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Category: Epistles – Is his letter to our church?

Epistle of Paul to the Romans 1 - the Apostles sends a church letter to Rome and the local saints of area churches
Epistle of Paul to the Romans

Epistles ἐπιστολή or Letters

I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.

Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians 

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JUNE 2024 – 2025 —

1 CORINTHIANS 

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Letters – Is he writing to me?
The short answer: YES.

In their epistles or 1st century church letters the Apostles and other men sent out by Jesus build up the saints [small – ‘s’] or members of local first century churches.

A Disciple or other witness of JESUS would write it. Messengers then delivered these church letters to many isolated worshipers.

Followers of Jesus Christ receive these letters as a major encouragement to their personal faith. Then leaders read them to worshipers of their church.

Although the Epistles 0r Letters to the Church were originally written to churches of the first century,

Romans through Jude will seem like letters to your 21st century church.

  • What do Peter, Paul, John and others tell us we must do?
  • Is he talking about an issue in your 21st c. church as well?
  • How does the writer’s advice, warning, or encouragement to the 1st c. believers apply to you as well
  • Is the writer of this letter talking about something you need to address in your 21st century ‘christian’ life?

Contemporary Application of the Letters (Epistles)

Most New Testament writers take on specific issues confronting faithful followers of Jesus Christ. These same issues continue to confront believers until the Lord’s coming again in these last days.

Certainly Christ our Lord will come again to those God has chosen for eternal life.

Believers currently suffer more than most of you who know Christ in your local church can imagine.

In other lands Christians continue to suffer by the hand of the ungodly.
Go into all the world

A 21st century Common Era church can see and hear nearly any atrocity of man or artificial imagination of sinful man’s mind, yet ‘christians‘ dare not speak of any absolute truth of the Lord God or talk of JESUS CHRIST.

Will YOU comment on Scripture and share the Gospel?

I invite you to read the inspired word of Scripture written in these LETTERS TO THE CHURCH.

YES, He IS writing to YOU.

Beloved brother or sister in Christ Jesus,

Will you read this ‘CHURCH LETTER’ and talk of JESUS through your comment, sharing and email to me about this ‘Letter to you?”

Roger@talkofJesus.com

  • James – Preaching to a Worldly Church – 4

    James – Preaching to a Worldly Church – 4

    Worldliness in the Church

    These people create divisions and are worldly, not having the Spirit.

    Jude 1:19

    Jude, brother of James and also witness of Jesus risen from death, stands with all the Apostles when he urges us, “Contend for the faith.” He cautions, “some have come in by stealth; they are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into sensuality and denying Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord.

    The concern of both half-brothers of Jesus for the saints (those of the church) to whom they write calls for inward discernment. Among us are worldly (false worshipers) who do not have (or know) the Holy Spirit, therefore beware of the divisions they would create.

    What is worldliness?

    Some versions translate ψυχικός [psychikos] (a root you will recognize in the common thinking of the church today) as worldly-minded (a caution rarely heard from a contemporary pulpit). Other versions translate it as: ‘sensual,’ ‘natural instincts,’ ‘worldly.’

    • the principal of animal life, which men have in common with the brutes
    • the sensuous nature with its subjection to appetite and passion

    James cautions the church to beware of the worldly among the sheep, men and women without the Spirit who would devour us. (And what if they are most of the church or among our leaders?) He tells us how to recognize them.

    Jude calls them ungodly. James calls them adulterous, comparing the worldly of the church to unbridled horses and rudderless ships. And why is that?

    The ungodly (by definition) are destitute of reverential awe towards God, condemning God, and impious. But it goes deeper than that; for examination of the Greek root word for ungodliness, ἄλφα [Alpha] (as a negative particle) literally implies, anti-Christ.

    Christ is the Alpha to indicate that he is the beginning and the end. The ungodly do not teach or recognize Jesus in this way and do not have the Holy Spirit.

    ‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME,
    TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’”

    Matthew 15:9

    Previously in the Letter of James

    We introduced James in Witness of a Converted Brother, clarifying that this leader of the church in Jerusalem was likely none other than one of the unbelieving half-brothers of Jesus. A commentator suggests, ‘This book offers sound advice for practical Christian living.” So I have begun today by mentioning Jude.

