But the view that jesus, the dynamic leader of the jerusalem church, should dispatch such a heterogeneous compilation of sermonic materials as his official message to his. We treat letters with more respect when we understand who sent them and why. James 2 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Whether you are just beginning to read scripture or have been studying the bible daily, commentaries offer greater understanding with background information on authorship, history, setting, and theme of the gospel. After being married to sissy for 64 years, she passed away. James concludes with this because this is exactly what he has endeavored to do through this challenging letter to confront those who have wandered from a living faith, endeavoring to save their souls from death, by demanding that they not only hear the word, but do. This letter expresses jamess concern for persecuted. He is always named next after jesus in lists of jesus brothers, so he was presumably considered to be jesus next younger brother. Iakobos, the epistle of james, or simply james, is one of the 21 epistles didactic letters in the new testament the author identifies himself as james, a servant of god and of the lord jesus christ who is. It was likely written after paul began to bring the gospel to the gentiles but before he and james met at the jerusalem council cf. Luther, too, questioned the apostolic authorship of james, but his criticism went much deeper than erasmus. The book is quite similar in many ways to colossians, but that book places more emphasis on the work of christ, where this book emphasizes more the involvement of the church.
Few books in the new testament are better known or more often quoted as the letter of james. The book of james was one of the earliest letters, probably written before a. Beginning with the 25person costa mesa congregation in 1965, smiths influence now extends to thousands of congregations worldwide, some of which are among the largest churches in the united states. The king james version of the holy bible by anonymous christian classics ethereal library. Some people have thought that the book of james isnt important for christians, and some have quoted martin luthers famous estimation of james as a letter full of straw. They accepted this letter, so they must have known him. It is one of the socalled general letters because, like first and second peter, first john, and jude but unlike most of the apostle pauls letters, it was not addressed to any specific congregation or person. Dec 10, 2011 the epistle of james adamson, james b. But such was the experience of james, the author of this book. Macarthur has utilized james 2 in the gospel according to the apostles as. Top 5 commentaries on the book of james ligonier ministries.
The introduction summarizes the words and themes found throughout the book, which is filled with short, challenging wisdom speeches that are full of metaphors and easily memorized oneliners. You can find the best commentary on james for you using the tools on the right side. James burton coffman was a prolific author, preacher, teacher and leader among churches of christ in the 20th century. Home group study book of james practical advice on living. But luthers remark should be understood in its context. Scot mcknight here explains the letter of james both in its own context and as it may be seen in light of ancient judaism, the graecoroman world, and emerging earliest christianity. Constable taught at dallas theological seminary for 45 years, and served as the chairman of its bible exposition department for years.
Iakobos, the epistle of james, or simply james, is one of the 21 epistles didactic letters in the new testament. He was born may 24, 1905, in taylor county to pioneer west texans so far out in the country it took two days to go to town and back. He was the son of joseph, a construction worker who originally lived in nazareth in galilee. For luther, the stickingpoint was the theological tension that he perceived between james and the chief new testament books over the matter of justification by faith. The unifying theme of the epistle of james 223 the suggestion that the contents of this book originally had a sermonic origin is very probable. Christocentric commentary series a commentary on the epistle to the galatians the gospel versus religion james a. Eerdmans publishing company, 1976 barclay, william, the daily study bible series. The letter of james the pillar new testament commentary. The westminster press, 1976 barnes, albert, notes on the new testament, explanatory and practical. Two other james commentaries that i would highly recommend are kistemakers and macarthurs. Some general comments about the book of revelation and its uniqueness.
The next step is to enter your payment information. In this commentary douglas moo allows james s words to cut through our theological debates, our personal preconceptions, our spiritual malaise and return us to an invigorating, transforming christianity. Moo, in his commentary on james, writes about the background of the epistle. For those who would like it a little shorter and a little easier to digest, this tyndale commentary on james will suffice as well. He wrote to the jewish christians who had left israel to live in other countries. Constable, provide commentary on all 66 books of the bible and contain over 12,000 pages of material in pdf format. The letter describes gods plan for mans salvation, with emphasis on the role of the church.
