JAMES:

A GLC BOOK STUDY

SESSION 5: FAITH THAT WORKS

Ptr. Jonathan Bradford

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 JAMES: A GLC BOOK STUDY
Copyright © 2015 by Global Leadership Center

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V ITA L TO R E M E M B E R
James is writing primarily to Jewish communities. Many are saved but
some are not and determining who he is speaking to and when, is one of
the greatest challenges in understanding this book.

• It is a time of transition. (Hebrews 8:13)

• It is a time of revelation. (Hebrews 2:1-4)

• It is a time of persecution. (Acts 8:1)

O UTLI N E
A. Faith that works is humble.
B. Faith that works is enduring.
C. Faith that works is truthful.
D. Faith that works is prayerful.
E. Faith that works is evangelistic.

A. Faith that works is humble.

In chapter 5 James turns his attention to the suffering of the righteous.

He wants to remind them how real faith deals with persecution.

• Throughout the books of the Old Testament declarations of

judgment were directed at wicked people living among the
righteous.

• Now under the control of the Holy Spirit and in true Old
Testament prophetic style, James launches a scathing
condemnation of the rich.

• He is of course talking to the wicked, unbelieving rich.

• Matthew 6:19-21, Luke 16:13

JAMES BOOK STUDY: SESSION 5

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 In New Testament times you were considered wealthy if you had more
than you needed for each new day.

• Churches the world over are filled with wealthy people that
profess to love Jesus Christ and are consumed with a love for
money. Many that claim to be shepherds of Christ’s people, rob
and exploit them in Jesus name.

• It is difficult to say whether James has the wicked rich in society

in mind or wealthy unbelievers inside the local church.

• Either way His righteous children were suffering to great degree

and God is very angry.

1. Real faith does not hoard wealth. (James 5:1-3)

Weep: Is a term used of wailing for the dead, this is not repentance
over sin. It is the bitter cry of the hopeless.

Howl: Refers to uncontrollable grief that is expelled as a scream or

a loud cry.

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2. Real faith does not steal wealth. (James 5:4)

3. Real faith does not waste wealth. (James 5:5)

4. Real faith does not ruthlessly acquire wealth. (James 5:6)

JAMES BOOK STUDY: SESSION 5

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 B. Faith that works is enduring.

In verses 7-11 James turns from the negative example of the wealthy
wicked to three positive examples designed to show us how real faith
endures in times of suffering.

• All people endure suffering in this fallen world. (Job 5:7)

• But Christians endure a kind that unbelievers don’t. (Acts 14:22)

• They are required to suffer for Jesus Christ.

• Acts 14:19-22

Part of being a true follower of Jesus is sharing in His sufferings and

suffering for righteousness sake.

• In verses 1-6 he gives words of condemnation to the wicked

rich that persecute the righteous poor.

• In verses 7-11 he gives words of comfort to the righteous poor

that are being persecuted by the wicked rich.

• He calls them to patience, “makrothumeo” better translated

long suffering.

1. Real faith endures by looking beyond the suffering. (James 5:7-8)

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2. Real faith endures by looking at the coming judgment. (James 5:9-10)

3. Real faith endures by looking forward to glory. (James 5:11)

• God allowed Job to suffer to prove that he had saving faith.

• God allowed Job to endure suffering to strengthen his faith.

• God allowed Job to suffer because it revealed invincible faith.

• God allowed Job to endure suffering so that He could reward

his faith.

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 C. Faith that works is truthful.

Verse 12 has baffled many commentators over the years but once you
understand a few helpful keys this verse opens up nicely for us.

• You need to understand the Jewish practice of swearing.

• You need to understand the teaching of Jesus about swearing.

• You need to understand the context is swearing during

persecution.

a. Jews and Swearing

b. Jesus and Swearing

c. James and Swearing (James 5:12)

“Have respect for your old age, swear by the fortune of Caesar.
Repent, and say, ‘Down with the Atheists!’”
“Swear,” urged the Proconsul, “reproach Christ,
and I will set you free.”
ROMAN PROCONSUL

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D. Faith that works is prayerful.

Very few commentaries make sense of this passage and it is widely

used today to promote false doctrine concerning healing. Once again
we need a couple of keys to really unlock the verses for us.

• This passage is about prayer and not about healing. In every

verse prayer is mentioned.

• The context is still suffering at the hands of wicked people.

