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James 1 New International Version

1  James, ( A ) a servant of God ( B ) and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes ( C ) scattered ( D ) among the nations:

Greetings. ( E )

Trials and Temptations

2  Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, [ a ] whenever you face trials of many kinds, ( F ) 3  because you know that the testing of your faith ( G ) produces perseverance. ( H ) 4  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature ( I ) and complete, not lacking anything. 5  If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, ( J ) who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ( K ) 6  But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, ( L ) because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7  That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8  Such a person is double-minded ( M ) and unstable ( N ) in all they do.

9  Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. ( O ) 10  But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. ( P ) 11  For the sun rises with scorching heat ( Q ) and withers ( R ) the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. ( S ) In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

12  Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial ( T ) because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life ( U ) that the Lord has promised to those who love him. ( V )

13  When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14  but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own ( W ) evil desire and enticed. 15  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; ( X ) and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. ( Y )

16  Don’t be deceived, ( Z ) my dear brothers and sisters. ( AA ) 17  Every good and perfect gift is from above, ( AB ) coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, ( AC ) who does not change ( AD ) like shifting shadows. 18  He chose to give us birth ( AE ) through the word of truth, ( AF ) that we might be a kind of firstfruits ( AG ) of all he created.

Listening and Doing

19  My dear brothers and sisters, ( AH ) take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak ( AI ) and slow to become angry, 20  because human anger ( AJ ) does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21  Therefore, get rid of ( AK ) all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, ( AL ) which can save you.

22  Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ( AM ) 23  Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24  and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25  But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, ( AN ) and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. ( AO )

26  Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues ( AP ) deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27  Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after ( AQ ) orphans and widows ( AR ) in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. ( AS )

• James 1:2 The Greek word for brothers and sisters ( adelphoi ) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verses 16 and 19; and in 2:1, 5, 14; 3:10, 12; 4:11; 5:7, 9, 10, 12, 19.

Cross references

• James 1:1 : S Ac 15:13
• James 1:1 : Ro 1:1; Tit 1:1
• James 1:1 : Ac 26:7
• James 1:1 : Dt 32:26; Jn 7:35; 1Pe 1:1
• James 1:1 : Ac 15:23
• James 1:2 : ver 12; S Mt 5:12; Heb 10:34; 12:11
• James 1:3 : 1Pe 1:7
• James 1:3 : S Heb 10:36
• James 1:4 : S 1Co 2:6
• James 1:5 : 1Ki 3:9, 10; Pr 2:3-6
• James 1:5 : Ps 51:6; Da 1:17; 2:21; S Mt 7:7
• James 1:6 : S Mt 21:21; Mk 11:24
• James 1:8 : Ps 119:113; Jas 4:8
• James 1:8 : 2Pe 2:14; 3:16
• James 1:9 : S Mt 23:12
• James 1:10 : Job 14:2; Ps 103:15, 16; Isa 40:6, 7; 1Co 7:31; 1Pe 1:24
• James 1:11 : Mt 20:12
• James 1:11 : Ps 102:4, 11
• James 1:11 : Isa 40:6-8
• James 1:12 : ver 2; Ge 22:1; Jas 5:11; 1Pe 3:14
• James 1:12 : S 1Co 9:25
• James 1:12 : Ex 20:6; 1Co 2:9; 8:3; Jas 2:5
• James 1:14 : Pr 19:3
• James 1:15 : Ge 3:6; Job 15:35; Ps 7:14; Isa 59:4
• James 1:15 : S Ro 6:23
• James 1:16 : S 1Co 6:9
• James 1:16 : ver 19; Jas 2:5
• James 1:17 : Ps 85:12; Jn 3:27; Jas 3:15, 17
• James 1:17 : Ge 1:16; Ps 136:7; Da 2:22; 1Jn 1:5
• James 1:17 : Nu 23:19; Ps 102:27; Mal 3:6
• James 1:18 : S Jn 1:13
• James 1:18 : S 2Ti 2:15
• James 1:18 : Jer 2:3; Rev 14:4
• James 1:19 : ver 16; Jas 2:5
• James 1:19 : Pr 10:19; Jas 3:3-12
• James 1:20 : S Mt 5:22
• James 1:21 : S Eph 4:22
• James 1:21 : Eph 1:13
• James 1:22 : S Mt 7:21; Jas 2:14-20
• James 1:25 : Ps 19:7; Jn 8:32; Gal 2:4; Jas 2:12
• James 1:25 : S Jn 13:17
• James 1:26 : Ps 34:13; 39:1; 141:3; Jas 3:2-12; 1Pe 3:10
• James 1:27 : Mt 25:36
• James 1:27 : Dt 14:29; Job 31:16, 17, 21; Ps 146:9; Isa 1:17, 23
• James 1:27 : Ro 12:2; Jas 4:4; 2Pe 1:4; 2:20

