Opening James, 1 & 2 Peter and Jude

The Epistle of James comes after the Epistle to the Hebrews in the English Bible that culminate the books written by the Apostle Paul to his own people, the Jewish converts suffering persecution that they remain steadfast in the faith – Hebrews 10:35-36 (KJV) Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

James likewise writes to strengthen the faith of the Jewish converts scattered as a result of persecution – James 1:1 (KJV) James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

Likewise in 1 Peter was addressed to Jews and Gentiles residing, rather scattered, in the countries listed with a majority Jews, for Peter was an Apostle to the Circumcision – 1 Peter 1:1 (KJV) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.

Jude, the writer of the general epistle of Jude, also called Thaddeus (Matt. 10:3), was the brother of James (Jude 1), was a call to defend the church against false teachers (v2-4) pointing out their particular characteristics (v8-13) and God’s future judgment (v14-16). That the church may know how to deal with them (v17-23).

James began with the purpose of Christian testing and instructing  how a true Christian go through life’s trials victoriously? With joy (1:1-2), patience (1:3-4) and with prayer (1:5-8). How to live a victorious transformed life? The Christians in James’s time were facing severe social isolation and persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ. He provided them practical advice what to do. True faith is practical, functional, solves life’s problems. Faith obeys the Word (1:19-27), does not discriminate (2:1-13), proven by works (2:13-18), bridles the tongue (3:1-12), is wise (3:13-18), is humble and submissive (4:1-17), the danger of wealth leading often to pride, injustice and selfishness (5:1-6). True faith triumphs when the Christian yields to God’s will, patiently awaiting Christ’s return, and praying for the afflicted and the erring brother. Our wisdom to God’s wisdom (5:7-20)! 

In 1 Peter, Peter strengthens the faith of believers under severe trial to persevere through patient and obedient faith (1:1-12) through hope of the coming heavenly inheritance. Holiness characterizes the Christian deportment and is strengthened through appropriating the Word of God (1:13-2:12). The believer is to submit to the government (2:13-17), in the workplace (2:18-25), wives to husbands in marriage (3:1-6), husband to honour the wife (3:7), be compassionate, be pitiful, love one to another, submitting to all (3:8-12) with Christ as our example (3:13-4:19). Pastors are to feed the flock and the saints to humble themselves (5:1-9). 

In 2 Peter, the aged Peter, exhorts the church to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, bearing spiritual virtues with the Word of God undergirding them (1:1-21), the danger, destructive effects and description of false teachers (2:1-22), the longsuffering of the Lord in allowing time for the unsaved before He returns to consummate the world with its destruction (3:1-18) – 2 Peter 3:9-10 (KJV) 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

May His church fervently occupy till He Comes. Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee