UTN uW Translation Notes:

James 1 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

1. Greetings (1:1)
2. Gaining endurance through trials (1:2–4)
3. Trusting God for wisdom (1:5–8)
4. What poor and rich people should boast about (1:9–11)
5. Enduring temptation (1:12–15)
6. Hearing and doing what God’s Word says (1:16–27)

James begins this letter in 1:1 by giving his name, identifying the people to whom he is writing, and offering a greeting. That was the way people typically began letters at this time. However, as Part 1 of the Introduction to James explains, the letter does not then develop the way other letters did. Instead, it is a collection of short sayings and reflections.

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Testing and temptation

James uses a word in this chapter that can mean both “trial,” as in 1:2 and 1:12, and “temptation,” as in 1:13–14. In both cases the word speaks of the situation of a person who needs to choose between doing something good and doing something evil. The difference between the two senses is important. When ULT translates the word as “trial,” God is testing the person and wants him to do what is good. When ULT translates the word as “temptation,” Satan is tempting the person and wants him to do what is evil.