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

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Listen to Chuck Swindoll’s overview of James in his audio message from the Classic series God’s Masterwork .

Who wrote the book?

While James did not specifically identify himself as to which “James” he was (James 1:1), the author is widely thought to be James the half-brother of Jesus. James was not a follower of Jesus during the Savior’s time on earth (Mark 3:21–35; John 7:5) but eventually became an apostle in the vein of Paul, as one who had seen and believed the Lord post-resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7; Galatians 1:19). After witnessing the Lord’s resurrected body, James became one of the leaders of the church at Jerusalem. Peter singled him out among the other Christians there following Peter’s miraculous release from prison (Acts 12:17). James made the deciding speech at the Jerusalem Council (15:13–22), and Paul called James one of the pillars of the church (Galatians 2:9).

Where are we?

As one of the chief leaders in the church at Jerusalem, James wrote from that city prior to the meeting of the Jerusalem Council, which Luke recorded in Acts 15. At that council, James, along with Peter and Paul, affirmed the decision to take the gospel message to the Gentiles. This council met in AD 49, meaning James likely wrote his letter in AD 45–48. Such a significant event as the Jerusalem Council warranted comment from James, as he was writing to a Jewish Christian audience. But James made no mention of Gentile Christians at all, making an early date for the letter most likely. In fact, it was likely the first New Testament book written.

Why is James so important?

The book of James looks a bit like the Old Testament book of Proverbs dressed up in New Testament clothes. Its consistent focus on practical action in the life of faith is reminiscent of the Wisdom Literature in the Old Testament, encouraging God’s people to act like God’s people. The pages of James are filled with direct commands to pursue a life of holiness. He makes no excuses for those who do not measure up. In the mind of this early church leader, Christians evidence their faith by walking in certain ways and not others. For James, a faith that does not produce real life change is a faith that is worthless (James 2:17).

What's the big idea?

In the opening of his letter, James called himself a bond-servant of God, an appropriate name given the practical, servant-oriented emphasis of the book. Throughout the book, James contended that faith produces authentic deeds. In other words, if those who call themselves God’s people truly belong to Him, their lives will produce deeds or fruit. In language and themes that sound similar to Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount, James rails against the hypocritical believer who says one thing but does another.

For James, faith was no abstract proposition but had effects in the real world. James offered numerous practical examples to illustrate his point: faith endures in the midst of trials, calls on God for wisdom, bridles the tongue, sets aside wickedness, visits orphans and widows, and does not play favorites. He stressed that the life of faith is comprehensive, impacting every area of our lives and driving us to truly engage in the lives of other people in the world. While James recognized that even believers stumble (James 3:2), he also knew that faith should not coexist with people who roll their eyes at the less fortunate, ignore the plight of others, or curse those in their paths. 

How do I apply this?

More than any other book in the New Testament, James places the spotlight on the necessity for believers to act in accordance with our faith. How well do your actions mirror the faith that you proclaim? This is a question that we all struggle to answer well. We would like to point to all the ways our faith and works overlap but too often see only gaps and crevices.

As you read the letter from James, focus on those areas that he mentioned: your actions during trials, your treatment of those less fortunate, the way you speak and relate to others, and the role that money plays in how you live your life. Allow James to encourage you to do good, according to the faith you proclaim.

Copyright ©️ 2010 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.

