By what word does the author describe himself?
-James 1:1-27
Slave/servant/bond-servant
What phrase describes the book's addresses? (1:1)
-James 1:1-27
The 12 tribes of the dispersion
What strategically-placed word is the main emphasis of the book?
-James 1:1-27
Wisdom
What verse in James gives a concise biblical definition for the word "wisdom"
-James 1:1-27
James 3:13
What section of James is the "heart of the letter?"
-James 1:1-27
James 3:13-18
What is the goal of wisdom in the book of James?
-James 1:1-27
Perfection/wholeness/maturity
In James, what appears to be the worldly counterpart to spiritual wisdom?
-James 1:1-27
Wealth/riches
Number of imperatives in the 108 verses of the short book of James?
-James 1:1-27
55
What is the paradox or irony about words?
-James 1:1-27
Sufficient to condemn, but insufficient to justify
How do the "trials" of 1:13-15 and 1:2-4 differ?
-James 1:1-27
Internal, caused by own desires (not external)
James 1:12-13 shows how the same Greek word peirasmos can be translated in what two ways?
-James 1:1-27
1. Trial/testing
2. Temptation
What key theme runs through the 2nd half of chapter one (1:13,16,19,22,26)?
-James 1:1-27
Deception/deceit
What is the best way to deceive oneself?
-James 1:1-27
To cover oneself with a veneer of religion
What is challenging about the word "desire"?
-James 1:1-27
Whether it is mere desire OR lust
What key term forms a word-play in 1:15 and 1:4,17,25?
-James 1:1-27
perfect
What metaphor describes the perfect law of liberty?
-James 1:1-27
Mirror
What is the real point of James' reference to the orphans and widows in 1:27?
-James 1:1-27
In the 1st century taking care of widows/orphans was one of the little things that did not count
How does the instructor describe the function of James 2:1-11 relative to the rest of the book?
-James 2:1-13
Microcosm of the book: summaries main points of intro and illustrates all that follows
The setting for the situation in 2:1-13 involves a contrast between what two classes of people?
-James 2:1-13
Rich and Poor
What sin undergirds the favoritism that James condemns in 2:1-13?
-James 2:1-13
Materialism/greed
If the christians of James' community are predominantly the poor who are opressed by the wealthy (2:5-6; 5;4-6), why do they show deference to their rich oppressors?
-James 2:1-13
Such is how powerful the allure of wealth is
The Hebrew idiom if James 2:7 refers to what?
-James 2:1-13
Ownership
What OT passage is quoted most often in the NT?
-James 2:1-13
Leviticus 19:18
Why is Leviticus 19:18 quoted so often?
-James 2:1-13
It is a summation of the entire law/all scripture
What OT passage does James quote in 2:1-13, along with many allusions from the same OT book and chapter throughout the book of James?
-James 2:1-13
Leviticus 19
What is the alternative to living under the law of liberty (1:25; 2:12)?
-James 2:1-13
Perfect law-keeping
Which other section of James forms a bookend to 2:12-13, emphasizing "speak", "Judge", "neighbor", and "do...the law"?
-James 2:1-13
James 4:11-12
What is the book, chapter, verse, to the following reference:
"So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgement will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgement
James 2:12-13
How does 2:14-26 relate to what precedes (2:12-13) and to what follows (3:1-12)?
-James 2:14-3:12
2:12-13: corresponds to "do"ing as those to be judged by a law of liberty
3:1-12: counterpart to "speak"ing as those to be judged by a law of liberty
What scenario does James use to illustrate worthless faith?
-James 2:14-3:12
Refusal to help the poor
What two adjectives does James use to describe "faith without works" (2:17,20,26)?
-James 2:14-3:12
1. Dead
2. Useless
What was presented as the best explanation of 2:18 ("you have faith and I have works!")?
-James 2:14-3:12
One has faith; another has works (i.e., to each their own thing)
What OT personage is James' primary example of obedient trust?
-James 2:14-3:12
Abraham
What does James use Rahab as a secondary illustration of obedient trust?
-James 2:14-3:12
example of a highly unlikely person (female, gentile, prostitute, liar) saved by obedient trust
What lesson is to be drawn from the NT frequent use of Genesis 15:6?
