We often hear discussed in church circles the concept of growing spiritually. What does that mean exactly? What does a spiritually mature believer look like? The first verse of the first chapter of James contains some powerful truths which help us build an understanding of this question.

 Click on this link for a flow diagram of this passage.

Epistle of James: Chapter One

SUMMARY

Chapter Summary: James 1

The chapter includes practical ‘how to live life’ instructions on dealing with tests and trials capped off by an admonition basic to all believers, doing the Word.

Section/Post Summary: James 1:1

James 1:1 consists of an introductory greeting, but, despite the formality, the verse has many power packed truths. Among them, James personal example of what spiritual maturity looks like in the form of servant-hood.

James 1:1 – James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

DEFINITIONS:

• servant/δοῦλος/doulos
  • A slave; one owned by another; a person without rights; one who gives himself up to another’s will. The word ‘doulos’ occurs 126 times in the New Testament, 72 of which are in the gospels.
• Lord/κύριος/kyrios
  • Lord, owner, master
• scattered/διασπορά/diaspora
  • The place in which the dispersed are found, dispersion, diaspora ¹.
• greeting/χαίρω/chairō
  • Rejoice and be glad.

BACKGROUND:

• Slavery in the First Century
  • In the first century, almost fifty percent of the population were slaves. Some scholars say the ratio is higher, as high as 85-90% ². There are many reasons for the ‘one in two’ slave ratio. Overwhelming debt was a main cause. Eighty percent of the population consisted of farmers barely earning enough to get by. Many sold themselves as servants just to cover their debts. Only a small percentage of the populace, fewer than 5%, had any wealth. This group included imperial rulers, military higher-ups and the elite religious clan. Debt was not the only source for the slave market. Child abandonment, kidnappers (1 Timothy 1:10) and captured prisoners of war fed the ranks. The term ‘servant’ or slave should be understood in its first century context not in its modern usage. The Romans, for example, did not see slaves as inferior people. The word, in modern times, is negative based on race and skin color. In the first century, a slave’s ethnicity was not a focal point. The news was not all bad for slaves. In some cases, it was more economical to be a slave than to be free. Many first century slaves had skills. Those captured in war brought their trade with them. As well as being farm-workers or semiskilled laborers, slaves were also artisans, workers in crafts, architects, doctors, administrators, philosophers, grammarians, writers, and teachers. They held positions such as trusted household servants, teachers, librarians, accountants and estate managers. ³. According to Roman law, slaves could enjoy freedom when they reached 30 years old. Often, freed slaves entered business partnerships with their former owners. The New Testament makes several references about slaves (1 Corinthians 7:21-22, Galatians 4:1, 7, Ephesians 6:8, Colossians 3:11, Philemon 15-17) showing us it’s extant in the first century. Jesus Himself recites a story (Matthew 18:23-35) about slaves who owed their masters money to teach the principle of forgiveness. Jesus used slaves in several of his parables (Matthew 24:45-50, 25:14-30, Mark 12:1-11, Luke 14:16-24) another proof of its commonality. Obviously, all slaves in Rome did not fare the same. Many, such as the miners, suffered the stinging negativity associated with the word today experiencing early death. The book of Revelation, a book about events in the future, suggests (Revelation 6:15, 13:16, 19:18) the problem of slavery will never evaporate until the second return of Jesus.
• The Dispersion
  • Seven million Jews, or two and a half times the number of Jews ‘abroad’ or ‘scattered’, existed outside Israel as opposed to those who had lived inside the nation (two million) in the first century. Several million Jews lived in Egypt alone ⁴. The Dispersion or scattering was equally voluntary and involuntary. Many Jews willingly relocated to areas outside Israel during the Greek and Roman periods of history. The persecution surrounding Stephen was an example of a forced relocation. The population of Jerusalem calculates out at eighty thousand strong during the persecution of Stephen. The number of believers out of this number registered in the thousands (Acts 2:41, 4:4). These Jewish believers were scattered throughout Judea (Acts 8:1, 11:19), Samaria, Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch.

COMMENTS:

