Epistle of James: an Overview

I. Persecution of Christ's Church (ch. 12)

A. Execution of James, 12:1-4
B. Escape of Peter, 12:5-19
C. Evil Exaltation of Herod, 12:20-25

II. Paul's First Missionary Journey (chs. 13-14)

A. Singled Out by the Holy Spirit, 13:1-2
B. Sent Forth by the Holy Spirit, 13:3-11
C. Sermon at Synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia, 13:14-43
D. Sabbath Uproar: the Jews Against the Gentiles, 13:44-52
E. Saving Grace in Returning to Antioch, 14:1-28

III. Preliminary Info on the Epistle of James

• James, the younger half-brother of Jesus
- o Matt 13:55; Gal 1:19
• James is a pillar in the church of Jerusalem
- o Acts 12:17; 15:13-21; Gal 2:9
• James written & circulated approx. 40-46 AD
• James written to saved Jews, ch. 1:1

IV. Proverbs of the New Testament

A. Wisdom from God, ch. 1
- 1. our way, vv5-8
B. Works as Evidence of Saving Faith, ch. 2
- 1. our walk, vv14-26
C. Words as a Sign of Christian Maturity, ch. 3
- 1. our talk, vv2-12
D. War as the Real Struggle in Mortal Flesh, ch. 4
- 1. our fight, vv1-4
E. Waiting for the Lord by Waiting upon the Lord, ch. 5
- 1. our worship, vv7-8

V. Particulars Concerning this Letter

A. Some Reformers disliked this letter, viz., Martin Luther (1483-1546) & Philip Melanchthon (1497-1560).
- 1. understandable, though they were wrong