    James 1:2-3 words meaning count or consider joy

    In Count it All Joy we learned that James writes his letter to several churches, much as we read the Revelation of Jesus Christ to John addressing several churches by a letter sent by messenger.

    Then in a Word on Works James encourages followers of Christ to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.

    Now he has something to say about teachers and preaching; but first, more about the tongue.

    Our Untamable Tongue

    2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body.

    We are sinners, every one of us. All stumble, but as James suggests earlier, watch your mouth. Hold your tongue, some would say.

    IF anyone does not stumble — is he kidding? Who does not open their mouth and insert a foot, as the expression goes?

    But James suggests that by the Spirit (and not our own natural worldliness) some may be mature enough in Christ to speak for the Lord. He suggests that what we say shows the fruit of justification, but our words could possibly yield fruit spoiled by our sins.

    James 3:

    3 Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we direct their whole bodies.

    Those who live by the Law of Freedom may not run wildly. Christ does not give us license to do as we please, but He is our Master who reigns over us and reins us in.

    4 And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.

    5 So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things.

    campfire burning at night

    Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest. And the tongue is a fire.

    The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among our members. It stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

    Every animal can be tamed by mankind, James tells us. Neither your preacher nor I can illustrate this power and control of the tongue any better. In addition to other applications of reason for us to bridle our tongues prior to speaking James continues:

    … but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

    James 3:8 CSB

    10 Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way.

    Be SLOW to speak. Does blessing only pour from the spring of your mouth?

    Therefore be QUICK to listen. Does your brother or sister in the Lord, even a leader of your church light a forest or produce the wrong fruit of the tongue?

    James will address these when we continue, God willing. 

    To be continued...
Preview below

    Teachers and Preachers

    Some time ago I embraced this verse from Job.

    I will teach you concerning the hand of God;
    That which is with the Almighty will I not conceal.

    Job 27:11 ASV

    To this, most everyone I know would say, “Amen.”

    Although I include teaching as one of my gifts, speaking for the Lord is a high calling which James addresses.

    My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

    James 3:1 NKJV

    †

  • James – a Word on Works – 3

    James – a Word on Works – 3

    In a visual word about works. James entreats us, “let everyone see your works,” in this proverb of James, ‘be doers of the word.’

    What does it have to do with his initial advice, “Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials?”

    James details the connection as he continues his pastoral letter to the church (actually, several churches). He makes a case that our works refine our faith and prove our faith to other potential followers of the Lord.

    But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

    James 1:22 CSB

    Hearing and Doing the Word

    Did you ever hear the rebuke as a child, “You have two ears and one mouth?” It’s advice from this section of the letter of James to the church. Perhaps you haven’t read it in a while, but allow your heart to listen well to the Spirit.

    James 1:19-2:26

    19 My dear brothers and sisters, understand this:

    Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.

    James 1:19b-20 CSB

    Think about what we see and hear everyday. The world has this upside down. Doubtless the world of the first century encountered the same.

    People are angry about this, angry about that. They speak first and frequently. We can see it on television or online, and social media thrives on the polarized opinions of those who speak without understanding.

    We are quick to anger, impulsive to speak, and slow fo listen.

    How we reflect the world, dear claimants of Christ!

    Sadly, our works in this area of speaking boldly to others out of our zeal for the Lord likely needs the most work.

    Listen

    It takes humility to listen to another before speaking your heart.

    Do you converse with a brother or a sister in Christ? Our conversation with and unbeliever should be different, but the same principles apply. Before we answer do we understand the heart of the one speaking or if they oppose Christ possibly, but have interest because of something they ask about?

    “Swift to hear,” say some translations. Certainly not swift to react, as is our tendency. But to whom must we listen? What does the Apostle want the church to hear?

    Perhaps the most telling use of the Greek word here is found in a familiar teaching from Jesus.

    “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. – Matthew 5:38

    It’s the traditional measured response of justice, seek no more from someone who has sinned against you than what he has taken by his trespass. Of course what follows is the Lord’s command for us to love our enemies.

