FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired but it is the key to following the original author's intent which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO Jas_2:1-13
A. Jas_2:1-13 is an expansion of the discussion about the relationship between the rich and poor in Jas_1:9-11; Jas_1:27.
B. It is uncertain whether the rich referred to in Jas_1:10-11; Jas_2:6 or Jas_5:1-6 are believers. Possibly they were wealthy Jews, the very ones who persecuted the early Christians.
C. Wealth in the OT was a sign of God's pleasure (cf. Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 27), but later teachings bring the needed balance to this concept (cf. Job, Psalms 73; Matthew 5-7). Poverty even came to be a metaphor for spiritual hunger (cf. Mat_5:3; Luk_6:20).
D. The section develops into two related topics:
1. the ways of this age (Jas_2:1-7)
2. the ways of the coming Messianic Age (Jas_2:8-13)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. What is faith?
2. Define the minimum biblical requirements for salvation.
3. Do Paul and James contradict each other? Why or why not?
4. Why do Paul and James both use Abraham as an example?
5. List the ways that Rahab is an opposite of Abraham.
6. How does James' necessity of "works" relate to carnal Christians?