-James 2:14-3:12
Belief in God is not a one-time event or series of random incidents, but a lifetime of trust
At minimum, how many OT events is Genesis 15:6 applied to?
-James 2:14-3:12
4
The misuse of the tongue in 3:1-12 primarily applies to whom?
-James 2:14-3:12
the teacher of the word
List 3/5 figures that James gives for the tongue in 3:1-12
-James 2:14-3:12
1. Fire
2. Spring/fountain
3. Horse bridle/bit
4. Ship's rudder
5. Poisonous animal
What one sin is the common root of all sins of the tongue?
-James 2:14-3:12
Deceit
Why does the tongue has such a disproportionate effect?
-James 2:14-3:12
communication=basis of all relationships
Why does the instructor characterize 3:13-18 as the "heart of the letter"?
-James 3:13-4:12
It is the center of the chiastic structure/it sums up all previous themes/it results in a call to repent
How does James define spiritual wisdom (3:13)?
-James 3:13-4:12
one who quietly and humbly goes about doing what God says to do
The person in 3:13 is a contrast to whom in what other verse?
-James 3:13-4:12
the teacher/preacher in 3:1
Which adjective is primary in describing wisdom from above?
-James 3:13-4:12
pure
The word "from above" (3:15,17) connects with what previous passage?
-James 3:13-4:12
James 1:17
What analogy illustrates our mutually exclusive choice (4:4)?
-James 3:13-4:12
friendship/marriage
Why does James use the feminine address "adulteresses" (4:4)?
-James 3:13-4:12
common OT theme: Israel as God's unfaithful wife
List 4 problems associated with the interpretation of the difficult passage 4:5
-James 3:13-4:12
1. is the subject "God" or "spirit"?
2. is "envy" inherently evil?
3. is this an OT quotation?
4. how does it fit into the context?
What unique term helps to bookend James (1:8; 4:8)?
-James 3:13-4:12
double-minded
What is the structure and significance of James 4:7-10?
-James 3:13-4:12
forms a chiastic structure that places the emphasis on the middle pair: to cleanse and purify is the true need
What is the book, chapter, verse, to the following reference:
"Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior and his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom
James 3:13
What is the book, chapter, verse, to the following reference:
"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded
James 4:8
What phrase and specific topic helps to tie 4:13-17 and 5:1-6 together?
-James 4:13-5:20
Phrase: "come now"
Topic: wealth/money/riches
What figure does James use to signify the brevity of life (4:14)?
-James 4:13-5:20
smoke/vapor
What nuance does "to do good" have in 4:17?
-James 4:13-5:20
To provide financially for some benefit
What practical purpose does 5:1-6 serve?
-James 4:13-5:20
not to rebuke the rich, but to comfort the poor
Predominant OT use of "howl" and "miseries"?
-James 4:13-5:20
mocking warning of judgement for wicked
The reference to clothing and gold (5:2-3) connects with what previous text?
-James 4:13-5:20
James 2:1-11
Where has "resist,oppose" (5:6) appeared previously in James?
-James 4:13-5:20
4:6, God resists the rich
Failure to pay one's employees is equated with what sin?
-James 4:13-5:20
murder
What concept and what term ties 1:2-27 and 5:5-20 together like a bookend?
-James 4:13-5:20
Concept: endurance/patience
Term: "blessed
How is "long-suffering" predominantly used in the OT?
-James 4:13-5:20
as an attribute of God
What examples of patience and endurance does James hold up to his readers in 5:7-11?
-James 4:13-5:20
1. Prophets
2. Job
The chiasm of 5:7-11 emphasizes...?
-James 4:13-5:20
not grumbling against one another
What general theme really ties all of 5:12-20 together?
-James 4:13-5:20
speech (in the midst of difficulties)
What appears to be the purpose of the vow in 5:12?
-James 4:13-5:20
to exert improper control over trials
What is the purpose of anointing (5:14)?
-James 4:13-5:20
sign of favor in setting one apart for God
Why does Elijah make an excellent example of prayer?
ordinary, non-miraculous event