    Though we all want “justice” for our enemy, we also seek “mercy” for our transgressions of the law. So let’s skip to the issue of anger, source of our own reactive speech, for the wisdom of James’ suggestion.

    Anger

    Everyone should be quick to listen … and slow to anger, 20 for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.

    This is the only place James uses this word, which points to our reaction to the anger of others. The root verb suggests a stretching out in order to understand another. James continues:

    21 Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

    Don’t react, but receive the implanted word. (We’ll get to that in a moment.)

    Favoritism

    2:1 My brothers and sisters, do not show favoritism as you hold on to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.

    … and yet you say to the poor person, “Stand over there,” or “Sit here on the floor by my footstool,” 4 haven’t you made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

    James cautions the church against certain worshipers who expect special treatment. The ‘hearers’ to whom he writes must guard against men and women actively provoking the saints of the church to react with anger.

    Yet he reminds us that those souls provoking us to anger ought to see the love of Christ Jesus in our response.

    Fellow ‘church member,’ allow me to restate in an excerpt from a different version. James addresses us:

    A Warning against Prejudice

    James 2: My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?

    2 For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry… 3 If you give special attention… to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there…”—well, 4 doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?

    5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? 6 But you dishonor the poor!

    Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? 7 Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?

    8 Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

    9 But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.

    James 2 excerpt from NLT (preaching emphasis my own)

    This very favoritism provokes my anger this very moment!

    Yet James asks us to keep silent, listen, do not speak first and remember that “Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. 1:20

    Convicted!

    The Lord holds all authority to punish or pardon. Leave it to His will.

    Slow to speak

    Whenever we face ‘various trials,’ inevitably they will come from the actions and words of others. How difficult for us to show the same humble temperament as our Lord Jesus.

    James reminds us (in verse 8), ‘If you love your neighbor as yourself,’ as Jesus taught, ‘you are doing well.’ Then (in verse 9) he applies the challenge of favoritism. Now apply this to your own reactions.

    Were you slow to speak before you judged your neighbor?

    Did you listen first, before you answered?

    James addresses real issues of the church, like anger and favoritism.

    Therefore put away all filthiness and rank growth of wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

    James 1:21 RSV

    Quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for our own moral filthiness and wickedness must not arrogantly replace the word of God.

    Mirror of our Hypocrisy

    James illustrates our brief partial glances at self in this way:

    If you are a hearer of the word and not a doer of the word (in other words, if you have not works), then you are like one observing your own face in the mirror. You then go away, forgetting what you are like.

    Isn’t this our false image of our own righteousness?

    James urges you and me to stand in front of the mirror for a while. (I hate to do that.) Worse, for those of us who quickly walk away, he asks us to look into the reflection of what God wants to see.

    But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works—this person will be blessed in what he does.

    James 1:25 CSB

    Royal Law vs Law of Freedom

    See the freedom Christ gives us. Persevere in the perfect law and don’t forget to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Be blessed in your trials for the Lord.

    All of the Apostles, including James in this letter, encourage the new church.

    Christ redeemed slaves of the Law, awaiting our sentence of death, to the grace of the law of freedom.

    The Royal Law

    A good reason for true followers of Jesus to be slow to speak lies in our varying opinions of how to apply the Commandments. Most of us have a great need to consider how to act as one under authority. Here many disagreements begin as anger simmers below the surface.

    Your opponent asks, “By whose authority do you tell me what I must do?

    Paul tells us in one instance illustrating such authority.

    “I was traveling to Damascus under these circumstances with authority and a commission from the chief priests. – Acts 26:12

    Saul (Paul) testifies that his mission and authority came directly from the chief priests (bound by the Authority of Almighty God).

    His court case before King Herod Agrippa, the last reigning King of Judea with the royal title [AD 41-44], takes place about the same time as the letter of James. Agrippa’s royal authority (as opposed to a priestly commission) was his appointment of succession as king, confirmed by the authority of Rome.

