“This chapter cites some significant ways in which faith in Jesus Christ affects the life of the believer,” writes Butler. A practical and spiritually rich epistle on living the Christian life, James stresses the necessity of putting one’s faith into action. Butler’s verse-by-verse commentary shines light on some of the best practical advice for daily living contained in the New Testament.
“Rejoicing in one’s troubles means one must trust God that He knows what He is doing when He allows us to undergo these troubles and trials.” (Page 137)
“The warning is to not presume for yourself the task of teaching. Positions in church, which have prestige and status, are often coveted, not in order to do a job, but in pride to gain the prestige and the status of the job. The warning here emphasizes that fact. It is a warning against pride and against presuming a calling that is not yours. Today we have some men in the ministry who are there because they like the idea of the respect, prestige, and authority which it gives them. For some it is a great elevation socially. Some like the idea of getting up in front of people and censuring them for their sins. It fills their fleshly ego.” (Page 156)
“James talks about the evidence of faith; Romans about the existence of faith” (Page 152)
“‘temptation’ meaning here is limited to the desire to do evil not the solicitation to do evil.” (Page 145)
“temptation (the desire to do evil) comes from within ourselves” (Page 145)