Bible Study Chart

James overview chart.

View Chuck Swindoll's chart of James , which divides the book into major sections and highlights themes and key verses.

View a list of Bible maps , excerpted from The Swindoll Study Bible.

Book of James NIV

Chapters for james, summary of the book of james.

This summary of the book of James provides information about the title, author(s), date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of James.

The author identifies himself as James ( 1:1 ); he was probably the brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem council ( Ac 15 ). Four men in the NT have this name. The author of this letter could not have been the apostle James, who died too early (a.d. 44) to have written it. The other two men named James had neither the stature nor the influence that the writer of this letter had.

James was one of several brothers of Christ, probably the oldest since he heads the list in Mt 13:55 . At first he did not believe in Jesus and even challenged him and misunderstood his mission ( Jn 7:2-5 ). Later he became very prominent in the church:

• He was one of the select individuals Christ appeared to after his resurrection ( 1co 15:7 ; ).
• Paul called him a "pillar" of the church ( gal 2:9 ).
• Paul, on his first post-conversion visit to Jerusalem, saw James (Gal 1:19).
• Paul did the same on his last visit ( ac 21:18 ).
• When Peter was rescued from prison, he told his friends to tell James ( ac 12:17 ).
• James was a leader in the important council of Jerusalem ( ac 15:13 ).
• Jude could identify himself simply as "a brother of James" ( jude 1:1 ), so well known was James. He was martyred c. a.d. 62.

Some date the letter in the early 60s. There are indications, however, that it was written before a.d. 50:

• Its distinctively Jewish nature suggests that it was composed when the church was still predominantly Jewish.
• It reflects a simple church order -- officers of the church are called "elders" ( 5:14 ) and "teachers" ( 3:1 ).
• No reference is made to the controversy over Gentile circumcision.
• The Greek term synagoge ("synagogue" or "meeting") is used to designate the meeting or meeting place of the church ( 2:2 ).

If this early dating is correct, this letter is the earliest of all the NT writings -- with the possible exception of Galatians.

The recipients are identified explicitly only in 1:1 : "the twelve tribes scattered among the nations." Some hold that this expression refers to Christians in general, but the term "twelve tribes" would more naturally apply to Jewish Christians. Furthermore, a Jewish audience would be more in keeping with the obviously Jewish nature of the letter (e.g., the use of the Hebrew title for God, kyrios sabaoth, "Lord Almighty," 5:4 ). That the recipients were Christians is clear from 2:1 ; 5:7-8 . It has been plausibly suggested that these were believers from the early Jerusalem church who, after Stephen's death, were scattered as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Syrian Antioch (see Ac 8:1 ; 11:19 and notes). This would account for James's references to trials and oppression, his intimate knowledge of the readers and the authoritative nature of the letter. As leader of the Jerusalem church, James wrote as pastor to instruct and encourage his dispersed people in the face of their difficulties (see essay, p. 2539).

Distinctive Characteristics

Characteristics that make the letter distinctive are: (1) its unmistakably Jewish nature; (2) its emphasis on vital Christianity, characterized by good deeds and a faith that works (genuine faith must and will be accompanied by a consistent lifestyle); (3) its simple organization; (4) its familiarity with Jesus' teachings preserved in the Sermon on the Mount (compare 2:5 with Mt 5:3 ; 3:10-12 with Mt 7:15-20 ; 3:18 with Mt 5:9 ; 5:2-3 with Mt 6:19-20 ; 5:12 with Mt 5:33-37 ); (5) its similarity to OT wisdom writings such as Proverbs (see essay, p. 970); (6) its excellent Greek.

