The Living Word

KING JAMES VERSION

"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever."

— Isaiah 40:8

James 1

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1

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

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2

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

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3

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

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4

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

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5

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

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6

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

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7

For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

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8

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

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9

Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

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10

But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

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11

For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

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12

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

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13

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

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14

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

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15

Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

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16

Do not err, my beloved brethren.

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17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

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18

Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

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19

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

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20

For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

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21

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

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22

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

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23

For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

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24

For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

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25

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

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26

If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

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27

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

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Chapter Study & Analysis

Overview

James 1 addresses the purpose of trials and the necessity of wisdom. James explains that God does not tempt anyone with evil, but every good gift comes from Him. He exhorts believers to be "doers of the word, and not hearers only," guarding their tongues and practicing pure religion.

CONTEMPORARY APPLICATIONS

1. Joy in Trials: We are to count it "all joy" when we fall into divers temptations, knowing that the trying of our faith worketh patience (v. 2-3). Our perspective on hardship determines our spiritual growth.
2. Asking for Wisdom: If any lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally (v. 5). We must ask in faith, without wavering, trusting God’s guidance in the midst of confusion.
3. Pure Religion: Pure religion before God is to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world (v. 27). True faith is compassionate and holy.

Practical Lessons

FORMAL PRAYER

O God, the Father of lights, from whom every good and perfect gift cometh: grant us wisdom in our trials and patience in our afflictions. Help us to be doers of Thy Word and to keep ourselves unspotted from the world. Amen.

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