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    James 4:11,12: Intro: - What Contextual Considerations Need To Be Remembered in Interpreting These Verses?

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    Doru
    The document provides commentary and questions on James 4:11-12. It discusses the context of the passage, including the political climate and conflicts within early Christian communities. It examines various meanings of key phrases, such as "speaking against one another" and what law is being referred to. It explores the differences between judging a brother and judging the law. Finally, it considers who the "Lawgiver and Judge" mentioned in the passage refers to and what James' overall argument is regarding Christians judging each other.

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    James 4:11,12: Intro: - What Contextual Considerations Need To Be Remembered in Interpreting These Verses?

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    Doru
    36 views2 pages
    The document provides commentary and questions on James 4:11-12. It discusses the context of the passage, including the political climate and conflicts within early Christian communities. It examines various meanings of key phrases, such as "speaking against one another" and what law is being referred to. It explores the differences between judging a brother and judging the law. Finally, it considers who the "Lawgiver and Judge" mentioned in the passage refers to and what James' overall argument is regarding Christians judging each other.

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    James 13

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    James13

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    The document provides commentary and questions on James 4:11-12. It discusses the context of the passage, including the political climate and conflicts within early Christian communities. It examines various meanings of key phrases, such as "speaking against one another" and what law is being referred to. It explores the differences between judging a brother and judging the law. Finally, it considers who the "Lawgiver and Judge" mentioned in the passage refers to and what James' overall argument is regarding Christians judging each other.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    36 views2 pages

    James 4:11,12: Intro: - What Contextual Considerations Need To Be Remembered in Interpreting These Verses?

    Uploaded by

    Doru
    The document provides commentary and questions on James 4:11-12. It discusses the context of the passage, including the political climate and conflicts within early Christian communities. It examines various meanings of key phrases, such as "speaking against one another" and what law is being referred to. It explores the differences between judging a brother and judging the law. Finally, it considers who the "Lawgiver and Judge" mentioned in the passage refers to and what James' overall argument is regarding Christians judging each other.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    of 2

    James 4:11,12

    Intro: • What contextual considerations need to be remembered in interpreting these verses?


    - Jewish heritage of the Christians who were recipients of this letter?
    - the political situation in Palestine in the late 50s or early 60s when this letter was
    written?
    - the conflicts that were taking place within the community(ies) to which James was
    writing?
    - trials, testing, temptations (1:2,3,12-16)
    - verbal improprieties (1:19,20,26; 2:3; 3:1-12)
    - social discrimination (1:9-11,27; 2:1-13)
    - belief-only teachers (2:14-26)
    - congregational disorder (3:13-18; 4:1-10)

    Vs. 11 • Note these Old Testament passages which served as background for these Jewish-
    Christians:
    - Leviticus 19:15-18
    - Psalm 50:19,20
    - Psalm 101:5
    • Note also some New Testament passages which serve as parallels:
    - Matthew 7:1,2
    - Luke 6:37
    - Romans 2:1
    - Romans 14:4
    - I Corinthians 4:5
    • What does James mean by “speaking against” one another, a brother, and the law?
    - to discredit?
    - to find fault with?
    - to denigrate?
    - to criticize?
    - to slander?
    - to speak contemptuously of?
    - to speak of with disdain?
    - to denounce?
    - to ridicule?
    - to condemn?
    • What “law” (used 4 times in vs. 11) is James referring to?
    - Mosaic Law?
    - Ten Commandments in particular?
    - Old Testament in general?
    - the “law of Christ”? (cf. Gal. 6:2)
    - the “perfect law of liberty” (cf. James 1:25; 2:12)
    - the “royal law”? (cf. James 2:8; Rom. 13:8,10)
    • Is “judging a brother” or “judging the law” (2) different from “speaking against” the
    same?
    • If so, what is the difference?
    - indict?
    - prosecute?
    - censure?
    - bring a verdict against?
    - pronounce judgment on?
    - anathematize?
    - condemn?
    • What does it mean to be a “doer of the law”?
    - obey all the rules and regulations?
    - keep the Ten Commandments?
    - become an activist for Christ?
    - let Jesus Christ be the “doer” in/through you by His grace?
    - allow for the outworking of the divine dynamic to which we have been receptive in
    faith? (cf. 1:22,25; 2:14-26; 3:13)
    • When happens when one becomes “a judge” of the law?
    - he sets himself outside and above the law?
    - he views himself as separate and detached from the law?
    - he stands apart from the law in a place of superiority?
    - he claims authority in himself over the law?
    - he elevates himself above Jesus Christ?
    - he usurps God’s sovereign rule?
    - he tries to “play God” or “play Holy Spirit”?

    Vs. 12 • Who is the “Lawgiver and Judge...who is able to save and destroy”?
    - cf. Isaiah 33:22
    - cf. II Timothy 4:1,8
    - cf. Matthew 10:28
    • Why does James stress the “oneness” of this divine action?
    - singularity of God?
    - exclusive prerogative of God?
    - divine right of God?
    • What is James’ argument, then, when he draws the conclusion: “Who, then, are you who
    judges your neighbor?”
    - “Who do you think you are to presume and pretend to ‘play God’?”
    - “Who do you think you are to assume a superior position over your Christian
    brother?”
    - “Who do you think you are to usurp Christ’s exclusive role as Lord in the life of
    another Christian?”
    - “Who do you think you are to accept/reject; include/exclude; call your brother
    in/out?”
    - “Who do you think you are to designate yourselves as the determiner of God’s
    approval or disapproval?”
    - “Who gives you the right to protect or expel; to cover or condemn?”

    Conc. • If Christians are not to “speak against” or “judge” another Christian, what is the
    antithetical and positive action that James is inculcating?
    • Can you think of some personal situations where James’ exhortation can be applied and
    implemented in your own life?

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