A letter instructing Christians to be doers of the word and not merely hearers. |
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Hearing without acting is like seeing one’s image in a mirror and turning away (Jas 1:23-24) Ancient mirror |
The book of James presents a series of teachings that urge Christians to “be doers of the word, and not merely hearers” (1:22). True religion entails the care of orphans and widows, and keeping oneself unstained from the world (1:27). Faith by itself, without works, is dead (2:17). The last half of the book warns against sins of speech and greed (3-5). The author is traditionally associated with James, the brother of the Lord who was a leader in the early church (cf. Mark 6:3; Acts 15:13-21).
Jas 1:22-27 – Doers of the word
Jas 2:14-26 – Faith without works