• The Greek words used are important and the English words do
not always convey the meaning as clearly as they should.

The context is the environment of thought that the passage of scripture

exists in and it is essential to understand the Bible properly.

• James is writing to the early church.

• They are suffering persecution at the hands of wicked men.

• This is another test that will prove their faith is genuine.

• They are to face the suffering with humility and not resist.

• They are to face the suffering with endurance and not give in.

• They are to face the suffering with truthfulness and not lie to escape.

• They are to face the suffering with prayer and not give up.
-- Bodies are beaten.
-- Minds are crushed.
-- Spirits are broken.

James is addressing casualties of persecution NOT sick people!

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1. Faith that works seeks comfort in prayer. (James 5:13)

2. Faith that works seeks restoration through prayer. (James 5:14-15)

These next two verses have caused much distress in the body of
Christ because people refuse to take the time to properly understand
them. We must not abandon our principles of hermeneutics here as
many do.

• The Bible is an ancient book and in order to properly understand

what James is saying we need to close some gaps.

LANGUAGE GAP CULTURE GAP HISTORICAL GAP

a. Language Gap

The word translated “sick” is the Greek word “astheneo” and it

comes from a root word meaning without strength or powerless.
It is often translated weak or sick in the New Testament.

• The golden rule in hermeneutics is that the context

determines which is used.

• Because the context is suffering through persecution

and not sickness and disease the word here should be
translated weak and not sick.

• The word is used this way many times and harmonizes

perfectly with the rest of Scripture. (Acts 20:35, Romans
4:19, 8:3, 14:1-2)

• 2 Corinthians 12:10

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 Is healing guaranteed?
No longer drink water exclusively, but use a
little wine for the sake of your stomach and NO
your frequent ailments. (1 Timothy 5:23)
Erastus remained at Corinth, but Trophimus I
left sick at Miletus. (2 Timothy 4:20)
NO
because he was longing for you all and was
distressed because you had heard that he NO
was sick. (Philippians 2:26)
And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient
for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” NO
(2 Corinthians 12:9)

b. Historical Gap

In the time of James they did not have medicine like we do

today. They used wine and oil as medicine.

• The term anoint or “aleipho” is never used of ceremonial

anointing with oil.

• From a root word meaning “to grease” it is literal translated

“to oil.”

• The medicinal practice of rubbing or massaging oil into the

wounds of those that have been hurt physically.

• Isaiah 1:6

• Ancient shepherds would pour oil on the heads of the

sheep to produce a cooling effect in the heat.

• They would also check each sheep for wounds and rub oil
into them to cleanse and promote faster healing.

• Psalm 23:5

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 3. Faith that works seeks fellowship in prayer. (James 5:16-18)

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E. Faith that works is evangelistic.

As we come to the end of this book James has one issue left to
address. What about those that have failed the tests among us?

1. The proof of false dead faith. (James 5:19)

2. The punishment of false dead faith. (James 5:20)

3. The pursuit of real saving faith. (James 5:20)

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Remind ourselves...
A. Faith that works is resilient in trials.
B. Faith that works is resisting temptation.
C. Faith that works is responding to truth.
D. Faith that works is vindicated by love.
E. Faith that works is vindicated by works.
F. Faith that works is manifested in speech.
G. Faith that works is manifested in wisdom.
H. Faith that works is devoted to God.
I. Faith that works is devoted to God’s people.
J. Faith that works is devoted to God’s will.
K. Faith that works is humble.
L. Faith that works is enduring.
M. Faith that works is truthful.
N. Faith that works is prayerful.
O. Faith that works is evangelistic.

“Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!

Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ
is in you – unless indeed you fail the test?”
2 CORINTHIANS 13:5

UPGRADES
Discussion Questions
1. List the attitudes (verses 1-6) for which James criticizes the rich. Does
James indicate that wealth itself is evil? Think of specific ways on how
you can honor God with all that He has given you (little or much).

2. Based on our study today, a true follower of Christ must share in His
sufferings and will suffer for righteousness’ sake. How should a believer
respond during trials and persecution? (Read Matthew 5:10-16, 2
Timothy 3:12-14, and 1 Peter 4:12-16)

3. What lessons from this book study have you started applying in your
life? Briefly share any challenges or positive results you’ve encountered
while doing so.

JAMES BOOK STUDY: SESSION 5

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NOTES