The Structure and Outline of James

For all students of God's Word, I offer here this possible outline of James' letter that attempts to recognize its unity of theme and purpose.

With Bible in hand, please read, meditate upon, and consider James' call to perseverance in faith in God's Gospel. I truly hope you find this outline helpful and that it serves you in your pursuit of understanding the scriptures.


The Letter From James (that great friend of evangelicals and protestants!):

1:1 letter greeting


I. 1:2-9 introduction

A. (1:2-4) opening frame:
"Perseverance (of fidelity) must finish its work..."

B. (1:5-8) the content of perseverance previewed:
(Wisdom from above) "If any of you lacks wisdom..."

C. (1:9-11) the application of perseverance previewed:
(the eschatological view of life) "...pride in...high/low position..."

D. (1:12) closing frame:
"Blessed is the one who perseveres..."


II. 1:13-27 James' thesis: the Gospel itself

A. (1:13-15) the human condition:
"...when, by his own desire;...gives birth to death."

B. (1:16-18) the Divine remedy:
"...gift is from above;...He chose to give us birth through the [Gospel]."

C. (1:19-25) the Gospel’s call:
"humbly accept the word implanted;...look intently into the completed law"
- because: "man’s anger does not attain..."
...and looking to self (in the mirror) cannot either!
- abiding in the completed work of Christ CAN save and bless you


III. 1:26-3:18 James' core argument
[background note: in James' day it was said that a whole life consisted of one's heart attitudes, actions, and speech]

The Call to Persevere in Fidelity to the Gospel in...
A. (2:1-13) ...the church's heart attitudes:
"...don’t show favoritism....Mercy triumphs over judgment!"

B. (2:14-26) ...the church's actions:
"...faith without deeds is dead."

C. (3:1-13) ...the church's speech
"Become not 'many masters'"
"If one is never at fault in [logos], he is...able to keep...in check."

D. (3:13-18) the Gospel’s call, revisited:
"But the wisdom that comes from above..."
"And the fruit of righteousness is sown [by God] in peace in them that make peace."
[in typical Jewish fashion, God is the understood subject of this passive grammar.]


IV. 4:1-5:11 James' life application

it's a question of loyalty:
A. (4:1-3) Loyalty to God v your desires

B. (4:4-6) Loyalty to God v the world

C. (4:7-10) Loyalty to God v the devil

D. (4:11-12) Loyalty to one another

E. (4:13-17) Loyalty to God v Mammon/'Business(?)'

F. (5:1-11) Loyalty with the end in view
"stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near..."


5:12-20 letter closing

(5:12) oath formula

(5:13-18) health and well-wishes

(5:19-20) summary: loyalty restored