Coachlight Bible Study – I Peter Chapter One

Coachlight Bible Study – James 1:1-2:13

True Faith Produces Obedience to the Word

The Book of James is often called “The Wisdom Literature of the New Testament. The early Christians were going through tough times with many trials that could tend to shake a person’s faith. James knew that a person with True Faith will travel through even the hardest test exhibiting joy, knowing that God will always perform His Word. James accomplishes this by a complete teaching of the characteristics of True Faith.

Focus	What Is True Faith?
Scripture	1:1-----2:1-------------3:1------------3:13------4 :1----------------5:7----------5:13
Plan	Makes Doers of the Word	Vindicates Itself by Works	Controls the Tongue	Produces Wisdom	Demonstrates Humility	Endures Loving Christ’s Appearing	Prays for the Sick
Intention	James was inspired by God to exhort the scattered Jews, who were going through many trials of faith to endure, anticipating Christ’s return.
Location	Jerusalem
Time	Circa AD 45-49

I. The Reason For Trials

James 1:1 James, a servant <1401>t of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad <1290>, greeting.

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations <3986>; {temptations: or, trials}

James 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying<1383> of your faith worketh patience <5281>.

James 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect<5046> and entire<3648>, wanting nothing.

A. James called himself a doulos, or bond slave

1. James life is owned by God

2. The point is, what he writes is inspired by God

B. All have peirasmos, or trials

1. James is not isolating one trial, but talking about many trials or tests

2. James bretheren are to demonstrate joy during the tests

3. They are to know that the tests bring about hupomone, or endurance

4. With endurance is complete, the person is:

a. telios, or mature (complete)

b. holokleros – No part lacking

C. Peter taught the same concept using the same word dokimion, translated “trying”

I Peter 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

I Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

1. Notice that Peter not only has the concept of trial or proving

2. But also uses it in the sense of having victory over the situation

3. It is not the trial that brings endurance, but victory over the situation does

D. Paul taught the same concept in Romans:

Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

Romans 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

1401 doulov doulos doo’-los - from 1210; TDNT-2:261,182; n

servant 120, bond 6, bondman 1; 127

1) a slave, bondman, man of servile condition

1a) a slave

1b) metaph., one who gives himself up to another’s will those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men

1c) devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests

1290 diaspora diaspora dee-as-por-ah’ - from 1289; TDNT-2:98,156; n f

dispersed 1, scatter abroad 1, scattered 1; 3

1) a scattering, dispersion

1a) of Israelites dispersed among foreign nations

1b) of the Christians scattered abroad among the Gentiles

3986 peirasmov peirasmos pi-ras-mos’ - from 3985; TDNT-6:23,822; n m

temptation 19, temptations 1, try 1; 21

1) an experiment, attempt, trial, proving

1a) trial, proving: the trial made of you by my bodily condition, since condition served as to test the love of the Galatians toward Paul (#Ga 4:14)

1b) the trial of man’s fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy

1b1) an enticement to sin, temptation, whether arising from the desires or from the outward circumstances

1383 dokimion dokimion dok-im’-ee-on - presumed of 1382; TDNT-2:255,181; n n

trying 1, trial 1; 2

1) the proving

2) that by which something is tried or proved, a test

5281 upomonh hupomone hoop-om-on-ay’ - from 5278; TDNT-4:581,581; n f

patience 29, enduring 1, patient continuance 1, patient waiting 1; 32

1) steadfastness, constancy, endurance

1a) in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings

1b) patiently, and steadfastly

2) a patient, steadfast waiting for

3) a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance

5046 teleiov teleios tel’-i-os - from 5056; TDNT-8:67,1161; adj

perfect 17, man 1, of full age 1; 19

1) brought to its end, finished

2) wanting nothing necessary to completeness

3) perfect

4) that which is perfect

3648 oloklhrov holokleros hol’-ok’-lay-ros - from 3650 and 2819; TDNT-3:766,442; adj

whole 1, entire 1; 2

1) complete in all its parts, in no part wanting or unsound, complete, entire, whole

1a) of a body without blemish or defect, whether of a priest or of a victim

1b) free from sin, faultless

1c) complete in all respects, consummate

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom <4678>, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth <3679> not; and it shall be given him.

