Faultfinding – (11-12)

11 – “Do not slander one another,” may be more accurately translated, “do not speak against one another.”  The inference here is talking harshly or criticizing each other.  Slander usually means to speak falsely about someone damaging their reputation or character.  The meaning here is not to speak against each other whether true or false statements.  The point has to do with the manner of presentation rather than whether the statement is true or not.  We must not speak harshly or unkindly about each other.  James’ readers had gotten into the habit of criticizing one another, and needed this word of correction.  

Lev. 19:18 commands us to “love your neighbor as yourself.”  By speaking against their neighbor, they were disregarding the Law of God and judging it as unnecessary.  By setting aside the Law of God to do what they wanted, they were violating the Law by their actions, rather submitting to it and “keeping it.”  They were actually passing judgment on God’s Law.

12 – By judging their fellow Christian brothers, they were assuming god’s authority and rightful position as judge.  He authored the Law and it is His place alone to judge those who follow the Law.  “There is one Lawgiver and Judge.”  God alone is able to save and destroy,” and He is in a position to enforce the Law by passing judgment and doling out reward or punishment.  Then James crushes any right his readers may think they have to judge others.  Speaking from his authoritative standpoint, he says, “who do you think you are” to judge others?  This is to root out the harsh, unkind, critical spirit that constantly finds fault with others.  This has nothing to do with courts and official judgments.

Arrogant Self-sufficiency – (13-17)

13 – It is suggested here that James is addressing the businessmen of that day.  Business travel was common among the Jews of this time period.  Roman roads made it possible to travel from place to place to carry on business.  Mobility and travel is a large part of the New Testament.  Phrases like: “go to this city or that,” “spend a year there,” “carry on business,” or “make money,” point us to the business and travel aspects of this passage.  All the plans are in place, but there is no place for God mentioned.

14 – These businessmen are confident that they will be able to continue as planned, until completion.  Like those in the world, these Christian businessmen are not considering that their lives are temporary, and their future is not in their own hands at all, but God’s.  They “do not even know what will happen tomorrow,” yet they are talking about next year.  They have planned as if they know what the future holds.  However, the reality is that their lives are temporary and their futures are uncertain.  James uses another illustration from nature to make his point about the uncertainty of their lives.  He compares them to a mist that is visible in the morning and then gone.  But some of James’ readers were planning as if they would be there forever.

15 – In contrast to v. 13, James instructs them of the attitude they should have.  We all are dependant on God for our existence.  They are displaying heir arrogant self-sufficiency by their statement that leaves God out of planning their future.  We will only be able to “live and do this or that,” “if it is the Lord’s will.”  We become very cautions of speaking of all future plans because of this statement by James, but Paul did not employ this approach in every statement regarding his future plans.  In Acts 18:21 and 1 Cor 4:19 – Paul uses this approach, but in Acts. 19:21; Rom. 15:28; and 1 Cor. 16:5,8 he does not.  Although Paul always conditioned his plans on God’s will, he didn’t always state it.

16 – James tells his readers that if they arrogantly make their plans without consulting God, they are really boasting about their own ability to control their future.   They are in effect claiming to have control over their own plans.  Boasting or bragging refers to proud confidence in one’s knowledge or cleverness.  He is speaking to these businessmen who have arrogantly assumed they could foresee and control their future.