Reference: James, Epistle Of
Easton
(1.) Author of, was James the Less, the Lord's brother, one of the twelve apostles. He was one of the three pillars of the Church (Ga 2:9).
(2.) It was addressed to the Jews of the dispersion, "the twelve tribes scattered abroad."
(3.) The place and time of the writing of the epistle were Jerusalem, where James was residing, and, from internal evidence, the period between Paul's two imprisonments at Rome, probably about A.D. 62.
(4.) The object of the writer was to enforce the practical duties of the Christian life. "The Jewish vices against which he warns them are, formalism, which made the service of God consist in washings and outward ceremonies, whereas he reminds them (1:27) that it consists rather in active love and purity; fanaticism, which, under the cloak of religious zeal, was tearing Jerusalem in pieces (1:20); fatalism, which threw its sins on God (1:13); meanness, which crouched before the rich (2:2); falsehood, which had made words and oaths play-things (3:2-12); partisanship (3:14); evil speaking (4:11); boasting (4:16); oppression (5:4). The great lesson which he teaches them as Christians is patience, patience in trial (1:2), patience in good works (1:22-25), patience under provocation (3:17), patience under oppression (5:7), patience under persecution (5:10); and the ground of their patience is that the coming of the Lord draweth nigh, which is to right all wrong (5:8)."
Justification by works, which James contends for, is justification before man, the justification of our profession of faith by a consistent life. Paul contends for the doctrine of "justification by faith;" but that is justification before God, a being regarded and accepted as just by virtue of the righteousness of Christ, which is received by faith.
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And when they perceived the favour which had been given unto me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave, the right hand of fellowship, unto me and Barnabas, in order that, we, should go unto the nations, and, they, unto the circumcision: -
Hastings
JAMES, EPISTLE OF
1. The author claims to be 'James, a servant of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ' (Jas 1:1). He is usually identified with the Lord's brother the 'bishop' of Jerusalem, not a member of the Twelve, but an apostle in the wider sense (see Jas 3). The name is common, and the writer adds no further note of identification. This fact makes for the authenticity of the address. If the Epistle had been pseudonymous, the writer would have defined the position of the James whose authority he wished to claim, and the same objection holds good against any theory of interpolation. Or again, if it had been written by a later James under his own name, he must have distinguished himself from his better known namesakes. The absence of description supports the common view of the authorship of the letter; it is a mark of modesty, the brother of the Lord not wishing to insist on his relationship after the flesh; it also points to a consciousness of authority; the writer expected to be listened to, and knew that his mere name was a sufficient description of himself. So Jude writes merely as 'the brother of James.' It has indeed been doubted whether a Jew of his position could have written such good Greek as we find in this Epistle, but we know really very little of the scope of Jewish education; there was every opportunity for intercourse with Greeks in Galilee, and a priori arguments of this nature can at most be only subsidiary. If indeed the late date, suggested by some, be adopted, the possibility of the brother of the Lord being the author is excluded, since he probably died in 62; otherwise there is nothing against the ordinary view. If that be rejected, the author is entirely unknown. More will be said in the rest of the article on the subject; but attention must be called to the remarkable coincidence in language between this Epistle and the speech of James in Ac 15.
2. Date.
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And he had faith in Yahweh, - so he reckoned it to him as righteousness.
And he had faith in Yahweh, - so he reckoned it to him as righteousness.
Hear, O Israel: Yahweh, is our God, - Yahweh alone.
But let your word be, Yea, yea, - Nay, nay; and, what goeth beyond these, is, of evil.
Be not laying up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where, moth and rust, do tarnish, and where, thieves, dig through and steal;
No one, unto two masters, can be in service; for either, the one, he will hate, and, the other ,love, or, one, he will hold to, and, the other, despise: Ye cannot be in service, unto God, and, unto Riches.
Judge not, that ye be not judged; - For, with what judgment ye judge, shall ye be judged, - and, with what measure ye mete, shall it be measured unto you. read more. Why, moreover, beholdest thou the mote, in the eye of thy brother, - while, the beam in thine own eye, thou dost not consider? Or how wilt thou say unto thy brother, Let me cast the mote out of thine eye, - when 1o! a beam, is in thine own eye? Hypocrite! cast first, out of thine own eye, the beam, - and, then, shalt thou see clearly to cast the mote, out of the eye of thy brother.