    Authority

    ἐξουσία – power, authority, right, liberty, jurisdiction, strength – power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases

     Strong’s G1849 – exousia

    Royal authority, religious leadership authority, government authority, military authority – any and all authority remain contentious issues to this day, as they were for the first century church.

    Be slow to speak, therefore; that you might hear not only the words, but the authority from where they speak,

    Jesus cautions followers to obey all of these authorities, where their law applies to us. Further, the Lord presents a practical example of faith through a Roman centurion.

    Luke 7

    6 Jesus …was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell him, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, since I am not worthy to have you come under my roof…

    Beloved, here is true humility, true acceptance of Jesus’ Divine Authority. The centurion continues:

    But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under my command.

    I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

    9 Jesus heard this and was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found so great a faith even in Israel.”

    Do you — do the shepherds of your church have such authority?

    The Law of Freedom

    What should we say if we speak from the Law of Freedom?

    The Greek word here is also translated as liberty in some translations. Perhaps it will help to know that in Christ we have the liberty to speak judiciously. James had pointed to this liberty when he warned of looking in the mirror. Later he provides this law for us as judges of our own speech.

    [I reverse the order of James description to provoke your thought.]

    13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has not shown mercy.

    In Christ we are free to judge, yet will we show mercy?

    [Therefore,] 12 Speak and act as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom. 13b Mercy triumphs over judgment.

    Jesus’ authority gives us that same grace to show mercy to another, who like us, does not deserve mercy for breaking the Royal Law of Almighty God.

    Faith and Works

    What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can such faith save him?

    James 2:14 CSB

    James immediately goes to examples so familiar of faithlessness and hypocrisy by those of the church. He points to the same partiality and inaction to help the poor where our words only have no impact for Christ.

    “Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed…” Words, empty, fruitless dismissal of a soul in need.

    18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.”

    James never argues that we are saved by works (as some misleadingly emphasize). Nor does he dispute that we are saved by faith alone (which some use as excuse for a no-works easy one-time claim to Christ).

    20 Senseless person! Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless?

    He continues with the scriptural examples of Abraham and Rahab, then categorically states:

    You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone… For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

    James 2:24,26 CSB

    James tells us, “judge the true faith of one who claims Christ by their works.

    Do they show evidence of their faith by how Jesus has become their Lord? Do you?

    δικαιόω – Justified

    δικαιόω – dikaioō from the root  δίκαιος (G1342)

    • to render righteous or such he ought to be
    • show, exhibit, evince, one to be righteous, such as he is and wishes himself to be considered
    • declare, pronounce, one to be just, righteous, or such as he ought to be

    The root word of ‘just‘ is more often translated as ‘righteousness.’

    • righteous, observing divine laws
    • in a wide sense, upright, righteous, virtuous, keeping the commands of God
    • in a narrower sense, rendering to each his due and that in a judicial sense, passing just judgment on others, whether expressed in words or shown by the manner of dealing with them

    James has much more practical advice for the church.

    To be continued...
  • James – Count It All Joy -2

    James – Count It All Joy -2

    Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials…

    James 1:2 RSV

    πειρασμός Trials & Temptations

    Messengers from Jerusalem arrive with a letter from the leader of the church. (Can’t wait to hear their good news.) So what is the first thing James has to say to all of us? Consider all of the various trials and temptations you have all experienced as a cause for joy.

    Christ was crucified and risen just a dozen years ago, then James became head of the church in Jerusalem. Peter and the Apostles work with us as a family of our Lord, sending the Gospel to all of us whenever they can.

    Background to the Persecution of Christians

    map of Roman Empire - Augustus organization of Legions
    1st c. Roman Cities

    To Rome, Herod was “King of the Jews,” and when they hung the sign over our crucified Lord they all thought that was the end of it. But after witness of His resurrection our troubles multiplied not only in Judea, but in every city with a synagogue from Coptos to Corinth.

    Romans may arrest, imprison or enslave us. And zealous Jews loyal to Herod follow us to synagogues in every port, persecuting our Elders at any opportunity. We can hardly make a living in any city for fear of our lives.

    Yet for the sake of Christ we worship God our Father with familiar songs and praises.