• Greetings ( 1:1 )
• The Testing of Faith ( 1:2-12 )
• The Source of Temptation ( 1:13-18 )
• Listening and Doing ( 1:19-27 )
• Favoritism Forbidden ( 2:1-13 )
• Faith and Deeds ( 2:14-26 )
• Taming the Tongue ( 3:1-12 )
• Two Kinds of Wisdom ( 3:13-18 )
• Quarrelsomeness ( 4:1-3 )
• Spiritual Unfaithfulness ( 4:4 )
• Pride ( 4:5-10 )
• Slander ( 4:11-12 )
• Boasting ( 4:13-17 )
• Warning to Rich Oppressors ( 5:1-6 )
• Concerning Patience in Suffering ( 5:7-11 )
• Concerning Oaths ( 5:12 )
• Concerning the Prayer of Faith ( 5:13-18 )
• Concerning Those Who Wander from the Truth ( 5:19-20 )

From the NIV Study Bible, Introductions to the Books of the Bible, James Copyright 2002 © Zondervan. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

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Summary of the Book of James

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These are all of the chapters of the book of James . Clicking on a chapter will show you the text of that chapter of James in the Bible (New International Version).

Who Wrote the Book of James?

“James” is actually the result of a translation of the Jewish name Ya’akov and the Greek name lakobos. If you have ever heard the book of James referred to as the ‘book of Jacob’ that is why. James was not widely accepted until the 1600s when King James sponsored the translation called the “ Authorized Version .” In Exodus 3:15 , we read, “Say this to the people of Israel: Yahweh , the God of your ancestors-The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob-has sent me to you.”

Jacob, or James, was a powerful voice in the early church, as well as the younger brother of Jesus ( Galatians 1:9 , Mark 6:3 ). He was an apostle of the church of Jerusalem. Many scholars believe that James did not become a believer until after Jesus died and rose again. Like Jesus, he was also killed for his faith around 60 A.D. according to Jewish historian, Josephus.

Context and Background of James

The book of James is a New Testament book that falls between Hebrews and 1 Peter. It is thought to be written between 45 and 47 AD and broken into three main themes that we will discuss in the next section. The intended audience of this book is thought to be targeted toward Jewish Christians. This is based on James’ comment, “I am writing to all the twelve tribes of Israel who have been sown as seeds among the nations.” His goal was reaching those who had converted from Judaism and were scattered throughout the Roman Empire to help them keep their newfound faith and strengthen it.

Main Theme and Purpose of James

There are three main themes in James: Wealth, Wisdom, and Trials. Per the Passion Translation Bible introduction, the themes are broken down as follows:

• Theme 1: Riches and Poverty – 2:1-26
• Theme 2: Wisdom and Speech – 3:1-4:12
• Theme 3: Trials and Temptation – 4:13-5:18

James uses Jewish traditions to draw out the wisdom they are used to hearing and applies it to practical Christian living. During this time, people were threated daily for this faith. He used this book as encouragement that the trials they would face would not be a waste and that spiritual maturity is born through perseverance. He takes the known Ten Commandments and frames it for the new life through Jesus as summarized in James 2:8 . It says, “You must love and value your neighbor.” Finally, he shares a beautiful message of balance among all socioeconomic statuses. To the poor, he shared that they have been blessed with privilege and love. To the rich, he reminded them that no amount of deed or wealth could buy what they were freely given. He dispels unfair acceptance within the church while he is at it.

What Can We Learn from James Today?

As you will see from the verses below, the teaching of James is as relevant today as it was then. Charges of wisdom have no expiration and are not just a passing trend. We can read this book quickly for a spiritual recharge and reminder to remain close to God in righteousness and as a result, treat others well from that place. As we read today, we will be reminded to think of God’s great gift of mercy over our lives and how we can share that with others to point them to Him. We will learn the ways of pure and fruitful communication, proper handling of wisdom, conflict resolution, and even the simple key to victory over spiritual warfare.

Our Favorite Verses from James

James 1:9 - “The believer who is poor still has reasons to boast, for he has been placed on high. But those who are rich should boast in how God has brought them low and humbled them, for all their earthly glory will one day fade away like a wildflower in the meadow.”

James 1:19 - “My dearest brothers and sisters, take this to heart: Be quick to listen, but slow to speak. And be slow to become angry, for human anger is never a legitimate tool to promote God’s righteous purpose.”

James 2:13 - “...and remember that judgment is merciless for the one who judges others without mercy. So by showing mercy you take dominion over judgment!”