Be asking, and it shall be given you, Be seeking, and ye shall find, - Be knocking, and it shall be opened unto you.
By their fruits, shall ye find, them, out, - unless perhaps men gather - from thorns, grapes! or, from thistles, figs!
And the rain descended, and the streams came, and the winds blew, and rushed against that house, and it fell not; for it had been founded upon the rock.
And, whoever shall exalt himself, shall be, abased, and, whoever shall abase himself, shall be, exalted,
Verily, I say unto you - Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be lifted up, and cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart but shall believe that, what he speaketh, cometh to pass, it shall be his.
And, he, lifting up his eyes towards his disciples, was saying: - Happy, ye destitute, for, yours, is the kingdom of God.
But alas! for you, ye wealthy, for ye are duly receiving you consolation.
If, these things, ye know, happy, are ye, if ye be doing them.
writing through their hand - The Apostles and the Elder Brethren, unto the brethren throughout Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, who are from among the nations, wish joy! Inasmuch as we had heard that, certain from among us, had troubled you with words, dismantling your souls, - unto whom we had given no instructions,
Wherefore, inexcusable, thou art, O man, whoever judgest; for, wherein thou judgest some one else, thyself, thou dost condemn, - for, the very things, thou dost practise, who art judging:
Who will render unto each one according to his works: - Unto them, on the one hand, who, by way of endurance in good work, are seeking, glory, honour and incorruption, life age-abiding, read more. Unto them, on the other hand, who are of contention, and are not yielding unto the truth, but are yielding unto unrighteousness, anger and wrath, tribulation and anguish - against every soul of man who worketh out what is base, both of Jew first and of Greek, - But glory and honour and peace - unto every one who worketh what is good, both unto Jew first and unto Greek: For there is no respect of persons with God; - For, as many as without law sinned, without law, also shall perish, and, as many as within law sinned, through law, shall be judged; For, not the hearers of law, are righteous with God, but, the doers of law, shall be declared righteous;
For, not the hearers of law, are righteous with God, but, the doers of law, shall be declared righteous; For, whensoever the nations which have not law, by nature, the things of the law, may be doing, the same, not having law, unto themselves, are a law, - read more. Who, indeed, shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience therewith bearing witness, and, between one another, their reasonings accusing - or, even excusing, them: - In the day on which God judgeth the secrets of men according to my glad-message through Christ Jesus. If, however, thou, art taking the name of Jew, and resting thyself upon law, and boasting in God, And art taking note of his will, and testing the things that differ - when receiving oral instruction out of the law, Art persuaded, moreover, that, thou thyself, art - a guide of the blind, a light of them that are in darkness, A trainer of the simple, a teacher of babes, having the forming of knowledge and truth in the law, -
Far be it! But let, God, prove to be, true, albeit, every man, be false! Even as it is written - That thou mightest be declared righteous in thy words, and overcome when thou art in judgment.
Inasmuch as, by works of law, shall no flesh be declared righteous before him, - through law, in fact, is discovery of sin.
A righteousness of God, through faith in JesusChrist, unto all that have faith; for there is no distinction, -
In the forbearance of God, - with a view to a showing forth of his righteousness in the present season, that he might be righteous even when declaring righteous him that hath faith in Jesus.
For we reckon that a man is to be declared righteous by faith, apart from works of law.
For we reckon that a man is to be declared righteous by faith, apart from works of law.
And, not only so, but let us boast also in our tribulations; knowing that, our tribulation, worketh out endurance. And, our endurance, a testing, and, our testing, hope, read more. And, our hope, putteth not to shame. Because, the love of God, hath been poured out in our hearts, through the Holy Spirit that hath been given unto us:
But I behold a diverse law in my members, warring against the law of my mind and taking me captive in the law of sin which existeth in my members: -
The night, is far spent and, the day, hath drawn near; let us, then, cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light, -
Who art, thou, that judgest another's domestic? To his own master, he standeth or falleth; he shall, however, be made to stand, - for his master is able to make him stand.
But, other of the apostles, saw I none, save James the brother of the Lord: -
Knowing, however, that a man is not declared righteous by works of law, nor at all save through faith in Christ Jesus; even we, on Christ Jesus, believed, that we might be declared righteous - by faith in Christ, and not by works of law; because, by works of law, shall no flesh be declared righteous.