An inspired letter of the christian greek scriptures. The study of james page 4 whatever the reasons, we do believe that james was guided by the holy spirit as he wrote this wonderful and practical book that has become a favorite one for christians to study. The letter of james pillar new testament commentary. James burton coffman died on friday, june 30, 2006, at the age of 101. This james is the brother of jude and the halfbrother of christ. There are a number of helpful commentaries on the book of james, and the following are five of the best. The student of the letter of james would be amiss not to invest in the pillar commentary by moo.
Professor of biblical studies the masters college the letter of james has played an important role in the expository and polemical ministry of john macarthur. Characteristics of the letter the book leaves the impression that a strong personality is behind the writing. Nora elagamy coptic orthodox christian center 491 n. The author identifies himself as james, a servant of god and of the lord jesus christ who is writing to the twelve tribes scattered abroad. In accordance with scripture, we have built carefully on the foundation of others, and have added links to the blue letter bible. James james the half brother of jesus is the likely author of the book of james. Commentary on the book of james relevant bible teaching.
Date the letter states several times that it was written while paul was in. The most useful method would be to go to the section of scripture that you are interested in, and selecting the button for a complete list of all commentaries and resources related to that scripture. Throughout the book, james contended that faith produces authentic deeds. Commentary on the letter of james published by the watch tower bible and tract society. James the half brother of jesus is the likely author of the book of james. However, we do not feel this is the best method for using the blue letter bible. The epistle was probably written before the gentile congregations became common. It is the authors effort to share his insights about gods.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the letter of james the pillar new testament commentary. January 2004 the text of the king james version kjv of the holy bible also called the authorized version av by some is in the public domain. The genius of the letter of james lies in its powerfully simple call for repentance, for action, for a consistent christian lifestyle. Youre already logged in with your bible gateway account. But such was the experience of james, the author of this book that bears his name. Moo, in james, puts the date of writing before ad 62, which was the year james was martyred. Click the commentary tab or pulldown menu for a full selection of commentaries over any bible passage you are researching. Because james is so concise, so intensely practical, and so filled with memorable metaphors and illustrations, it has become one of the two or three most popular new testament books in the church. This letter expresses james s concern for persecuted christians who were once part of the jerusalem church.
The book of james a detailed commentary basic training bible ministries page 4 the greeting 1. These letters were sent out as circular epistles to be passed around and read in several locations. That remark not only tells us more about luther than it does the book of james, but it has influenced the interpretation of this epistle since the time of the. Since this was written for the body of christians as it existed at that time, this is a letter for us today. This series was written with the thorough care of a research scholar, yet it is easy to read. The book of james is possibly the earliest writing found in the new testament canon. James 1 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the church of christ, presents a verse level look at the bible. Starting your free trial of bible gateway plus is easy.
This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. Moo introduces the letter in its historical context and then provides versebyverse comments that explains the disciples message to its first readers and to todays churchspiritual wholeness while also addressing james unique usage of jesus teaching as. Overview james burton coffman commentaries on the bible. The book of james has also been compared to old testament wisdom literature.
From beginning to end, the book is shaped for pastors, teachers, and scholars. Commentaries only the scriptures provide an infallible, authoritatively inspired revelation of gods will for man 2 timothy 3. My goal is to do an accurate exegesis of the epistle, but also to relate it to our christian living. When gods people go through personal trials, they discover what kind of faith they really possess.
Pastoral book information this highly original commentary on james by respected new testament scholar douglas moo combines penetrating scholarship with the simplicity of style and pastoral tone characteristic of james itself. Calvins commentaries on the whole bible pdf monergism. Charles swindoll in the opening of his letter, james called himself a bondservant of god, an appropriate name given the practical, servantoriented emphasis of the book. James 1 james, a servant of god and of the lord jesus. Commentary on the letter of james book watch tower publications index 19301985. Home group study book of james practical advice on living the life lesson one james 1. As i mentioned this morning, we come tonight to a long awaited book study for me and i trust for many of you. Such anonymity makes the document suspect in the minds of some for it provides no specificity of. The lessons are organized into subjects of one week study per lesson this course is a study of the letter of james to the universal church.