James 2:14 - “My dear brothers and sisters, what good is it if someone claims to have faith but demonstrates no good works to prove it? How could this kind of faith save anyone?”

James 3:5 - “And so the tongue is a small part of the body yet it carries great power! Just think of how a small flame can set a huge forest ablaze. And the tongue is a fire!”

James 3:13 - “If you consider yourself to be wise and one who understands the ways of God, advertise it with a beautiful, fruitful, life guided by wisdom’s gentleness. Never brag or boast about what you’ve done and you’ll prove that you are truly wise.”

James 4:1-2 - “What is the case of your conflicts and quarrels with each other? Doesn’t the battle begin inside of you as you fight to have your own way and fulfill your own desires? You jealously want what others have so you begin to see yourself as better than others. You scheme with envy and harm others to selfishly obtain what you crave.”

James 4:7 - “So then, surrender to God. Stand up to the devil and resist him and he will turn away from you.”

James 5:9 - “Since each of you are part of God’s family, never complain or grumble about each other so that judgment will not come on you.”

James 5:16 - “Confess and acknowledge how you have offended one another and then pray for one another to be instantly healed, for tremendous power is released through the passionate, heartfelt prayer of a Godly believer!”

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Introduction to James

Author, Date, and Recipients

This letter was written by James, the brother of Jesus ( Matt. 13:55 ) and leader of the Jerusalem church ( Acts 15 ). It was probably written about A.D. 40–45 to Jewish Christians living outside Palestine.

Christians must live out their faith. They should be doers, not just hearers, of God’s Word.

James’s readers were suffering persecution and living in poverty. They were in social and spiritual conflict. Many believers were living in a worldly manner. James corrects them and challenges them to seek God’s wisdom to work out these problems.

• God is a gracious giver, the unchanging Creator, and merciful and compassionate. He is also a Judge, the one and only God, a jealous God, a gracious God, and a healing God ( 1:5, 17–18; 2:5, 13, 19; 4:5–6; 5:1–3, 9, 15 ).
• Wisdom comes “from above.” It enables believers to withstand trials and to have peace rather than divisions among themselves ( 1:5; 3:13, 17 ).
• God allows tests and trials ( 1:2–4 ), but temptation comes from self and Satan. The required response is patient endurance ( 1:3, 13–14; 4:7; 5:7–8 ).
• These trials include poverty and mistreatment by the rich. The poor are the special focus of God’s care. They must be cared for by his people. They must not be taken advantage of or ignored. The wealthy are condemned for pride and for stealing from the poor ( 1:9, 27; 2:1–5, 15–16; 4:13–17; 5:1–6 ).
• There is both future judgment and future reward ( 1:12; 2:5, 12–13; 3:1; 4:12; 5:1–7, 9, 20 ).
• What a person says has power both to destroy and to bring peace ( 3:1–4:12 ).
• Rather than merely hearing God’s word, believers must obey it in their daily actions ( 1:19–27; 2:14–26 ).
• Prayer is the proper response to trials, but it must not be self-seeking. It is to be central in all of life’s circumstances, good or bad. God has great power to heal physical and spiritual problems ( 1:5–7; 4:2–3; 5:13–18 ).
• James and Paul agree that justification comes only by God’s grace through faith, and that true faith always results in good works. If no works result, there was no justification in the first place ( 2:14–26 ).
• Greeting ( 1:1 )
• The Testing of Faith ( 1:2–18 )
• Hearing and Doing the Word ( 1:19–27 )
• The Sin of Favoritism ( 2:1–13 )
• Faith without Works Is Dead ( 2:14–26 )
• The Sin of Dissension in the Community ( 3:1–4:12 )
• The Sins of the Wealthy ( 4:13–5:12 )
• The Prayer of Faith ( 5:13–18 )
• Concluding Admonition ( 5:19–20 )

The Setting of James

C. a.d. 40–45.

The letter of James was likely written to predominantly Jewish Christian house churches outside of Palestine, based on its mention of the “twelve tribes in the Dispersion” ( 1:1 ), its distinctly Jewish content, and its focus on persecution and poverty. This would mean it was sent throughout most of the ancient Mediterranean world. The author has traditionally been believed to be James, the brother of Jesus and an early leader of the church in Jerusalem.

