JAMES CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION TO THIS STUDY

The purpose of this study work is to give you the original Greek language words and definitions for all the key words in this selected Bible text. This work does not make any effort to interpret the text in question, though some interpretation may occur naturally as a result of the study. The English translation used is the King James (Authorized) Version, not because it is the best translation available, but because I just plain prefer it for study!

All Scripture text will be presented in normal cased lettering, and all notes within the text will be in TRUE TYPE FONT, as shown. This (I hope) will allow you to avoid confusion between God's Word and my notes. As I update this website, I will continue to embellish the text so that anyone using NETSCAPE or MSIE 3.0 or higher will be able to read the document easier. Greek tenses are abbreviated as follows:

• GREEK TENSES:
• PR= Present Tense: Shows action in present time. When used with Active Voice, and Indicative Mood, often shows linear or continuing action.
• AO= Aorist Tense : Simple, undefined action. The time of the action is undefined, except in the indicative mood.
• FUT= Future Tense : Shows action of the verb as defined in the future.
• PER= Perfect Tense: The action was completed in the past, but has lasting and continuing results into the future.
• IMP= Imperfect Tense: Used only in the indicative mood, and refers to continuous or linear action in past time. As in "I was having".
• PLPF= Pluperfect Tense: The action was completed in the past, with continuing results in the past.
• GREEK CASES:
• GEN= Genitive Case: Usually indicates possession, though it can denote source of the action.
• INST = Instrumental Case: Usually denotes action on the object of the verb.
• DAT= Dative Case
• NOM= Nominative Case
• ACC= Accusative
• PL= Plural
• SG= Singular
• GREEK VOICES:
• AC= Active Voice: Action was completed by the subject of the verb.
• PAS= Passive Voice: The subject receives the action of the verb.
• MID= Middle Voice: The subject acts in some way upon itself or to itself.
• GREEK MOODS:
• IND= Indicative Mood : Makes an assertion of fact, and is used with all Greek tenses. Example: they will go, she saw.
• OPT= Optative Mood: Rarely used, it usually expresses a wish or desire.
• IMP= Imperative Mood: A command to do something.
• SUBJ= Subjective Mood: Makes an assertion about which there is some doubt, uncertainty, or indefiniteness.
• OTHER ABBREVIATIONS:
• PART= Participle : A verbal adjective, such as "having gone, receiving the gift".
• ABL= Ablative of source: When something is out of something. Example, The Spirit out of God.
• INF= Infinitive: A verbal noun, examples = to see, to go, to throw.

1:1

a servant (DOULOS = SLAVE)

of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes (HE WROTE TO THE SCATTERED TRIBES OF ISRAEL AND NOT HIS OWN CHURCH BECAUSE HIS CHURCH WENT INTO APOSTASY, REJECTING THE WORD OF GOD)

which are scattered (DIASPORA, DATIVE OF ADVANTAGE = SCATTERED, DISPERSED. IT WAS BETTER THEY WERE SCATTERED THAN IN JERUSALEM)

abroad, greeting.(CHAIRO, PR AC IND = KEEP ON REJOICING OR KEEP ON HAVING INNER HAPPINESS)

1:2

all (PAS = ALL, THE ENTIRE)

joy (CHARA = INNER HAPPINESS)

when (HOTAN = ON THE OCCASION OF)

ye fall (PERIPIPTO, AO AC = BECOME INVOLVED IN SOMETHING ADVERSE)

into divers (POIKILOS = MANY CATEGORIES OR TYPES)

temptations; (PEIRASMOS = TESTING TO DETERMINE QUALITY, ADVERSITY, TRIALS)

1:3

this, that the trying (DOKIMON = TESTING FOR THE PURPOSE OF APPROVAL)

of your faith (PISTIS, GENITIVE = OF FAITH, OF WHAT IS BELIEVED)

worketh (KATERGAZOMAI = SOMETHING ON THE INSIDE WORKING OUTSIDE SO AS TO BE EXHIBITED OUTWARDLY)

patience.(HUPOMONE = ENDURANCE)

1:4

her perfect (TELEIOS = COMPLETE, MATURE)

work, that ye may be (PR AC SUB, EIMI = KEEP ON BEING)

perfect (TELEIOS = COMPLETE, MATURE)

and entire, (HOLOKLEROS = COMPLETE IN EVERY PART, INTACT, UNDAMAGED)

wanting (LEIPO = BEING DEFICIENT IN)

nothing.

