Download discussion questions:  James 1:1-8

Last week we started our study by looking at two passages that mention James, the half-brother of Jesus and the leader of the early church in Jerusalem.  After our usual beginning (each group member reading and thinking about the passage), we discussed the authorship of the letter.  A second handout (Notes for James 1:1-8) included additional information.

Who was James?

The New Testament contains references to several individuals called James.  A few of these are listed in the Notes handout.  Paul mentions “James, the Lord’s brother” in Galatians 1:19, clearly connecting the leader of the Jerusalem church with one of Jesus’ family (cf. Matthew 16:55).  The questions naturally arise:

• Is the writer of the letter of James the brother of Jesus?
• If he is, why didn’t he mention that fact? He identified himself as “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1).

James, as the leader of the Jerusalem church, was probably the only “James” who was so well known that he did not need to identify himself further (such as “James the son of Zebedee” or “James the son of Alphaeus” in Matthew 10:2-3).  Our group discussed the idea that he may have been reluctant to “play the brother card” as a mark of his authority.  He had not believed his half-brother for his entire life, until the resurrection convinced him (1 Corinthians 15:7).  Several comments from different members of our group were helpful.

• James was humbled by his lack of belief as he grew up in the same house as Jesus.
• James knew that his authority was as a servant of the Lord, not as his brother.
• The resurrection, not being His brother, had led to belief.
• James was not claiming special authority because of that earthly relationship.
• The faith relationship superseded the blood relationship.

What are Trials?  What is Testing?

One of the better known openings in New Testament letters comes from James 1:2, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,” or as paraphrased by Philips, “welcome them as friends.”[1]  In order to begin to understand such a counter-intuitive Biblical command, it is important to understand some background of the vocabulary James uses.

In the next verse he explains that, “the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”  Most translations distinguish between the “trials” in verse 2 and the “testing” in verse 3 (CSB, ESV, NASB, NIV, etc.).  However, the distinction between trials and testing is not necessarily obvious in English.  The Notes handout includes several examples of the two word groups (noun, verb, adjective forms):

• “Trials” (peirazō, peirasmos), sometimes translated as “temptations” often have a negative suggestion, as when the devil tempted Jesus (Matthew 4:1,3) or when the Pharisees and Sadducees asked Jesus trick questions (Matthew 16:1). The words can also be used in a neutral way, such as 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves to see if you are in the faith.”  As with any language, the context is important in understanding the nuance intended by the author.
• “Testing” (dokimazō, dokimion, dokimos) always includes the idea of authentication or refining, as when the genuineness of gold is proved through fire (1 Peter 1:7), or being able to “stand the test and be obedient” (2 Corinthians 2:9, NIV).

James, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, uses these two different words to make his point.  Our group shared numerous thoughts about how God is always at work, but we don’t always recognize that.  Even more alarming is that trials (whether difficult circumstances or direct temptations) can cause us to doubt God’s goodness.  One comment referred to the parable of the soils (Matthew 13:1-6) and how a lack of depth can result in a withered faith.  Another person mentioned the sense of intimacy with God that often comes during trials.  When we reach the end of ourselves, we only have God to turn to.  Someone else mentioned Job and the fact that his intimacy only came much later, not during the height (or depth) of his troubles.

One person suggested that sometimes God chooses to tear down our faith (through trials) in order to build it up more strongly.  When we are comfortable and on something of a spiritual plateau (which may seem like a spiritual high to us), we can lose sight of growing into even more intimacy with God.  His desire for us to continue deepening that intimacy may move Him to allow a trial for a better long term result.

The connection between trials and steadfastness might relate to the idea of God allowing one level of our faith to be tested so it can be proved genuine up to a new level.  When difficulties test our trust to what we think is our limit, coming out on the other side with our faith intact is a great encouragement.  That success builds our steadfastness.  Our faith survived what seemed impossible.  When the next trial comes, perhaps even greater, the memory of the genuineness of our faith enables us to endure what we might not have imagined possible without that refining process.

That idea of a refining process took us to the words in the text to “let steadfastness have its full effect.”  Someone commented that we don’t always see (or even think about) the end result, the “full effect” of Christlike character.   That prompted a quotation of Romans 8:29.  God’s purpose is that we are to be “conformed to the image of his Son,” and some who glibly quote Romans 8:28 about “all things working for good” need to remember that “full effect” He has for us.

That “conformity to His Son” may be the key to obeying James’ instruction to “welcome troubles” and to see trials as a means to increased joy.  The different attitudes were described in one comment as seeing difficulties as potentially “bitter or beautiful.”  That attitude doesn’t mean trials are not painful and often tragic, or that we should pretend the difficulties themselves are good.  What God is doing through the problems we face, the conformity to Christ is the good and beautiful “full effect.”

Which do we value the most, our comfort or our conformity?  If we are more interested in comfort and an easy, pain-free life, then any trial (or any inconvenience) can only be a bitter experience.  If we see the end result as growing conformity with Christ, then trials can be the sculpting influence shaping us into that beautiful character.  Welcoming trouble can only happen as we grow in our trust that God is at work and that the “full effect” He has for us will far outweigh the trials we face.

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison (2 Corinthians 4:17).

[1] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%201:1-3&version=PHILLIPS
The New Testament in Modern English by J.B Phillips copyright © 1960, 1972 J. B. Phillips. Administered by The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England.