressed through Loyalty to God
    • The Diagnosis of Disloyalty = 4:1-3
      • The External Symptoms of Conflict = 4:1
      • The Internal System of Conflict = 4:2
      • The Spiritual Source of Conflict = 4:3
    • The Dangers of Disloyalty = 4:4-6
      • Disloyalty Opposes God’s Wishes = 4:4
        • Disloyalty is Friendship with the World
        • Disloyalty is Enmity with God
      • Disloyalty Ignores God’s Word = 4:5
      • Disloyalty Suffers God’s Wrath = 4:6
    • The Death of Disloyalty = 4:7-10
      • Surrender: Pledge Your Allegiance = 4:7
      • Sanctify: Purify Your Life = 4:8
      • Sadness: Mourn Your Sin = 4:9
      • Summary: Humble Yourself = 4:10
    • The Departure from Disloyalty = 4:11-12
      • The Prohibition = 4:11a
      • The Premise = 4:11b
      • The Problem = 4:11c
      • The Principle = 4:12a
      • The Interrogation = 4:12b
  8. The Trial of Planning = 4:13-17
    • Big Idea: True Faith is Expressed through Planning with God
    • The Presumptuous Person = 4:13
    • The Precarious Life = 4:14
    • The Providence Principle = 4:15
    • The Pretentious Evil = 4:16
    • The Prophetic Warning = 4:17
  9. The Trial of Wealth = 5:1-6
    • Big Idea: True Faith is Expressed through Stewarding God’s Blessings
    • The Denunciation of the Rich = 5:1
    • The Miseries of the Rich = 5:2-3
      • Your Riches are Perishing = 5:2
      • Your Riches are Testifying = 5:3a
      • Your Riches are Burning = 5:3b
    • The Indictment of the Rich = 5:3c-6
      • You Have Wasted Wealth = 5:3c
      • You Have Robbed Others = 5:4
        • The Wages Cry Out
        • The Workers Cry Out
      • You Have Lived Luxuriously = 5:5a
      • You Have Fattened Yourself = 5:5b
      • You Have Murdered Others = 5:6
    • The Enemy of the Rich = 5:6b
  10. The Trial of Suffering = 5:7-12
    • Big Idea: True Faith is Expressed through Patience in Suffering
    • Patience Commanded = 5:7-8
      • Patience is Required = 5:7a
      • Patience is Limited = 5:7b
      • Patience is Pictured = 5:7c
        • Patience & Precious Fruit = “waits for the precious fruit”
          1. Perfected Faith = 1:4
          2. Eternal Salvation = 1:12
          3. Jesus Christ = 5:7
        • Early & Late Rains = be patient, dependent
        • God’s work is what you are waiting to finish
      • Patience is Explained = 5:8a
      • Patience is Reverent = 5:8b
    • Impatience Judged = 5:9
      • Do not Grumble = 5:9a
      • The Judge is Ready = 5:9b
    • Patience Exemplified = 5:10-11
      • The Patience of the Prophets = 5:10
      • The Patience of the Sufferer = 5:11
    • Impatience Condemned = 5:12
      • Do not Swear = 5:12a
      • The Condemnation is Sure = 5:12b
  11. The Prayer of Faith = 5:13-20