Albert Barnes

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion: Greetings.

“James, a servant of God - On the meaning of the word “servant” in this connection, see the note at Rom 1:1. Compare the note at Phm 1:16.”

because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience - Patience is one of the fruits of such a trial, and the grace of patience is worth the trial which it may cost to procure it.”

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

“If any of you lack wisdom - Probably this refers particularly to the kind of wisdom which they would need in their trials, to enable them to bear them in a proper manner, for there is nothing in which Christians more feel the need of…”

That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

“For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord - Compare Heb 11:6. A man can hope for favor from God only as he puts confidence in him.”

For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its flower falls and its beauty is lost.

“For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat - Isaiah Isa 40:7 employs the word “wind,” referring to a burning wind that dries up the flowers.”

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God - See the remarks on the previous verse.”

Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

“Then when lust hath conceived - Compare Job 15:35. The allusion here is obvious. The meaning is, when the desire which we have naturally is quickened, or made to act, the result is that sin is produced.”

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift - The difference between good and perfect here, it is not easy to mark accurately.”

My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren - The connection is this: “since God is the only source of good; since he tempts no man; and since by his mere sovereign goodness, without any claim on our part, we have had the high honor conferred on us of…”

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.

“Wherefore - In view of the fact that God has begotten us for his own service; in view of the fact that excited feeling tends only to wrong, let us lay aside all that is evil, and submit ourselves wholly to the influence of truth.”

For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror,

“For if any be ... - The ground of the comparison in these verses is obvious. The apostle refers to what all persons experience, the fact that we do not retain a distinct impression of ourselves after we have looked in a mirror.”

But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what…

“But whoso looketh - (παρακύψας parakupsas). This word means, to stoop down near by anything; to bend forward near, so as to look at anything more closely. See the word explained in the notes at 1Pe 1:12.”

Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

“Pure religion - On the word here rendered “religion” (θρησκεία thrēskeia), see the notes at Col 2:18. It is used here evidently in the sense of piety, or as we commonly employ the word religion.”

My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism.

“My brethren - Perhaps meaning brethren in two respects - as Jews, and as Christians. In both respects the form of address would be proper.”

Are they not the ones who blaspheme the noble name by which you have been called?

“Do they not blaspheme that worthy name? - This is another argument to show that the rich had no special claim to the honor which they were disposed to show them. The “worthy name” here referred to is, doubtless, the name of the Saviour.”

But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

“But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin - You transgress the plain law of God, and do wrong. See the references on Jas 2:1. And are convinced of the law as transgressors - Greek “By the law.””

For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy - This is obviously an equitable principle, and is one which is everywhere found in the Bible. Pro 21:13.”

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.

“If a brother or sister be naked ... - The comparison in these verses is very obvious and striking.”

You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

“Thou believest that there is one God - One of the great and cardinal doctrines of religion is here selected as an illustration of all.”

Was not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?

“Was not Abraham our father - Our progenitor, our ancestor; using the word “father,” as frequently occurs in the Bible, to denote a remote ancestor. Compare the notes at Mat 1:1.”

And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God.

“And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith - That is, the fair and full meaning of the language of Scripture was expressed by this act, showing in the highest sense that his faith was genuine; or the declaration that he truly believed, was confirmed or…”

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

“My brethren, be not many masters - “Be not many of you teachers.” The evil referred to is that where many desired to be teachers, though but few could be qualified for the office, and though, in fact, comparatively few were required.”

In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.

“Even so the tongue is a little member - Little compared with the body, as the bit or the rudder is, compared with the horse or the ship.”

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man,

“For every kind of beasts - The apostle proceeds to state another thing showing the power of the tongue, the fact that it is ungovernable, and that there is no power of man to keep it under control. Everything else but this has been tamed.”

With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.

“Therewith bless we God - We men do this; that is, all this is done by the tongue. The apostle does not mean that the same man does this, but that all this is done by the same organ - the tongue.”