Chapter 1

1:13 - James says God cannot be tempted. If so, then why does the Bible tell us not to tempt him? (Dt.6:16, Mal.3:15, Mt.4:7, Acts 15:10) And why forbid something that cannot be done?

* James writes that God cannot be tempted with evil (tempted to sin).

* If you read verse 15 and 17, Deuteronomy 6:16 makes a lot more sense.  The Israelites are being warned that they should obey God's laws and not "test His patience."  This doesn't have to do with tempting God to sin.  This is about testing God's patience.

* In Malachi 3:15, the present situation was being mentioned.  The unrighteous people were prospering.  They were "testing God's patience" and going (seemingly) unpunished.

* In Matthew 4:7, Jesus is simply quoting Deuteronomy 6:16 and 17 and saying these verses to Satan.

* In Acts 15:10, this Greek word for "tempt" is better interpreted "test" and is referring to the same thing as above: testing God's patience.

1:13 - James also says that God never tempts anyone. But the Bible says that many were tempted by God (Gen.2:21, 2 Sam.24:1). And why would Jesus have us ask God to "lead us not into temptation." (Mt.6:13)?

* James is correct in saying God does not tempt anyone.  God allows us to be tested and tempted by the demons and fallen angels.  During our tests and trials, He gives us strength to succeed and grow.

* Genesis 2:21 doesn't mention any kind of tempting or testing.

* 2 Samuel 24:1 doesn't mention any kind of tempting or testing either.

* A better translation of Matthew 6:13 reads, "Lead us through temptation and deliver us from evil . . ."

1:15 - Does Hell exist? No.

* This verse only refers to earthly death and does not confirm or deny Hell's existence.

Chapter 2

2:8 - "Love thy neighbor as thyself."
This is by far the best verse in Leviticus (19:18), and one of the best in the entire bible. It seems out of place, however, since in the next chapter of Leviticus God orders us to kill wizards (20:6), children who are disrespectful toward their parents (20:9), adulterers (20:10), and homosexuals (20:13). And throughout the Old Testament, God encourages the Israelites to kill their neighbors every chance they get. (See Numbers 31 and 1 Samuel 15 for just two of many examples.)

* God takes sin, which is separation from Him leading to death, very seriously.  God wants us to have unbroken communion with Him.  He also wants us to willfully avoid and terribly regret disobeying Him.

* God never commanded the Israelites to commit any arbitrary murders.  However, He did lead them into several, military operations against pagan peoples that hated them and wanted them dead.

2:10 - If you "keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point," you are guilty of all."

* This is absolutely correct and makes perfect sense.  Only completely holy (perfect) people can enter Heaven without being redeemed.  Committing just one sin makes a person a guilty person and in need of redemption from God.

* James' point is important because it points to our need for a Redeemer.  Jesus Christ is the only Redeemer that can remove our sin and give us eternal life.  God will not line up our good deeds against our evil deeds and allow people into Heaven that have done more good than evil.  Committing one sin makes a person a sinner and earns them eternal separation from God.  However, the Redeemer has come to Earth.  Redemption has been offered.  Will you trust, believe, and accept the Redeemer?

2:13 - If you are merciless to others, God will be merciless to you. (Two wrongs make a right.)

* Proverb 23:13 reads, "Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you beat him with a rod, he will not die."  Proverb 15:10 reads, "Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, and he who hates correction will die."

* God doesn't punish people for His ego's sake.  He punishes people so they will return to the path of righteousness, end their suffering, and live effectively and abundantly.

2:14, 17, 20, 24-26 - James clearly believes that people are justified by works, "and not by faith only." Yet Paul (Rom.4:5-6, Gal.2:16, Eph.2:8-9) believes just the opposite: that people are justified by faith alone -- without regard to, or even in spite of, their works.

* As far as these passages are concerned, the word "justified" (this includes all forms of the word "justification") is only used in verse 24.  

* James 2:24 is prefaced by the start of the new paragraph (and thought) in verse 18.  James 2:18 reads, "Someone will say . . . show me . . . I'll show you . . ." James is clearly talking about people showing one another that they are saved.  James isn't talking about the judgment of a person's heart before Almighty God.

* Regarding Abraham, verse 23 clearly says His "Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness."  It does not say, "Abraham did good things, so God let him into Heaven."

* If you read this passage closely, you will see how it correlates perfectly with Paul's writings and Jesus' words.

2:15-16 - Help others that are in need; don't just wish them well. This is good advice, though it's unfortunate that James restricted this help to "brothers". Did he mean by this that you only need to help fellow believers?

* James clearly says to help brothers and sisters.  He never says to avoid helping unbelievers.

2:17 - What must you do to be saved? Do and believe the right things.

* James makes no judgment on one's salvation.  He says, "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."  The verses following 17 illustrate this point and this conversational discussion of faith and works (e.g. "you show me . . . I'll show you . . ."

* Works prove one's faith, but they are not a means of salvation.  Paul makes it very clear when he says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:8, 9).

2:19 - James ridicules those who say salvation is by faith alone. He says the devils believe in God. Will their faith save them?

* James 2:19 reads, "You believe there is one God.  You do well.  Even the demons believe and tremble!"  James never ridicules anyone.  However, James does make two, important points: 1) there is one God, and 2) believers should "put feet on their faith" and do good deeds.

2:19 - Are those who believe Jesus is the Christ of God? No.

* The demons believe in God.  Long ago, they were with Him in Heaven as angels.  Only humans can be born again and born of God, though.  Only humans can be forgiven and redeemed.

2:21 - James says Abraham was justified by works (for being willing to kill his son for God), Paul (Rom.4:2-3) says he was justified by faith (for believing that God would order him to do such an evil act).