1:5

wisdom, (SOPHIA = DIVINE WISDOM)

let him ask (AITEO, PR AC = KEEP ON ASKING)

of (PARA, PREPOSITION OF SUPPORT = FROM THE SOURCE OF)

God, that giveth to all men liberally, (HAPLOS = GENEROUSLY, WITHOUT RESERVE)

and upbraideth (OMEAEIDIZO, PR AC PART = TO REPROACH OR CENSOR, CHASTISE VERBALLY. GOD NEVER CHASTISES YOU FOR ASKING IN PRAYER)

not; and it shall be given him.

1:6

nothing wavering. (DIAKRINO = DOUBTING, JUDGING AS UNFIT OR JUDGING DOWN)

For he that wavereth (DIAKRINO = DOUBTING, JUDGING AS UNFIT OR JUDGING DOWN)

is like (EOIKA, PER AC IND = IS LIKE IN THE PAST WITH THE RESULT THAT HE CONTINUES TO BE LIKE)

a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

1:7

that man think (OIOMAI, PR AC IMP = PRIDEFULLY THINKING, PRESUMPTIOUSLY THINKING)

that he shall receive (LAMBANO, FUT PAS IND = SHALL RECEIVE)

any thing of (PARA = FROM THE SOURCE OF)

the Lord.

1:8

man (ANER = NOBLEMAN. USED EXTENSIVELY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT TO DISTINGUISH THE SAVED FROM THE LOST)

is unstable (AKATASTATOS = UNABLE TO STAND ACCORDING TO THE NORM OR STANDARD OF GOD, UNSTABLE, INCONSISTENT, TURBULENT, FICKLE, RESTLESS, VACILLATING)

in all his ways.

1:9

of low degree (TAPEINOS = IN HUMILITY, IN A HUMBLE STATE)

rejoice (KAUCHOMAI, PR AC IMP = KEEP ON CELEBRATING)

in that he is exalted: (EN + LOCATIVE + HUPSOS = IN THE SPHERE OF EXALTATION)

1:10

in that he is made low: (EN + LOCATIVE, TAPEINOSIS = IN THE SPHERE OF HIS HUMILITY)

because as the flower of the grass (ANTHOS = THE GRASS FLOWER. THIS IS A FLOWER THAT GROWS IN PALESTINE ONLY ONE YEAR, THEN DIES)

he shall pass away. (PARECHOMAI, FUT MID IND = SHALL FADE AWAY OR DISAPPEAR)

1:11

with a burning heat, (KAISON = SCORCHING HEAT)

but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, (EKPIPTO = FALLS AWAY OR FALLS OFF)

and the grace (EUPREPEIA = GOOD BEAUTY)

of the fashion of it perisheth: (APALLUMI, AO MID IND = HAS BEEN DESTROYED)

so also shall the rich man fade away (MARAINO, FUT PAS IND = RECEIVES DECADENCE)

in his ways.

1:12

is the man (ANER = NOBLEMAN, BELIEVER)

that endureth (HUPOMENO, PR AC IND = CONTINUALLY BEARS UP UNDER THE STRESS OF)

temptation: (PEIRASMOS = TESTING FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING GOOD OR EVIL)

for when he is tried, (GINOMAI DOKIMOS = HAVING BEEN TESTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF APPROVAL)

he shall receive (LAMBANO, FUT MID IND = SHALL RECEIVE. HE SHALL RECEIVE REWARD AT THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST)

the crown (STEPHO = A CROWN GIVEN TO WINNERS AT GREEK GAMES)

of life, which the Lord hath promised (EPAGGELLO, AO MID IND = UNDERWRITTEN OR GUARANTEED ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER, PROMISED)

to them that love (AGAPAO, DAT PL PR AC PART = WHO KEEP ON LOVING)

him.

