James
The writer of this letter, a leader of the church in Jerusalem, was James, Jesus' brother, not James the apostle. The book of James was one of the earliest letters, probably written before A.D. 50. After Stephen was martyred, persecution increased, and Christians in Jerusalem were scattered throughout the Roman world. There were thriving Jewish-Christian communities in Rome, Alexandria, Cyprus, and cities in Greece and Asia Minor. Because these early believers did not have the support of established Christian churches, James wrote to them as a concerned leader, to encourage them in their faith during those difficult times.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
Footnote: James doesn't say if you face trials, but whenever you face them. He assumes that we will have trials and that it is possible to profit from them. The point is not to pretend to be happy when we face pain, but to have a positive outlook because of what trials can produce in our lives. James tells us to turn out hardships into times of learning. Tough times can teach us perseverance.
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has not deeds? Can such faith save him? James 2:14
Footnote: When someone claims to have faith, what he or she may have is intellectual assent --agreement with a set of Christian teachings -- and as such it would be incomplete faith. True faith transforms our conduct as well as our thoughts. If our lives remain unchanged, we don't truly believe the truths we claim to believe.
JUST KEEP READING.........
All footnotes in italics taken from Life Application Study Bible, New International Version.
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