In james 4 there is a logical progression throughout the chapter, while still allowing some verses to cover individual topics. The book of james chapter 4 a bible study for families. Commentary on the book of james by matthew henry new. The epistle of james chapter three objectives in studying the chapter 1 to appreciate the power and danger of the tongue 2 to understand the difference between heavenly wisdom, and that which is earthly, sensual, and demonic summary james begins this chapter with a caution against many becoming teachers. James 4, new king james version nkjv the bible app.
The false wisdom that comes from envy and selfish ambition produces disorder 3. Leader preparation lesson overview in the fourth chapter of his letter, james addresses jealousy, pride, judgment, and boastingand he warns us of the damaging effects of these poisons. Chapter context the book of james is about what it means for a christian to live a life of complete trust in god. James, the father of judas, not iscariot see john 14. Book of james bible study chapter 4 washington first. The life application bible commentary series provides versebyverse explanation, background, and application for every verse in the new testament. David guzik commentary on james 4, where james emphasizes the humble character of a living faith and of a dependency on god. The purpose of jamess discussion of the tongue and wisdom appears in this next section. We know very little about the relationship between james and.
Your prayer life or lack thereof reveals the focus of your heart. James 4 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary is one of the most respected interdenominational commentaries ever written. You, the bible, and the holy spirit are priority in interpretation. Zebedee the father of the disciples james and john. James james the half brother of jesus is the likely author of the book of james. The sermonic nature of this epistle is quite pronounced in this chapter, as in the. On week two we begin a five week study around the book of james. Again, james looks back to the sermon on the mount when he uses murder to express more than actual killing, but also as an inward condition of heart, shown. Here, in chapter 4, james says to these very readers that a worldly, unspiritual road is the very one they have been following. The book of james niv audio holy bible high quality and best speed book 59 duration. J b mayor in dictionary of the bible, edited by j hastings. Oesterley thought that for the most part this epistle is a collection of independent sayings.
Book of james bible study chapter four online bible study. Title, author, date, background, setting, historical, theological themes, interpretive challenges, outline by chapter verse. James is a book that many of us know random verses from, yet we tend to not really know the book that well. Chapter 4 builds on the end of chapter 3, where james described the selfseeking wisdom of the world. James 4 niv submit yourselves to god what causes bible. James has a strong ethical emphasis thats consistent with the moral teachings jesus gave to his disciples. Study the bible online using commentary on james 3 and more. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament.
There are a number of ways to outline the book to grasp the. It is not necessary to apply these verses through james 4. The allusions to romans may be because this letter too was in circulation amongst the dispersed jewish believers. James was not a believer in jesus christ as the messiah until after jesus resurrection. The double mindedness in the hearts of the individual brethren was inevitably reflected in the members of the ecclesial body cp. Following this worldliness was the cause of fights among jamess christian readers.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading be mature james. When you have finished reading the chapter devote several minutes to your answers. It is related to the improper use of the tongue as in chapter 3. The chapter closes with an affirmation that to him that knows how to do good and does it not, to him it is sin, james 4. Harley howard 8 if ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well.
The god of the universe owes us nothing, including his closeness. How should we respond if we realize weve been living according to worldly wisdom, driven by envy and selfish ambition to get what we want. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in jesus christ. Allow yourself several lines between each question. Read james 3 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. Small group starter questions james is still talking to christians. Upon completion of the study, it is recommended that you discuss your answers and insights with other bible students who also completed the workbook.
It shows what happens to christians and churches when they chose to live for selfish desires and for the things of this world rather than god. Part of the reason for this is that james is like proverbs in that many of its verses really stand alone in their content. In another place he wrote of the book of james, i think highly of the epistle of james, and regard it as valuable. Of these james treats in chapter 4 and shows that submission to the will of god enables one to overcome all these tendencies and so to walk in faith, looking to. This is the significance of the introductory conjunction or. We would be helped in determining the meaning if a definite old testament. Mar 09, 2015 in this section of his letter, james pointed out three attitudes toward the will of god of course, only one of them is the correct one, the one that every christian ought to cultivate. In the first three chapters he is going to speak of the verification of genuine faith and give us some of the ways god tests faith. James 4 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the church of christ, presents a verse level look at the bible. Pastor brent freeman pastor mike newsom mason dickerson more info.
James will treat the problem of riches in the next chapter. James chapter 1 the book of james is an epistle written by an apostle who may have been the brother of jesus. James chapter 1 coffmans commentary of the new testament. James 4 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. What can studying the book of james teach us about faith. The epistle of james chapter four objectives in studying the chapter 1 to gain insight into the source of wars and fighting, even among brethren 2 to see the importance and means of befriending god, of not speaking evil of brethren, and planning for the future with the lords will in mind summary james asks his readers to consider the. The sermonic nature of this epistle is quite pronounced in this chapter, as in the third. This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the bible. I prayed for some of those beautiful custom cars that use to drive around. The book of james is a wonderful companion piece to jesus teachings as recorded in the four gospels.
