I. Key Ethical and Theological Concepts:;xNLx;;xNLx;Trials / Testing (of your faith) (Greek: peirasmos, dokimion) (James 1:2-3, 12-14): Difficult circumstances, hardships, or temptations that challenge a believer's faith and endurance. James teaches that these trials, when endured, produce steadfastness and lead to spiritual maturity and the "crown of life." He distinguishes between trials (tests allowed by God to refine faith) and temptations (solicitations to sin, which do not come from God).;xNLx;Steadfastness / Endurance / Patience (Greek: hypomone) (James 1:3-4, 12; 5:11): The quality of remaining constant, persevering, and patiently enduring under trials, difficulties, or suffering, without giving up. James sees this as a key to spiritual maturity.;xNLx;Wisdom (from above / earthly) (James 1:5; 3:13-18):;xNLx;Wisdom from above: God-given insight, understanding, and skill in living a righteous and godly life. It is "pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere" (3:17). It is obtained by asking God in faith.;xNLx;Earthly wisdom: Described as "unspiritual, demonic" (3:15), characterized by bitter jealousy, selfish ambition, disorder, and evil practices.;xNLx;Faith (and works) (e.g., James 1:3, 6; 2:1, 5, 14-26; 5:15): Trust, belief, and reliance on God and Jesus Christ. James strongly emphasizes that genuine faith is not merely intellectual assent but is demonstrated and proven by good works (actions consistent with that faith). "Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead" (2:17). This is not to say works earn salvation, but that they are the necessary evidence of a living, saving faith.;xNLx;Works / Deeds (e.g., James 1:25; 2:14-26; 3:13): Actions, conduct, or practical expressions of one's faith. James argues that faith without works is barren or dead. Good works are the natural outcome of true faith.;xNLx;Righteousness (James 1:20; 2:21, 23; 3:18; 5:6, 16): The state of being in a right relationship with God and living in conformity with His moral will; justice and uprightness in character and conduct. "The prayer of a righteous person has great power" (5:16). "The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" (3:18).;xNLx;Impartiality / Partiality / Favoritism / Distinctions (James 2:1-9): Showing preferential treatment to some people over others based on their wealth, status, or outward appearance. James strongly condemns showing partiality, especially favoring the rich over the poor in the Christian assembly, as it is inconsistent with faith in Jesus and violates the "royal law" of loving one's neighbor.;xNLx;The Law / Royal Law / Law of Liberty (James 1:25; 2:8-12; 4:11):;xNLx;The Law: Generally refers to the moral law of God, summarized in the command to love one's neighbor (the "royal law," 2:8).;xNLx;Law of liberty (1:25; 2:12): The law of God which, when truly looked into and obeyed, brings freedom rather than bondage. It is not a burdensome set of rules but a guide for life that, when followed by a transformed heart, leads to true liberty. Those who live by it will be judged by it.;xNLx;Perfect / Mature (Greek: teleios) (James 1:4, 17, 25; 3:2): Complete, whole, lacking nothing, spiritually mature. The goal of enduring trials and living by the "perfect law of liberty" is to become mature and complete.;xNLx;Double-minded (Greek: dipsychos) (James 1:8; 4:8): Wavering in one's loyalty or commitment, divided between God and the world, or between faith and doubt. Such a person is unstable in all their ways. James calls for purifying the heart from such duplicity.;xNLx;The tongue (James 1:19, 26; Chapter 3:1-12): The organ of speech, which James describes as a small but powerful force, difficult to tame, and capable of great good (praising God) or great evil (cursing, boasting, setting a great forest ablaze). Controlling the tongue is a mark of spiritual maturity.;xNLx;Covet / Cravings / Passions (James 4:1-3): Strong, often selfish or illicit desires for something, which James identifies as the source of quarrels and fights. These "passions are at war within you.";xNLx;World / Worldliness (James 1:27; 2:5; 3:6 [tongue as a "world of unrighteousness"]; 4:4): The system of values, desires, and behaviors that is hostile or opposed to God and His will. Friendship with the world is described as enmity with God. True religion involves keeping oneself "unstained from the world.";xNLx;Humility / Humble (James 1:9-10; 3:13 [gentleness of wisdom]; 4:6, 10): A modest or lowly view of one's own importance; submission to God. