Search the encyclopedia
162 articles found for “James”
Epistle of James
The Epistle of James is the twentieth book of the New Testament, a five-chapter General Epistle. It is best known for its teaching that faith must be shown through works.
James 2:24
James 2:24 reads, "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." Because it appears to conflict with Paul's teaching of justification by faith alone, it has been a central text in the debate over justification between Protestants and Roman Catholics since the Reformation, as well as within Protestantism itself.
James 5:14–15
This passage instructs the sick to call for the elders of the church, who are to pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The Catholic sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, Pentecostal divine healing ministry, and Protestant pastoral visitation of the sick all appeal to this passage, though each understands its meaning differently.
James (Son of Zebedee)
James, the son of Zebedee, was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus and the brother of the apostle John. According to the Book of Acts, he was killed with the sword by King Herod, and he is the only one of the Twelve whose martyrdom is recorded in Scripture.
James (Brother of the Lord)
James is a New Testament figure identified as "the Lord's brother" and was a leader of the early church in Jerusalem. Tradition holds that he wrote the Epistle of James.
James 1:2-4
James 1:2-4 is a passage that urges believers to count it all joy when they encounter various temptations (trials). Because of its progression, in which trials produce patience and patience leads to completeness, it is frequently cited in sermons and words of comfort that address suffering and growth in faith.
James 1:12–14
James 1:12–14 promises that the one who endures trials will receive "the crown of life" and states that the temptation leading to sin comes not from God but from a person's own desire. The passage is frequently cited in discussions of perseverance in suffering and of responsibility for sin.
James 4:7
James 4:7 is the exhortation in the Epistle of James that if believers submit to God and resist the devil, the devil will flee from them. It is frequently quoted in sermons and prayers dealing with temptation and spiritual warfare. Interpretation centers on how "submitting" and "resisting" relate to each other.
James 5:16–18
A passage that urges believers to pray for one another when sick and to confess their sins to one another, citing the prayer of Elijah as an example. It is frequently cited in discussions of intercessory prayer, divine healing, and the practice of confession.
James the Son of Alphaeus
One of the twelve disciples of Jesus, distinguished from James the son of Zebedee by the addition of his father's name. He is traditionally also called "James the Less," although it is uncertain whether the two are the same person.
James 4:13–15
James 4:13–15 rebukes those who, though they cannot know what tomorrow will bring, boast of their plans for trade and travel while leaving God out of account, and urges them to live with the attitude expressed in the words "If the Lord will." The passage is frequently cited in discussions of the brevity of life and of God's providence.
James 1:5–6
James 1:5–6 urges anyone who lacks wisdom to ask God, who gives generously, in faith and without doubting. It is often cited in discussions of praying for discernment amid trials and of what it means to pray "nothing wavering."
James 4:2–3
A passage in James 4 that rebukes quarrels within the community as arising from selfish desire and gives two reasons why believers do not receive what they want: they do not ask, or they ask with wrong motives. It is frequently cited in discussions of answered prayer and the motives behind prayer.
James 4:11-12
A passage in the Epistle of James teaching that to speak evil of or judge a brother is to judge the law, and that God alone is lawgiver and judge. It is frequently cited as a warning against slander and condemnation, and discussion of it also addresses how such judgment differs from legitimate discernment and church discipline.
James 2:15-17
A passage in which James uses the example of a fellow believer who is poorly clothed and hungry, and who receives only kind words without having his needs met, to declare that "faith, if it hath not works, is dead." It is frequently cited to encourage almsgiving, and its relationship to Paul's teaching on justification by faith has long been debated.
James 1:6–7
James 1:6–7 instructs believers to ask God for wisdom in faith, without doubting, and compares the one who doubts to a wave of the sea driven by the wind. The passage is frequently cited in sermons on prayer, and interpreters debate whether unanswered prayer can be attributed to a lack of faith.
James 2:21–24
A passage that cites Abraham's offering of Isaac to argue that a person is "justified by works, and not by faith only." Because it appears to conflict with Paul's teaching of justification by faith, it is frequently discussed in treatments of the relationship between faith and works.
James 2:1–4
James 2:1–4 is a passage instructing believers in Christ not to show partiality between the rich and the poor in their assembly. It is frequently cited as a warning against treating people differently in the church on the basis of wealth or status.
James Scarth Gale
James Scarth Gale (1863–1937) was a Canadian Presbyterian missionary whose Korean name was Gi Il (奇一). He served as the first senior pastor of Yeondong Church, produced the first Korean translation of The Pilgrim's Progress, and took part in compiling A Korean-English Dictionary and in translating the Bible.
James Zhou Wenmo
James Zhou Wenmo (周文謨, 1752–1801) was a Chinese priest and the first Catholic priest to enter Joseon Korea. His baptismal name was James. He secretly entered Joseon at the end of 1794, ministered there for six years, and was executed at Saenamteo during the Sinyu Persecution of 1801.