James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering <1252>. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

James 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

E. James 1:8 A double minded<1374> man is unstable in all his ways.

1374 diqucov dipsuchos dip’-soo-khos - from 1364 and 5590; adj

double minded 2; 2

1) double minded

1a) wavering, uncertain, doubting

1b) divided in interest

1. The etymology of doubleminded

“Doubleminded” or dipsuchos is derived from two Greek words – 1364 & 5590

1364 div dis dece - from 1417; ; adv

twice 4, again 2; 6

1) twice

5590 quch psuche psoo-khay’ - from 5594; n f

soul 58, life 40, mind 3, heart 1, heartily + 1537 1, not tr 2; 105

1) breath

1a) the breath of life

1a1) the vital force which animates the body and shows itself in breathing

1a1a) of animals

1a1b) of men

1b) life

1c) that in which there is life

1c1) a living being, a living soul

2) the soul

2a) the seat of the feelings, desires, affections, aversions ( our heart, soul etc.)

2b) the (human) soul in so far as it is constituted that by the right use of the aids offered it by God it can attain its highest end and secure eternal blessedness, the soul regarded as a moral being designed for everlasting life

2c) the soul as an essence which differs from the body and is not dissolved by death (distinguished from other parts of the body)

2. Being “doubleminded” actually means having two deep affections, not one

F. James & Paul teaches us where our affections should be:

James 1:12 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.

James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. {Be…: or, Be long patient, or, Suffer with long patience}

James 5:8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. {affection: or, mind}

G. If a person finds himself lacking Sophia, or wisdom in trials

1. The person needs to go to God

2. God gives this kind of wisdom liberally

3. God does not onedidzo, or reproach

H. Simile of the waves of the sea

1. Comparing a person with diakrino, or separating oneself by doubt

2. With the waves of the sea – tossed by every wind

3. The double minded is tossed by every trial or test of faith

James 1:9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: {rejoice: or, glory}

James 1:10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

James 1:11 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.

I. God’s people are to have joy of victory

1. Not because of circumstances

2. But because of God’s reality – God will do what He said He would do

3. Affections need to be on the things above

a. Then, we have victory over the situation

b. And we will demonstrate true joy

J. Both the rich and lowly must have joy

1. At first it might seem that James is talking about trials in general

2. But his illustration is about money

3. Either the possession of or lack of money can cause trials

4678 sofia sophia sof-ee’-ah - from 4680; TDNT-7:465,1056; n f

wisdom 51; 51

1) wisdom, broad and full of intelligence; used of the knowledge of very diverse matters

1a) the wisdom which belongs to men

1a1) spec. the varied knowledge of things human and divine, acquired by acuteness and experience, and summed up in maxims and proverbs

1a2) the science and learning

3679 oneidizw oneidizo on-i-did’-zo - from 3681; TDNT-5:239,693; v

upbraid 3, reproach 3, revile 2, cast in (one’s) teeth 1, suffer reproach 1; 10

1) to reproach, upbraid, revile

1a) of deserved reproach

1b) of undeserved reproach, to revile

1c) to upbraid, cast (favours received) in one’s teeth

1252 diakrinw diakrino dee-ak-ree’-no - from 1223 and 2919; TDNT-3:946,469; v

doubt 5, judge 3, discern 2, contend 2, waver 2, misc 5; 19

1) to separate, make a distinction, discriminate, to prefer

2) to learn by discrimination, to try, decide

2a) to determine, give judgment, decide a dispute

3) to withdraw from one, desert

4) to separate one’s self in a hostile spirit, to oppose, strive with dispute, contend

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown <4735> of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

K. Endurance through trials brings about (At the Judgment Seat of Christ)

1. Not at this time a diadem, or kingly crown, but

2. A stephanos, or reward at the marriage of the Lamb

(Like the Greek wreath when finishing an Olympic race)

Judgment Seat of Christ – (Bema) – Reward Time
	Marriage Ceremony – In Heaven
	Stephanos – (Victors) Crowns
Christ Meeting The Church In The Air ↑	Crown In -corruptible	Crown of Life	Crown of Glory	Crown of Righteousness	Crown of Rejoicing	Christ and the Wife Return To Earth ↓
	Mastering The Old Man	Enduring Temptation – Being a Martyr for Christ	Feeding The Flock	Loving His Appearing	Bringing People To The Knowledge of Christ
	1 Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.	James 1:12 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. Revelation 2:10... behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.	1 Peter 5: 3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.	2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.	1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 1 Thessalonians 2:20 For ye are our glory and joy.
Times On The Earth
Rapture of the Church	7 Year Tribulation Period					Marriage Supper of the Lamb

4735 stefanov stephanos stef’-an-os - from an apparently primary stepho (to twine or wreathe); TDNT-7:615,1078; n m

crown 18; 18

1) a crown

1a) a mark of royal or (in general) exalted rank

1a1) the wreath or garland which was given as a prize to victors in public games

1b) metaph. the eternal blessedness which will be given as a prize to the genuine servants of God and Christ: the crown ( wreath) which is the reward of the righteousness

1c) that which is an ornament and honour to one

II. From Where Do The Temptations Come

James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted<3985>, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: {evil: or, evils}

James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust <1939>, and enticed.

