📜 Imperatives in the Book of James
A Comprehensive Analysis of Commands (NASB 1995)
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| 📖 Verse Reference | 🗣️ Imperative Verb | ✍️ Complete Command |
|---|---|---|
| 1:2 | Consider | Consider it all joy |
| 1:4 | Let | Let endurance have its perfect result |
| 1:5 | Ask | Let him ask of God |
| 1:6 | Ask | Let him ask in faith |
| 1:7 | Suppose | Let not that man suppose |
| 1:9 | Glory | Let the brother glory |
| 1:13 | Say | Let no one say |
| 1:16 | Be deceived | Do not be deceived |
| 1:19 | Be | Be quick to hear, slow to speak |
| 1:21 | Receive | Receive the word implanted |
| 1:22 | Prove | Prove yourselves doers of the word |
| 2:1 | Hold | Do not hold faith with favoritism |
| 2:5 | Listen | Listen, my beloved brethren |
| 2:12 | Speak/Act | So speak and so act |
| 2:18 | Show | Show me your faith |
| 3:1 | Become | Let not many become teachers |
| 3:4 | Look | Look at the ships |
| 3:5 | See | See how great a forest |
| 3:13 | Show | Let him show by good behavior |
| 4:7 | Submit | Submit therefore to God |
| 4:7 | Resist | Resist the devil |
| 4:8 | Draw near | Draw near to God |
| 4:8 | Cleanse | Cleanse your hands |
| 4:8 | Purify | Purify your hearts |
| 4:9 | Be miserable | Be miserable, mourn, and weep |
| 4:10 | Humble | Humble yourselves |
| 4:11 | Speak | Do not speak against one another |
| 5:1 | Come | Come now, you rich |
| 5:7 | Be patient | Be patient, brethren |
| 5:8 | Strengthen | Strengthen your hearts |
| 5:9 | Do not complain | Do not complain, brethren |
| 5:12 | Do not swear | Do not swear |
| 5:13 | Pray | Let him pray |
| 5:13 | Sing praises | Let him sing praises |
| 5:14 | Call | Let him call for the elders |
| 5:14 | Pray | Let them pray |
| 5:16 | Confess | Confess your sins |
| 5:16 | Pray | Pray for one another |
📊 Summary Observations
High Density of Commands
39 imperatives in 108 verses — one every ~2.8 verses. James is short but spiritually direct.
Emphasis on Action
Faith is not passive. James urges readers to live out what they believe.
Moral and Ethical Focus
Speech, humility, patience, and personal conduct dominate the command list.
Active Faith
James is a field manual for discipleship. Less theory, more doing.