What are the 54 direct commands in the Book of James in the Bible?

Answer 1

The following list of 54 imperatives (60 counting hypotheticals) in the 108 verses of the Book of James is based on Greek imperatives:

1) 1:2-"consider"

2) 1:4-"let have"

3) 1:5-"let him ask"

4) 1:6-"let him ask"

5) 1:7-"let suppose/think" (negated/prohibition)

6) 1:9-"let boast"

7) 1:13-"let say" (negated/prohibition)

8) 1:16-"be deceived" (negated/prohibition)

9) 1:19-"let be"

10) 1:21-"receive"

11) 1:22-"be/become"

12) 2:1-"hold" (negated/prohibition)

[2:3-"sit"/"stand"/"sit" (hypotheticals; w/subjunctive)]

13) 2:5-"listen"

14) 2:12-"speak"

15) 2:12-"act"

[2:16-"go"/"be warmed"/"be filled" (hypotheticals; w/subjunctive)]

16) 2:18-"show"

17) 3:1-"let be" (negated/prohibition)

18) 3:4-"behold/look"

19) 3:5-"behold/look"

20) 3:13-"let him show"

21) 3:14-"boast" (negated/prohibition)

22) 3:14-"lie" (negated/prohibition)

23) 4:7-"submit/subject yourselves"

24) 4:7-"resist" (cf. 1 Pet. 5:9)

25) 4:8-"draw near"

26) 4:8-"cleanse" (to free/strip: Mt. 8:2-3; 1 Jn. 1:7, 9)

27) 4:8-"sanctify/purify" (cf. Jn. 11:55; 1 Pet. 1:22)

28) 4:9-"lament/be grieved"

29) 4:9-"mourn" (cf. Mt. 5:4)

30) 4:9-"weep"

31) 4:9-"let be turned"

32) 4:10-"humble yourselves"

33) 4:11-"speak against" (negated/prohibition)

34) 4:13-"come now" (cf. "see now," Mt. 26:65)

35) 5:1-"come now" (purpose is to reprove; 4:13)

36) 5:1-"weep" (w/"howling"-repentance; 4:9)

37) 5:4-"behold/look"

38) 5:7-"be patient" (cf. 2 Pet. 3:9)

39) 5:7-"behold/look"

40) 5:8-"be patient"

41) 5:8-"strengthen"

42) 5:9-"grumble" (negated/prohibition)

43) 5:9-"behold/look"

44) 5:10-"take"

45) 5:11-"behold/look"

46) 5:12-"swear" (negated/prohibition)

47) 5:12-"let be"

48) 5:13-"let him pray"

49) 5:13-"let him sing praise"

50) 5:14-"let him call"

51) 5:14-"let them pray"

52) 5:16-"confess"

53) 5:16-"pray"

54) 5:20-"let him know"

Answer 2

Many see the Book of James as one of commands perhaps due to the translation used. But it seems to me that it is more in line to his brother Jesus' Sermon on the Mount as it is full of encouragement and presents 'gems' to help the reader build Christian character. For me then, James is zealously pointing the reader to the correct way to live life in Christ - exactly as he did as His disciple (means to imitate) and commanding no one.

James life and writings post his acceptance of his brother as the Messiah (see 1 Corinthians 15:7 and Acts 1:14) dramatically changed his actions to the point that James would lead the Church of God at Jerusalem. Indeed, the 2nd century writer and historian Hegesippus referred to Jesus' brother as 'James the Just' and characterized him as zealous for the law of God - and thusly attempts to have all readers share his zeal.

James addresses his book to his former countrymen - the scattered 12 tribes of Israel (James 1:1). James gives practical, didactic instructions on faith, wisdom, and the control of the loose tongue, reminding them that true godly service consists of active love and purity (see James 1:27). James wrote at length about patience (see James 1:2). Perhaps one of the most misunderstood teaching of James is on works (see James 1:22-25). James called God's commands the 'perfect law of liberty - the royal law (see James 2).

James entire life is another example of how to live and die by true faith - similar to his brother Jesus.