• ‘a servant of God’
  • A Spiritually Mature Believer Is a Servant
    • The term ‘servant’ registered with the recipients of this letter because the slave establishment was part of first century life. The word unveils a deep devotion and dedication to God. Considering yourself a slave of Jesus and calling Jesus Lord or Master are the same. A slave does the bidding of his master. In Christendom, you can aspire to no higher place (Mark 9:35). Paul referred to himself as a slave of the Lord many times (Romans 1:1, 1 Corinthians 3:5, Galatians 1:10, Philippians 1:1, and Titus 1:1). Even the demon-possessed recognized this dedicated trait (Acts 16:17). What does it mean to be a servant of the Lord? It means giving up your rights to do your own thing. It means loving people as you love the Lord. The apostle committed himself to the Lord in these ways (1Corinthians 9:19, 2Corinthians 4:5) so the gospel would advance. Paul, a slave of God and man, lived the ‘loving God’, ‘loving people’ teaching (Matthew 22:35-40) shown in the Word. Epaphras (Colossians 4:12), Peter (2Peter 1:1), Jude (Jude 1), and John (Revelation 1:1) are also servant examples. James lifestyle illustrates this word adding his name to the Servant Hall of Fame.
  • James, a Servant, Displays His Maturity
    • This opening verse shows the apostle’s penetrating humility. His maturity pops out like a pumped up vein. James knew Jesus. After all, brothers know brothers. The siblings flourished in the home of Joseph and Mary. They played and laughed together. They developed into men of God together. James shared his toothbrush with the Messiah. Except he didn’t know he was the Messiah then. Jesus was just his kid brother. Despite knowing the star maker, James chooses not to reference it. What he does mention is the link that mattered most to him. “James a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ”. Put yourself in his place. How would you write this opening? Would you have written, “James the half-brother of Jesus?” A mature Christian understands the spiritual is higher than the physical. Blood is not thicker than water, in the Spirit realm. The new birth fuses believers together into an everlasting inseparable family. Two blood washed disciples living unknown to each other on separate continents have a greater bond than the closet unsaved relatives living under the same roof. These opening words of James are a sharp picture of what maturity looks like, an image the world knows nothing about. Service is life. Those playing the world’s game would have taken advantage of knowing someone as famous as Jesus. Can’t you hear the worn expression, “it’s not what you know but who you know?” Name-dropping, networking for status and positioning “for self-promotion is the game. Call it Selfishness Inc.; against this, the words of James stand in stark contrast.
  • A Call to Become a Servant
    • Are you willing to become a sold-out child of God? The call to the ‘higher life’ echoes from the shadows of Golgotha’s Hill. ‘Who will take up their cross and follow me’, signals the voice? “Who will lay aside their dreams and take up God’s dream of living as servants?” Questions like these couch at every believer’s doorstep. Whoever responds will find a ‘higher life’ of blessing, purpose and fulfillment. Whoever skirts the question has only the same old selfish lower nature to escort him throughout his days.

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• ‘and of the Lord Jesus’
  • Spiritual Maturity Means the Lordship of Jesus
    • James mentions a second important discipleship theme in this greeting; Lordship. “James, a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Calling Jesus Lord is Christianity 101. You confess His Lordship over your life to receive salvation (Romans 10:9-10). Confession means you give your word to God on this matter. I remember when I became a Christian in 1976. The message ministered to me was ‘receiving Jesus into my heart’. The Lordship of Jesus wasn’t pressed home. Calling Jesus Lord, then, was just words to me. So, what is Lordship? It means God has something to say about your life. He has input about what you are to do. We call that input the will of God. It comes through two avenues; the Word of God or general Lordship; and the Spirit of God or specific Lordship. General Lordship are the commandments of the Bible. It’s walking in love, living in humility, doing good works, sharing Jesus. Specific Lordship occurs when God witnesses to your heart your specific ministry for Him. It’s the job, He leads you to. The church you attend. The person you take as a marriage spouse. The place you live. Calling Jesus Lord is serious business. Especially when you consider the results you produced doing life your own way. Doing your own will only produced sin, frustration and defeat. Results which you never find in God. God is a God of victory and never defeat. To experience continual triumph you must follow His will in all areas of your life. Servant-hood is a by-product of Lordship. We serve Him, we give ourselves up to His will. We say yes to His Word and His promptings, we count not ourselves as our own (1 Corinthians 6:19) because He is Lord.
• ‘to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting’
  • James’ Big Hello Introduces Joy
    • The word ‘greeting’, which means rejoice and be glad, is a conventional hello used in letters of that day. However common, its use here does not reduce it as the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16). James carved out his letter by the Spirit’s inspiration. When the Spirit uses the word ‘greeting, it carries a greater punch than when John Jay wrote Sally Sue saying, “Hey – what’s up?” The rejoicing portion of the word is a main idea as the chapter unfolds. It is part of the answer to the problem of test and trials; a problem James begins to discuss in verse two.

QUESTIONS:

• Why should I rejoice when things are hard?
  • The rejoicing theme invites the question why.” Why should I rejoice when life is tumbling in?” If you were in the shoes of one of the assembly James addresses, you might say, “Look James, I have no reason for joy. I am dislodged from my home. I have lost everything I own. Give me a good reason why I should I rejoice.” Joy amid difficulties translates to an expression of faith. We can know the joy of the Lord when we realize the most High God will prosper us out of the difficulty we face. We are not alone. Joy raises you into the realms of the Most High God (Psalm 16:11). It energizes you with strength (Nehemiah 8:10) to overcome.

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References