Knowing, however, that a man is not declared righteous by works of law, nor at all save through faith in Christ Jesus; even we, on Christ Jesus, believed, that we might be declared righteous - by faith in Christ, and not by works of law; because, by works of law, shall no flesh be declared righteous.
For, in Christ Jesus, neither, circumcision, availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith, through love, energising.
Who, in the days of his flesh, having offered up, both supplications and entreaties unto him that was able to save him out of death, with mighty outcries and tears, and been hearkened to by reason of his devoutness,
By faith, Rahab the harlot perished not with them who refused to yield, she having welcomed the spies with peace.
James, a servant, of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, - unto the twelve tribes that are in the dispersion, Wishes joy.
James, a servant, of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, - unto the twelve tribes that are in the dispersion, Wishes joy.
James, a servant, of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, - unto the twelve tribes that are in the dispersion, Wishes joy.
James, a servant, of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, - unto the twelve tribes that are in the dispersion, Wishes joy. All Joy, account it, my brethren, whensoever ye fall in with, manifold, temptations, - read more. Taking note, that, the proving of your faith, worketh out endurance; But let, your endurance, have, mature work, that ye may be mature and complete, in nothing, coming short. But, if any of you is sinning short of wisdom, let him be asking of God, Who giveth unto all freely and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him;
Whereas the rich, in his being brought low, - because, as a flower of grass, he will pass away;
Whereas the rich, in his being brought low, - because, as a flower of grass, he will pass away;
Happy the man who endureth temptation! Because, becoming approved, he shall receive the crown of life - which he hath promised unto them that love him.
Be not deceived, my brethren beloved: - Every good giving, and every perfect gift, is, from above, coming down from the Father of lights - with whom is no alternation, nor shadow cast, by turning: read more. Because he was so minded, he hath brought us forth with a word of truth, to the end we should be a sort of firstfruit of his creatures
Because he was so minded, he hath brought us forth with a word of truth, to the end we should be a sort of firstfruit of his creatures Ye know, my brethren beloved, - but let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger,
Wherefore, putting away all filthiness and overflow of baseness, in meekness, welcome ye the word fitted for inward growth, which is able to save your souls: Become ye doers of the word, and not hearers only - reasoning yourselves astray;
Become ye doers of the word, and not hearers only - reasoning yourselves astray;
But, he that hath obtained a nearer view into the perfect law of liberty, and hath taken up his abode by it, becoming - not a forgetful hearer, but a work doer, the same, happy in his doing, shall be.
But, he that hath obtained a nearer view into the perfect law of liberty, and hath taken up his abode by it, becoming - not a forgetful hearer, but a work doer, the same, happy in his doing, shall be.
Religious observance, pure and undefiled with our God and Father, is, this - to be visiting orphans and widows in their affliction, unspotted, to keep, himself, from the world.
My brethren, do not, with respect for persons, be holding the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For, if there enter into your synagogue a man wearing gold rings in gay clothing, and there enter a destitute man also, in soiled clothing, -
Hearken! my brethren beloved: - Hath not, God, chosen the destitute in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
Hearken! my brethren beloved: - Hath not, God, chosen the destitute in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
Hearken! my brethren beloved: - Hath not, God, chosen the destitute in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
Hearken! my brethren beloved: - Hath not, God, chosen the destitute in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? Whereas, ye, have dishonoured the destitute man! Do not, the rich, oppress you? and, themselves, drag you into courts of justice?
Whereas, ye, have dishonoured the destitute man! Do not, the rich, oppress you? and, themselves, drag you into courts of justice? Do not, they, defame the noble name which hath been invoked upon you? read more. If ye are, indeed, fulfilling, a royal law, according to the scripture - Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, nobly, are ye doing;
So, also, faith, if it have not works, is dead, by itself.
Thou believest that God is, one: thou doest, well - Even the demons believe, and shudder!
Abraham our father, was it not, by works, he was declared righteous - when he offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Abraham our father, was it not, by works, he was declared righteous - when he offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Abraham our father, was it not, by works, he was declared righteous - when he offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Abraham our father, was it not, by works, he was declared righteous - when he offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Ye see that - by works, a man is declared righteous, and not by faith alone. And, in like manner also, Rahab the harlot, Was it not, by works, she was declared righteous, when she gave welcome unto the messengers, and, by another way, urged them forth?