1:13

when he is tempted, (PEIRADZO, PR PAS PART = BEING SOLICITED OR INVITED TO DO EVIL)

I am tempted of (APO = FROM)

God: for God cannot be tempted (APEIRASTOS = IS UNINVITED TO EVIL)

with evil, (KAKOS = EVIL)

neither tempteth (PEIRADZO, PR AC PART = SOLICITS TO EVIL)

he any man:

1:14

is tempted, (PEIRADZO, PR AC PART = SOLICITS TO EVIL)

when he is drawn away (EZELKO, PR PAS = IS TAKEN IN TOW, AS ONE BOAT TOWS ANOTHER)

of (HUPO = UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF)

his own lust, (EPITHUMIA = LUST PATTERN, AN ACTION OF THE OLD SIN NATURE)

and enticed. (DELEAZO, PR PAS PART = CAUGHT WITH BAIT, TRAPPED AS AN ANIMAL IS TRAPPED)

1:15

hath conceived, (SULLAMBANO, AO AC PART = RECEIVING SEED, HAVING BECOME PREGNANT)

it bringeth forth (TIKTO, PR AC IND = BEARS, GIVES BIRTH TO)

sin: (HAMARTIA = SIN. USED IN THE BIBLE FOR GENERAL CATEGORIES OF SIN)

and sin, when it is finished, (APOTELEO, AO PAS = FINISHED FROM THE SOURCE, BECOMES A SEPARATE ENTITY)

bringeth forth (APOKUEO = DELIVERS THE RESULTS OF THE PREGNANCY)

death.

1:16

my beloved (AGAPETOS = THE LOVED ONES)

brethren.

1:17

gift (DOSIS = A GIFT GIVEN)

and every perfect (TELEIOS = COMPLETED)

gift (DOREMA = RECEIVED GIFT)

is from above, (ANOTHEN = FROM A HIGHER PLACE OR PLANE, FROM GOD)

and cometh down (KATABAINO, PR AC PART = KEEPS ON DESCENDING)

from (APO = FROM THE ULTIMATE SOURCE OF)

the Father of lights, (PHOS, GENITIVE OF SOURCE = FROM THE SOURCE OF LIGHTS. REFERS TO THE MANY DOCTRINAL TRUTHS THAT COME FROM GOD IN THE BIBLE)

with (PARA = FROM THE ULTIMATE SOURCE OF)

whom is (ENEIMI, PR AC IND = INSIDE OF THERE IS)

no variableness, (PARALLAGE = CHANGE, VARIATION, SHIFTING, MUTATION. GOD IS IMMUTABLE)

neither shadow (APOSKIASMA = A CASTING OF SHADOW OR AN ECLIPSE)

of turning.

1:18

begat (APOKUEO, AO AC IND = DELIVERED THE RESULTS OF THE PREGNANCY)

he us with the word (LOGOS, INSTRUMENTAL = BY MEANS OF THE WORD)

of truth, that we should be (EIS + EIMI, PR = FOR THE PURPOSE OF BEING)

a kind of firstfruits (APARCHE = FIRST HARVEST)

of his creatures. (KTISMA = CREATED ONES)

1:19

my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

1:20

worketh not (ERGAZOMAI, PR AC IND + ME = DOES NOT EVER PRODUCE)

the righteousness (DIKAIOSUNE = VINDICATION, JUSTICE, RIGHTEOUSNESS. UNCONTROLLED ANGER NEVER PRODUCES DIVINE GOOD, NOT EVEN FROM A BELIEVER)

of God. (GENITIVE OF SOURCE, THEOS = FROM THE SOURCE OF GOD)

1:21

all filthiness (RUPARIA = POLLUTION)

and superfluity (PERISSEUO = OVERFLOW)

of naughtiness, (KAKIA = WICKEDNESS, EVIL WHEN PERFORMED OUTWARDLY)

and receive (DEKOMAI, AO MID IMP = INTIMATELY EMBRACE. THIS IS A COMMAND)

with meekness (EN + LOCATIVE OF SPHERE, PRAUTES = IN THE SPHERE OF HUMILITY)

the engrafted (EMPHUTOS = IMPREGNATED, GERMINATED)

word, which is able (DUNAMAI, PR AC = KEEPS ON BEING ABLE TO)

to save (SOZO, AO AC INF = DELIVER, SAVE)

your souls.

1:22

doers (POIETES = USERS, DOERS, APPLIERS)

of the word, (LOGOS, GEN OF SOURCE = FROM THE SOURCE OF THE WORD. OUR PRODUCTION SHOULD COME ABOUT BECAUSE WE ARE LIVING BY GOD'S WORD)

and not hearers (AKOATES = TO HEAR AN UNINTELLIGIBLE NOISE)

only, deceiving (PARALOGIZOMAI, PR MID PART = CONTINUALLY DEFRAUDING AND LYING TO)

your own selves.

