JAMES OUTLINE
A. Ralph Johnson
THEME: Salvation includes works, not faith only. We must be doers of the word and not hearers only.
Written by James of Jerusalem, about 69 AD.
“To the twelve tribes scattered abroad”
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CHAPTERS & KEY WORDS |
5ch(6) (brief) |
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1: Patience |
GREETING (1:1)
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I. EXHORTATION TO FAITHFULNESS IN ADVERSITY (1:2-27) |
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A. Facing temptation |
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1. Count trials of your faith a joy –they work patience(1:2-4) |
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2. Lack wisdom, ask God (1:5-8) |
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3. Poor or rich, be thankful (1:9-11) |
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B. Endure temptation—not excusing it (1:12) |
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1. God does not tempt us—it comes from our lusts (13-16) |
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2. God gives only good gifts (17) |
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C. Overcoming temptation—by the word of truth (1:18-27) |
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We were begotten by the word (19-21) –therefore: |
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1. Be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath (19-20) |
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2. Lay aside wickedness (21a) |
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3. Receive the word (21b) |
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4. Be doers of the word, not just hearers (22-27) |
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a. Bridle the tongue (26) |
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b. Visit the fatherless and the widows (27a) c. Keep unspotted from the world (27 b) |
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2: Faith |
II. THE NATURE OF GODLY FAITH (2:1-26) |
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A. It shows love to one’s neighbor -- not respect of persons. (2:1-13) |
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B. Godly faith works. Faith alone is dead (2:14-26)
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3: Tongue |
III. IMPORTANCE OF MASTERING SELF (3:1--4:17) |
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A. Warning of accountability of teachers (3:1) |
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B. Danger of the unbridled tongue (3:2-12) |
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C. Let the wise master relationships with others (3:13) -Wisdom from above is peaceable—strife is from beneath (14-18) |
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4: Wars |
-Wars and conflicts come from uncontrolled lusts (4:1-6) |
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D. Submit yourselves to God (4:7-10) |
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E. Speak not against brothers (4:11-12) |
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F. Beware of boastful attitudes “If the Lord wills” (13-16)
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5: Rich |
IV. WARNING OF COMING JUDGMENT UPON THE RICH (5:1-6)
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V. EXHORTATION TO PATIENCE WAITING FOR THE LORD (5:7-11)
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VI. CONCLUDING EXHORTATIONS (5:12-20) |
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A. Let your word be reliable (Let your yea be yea). Do not swear -- (5:12) |
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B. Let God be your focus (13-18) |
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-When suffering, pray (13a) |
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-When joyful, sing Psalms (13b) |
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-When sick, call for the Elders to pray (14-18) |
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C. Restore the erring (19-20) |
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James was killed by being thrown from the temple roof and then stoned
Josephus cites his sentence to be stoned. (Antiquities, Book 20, chapter 9:1 #200)
Origen [180 A.D.], contended the calamity upon the Jews in 70 AD was because they killed James (Against Celsus, Book 1, chapter 47)