Signs in John's Gospel - The Lamp Broadcast

Except a Man… (III) 101
For more detailed information on firstborn Sons [Christ, Israel,
and the Church], along with information on the redemption of the
inheritance [through which those Christians shown worthy at the
judgment seat will become Christ’s wife], refer to the author’s
books, GOD’S FIRSTBORN SONS and RUTH.)
James
The epistle of James was written to deal with faithfulness, from
several vantage points.
In the first chapter faithfulness has to do with enduring temptation
(vv. 2-12) and, correspondingly, with having been brought
forth from above (v. 18). And enduring temptation in this manner
is seen having to do with crowns in relation to the saving of the soul
(vv. 12, 21).
Then chapter two, having to do with another facet of the same
thing, centers around works emanating out of faith, bringing faith
to its proper goal (vv. 14-26). And this goal is the same as that
seen in chapter one, having to do with crowns and the saving of
the soul, with a view to an inheritance in the kingdom (cf. James 2:5;
I Peter 1:9; Heb. 11:1ff).
And the remaining three chapters have to do with different
facets of the same subject, ending again with the saving of the soul
(5:19, 20).
The manner in which James presents a bringing forth from
above in the first chapter can be of immense help in understanding
this overall subject, for James presents not only a bringing
forth from above but he precedes this by presenting a bringing
forth from below (vv. 15-18). And it is Christians who are seen in
both instances, either exercising faith and being brought forth from
above or not exercising faith and being brought forth from below. No
middle ground exists. It is either one or the other (Matt. 12:30;
Luke 11:23).
Verse fifteen shows a bringing forth from below; then verse eighteen
shows a bringing forth from above. In verse fifteen, the Greek
words tikto (“to beget,” “to bring forth”) and apokueo (“to bring
forth,” “to give birth” [as seen in a medical respect]) are used in