* In James 2:21, this Greek word for "justified" is better translated "righteous."  This is a better translation, which correlates perfectly with verse 23: "Was not Abraham, our forefather, counted righteous by his works, when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?"

2:25 - Heb.11:31 says Rahab the harlot was saved by faith. But James says she was saved by works. (By her works as a prostitute or by lying? See Jos.2:1-5)

* James never uses the word "saved" or the phrase "saved by works."  James uses the phrase, "Rahab the harlot was made righteous by her works," which correlates perfectly with Hebrews 11:31 and many other passages of scripture.

* Rahab was never praised for her lying or her prostitution.  She was praised for her faith as she "received the spies."

Chapter 3

3:7 - James says that, even in his day, all beasts, birds, serpents, and sea creatures had been tamed by humans.

* James was making an important point.  He was saying that "all kinds" of animals have been tamed, but the tongue can not be tamed.  

* This Greek word for "every" is better translated "all."  Regardless of whether or not all of these animals were tamed at this point (like they were in the Garden of Eden), this part of James' statement should not be taken literally.

Chapter 4

4:3 - If your prayers are not answered, it's your own damned fault.

* James 4:3 reads, "You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures."  This verse is saying that unanswered prayer is partly due to asking for unneeded and wrong things.

4:5 - James quotes a scripture that says, "The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy." But there is no such verse in the Bible.

* This verse rightfully follows verses 3 and 4.  In this verse, James says, "Do you think the scriptures say in vain that the (unrighteous) spirit within us wants to envy (others)?"  James had just said that some prayers were being unanswered because Christians were asking for things they didn't need, so they could spend them on their fleshly pleasures.

* Here are some verses that illustrate the problems with the fleshly spirit of envy: Proverb 14:30, Proverb 23:17, Matthew 27:18, Acts 13:45, Romans 1:29, etc.

4:12 - Does Hell exist? No.

* This verse does not confirm or deny Hell's existence.

Chapter 5

5:1 - God rewards his favorites with riches (Job 22:23-24, Pr.15:6), and then punishes them for being rich.

* James is addressing the people who are ungodly and rich.  This is confirmed by reading the subsequent verses in this passage.

* Job 22:23 and 24 have nothing to do with James' exhortation.

* A better translation of Proverb 15:6 reads, "In the house of the righteous is much strength, but the increase of the wicked is trouble."

* God gives people what they need.  If His children need money, then they will have it.  Incidentally, God generally gives the intangible things with great frequency because we need them the most.

5:1 - What must you do to be saved? Be poor, not rich.

* This is a warning to certain rich people.  It isn't a statement about the salvation of everyone who is rich.

5:4 - Laborers should be treated fairly. But is it okay to enslave them?

* This verse doesn't mention anything about slaves.  Nonetheless, the Bible never condones owning slaves.  It only gives laws to curtail it and eventually end it.  See 1 Corinthians 13 for God's will regarding the ethical treatment of other humans.

5:6 - Has there ever been a just person?

* Yes. There have been some just people.  The apparent confusion lies only in Ecclesiastes 7:20.  However, the writer is stating that there are no perfect people.  In his new "circle of friends," there surely weren't any godly people (and definitely nobody perfect).

5:8 - James thought that Jesus would return soon.

* Just like Paul, James knew Jesus was returning at an "unknown hour" (Matthew 24:36, Revelation 3:3, etc.).  

* This Greek word for, "draweth nigh" is better translated "approaching."  In this verse, James says, "Be patient and establish your hearts because the coming of the Lord is approaching."  This is a true statement and doesn't conflict with any other passages of scripture.

5:11 - Here we are told that God is merciful. Yet if 1 Sam.15:2-3 is true, then God is unspeakably cruel.

* God has a complete character.  Numerous passages of scripture indicate this because His great mercy and His wrath are shown.  God has patience with sinners, however He doesn't want them to die in their sins.  Therefore, God punishes sinners, which brings them (and/or other people) to repentance.

5:12 - James says that "above all things" we must not swear. To him, swearing is worse than murder. Yet swearing is considered acceptable in many Bible verses.

* James is simply saying that believers should say, "Yes" or "No" and have a reputation that makes people know they mean what they say.

* How reputable does this sound: "Yes!  Please trust me.  You've gotta believe me.  Yes.  Uh huh.  It's true.  I swear!"  A person with a good reputation that is above reproach does not need to try and convince anyone with a swear.  They simply need to say "Yes or "No."  Godly people examine and honor their every word and other people will, too.

* Now, it is clearly best to avoid swearing.  God surely gave the Israelites rules on swearing to curb their bad habit.  This is akin to God giving them the provision to divorce.  It was not the best for them, but they were so caught up in their sin that God needed to meet them where they were.  More on this can be seen in the correction for Exodus 21:10.

5:14-15 - If you are sick, don't go to a medical doctor -- rely on the power of prayer.

* This passage never says to avoid a medical doctor.  However, it does tell sick people to seek spiritual comfort, help, and healing.

* In James 5:14, this Greek word for "sick" also means "diseased" and "weak."  This passage isn't simply talking about sick people.  James includes diseased and weak people in the ones who need to seek spiritual help from mature Christians.

5:16 - The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. But other verses say there never has been a righteous man.

* In this passage, James is talking about a person who asks God with a pure heart.  Being righteous is a state of being.  A person who is godly has confessed their sins and repented.  He or she is obeying God being a righteous person.

* The passages of scripture that indicate there have never been a righteous man are referring to the fact that there has never been a perfect person.

5:17 - By praying, Elias was able to keep it from raining for three and a half years.

* This is correct and verified by other passages of scripture.

5:20 - Does Hell exist? No.

* "Saving a sinner from death" is referring to the "second death" mentioned in Revelation 21:8.  This is burning in the lake of fire in Hell.