James Trivia Quiz

Answer: False

It was one of the last, and it was not even included on one of the older (unofficial) canon lists. It was hotly debated because of its emphasis on works.

Answer: A relative of Jesus

There was a son of Zebedee named James (who was the brother of John and a disciple of Christ), but the James traditionally attributed with authorship of the epistle is James the brother of Jesus. This James is not listed among the original twelve apostles, but he does have a commanding presence in the book of Acts, and he is referred to by Paul as a pillar of the church. James was either a half brother, stepbrother, or cousin of Jesus, depending on your religious persuasion.

Answer: To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad

James 1:1: "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting."
These other addresses listed among the answers come from the books of Revelation (the 7 churches), Titus, and Philippians.

Answer: False

James 2:24 says, "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and _not_ by faith only."

Answer: the law of liberty

He calls it "the law of liberty" in 1:25 and 2:12. It is Paul who refers to the "curse of the law" in Galatians 3:13.

Answer: dead

In James 2:20, James points out that mere belief is not enough. Even the devils believe in one God, he says, concluding, "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" He repeats this phrase again in 2:26, using an analogy, "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

Answer: Hear

Rather, he must be "swift to hear," slow to speak, and slow to grow angry (1:19).

Answer: Works

James 3:21: "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac?" Paul tells us Abraham was justified by faith: "For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness" (Romans 4:1-3).

Some scholars consider this to be a debate between James and Paul, but most Christians reconcile James and Paul by emphasizing that James is not speaking of faith in general or of works in general, but rather of a faith that is evidenced in works: "Faith wrought with his works," says James earlier in 2:22, "and by works was faith made perfect." He is not negating the role of faith, but rather emphasizing that true faith is inseparable from doing good works.

Answer: To care for widows and orphans

It is certainly not merely to believe: "Thou believeth that there is one God; thou doest well," he says sarcastically, concluding, "the devils also believe, and tremble" (2:19). Rather, "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." (1:27) Paul also emphasizes caring for widows, and cautions Christians to care only for those with a true need, who are "widows indeed" (I Timothy 5:3).

Answer: The Poor

He is angered that they "have despised the poor." In James 2:9, he tells them that they sin if they "have respect to persons," that is, if they show favoritism based on a person's financial status. They are to love their neighbors as themselves, James says. To discriminate based on financial status is a clear violation of this "royal law" (James 2:8). We are told in Acts 10:34, in no uncertain terms, that God Himself "is no respecter of persons."