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world, the angels, and all of creation (Ephesians 1:4). The new birth came through the agency of “the word
of truth.” This is the Word of God (John 17:17). When the message of the Word of God is heard, faith
arises in the heart of the hearer and when acted upon, salvation occurs (Romans 10:17, 1 Corinthians
4:15, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Peter 1:23‐25). There is no substitute for the proclamation of the gospel.

. . . that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures (ktisma: creation).

The example of firstfruits is taken from the Old Testament (Exodus 23:19, Leviticus 23:9‐11, Deuteronomy
18:4). Firstfruits was when the first growths of the crops came forth, showing the quality of the full
harvest. The priests would cut the best of the crop at the time of harvest and wave it before the Lord as
an indication that the rest of the crop would be good. Paul used this term when he referred to the first
converts in the area (Romans 16:6, 1 Corinthians 16:15).

The term is also used of the Lord Jesus when He was raised from the dead as the first fruits of the great
crop, the church, which was still to come (1 Corinthians 15:20, 23). The church becomes the firstfruits of
the rest of creation. We are the first of creation to be born again and all of the rest of God’s creation will
come into the same glorious liberty as the church (Romans 8:19‐21). As Jesus was the firstfruits for the
church, the church is the firstfruits of the rest of creation.

Production of the Word (19‐27)

James emphasizes that it is the Word that will stabilize their lives and, above all else, action needs to be
put to their faith. They must become doers of the Word and not hearers only. Pure religion is not just
reading or meditating on the Word; it is the Word in action demonstrating
God’s character to the world.

From verse 19 through the end of the chapter, the production of the Word in our lives will be the issue.
The Word will be called a seed (verse 21), a mirror (verse 23), and a law of liberty (verse 25). Verses 19
and 20 discuss our reaction to the Word of God. Verse 21 presents the necessary conditions for effective
reception on the Word. Finally, verses 22 through 27 explain the nature and the importance of obedience
to the Word.

A. Being a Witness

Jas 1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every (each) man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to
wrath(orge):

This portion of scripture begins with “my beloved brethren,” displaying the heart of a pastor James has
toward his congregation. His greatest desire is to see the Word producing in their lives and causing a
noticeable difference. The Word in a believer’s life will produce patience in the midst of suffering (Romans
5:3‐4). James brought this issue up because the members of the congregation at Jerusalem were not
putting the Word into use in their everyday lives. As a whole, their witness before the city was not a good
one. When a life is controlled by the Word, Jesus Christ will be seen in every action and word. Being “swift
to hear” means to be quick to receive the Word of God on a subject before speaking or acting.