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What a turnaround from the day James told his half brother what to do do if He wanted to be known publicly! Full of unbelief and convinced that Jesus was nothing more than his eldest brother, James told Jesus to take His disciples and go up to the Feast of Booths and do His works there. Jesus might have found more disciples there, but James was not to be numbered as one of them-at least, not until Jesus rose from the dead (see 1 Corinthians 15:7).

    Convinced from that point on that Jesus was the Christ, James would lay claim not to his physical relationship to Jesus but to his spiritual relationship as a bondservant of the Lord Jesus Christ. He became a pillar of the church, a leader of the council of Jerusalem, and a friend of Peter and Paul. But most of all he was a friend of Jesus, a covenant friend for whom he would be martyred around A.D. 62.

    Sometime before A.D.50 or in the early 50s, James would write his one epistle to be included in the pages of Holy Scripture, an epistle that would show what the gospel is like when it is lived out in shoe leather. 

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How to Study James (NASB)

1. Read James in one sitting to familiarize yourself with the book as a whole.

2. Mark every reference to the recipients. James structure his writing distinctively. Once you see the pattern he uses, you will better understand the flow of the book.

   1.  First, James introduces a subject by marking a statement or giving an introduction. For example, in James 1:2 he says to consider it all joy when you encounter various trials.

   2. He then usually follows with more instructions concerning that particular subject, or he gives an illustrations pertaining to the subject, or he gives an explanation of it.

3. As you read back through James, mark in the text the key words (and their synonyms and pronouns): brethren, faith, perfect (perfected), sin, rich (riches), judge (s) (judgment, law). Key words help you see the subjects of the book; keep in mind that some key words only appear in a portion of a book.

   1.  Watch for these, including say (says) and words in chapter 2, tongue in chapter 3, and so on. Mark these in their own distinctive way. Also, mark any reference to the devil and his demons.

   2. When you finish, you'll find it profitable to list everything you learn from marking a key word.   

4. Read James chapter by chapter:

   1. List the subjects introduced by the author on the James subject by subject chart. Be sure to include the chapter and verse from which you took the information.

   2. Next, if the author gives instructions or illustration regarding a particular subject, record that information in the appropriate column.

5. After you list the subjects in each chapter, determine the theme of each chapter and record these on Structure of James.

6. Finally, look for theme of James. Determine if one subject is predominant or if there is a common denominator among the subjects. The more dominant or common subject will be the theme of James and points to the author's reason for writing. Record the theme of James on Structure of James and complete the chart. 

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Application of James    

1. How are you handling the trials in your life?

2. Are you a doer of the Word or a hearer only?

3. Do you show partiality in dealing with people? Are you a respecter of persons?

4. Is your faith seen by your works? If not, what should that tell you?

5. Are you a friend of the world? What do you need to do?

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Key Words in the NIV and KJV

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