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James and 1, 2, and 3 John

  1. Lesson One
    Overview of James
    18 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  2. Lesson Two
    James and Scripture
    19 Activities
  3. Lesson Three
    1 John
    21 Activities
  4. Lesson Four
    2 and 3 John
    21 Activities
  5. Lesson Five
    Proto-Gnosticism
    13 Activities
  6. Course Wrap-up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment

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James and 1, 2, and 3 John Overview of James In | James and Proverbs
Lesson 1, Activity 9

In | James and Proverbs

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James draws on a rich tradition of Wisdom Literature from the Old Testament. One example is the shared ideas we find in James and Proverbs. See the table below for some examples. 

Wisdom in JamesWisdom in Proverbs
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5 ESV)For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity. (Proverbs 2:6-7 ESV)
And the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. (James 1:10-11 ESV)Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. (Proverbs 11:28 ESV)
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. (James 1:19 ESV)Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. (Proverbs 14:29 ESV)
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. (James 2:1 ESV)It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice. (Proverbs 18:5 ESV)
But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? (James 2:6 ESV)The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends. Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor. (Proverbs 14:20-21 ESV)
For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. (James 3:2 ESV)When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. (Proverbs 10:19 ESV)
And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. (James 3:6 ESV)A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. (Proverbs 16:27 ESV)
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. (James 4:13-14 ESV)Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. (Proverbs 27:1 ESV)
Let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. (James 5:20 ESV)Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. (Proverbs 10:12 ESV)