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By Jesse Jenkins

Benchley, May 13, 2012

• James is the writer, but God is the author of the book. We do not know for sure which James is the writer.
• James 1:1 – There are differing views on exactly who this book is written to. It could have een written to either Jews or Jews and Gentiles. This book contains general instruction for everyday life as a Christian.
• James 1:15 – When one is tempted and decides to sin, he has sinned even if circumstances prevent him from carrying out his intention.
• James 1:17 – God will consistently bless those who do His will just as He punishes those who sin against Him.

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By David Watson

Benchley, December 7, 2011

• The apostles were specially inspired to reveal God’s will to men.
• John 13:16; II corinthians 8:23; Acts 14:14; 13:4 – uses of the word “apostle”
• Mark 3:13-19 – the list of apostles
• They started with a “drop-what-you’re-doing” kind of faith.
• Luke 5:3-11 – Peter, James, and John left their livelihood behind to follow Jesus.
• Acts 9:1-20 – Paul turned around immediately and started serving Jesus.
• Luke 18:22-23 – the rich young ruler and his reluctance to change his ways for Jesus
• They persevered through failures.
• Matthew 16:6-12,21-23 – Jesus corrects the misunderstandings of the apostles.
• Mark 4:13; 9:32; Luke 22:31-32,60-62 – More failures of the apostles.
• I John 1:8-9

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By David Watson

Benchley, July 11, 2010

• James 5:14-16
  • Miraculous physical healing?
    • I Corinthians 12:9 – “gifts of healing”
    • Miracle + oil (Mark 6:13)
    • Miracle + prayer (Matthew 17:21; Acts 9:40)
    • Questions:
      • Why this explanation (miracles are not mentioned)?
      • Why are elders specified?
  • Non-miraculous physical healing?
    • Elders are specified simply because they would certainly be faithful men who would be on ‘praying terms’ with God.
    • Olive oil was often used as a basic medicine in those days.
  • Spiritual healing?
    • Perhaps:  whole passage is talking about one overtaken in sin.
    • sick [astheneo, 770]: same root word in I Corinthians 11:30
    • Elders help with spiritual sickness (Hebrews 13:17).
    • Christians praying for one another’s forgiveness harmonizes with I John 5:16 (does not excuse personal responsibility – Acts 8:22).
    • Perhaps the same theme runs through James 5:14-20.
    • Questions:
      • What positive reason do we have for taking this figuratively?
      • What about the oil?

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By David Watson

Benchley, July 4, 2010

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By David Watson

Benchley, June 27, 2010

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By David Watson

Benchley, June 13, 2010

James 4:5:  There has been much contention over the quote in this verse.  The original Greek did not have quotation marks (as a feature of the language – there was little to no punctuation in the original documents).  It was up to the translators to add these quotes.  It does not seem that they should be here at all.  The quote itself does not appear anywhere else in the Bible.

The language here is somewhat ambiguous in meaning and different translations take different approaches here.

Explanation 1: ‘Doesn’t it mean something to you that the Scriptures of old revealed this truth?  God created us and jealously desires that we devote ourselves to Him.’

Explanation 2: ‘Doesn’t it mean something to you that the Scriptures of old revealed this truth?  God created in us a spirit which we turn around and use to commit the sin of envy!’

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By David Watson

Benchley, June 6, 2010

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By David Watson

Benchley, May 23, 2010

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By David Watson

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By David Watson