In addition, it gives personal help, teaching notes, and sermon ideas that will address needs, answer questions, and provide insight for applying gods word to life today. He poses as a friend promising pleasure, but his end is death. The book of james a detailed commentary basic training bible ministries page 4 the greeting 1. Read james 4 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete.
Themes in james 1 chapter 1 of this letter functions like an overture to a great piece. Each person wanted their own way and their own advantage. An integrated digital bible study library including complete notes from the niv study bible and the nkjv macarthur study bible is just a step away. F1 but the viewpoint advocated here is that every portion of it fit beautifully and appropriately into the one theme of perfection which ties every word of it into a cohesive whole. Here in chapter 4 the context is the same see notes on 4. So james says that self versus self is at the heart of all relational conflicts. Study the bible online using commentary on james 4 and more. Previously, james described the socalled wisdom of the world.
More probably is the view that james was not citing a particular passage but summarizing the truth expressed in several old testament passages. The epistle was probably written before the gentile congregations. There are several men named james mentioned in the new testament, but reliable tradition assigns this book to the one called james the just, the halfbrother of jesus matthew. This passage continues to build on the end of chapter 3. Subscribe today and you will start at week one so you will receive all of our free bible study printables sent to your inbox. Different bible translations of the letter of james and other bible study resources are available. James begins this verse by questioning those addressed of the source of their fighting. It does not expound human doctrines, but lays much emphasis on gods law. James chapter 4 this is the fourth of five bible study worksheets one for each of the five chapters of the book of james. The book of james is a good book to read, but we must go back to the beginning, where it all began and where we became as one, it was god that destroyed the earth and all that was on it, and then began again with noah and his family. Here in verse 8, james calls us to draw nearto move closerto god. James chapter 3 ended with a comparison of earthly and heavenly wisdom.
James 3 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Study guide for james 4 by david guzik blue letter bible. But such was the experience of james, the author of this book that bears his name. He described this earthly, unspiritual, demonic philosophy as the source of disorder and all sorts of evil in the world james 3. Three themes of the book of james chapter 1, verses 1 through 27. You are jealous of what others have, but you cant get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Teachers of the prosperity gospel encourage their followers to pray, and even demand, of god everything from modes of transportation cars. Read james 4 commentary using wesleys explanatory notes. James 4 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on.
Chapter 4 the book of james a bible study for families from the message translation by allison t. Chapter 4 begins by addressing this worldly wisdoms affect on the brethren james is addressing. I have written this study using the message translation. There is fighting among them, which is a direct result of worldly wisdom james 3. As you read this chapter of james keep the following questions in mind. James chapter 4 online bible study tools and resources. There were struggles in the christian community james was writing to. The free bible study printable will help you to help dive deeper into the book of james chapter four. James chapter 4 small group starter questions james is still talking to christians. Many subjects are handled quickly and succinctly in the book. All people, regardless of wealth, social standing or any other condition, who make their life plans without respect to the will of god are the ones remonstrated.
Commentaries for james chapter 4 applications for the church today. Faith is hindered by strife and contention, by prayerlessness and by worldliness. James has been writing to jewish christians of the first century james 1. Bible study lesson sheets these are lessons designed for either a class or personal study. James 4 commentary by admin on september 19th, 2010. James 4 commentary gracepoint berkeley church devotions.
The book of james, chapter 4 free bible commentary. It is plainly intimated by what this chapter first goes upon that such a faith is, however, apt to make men conceited and. As we look at this chapter, it is important to remember that the book of james is written to christians. James 4 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this. James 4, new american standard bible nasb the bible app. The book of james is filled with practical wisdom for christians, calling us to live out genuine faith through good works. The book of james is a website dedicated to the study of the epistle letter of james in the new testament. This chapter could be entitled how to win friends and influence people. The jerome biblical commentary outlines these verses as 1 root causes of conflict james 4. Here are cautions against corrupt affections, and love of this world, which is enmity to god. Martin luther knew and taught exactly what the book of james teaches. What grace on his part to come in our direction at all. To what extent is your life directed by the knowledge that christ is coming back.
Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. Much of our thinking and behavior is shaped by what we can see of present. Other men mentioned in the bible named james include. Douglas webster is very helpful in telling us to see james as a spiritual director for the church. James 4 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. James intro to james biblica the international bible society. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law.
Welcome to the fourth of five studies on james chapter 4. If they are not willing to accept this indictment, he asks in james 4. Also, there is an enemy within each of us, engaged in mortal combat. Visit our library of inductive bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the bible you can use in your small group. James, with its devotion to direct, pungent statements on wise living, is reminiscent of the book of proverbs. Jan 27, 2016 a reading from the book of james chapter 4. You may even wish to write the questions down on a separate piece of paper before you begin. James chapter 4 coffmans commentary of the new testament. Dont they come from the evil desires at war within you. Pride is often the greatest challenge one will face in his or her life.