1:23

be (EIMI, PR AC IND = KEEPS ON BEING)

a hearer (AKOATES = TO HEAR AN UNINTELLIGIBLE NOISE)

of the word, and not a doer, (POIETES = USER, APPLIER)

he is like unto (HOUTOS + PERFECT, EOIKA = THIS ONE WILL ALWAYS BE LIKE)

a man (ANER = NOBLEMAN, BELIEVER)

beholding (KATANOEO, PR AC PART = CONCENTRATING ON)

his natural face in a glass: (EN + INSTRUMENTAL, ESOPTRON = BY MEANS OF A VERY GOOD MIRROR. WHAT OCCURS ISN'T BECAUSE OF POOR EQUIPMENT)

1:24

himself, and goeth his way, (APERCHOMAI, PER AC IND = KEEPS ON GOING AWAY)

and straightaway (EUTHEOS = IMMEDIATELY)

forgetteth (EPILANTHANOMAI , AO = TO DISREGARD SOMETHING LEARNED OR MEMORIZED)

what manner (HOPOIOS = OF WHAT SORT, TYPE)

of man he was.

1:25

the perfect (TELEIOS = MATURE, COMPLETE, PERFECTED)

law of liberty, (NOMOS + ELEUTHERIA = LAW OF FREEDOM)

and continueth (PARAMENO, AO AC PART = HAVING CONTINUED)

therein, he being (GINOMAI, AO MID PART = HAVING BECOME)

not a forgetful hearer, (AKOATES + GENITIVE, EPILESMONE = HEARER OF FORGETFULNESS)

but a doer of the work, this man shall be (EIMI, FUT AC IND = SHALL BE OR HAVE)

blessed (MAKAIRIOS = INNER HAPPINESS)

in his deed. (EN + LOCATIVE, POIESIS = IN THE ACTION OF HIS WORK)

1:26

among you seem (DOKEO, PR AC IND = SUBJECTIVELY THINKS)

to be (EIMI, PR AC = TO KEEP ON BEING)

religious, (THRESKOS = TO ADHERE TO FEAR, BE IN AWE OF DEITY)

and bridleth not (CHALINAGOGEO, PR AC PART + ME = DOES NOT KEEP A BIT IN THE MOUTH, CONTROL THE MOUTH)

his (IDIOS = HIS OWN)

tongue, but deceiveth (APATAO, PR AC PART = KEEPS ON SEDUCING INTO ERROR)

his own heart, this man's religion (THRESKEIS = RELIGION, FEAR OF DEITY)

is vain. (MATAIOS = EMPTY, VAIN)

1:27

religion (THRESKEIS = RELIGION, FEAR OF DEITY)

and undefiled (AMAINTOS = [1] TO HAVE CLOTHING UNSPOILED BY EXCREMENT. IN THE ANCIENT WORLD CHAMBERPOTS WERE EMPTIED INTO THE STREETS, OFTEN ON UNWARY PASSERS-BY. IF YOU AVOIDED THIS WASTE, YOU WERE AMAINTOS. [2] TO HAVE A SOUL UNSPOILED BY THE WORLD)

before (PARA = FROM THE IMMEDIATE SOURCE OF)

God and the Father is (EIMI, PR AC IND = KEEPS ON BEING)

this, To visit (EPISKEPTOMAI, PR MID INF = TO VISIT SOMEONE FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING COMFORT OR HELP)

the fatherless (ORPHANOS = WITHOUT PARENTS, ORPHANS)

and widows (CHERA = HELPLESS WOMEN, WIDOWS)

in their affliction, (EN + LOCATIVE, THLIPSIS = IN THE SPHERE OF PRESSURE, SUFFERING)

and to keep (TERAO = TO GUARD SOMETHING IMPORTANT)

himself unspotted (ASTILES = FREE FROM SPOTTING OR STAINING. THE BELIEVER SHOULD NEVER BE STAINED BY THE WORLD, BUT SHOULD LEAVE HIS MARK ON IT. SEE 1 JOHN 2.15-17)

from (APO = FROM THE SOURCE OF)

the world.

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