On Wisdom and Prayer 1:5-8

If a person feels his weakness in the struggle with temptations, he should not be discouraged and faint-hearted. He must ask God for wisdom to overcome temptations, "and it shall be given unto him." The virtue of perfect Christian patience is so high that without special spiritual wisdom given by the Lord God, it is unattainable for weak human forces." But let him ask in faith, not doubting in the least, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, tossed and tossed by the wind" (6) — "let not such a man think to receive anything from the Lord. A person with double-minded thoughts is not firm in all his ways" (7-8) – the main condition for receiving what is asked for in prayer is firm, undoubting faith. This is because it is only through such faith that man enters into that moral union with God through which Divine grace can be communicated to the soul of man.

On the Worthlessness of Wealth 1:9-11

"Let the brother who is humbled by his height boast" (9) — "boasts" is said here in the sense: "let him console himself" with the consciousness of the honor and mercy granted to him by God in enduring various sorrows. All the righteous suffered and for this they were honored with a great reward in Heaven. If there were no sorrows, we would not have received crowns." The rich man (let him "boast") of his humiliation, for he will pass away like a flower on the grass" (10-11) — the rich can "boast" or console himself only with the consciousness of the insignificance, the perishability of his wealth.

The Source of Temptation—Our Sinfulness 1:12-18

"Blessed is the man who endures temptation" (12), because properly endured temptation contributes to the spiritual perfection of man and gives him "the crown of life." The Lord sends people trials not to draw them into sin, but to strengthen their strength to resist sin. And if a person falls in the struggle with temptation, then it is the fault of the person himself, because "everyone is tempted, being carried away and deceived by his own lust" (14). And the Lord always only contributes to the goodness and moral perfection of man: "Every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from above, from the Father of lights, with Whom there is no change and not a shadow of change" (17).

Bridling Anger and the Tongue 1:19–26

Further, the holy Apostle speaks about the attitude of a Christian to the word of truth (18-27). Since we are all spiritually born of God by the word of truth, we must take every care of our moral development, and for this we must first of all be "quick to hear this word" and slow to hear our own words, slow to anger, even for the sake of defending the truth, for "the wrath of man does not create the righteousness of God" (20).

The Essence of True Godliness 1:27

Но нужно быть и исполнителями слова, а не только слушателями, чтобы не походить на человека, который рассеянно смотрит на себя в зеркало и не замечает, как он выглядит, как бы себя не видит. Только деятельное проведение в жизнь всех требований нравственного Закона Божьего делает человека истинно благочестивым: иначе, у него "пустое благочестие" (22-27).

Глава вторая

Увещание к нелицеприятному отношению к ближним 2:1-13

Апостол обличает лицеприятие в отношении к ближним, которое является обычным спутником "пустого благочестия" и доказывает, что одна рассудочная вера, без согласования с ней всей жизни человека, не имеет значения перед Богом. Подобно тому, как одни слова участия не согревают и не насыщают нагих и голодных братий наших, "так и вера, если не имеет дел, мертва сама по себе" (ст.17).

Взаимоотношение между верой и добрыми делами 2:14-26