New Testament · General Epistle

James

Faith with hands and feet.

Author: James, the Lord's brother
Audience: Dispersed Jewish Christians
Date: c. AD 45–49
Chapters: 5

Purpose

To call for faith that works.

Key Themes

Works
Wisdom
Tongue

Key Verses

“Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”

Wesleyan–Holiness Reflection

Double-mindedness — the very thing entire sanctification ends.

Chapter Insight

Jump into any chapter for cross-references and a Wesleyan reflection.

Watch & Learn — Seedbed

Seedbed is the Wesleyan–Holiness teaching ministry of Asbury Theological Seminary.

Cross-References in James

Genesis 15:6quotation'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.'
Who
Moses (Genesis narrator)
To
Israel
Where
Near Hebron, under the stars
When
Abram's faith counted as righteousness
Why:James, like Paul, anchors true faith in Abraham — but emphasizes the obedience that proves it real.
Context:James and Paul are not in conflict but in stereo: Paul preaches faith that works; James condemns 'faith' that doesn't.
Read Genesis 15:6 →
1 Kings 17allusionElijah prayed earnestly that it would not rain.
Who
1 Kings narrator
To
Israel under Ahab
Where
Northern kingdom of Israel, 9th century BC
When
Elijah's drought as judgment on Baal-worshiping Israel
Why:James democratizes Elijah — 'a man with a nature like ours' — to embolden ordinary believers to pray.
Context:The argument: if God answered Elijah's prayer, he hears yours too.
Read 1 Kings 17 →
Romans 4:2themeFaith and works held in a single tension.
Who
Paul
To
The mixed Jew–Gentile church in Rome
Where
Corinth, c. AD 57, writing to Rome
When
Paul's defense of justification by faith apart from Law-works
Why:James writes against an antinomian distortion of Paul; their voices together protect the gospel from cheap grace.
Context:Wesley insisted both apostles are right: we are justified by faith alone, but the faith that justifies is never alone.
Read Romans 4:2 →

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