James 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

James 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

James 1:17 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.

James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

A. Even though trials can have good results

B. They do not come from God

C. They come from epithumia, or wrong desires and affections

D. The life cycle of death

1. Wrong desires produce sin

2. When sin is mature enough to bear children, it births death

E. The life cycle of the child of God

1. God begats with the Word of Truth

2. God’s children are the first fruits of His creation

3. God bestows perfect gifts

F. Sin kills, but God makes us born again

3985 peirazw peirazo pi-rad’-zo - from 3984; TDNT-6:23,822; v

tempt 29, try 4, tempter 2, prove 1, assay 1, examine 1, go about 1; 39

1) to try whether a thing can be done

1a) to attempt, endeavour

2) to try, make trial of, test: for the purpose of ascertaining his quality, or what he thinks, or how he will behave himself

2a) in a good sense

2b) in a bad sense, to test one maliciously, craftily to put to the proof his feelings or judgments

2c) to try or test one’s faith, virtue, character, by enticement to sin

2c1) to solicit to sin, to tempt

1c1a) of the temptations of the devil

2d) after the OT usage

2d1) of God: to inflict evils upon one in order to prove his character and the steadfastness of his faith

2d2) men are said to tempt God by exhibitions of distrust, as though they wished to try whether he is not justly distrusted

2d3) by impious or wicked conduct to test God’s justice and patience, and to challenge him, as it were to give proof of his perfections.

1939 epiyumia epithumia ep-ee-thoo-mee’-ah - from 1937; TDNT-3:168,339; n f

lust 31, concupiscence 3, desire 3, lust after 1; 38

1) desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust

616 apokuew apokueo ap-ok-oo-eh’-o - from 575 and the base of 2949; ; v

bring forth 1, begat 1; 2

1) to bring forth

1a) from the womb 1b) give birth to 2) produce

III. True Faith Brings Obedience To The Word

James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

A. The prescription for the trials of life - Demonstrating True Faith

1. Be swift to hear – equates hearing as doing

2. Be slow to speak

3. Slow to wrath

James 1:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity <4050> of naughtiness <2549>, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

B. Lay aside all filthiness

C. Lay aside the all forms of wickedness or malice

D. Receive The engrafted Word – Has the power to save your soul

4050 perisseia perisseia per-is-si’-ah - from 4052; TDNT-6:63,828; n f

abundance 2, abundantly 1, superfluity 1; 4

1) abundance, superabundantly, superfluously

2) superiority, preference, pre-eminence

3) gain, profit

4) residue, remains: the wickedness remaining over in a Christian from his state prior to conversion

2549 kakia kakia kak-ee’-ah - from 2556; TDNT-3:482,391; n f

malice 6, maliciousness 2, evil 1, wickedness 1, naughtiness 1; 11

1) malignity, malice, ill-will, desire to injure

2) wickedness, depravity

2a) wickedness that is not ashamed to break laws

3) evil, trouble

James 1:23 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:

James 1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

James 1:25 But whoso looketh <3879> 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. {deed: or, doing}

E. The Simile of the mirror

1. A Person that just glances at his face in a mirror misses the blemish

2. A doer of the Word is like a person who takes time to attend to the blemish

3. A doer of the Word has blessings from God

3879 parakuptw parakupto par-ak-oop’-to - from 3844 and 2955; TDNT-5:814,784; v

stoop down 3, look 2; 5

1) to stoop to a thing in order to look at it

2) to look at with head bowed forward

3) to look into with the body bent

4) to stoop and look into

James 1:26 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.

James 1:27 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.

F. Demonstration of True Faith

1. Is not self centered

2. Is unspotted from the world

James 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

James 2:2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; {assembly: Gr. synagogue}

James 2:3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: {in…: or, well, or, seemly}

James 2:4 Are ye not then partial<1252> in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

James 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? {of the: or, of that}

James 2:6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

James 2:7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? {blaspheme: or, revile, or, slander}

James 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

James 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

James 2:11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. {he that: or, that law which}

James 2:12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

James 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. {rejoiceth: or, glorieth}