Symeon the New Theologian

In his own words on James

• James 1:2

  The Word of God … causes us to despise all life's painful experiences and to count as joy every trial that assails us.

  DISCOURSES 3.8

• James 1:17

  Suppose we had told you that we had freely received grace from the Father of lights, from whom comes every good and perfect gift, but that we do not care for you to receive it also. If so, we would then have deserved to become an object of abhorrence on the part of God and of yourselves. But instead we present to you the truth from Holy Scripture and from experience and show you the royal way.

  DISCOURSES 34.6

• James 2:17

  If we are ashamed to imitate Christ's sufferings, which he endured for us, and to suffer as he suffered, it is obvious that we shall not become partakers with him in his glory. If that is true of us, we are believers in words only and not in deeds.

  DISCOURSES 6.10

• James 2:18

  Faith is shown by deeds like the features of the face in a mirror.

  DISCOURSES 29.4

• James 4:4

  When one is at enmity toward someone else, he has no idea how to explain to others what that person approves of or likes, nor is he able to instruct them concerning his desires.

  DISCOURSES 2.11

• James 5:20

  As a physician you must cure the passions and diseases of those who are sick in soul; as a shepherd you must bring back those who have strayed.

  DISCOURSES 18.16