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. James calls believers to humble themselves before the Lord.;xNLx;Pride / Proud (James 4:6, 16; 5:5 [luxurious living]): An overinflated sense of self-importance, arrogance, or boasting. God opposes the proud.;xNLx;Slander / Speak evil (James 4:11): To make false and damaging statements about someone; to defame. James warns against speaking evil against fellow believers.;xNLx;Patience / Patient (James 5:7-8, 10): The capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. James encourages patience in suffering, pointing to the example of the prophets and Job, and in awaiting the coming of the Lord.;xNLx;Prayer (e.g., James 1:5-7; 4:2-3; 5:13-18): Communication with God. James emphasizes the importance of praying in faith, without doubting, and highlights the effectiveness of fervent prayer by a righteous person (like Elijah).;xNLx;Anoint with oil (James 5:14): A practice in the early church where elders would anoint a sick person with oil in the name of the Lord while praying for their healing. Oil was commonly used for medicinal purposes in the ancient world, but here it is clearly linked with prayer for divine healing.;xNLx;II. Social and Economic Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Rich / Wealthy (James 1:10-11; 2:1-7; 5:1-6): Those who possess significant material wealth. James strongly warns the rich who oppress the poor, live in luxury, and defraud their laborers, announcing impending judgment upon them. He also cautions against showing favoritism to the rich in the church.;xNLx;Poor (James 1:9; 2:2-7, 15-16; 5:4 [laborers]): Those lacking material possessions and often vulnerable to oppression. James emphasizes God's choice of the poor to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, and he calls for practical care and impartiality towards them.;xNLx;Dispersion / Twelve tribes in the Dispersion (Greek: diaspora) (James 1:1): Refers to Jewish people living outside the land of Palestine (Israel), scattered among the Gentile nations. James addresses his letter to these Jewish Christians.;xNLx;Synagogue / Assembly (Greek: synagoge) (James 2:2): In this context, it refers to the gathering or assembly of Christians for worship. The ESV translates it as "your assembly.";xNLx;Judge / Judgment (James 2:4, 12-13; 4:11-12; 5:9, 12):;xNLx;Human judgment: James warns against making judgmental distinctions based on wealth or speaking evil of others, as God is the one Lawgiver and Judge.;xNLx;Divine judgment: The ultimate assessment and rendering of justice by God. The Day of Judgment is near, and judgment will be without mercy to one who has shown no mercy.;xNLx;Teacher(s) (James 3:1): Those who instruct others in matters of faith and conduct. James warns that not many should become teachers because they will be judged with greater strictness, given the power of the tongue.;xNLx;III. Other Notable Terms and Phrases:;xNLx;;xNLx;"Count it all joy" (James 1:2): An exhortation to consider trials and difficulties as occasions for joy, not because the suffering itself is joyful, but because of the positive spiritual results (steadfastness, maturity) that God can produce through them.;xNLx;"Doers of the word, and not hearers only" (James 1:22-25): James stresses the importance of actively obeying God's word and putting it into practice, not merely listening to it. Hearing without doing is self-deception.;xNLx;"Religion that is pure and undefiled" (James 1:27): True religion, in God's sight, is characterized by practical acts of mercy (visiting orphans and widows in their affliction) and personal holiness (keeping oneself unstained from the world).;xNLx;"Friendship with the world is enmity with God" (James 4:4): A strong statement about the incompatibility of loving and conforming to the sinful values and desires of the world system while claiming to be in a right relationship with God.;xNLx;"The Lord is compassionate and merciful" (James 5:11): Highlighting God's character as seen in His dealings with those who endure, like Job.;xNLx;"The coming of the Lord is at hand" (James 5:7-8): An expression of the early Christian expectation of Jesus Christ's imminent return, used to encourage patience and steadfastness.;xNLx;This list provides definitions for many of the key terms encountered in the Epistle of James (ESV). Understanding these within their original context is essential for grasping James's challenging and practical call to a living faith that demonstrates itself through godly wisdom and righteous actions.