    Psalm 55:
    4 My heart shudders within me;
     terrors of death sweep over me.
     5 Fear and trembling grip me;
     horror has overwhelmed me...

    12 Now it is not an enemy who insults me—
     otherwise I could bear it;
     it is not a foe who rises up against me—
     otherwise I could hide from him.
     13 But it is you, a man who is my peer,
     my companion and good friend!
     14 We used to have close fellowship;
     we walked with the crowd into the house of God...

    19 God, the one enthroned from long ago,
     will hear and will humiliate them Selah
     because they do not change
     and do not fear God.

    Who Gets the Letters to the Early Church?

    Now those who had been scattered as a result of the persecution that started because of Stephen made their way as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.

    Acts 11:19 CSB

    Acts 11:20 But there were some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.

    Jews fled Jerusalem and Judea to cities up the eastern coast of the Mediterranean. These followers of Jesus and many new Jewish followers of the Apostles had heard first-hand witnesses to the resurrection. And now they even go to preach to the gentiles – Greeks and Romans. It is a new diaspora of Christ-followers to cities where Jews have already settled.

    Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary

    The commentator, Douglas Moo, describes their circumstances:

    Forced to live away from their home church, these scattered parishioners required exhortation and advice on issues they were facing. What is more natural than that their spiritual guide send them a pastoral letter?

    Perhaps some of these faithful followers of Jesus had even heard the powerful preaching of Stephen as he had been stoned to death.

    Trials and Maturity

    In Jerusalem they stoned and beheaded our beloved brother, James the Greater, son of Zebedee. It’s encouraging that James writes to us to have joy. No doubt all in Jerusalem endure more trials.

    Ἰάκωβος θεοῦ καὶ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ δοῦλος ταῖς δώδεκα φυλαῖς ταῖς ἐν τῇ διασπορᾷ χαίρειν

    James 1:1

    “James, bond-servant of Theos and the Lord Jesus,” he greets us. God knows his faithfulness to the Apostles and Elders of The Way.

    “To the twelve tribes of the diaspora abroad.”

    Yes, we are the true Israel driven into every part of the world, but now in the victory of our risen Messiah we finally have joy and mercy, grace and peace, and the love of God in our Lord Jesus.

    James writes to us (and his messengers who will go into all the other cities):

    Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

    James 1:2-4 CSB

    We know trials… temptations to live like the Greeks or the Romans, even like the hateful Herodians and hypocrites of the Temple who pursue us.

    Thank God for James and our brothers in Jerusalem, who send encouragement and help to us, so we might survive these trying times. Rome must have been part of God’s plan plan of completion for us. Christ is redeeming this remnant.

    Our Lord has sent us all fleeing into the all the world, and for this James encourages us to count it all joy.

    Joy

    Shout for joy, you heavens!
     Earth, rejoice!
     Mountains break into joyful shouts!
     For the LORD has comforted his people,
     and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.
    - Isaiah 49:13

    James writes to us:

    Let the brother of humble circumstances boast in his exaltation, but let the rich boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field.

    James 1:9-10 CSB

    Our humble circumstances as followers of Jesus brings our hearts low. For we struggle greatly in our daily lives. We can barely provide for our wives and our children. And what will happen to them if our witness for Christ would cost our life here?

    Yes, we are with our Lord, forever; but what will happen to our loved ones? James calls on us to be as humble as Jesus, to have joy for our salvation won. We will hold his proverb from this letter near to our hearts:

    Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

    James 1:12 CSB

    Spurgeon on James

    Excerpt from CSB Introduction to James

    When blessed by God, our trials ripen us. Believers who have endured a great deal of affliction exhibit a great deal of mellowness that you never see in other people. It cannot be mistaken or imitated…

    Do you count it all joy?

    The 19th century preacher points out how different these believers with faith ripened in the burning sun appear as a fruit with unmistakable sweetness.

    Are you, beloved brother, dear sister – suffering in any way for your sweetness in Christ?

    Do trials by those around you refine your witness or delineate your humility?

    Would anyone recognize Jesus by looking at you?

    James has a few firm suggestions to solidify our faith and bring joy to our witness. Consider all of these things.

    To be continued...