Lesson 1 of 3
Doers of the word
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Study objective: Study James’ call to act on what we hear.
Reading: James 1:19–27
James 1:19–27 WEB
19So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; 20for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God. 21Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves. 23For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his natural face in a mirror; 24for he sees himself, and goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25But he who looks into the perfect law of freedom and continues, not being a hearer who forgets but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in what he does. 26If anyone among you thinks himself to be religious while he doesn’t bridle his tongue, but deceives his heart, this man’s religion is worthless. 27Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Background and context
The letter addresses “the twelve tribes which are in the Dispersion” (1:1), probably Jewish believers scattered outside Judea. The writer calls himself James; tradition identifies him with James the brother of the Lord (Galatians 1:19), though the letter does not say which James.
Observe
- Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger (1:19).
- Hearing without doing is self-deception (1:22).
- James uses the picture of a mirror (1:23-25).
- Pure religion cares for orphans and widows and keeps oneself unstained (1:27).
Words, people and events to notice
- Religion
- James uses it for the outward practice of faith, and defines true religion by care for the vulnerable and holiness. James 1:26–27
Understand
- How does the mirror picture explain hearing without doing?
- Why might James connect speech, anger and religion (1:19-26)?
- What two things define pure religion in 1:27?
Connect
- Matthew 7:24–27
Jesus’ wise and foolish builders.
Reflect
- What have you heard recently that you have not yet done?
- Who are the “orphans and widows” in your community?
Key takeaways
Editorial summary, not Scripture.
- Faith that only hears deceives itself.
- True religion shows in care and holiness.
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