If the letter of james were to have been writen by james the lords brother, then it is remarkable that there is no reflection of the sharp criticism of paul by james in the deuteropauline writings. Commentary on the letter of james, 1979 epistle of. Study scripture verses with commentary, concordances, and use highlighting, underlining, take notes in the bible. Though located in the back part of the new testament. The letter indicates that most were poor, and some were being oppressed by the rich. The epistle to the hebrews has suffered from anonymity. Sloan baylor university, waco, tx 76798 to do research on the book of james is to weary of reading luthers dictum about its being a right strawy epistle. Charles ward chuck smith june 25, 1927 october 3, 20 was an american pastor who founded the calvary chapel movement. Epistle of james, new international greek testament commentary grand rapids. He is not james the son of zebedee because he was martyred too early to have written this letter. When we finished the epistle of paul to the romans some months ago and i began to put my.
Pdf versions of past issue contents, and encourage them to request their. In the first three chapters he is going to speak of the verification of genuine faith and give us some of the ways god tests faith. Notice this book was published in arabic in the sixties. Structure the book of james is a letter an epistle, though only the greeting conforms to the ancient greek form exemplified in auls letters, especially galatians. The writer of this letter, a leader of the church in jerusalem see acts 12.
Finally, the history of the canon speaks against james the lords brother as author of the letter of james. In this preparatory translation some quotations of the fathers of the church are added from many contemporary series. The book of james a detailed commentary basic training bible ministries page 2 introduction to james background of the book the epistle of james is one of the general epistles, including 1 and 2 peter, 1, 2 and 3 john, and jude. Blue letter bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on christ and the gospel of his peace and righteousness. Study guide for james 1 by david guzik blue letter bible. The letter of james the pillar new testament commentary pntc kindle edition by moo, douglas j download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The series includes every book of the old and new testaments. James, a servant of god and of the lord jesus christ, to the. The epistle of james commentaries on the books of the bible. If james, the lords brother, is the author, then he probably wrote it in jerusalem.
Chapter 1 of this letter functions like an overture to a great. James 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on the. Free online bible commentaries on all books of the bible. My former teacher and colleague, dj moo, the letter of james pillar new testament commentary has two commentaries on james and i think this one in the pillar series is one of the best in that series. It follows that this commentary, like all commentaries, was written by an uninspired, fallible human.
We have just added many new sources, including the expositors bible commentary, bengels gnomon, langes commentary, hastings great texts and many more. James directs christians to govern and conduct themselves more especially by the law of christ. The book of james calls on the messianic community to live. Such anonymity makes the document suspect in the minds of some for it provides no specificity of its intended meaning within a given context. Thus, if you look to the law of the old, you stand condemned. It is likely that the book of revelation refers to rome figuratively as babylon in chapters 14, 17, 18. The letter of james pntc emphasizes james s creative use of hellenistic jewish traditions in his exposition of practical christianity. Commentary on the letter of james book question from readers regarding page 47 of book. The fact that he was not the james who was one of jesus original disciples is obvious because james was executed by king herod before the church council ever took place.
There is anonymity of both author and recipients because these details are not included in the text of the letter. Text commentaries by john macarthur blue letter bible. James was a common name and there are several men called james in the new testament. However, woods points out that such usage likely did not become common till after the destruction of jerusalem, which would have been after the time that peter wrote this letter. His insights are livedthrough, profound and rich of application. Commentary on the book of james james 1 1james, a bondservant of god and of the lord jesus christ, to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad. James takes the familiar identity of a bondservant in his greeting, evidencing his humility and obedience to his lord jesus christ. Commentary on the letter of james watch tower bible and tract society of pennsylvania on. While james doesnt teach new theology, it does challenge believers on how they should live.
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