Doth, the fountain, out of the same opening, teem forth the sweet and the bitter?
Whence wars and whence fightings among you? are they not from hence - due to your pleasures which are taking the field in your members?
Whence wars and whence fightings among you? are they not from hence - due to your pleasures which are taking the field in your members?
Adulteresses! Know ye not that, the friendship of the world, is, enmity to God? Whosoever, therefore, is minded to be, a friend, of the world, an enemy of God, doth constitute himself.
Be made low in presence of the Lord, and he will lift you up. Be not speaking one against another, brethren! He that speaketh against a brother, or judgeth his brother, speaketh against law, and judgeth law; Now, if, upon law, thou art passing judgment, thou art not a doer of law, but a judge!
Be not speaking one against another, brethren! He that speaketh against a brother, or judgeth his brother, speaketh against law, and judgeth law; Now, if, upon law, thou art passing judgment, thou art not a doer of law, but a judge!
Be not speaking one against another, brethren! He that speaketh against a brother, or judgeth his brother, speaketh against law, and judgeth law; Now, if, upon law, thou art passing judgment, thou art not a doer of law, but a judge!
Come now! ye that say - Today or To-morrow, we will journey unto this city here, and will spend there a year, and will trade and get gain, -
Lo, the wage of the workers who have out down your fields - that which hath been kept back, by you, is crying out; and, the outcries of them who reaped, into the ears of the Lord of hosts, have entered:
Ye sentenced - ye murdered the Righteous one! Is he not arraying himself against you?
Ye sentenced - ye murdered the Righteous one! Is he not arraying himself against you? Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the Presence of the Lord: - Lo! the husbandman, awaiteth the precious fruit of the earth, having patience for it, until it receive the early and the latter rain: read more. Be, ye also, patient, Stablish your hearts, because, the Presence of the Lord, hath drawn near.
An example, take ye, brethren, of distress and patience, - the prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord. Lo! we pronounce them happy who have endured; - Of the endurance of Job, ye have heard, and, the end of the Lord, have ye seen, - that, of much tender affection, is the Lord, and full of compassion,
Lo! we pronounce them happy who have endured; - Of the endurance of Job, ye have heard, and, the end of the Lord, have ye seen, - that, of much tender affection, is the Lord, and full of compassion, But, before all things, my brethren, do not swear, - either by heaven, or by the earth, or by any other oath; but let your Yea be yea, and your Nay nay, - lest, under judgment, ye fall. read more. In distress, is any among you? Let him pray; Cheerful, is any? Let him strike the strings; Sick, is any among you? Let him call unto him the elders of the assembly, and let them pray for him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; -
Elijah, was, a man, affected like us; and he earnestly prayed that there might be no moisture, and there was no moisture on the land, for three years and six months, -
My brethren! If one among you be led to err from the truth, and one turn him back,
For, hereunto, have ye been called; because, Christ also, suffered in your behalf, unto you, leaving behind a pattern, that ye might follow in his steps:
As also, in all letters, speaking in them concerning these things, - in which letters are some things, hard to be understood, which, the uninstructed and unstable, wrest, - as also the other scriptures, - unto their own destruction.
Morish
This was written to the twelve tribes which were in the dispersion, viewing them as still in relationship with God, though it was only the Jewish remnant, now become Christians, who professed the faith, which the Spirit gave, in the true Messiah. The moral measure of the life presented is the same as when the Lord was here among His disciples: it does not rise up to the position and principles of the church as found in Paul's epistles. The believers being in the midst of the Israelites, some of whom merely professed faith in Christ, accounts for the apostles address to the mass and the warning to professors. The epistle belongs in character to the transitional time in the early part of the Acts, when the believers went on with the temple worship, etc., before Paul's testimony came in. In some Greek MSS this epistle follows the Acts, preceding Paul's writings.
Referring to the various temptations into which saints fall, the apostle bids them count it all joy, inasmuch as the proving of faith works endurance. But this last must have her perfect work that they might be lacking in nothing. If wisdom be lacking, it should be sought in faith from God. The man who doubts will get nothing.
The poor and the rich had both that in which they could glory; the one in his exaltation, the other in his humiliation, being able rightly to judge of that which is but for a moment. The crown of life is for him who endures trial