What Is the Book of James About?

• The New Testament
• Christianity Origins
• The Old Testament
• Practical Tools for Christians
• Christian Life For Teens
• Christian Prayers
• Inspirational Bible Devotions
• Denominations of Christianity
• Christian Holidays
• Christian Entertainment
• Key Terms in Christianity
• Catholicism
• Latter Day Saints

• M.A., English Composition, Illinois State University
• B.S., English Literature, Illinois State University

The book of James is a concise, how-to guide on  being a Christian . Although some Christians interpret James as proving that good works play a role in our salvation , this letter actually says that good works are the fruit of our salvation and will attract non-believers to the faith.

Taming the Tongue

The book of James describes the tongue as "a restless evil, full of deadly poison" that no human can tame (James 3:8). It might be a small part of the body, but the tongue is capable of causing tremendous harm. Yet with God's help, our tongues can be used for good.

We can either build up with our tongue or tear down. What about you? Do you use your tongue to praise God and to lift up the church? Or do you criticize and destroy? Do you use your tongue as an instrument to encourage and help others, or to condemn?

Who Wrote the Book of James?

James, a major leader in the Jerusalem church, and the brother of Jesus Christ is the author of the book of James. He authored the book around 49 A.D., before the Jerusalem Council in 50 A.D. and before the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D.

James' audience was the first century Jewish Christians scattered throughout the world as well as all future Bible readers.

Themes and Lessons

This letter on spiritual themes gives intensely practical and easy-to-understand advice for Christians everywhere, but especially for believers feeling pressure from society's influences, trials, and persecutions . James calls wandering Christians back to a place of obedience by weaving the teachings of Jesus into his own instructions.

The book of James shows us that faith which is alive is demonstrated by a believer's conduct. We should act out our faith in constructive ways. Trials will test every Christian. But James urges believers to face trials with stamina.

A trial in itself is not an occasion of joy but can result in joy because of the perseverance and stamina it creates in the life of a committed believer. We become mature in our faith by facing temptations head-on and conquering them with God's help.

Jesus commanded us to love one another. When we love our neighbors and serve them, we imitate Christ's servant character.

Our tongue can be used to build or destroy. We are responsible for our words and must choose them wisely. God will help us control our speech and our actions as well.

Our wealth, however much or little, should be used to advance the Kingdom of God . We should not favor the wealthy nor mistreat the poor. James tells us to follow the advice of Jesus and store up treasures in heaven , through charitable works. James reminds us that it's not enough to be hearers of the word only; we must be doers of it as well. 

Sometimes called “the Proverbs of the New Testament,” the book of James practically and faithfully reminds Christians how to live out their faith. It also calls Christians to demonstrate love actively to those inside and outside of the body of Christ .

Key Characters

The book of James is not a historical narrative detailing the acts of specific people, but a classical letter of advice to Christians and early churches.

James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ( NIV )

James 2:26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (NIV)

James 4:7-8 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. (NIV)

James 5:19 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. (NIV)

Outline of the Book of James

• James instructs Christians on genuine religion - James 1:1-27.
• True faith is demonstrated by good deeds done for God and others - James 2:1-3:12.
• Authentic wisdom comes from God, not the world - James 3:13-5:20.
• Meet Thaddeus: The Apostle With Many Names
• Book of Ephesians
• The Book of Acts
• Overview: the Epistles of the New Testament
• Meet the Apostle John: 'The Disciple Jesus Loved'
• Introduction to John's Gospel
• Introduction to the Book of Matthew
• Introduction to 2 Corinthians
• The Book of Revelation, a Prophecy of Warning and Hope
• What Does the Bible Say About Attending Church?
• Words of Encouragement for Men
• Paul's First Letter to the Thessalonians
• Introduction to the Gospel of Luke
• James the Less: The Obscure Apostle of Christ
• Meet the Apostle Paul: Christian Missionary Giant
• Introduction to the Book of Job and Its Themes

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