# The book of James

> James is practical wisdom for believers. It covers trials, temptation, the tongue, favoritism, wealth, and prayer. Its best-known line: faith without works is dead.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/read/james/about
Section: General letters · 5 chapters

## Who wrote James?

Traditionally James, the brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church. Some scholars think a later writer used his name.

## When was it written?

Before AD 62 if by James, possibly one of the earliest New Testament books.

## Main themes

- **Trials grow faith.** Count it joy when testing comes.
- **Faith that works.** Real faith shows in what you do.
- **Watch your words.** The tongue is small and sets fires.

## Outline

- Chapter 1: [Trials, temptation, and doing the word](https://www.lumin.faith/read/james/1)
- Chapter 2: [Favoritism and faith with works](https://www.lumin.faith/read/james/2)
- Chapter 3: [The tongue and wisdom from above](https://www.lumin.faith/read/james/3)
- Chapters 4–5: [Pride, wealth, patience, and prayer](https://www.lumin.faith/read/james/4)

## Key verses

Quoted from the Lumin Translation.

> Now if any of you lacks wisdom, let that person ask God for it. He gives to everyone freely and without scolding, and wisdom will be given to them.
> — [James 1:5](https://www.lumin.faith/read/james/1#5)

> But be people who act on the word. If you only hear it, you deceive yourselves.
> — [James 1:22](https://www.lumin.faith/read/james/1#22)

> So it is with faith as well: if it has no works, it is dead on its own.
> — [James 2:17](https://www.lumin.faith/read/james/2#17)

> Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.
> — [James 5:16](https://www.lumin.faith/read/james/5#16)

## Where to start

Five short chapters. Read one a day. [Read James 1](https://www.lumin.faith/read/james/1.md)

Read the whole book: https://www.lumin.faith/read/james/1.md
Ask about it: https://www.lumin.faith/ask.md