James 1 acts as a kind of executive summary' to the rest of the letter. It introduces all the main themes that will be elaborated upon later in the letter. Immediately prior to this week's passage, James 1:18 reflects on God's good gifts to his people in this way, "He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created." (Please note, bible study questions relating to the sermon can be accessed by clicking on the paperclip icon, found on the right).