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 knowing the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, but they to 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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But let your word be, Yes, yes; No, no; for whatever is more than these is of the Evil One.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal.
No one can serve two masters: for he will either hate the one and love the other; or he will hold to the one, and neglect the other. You can not serve God and riches.
Judge not, that you may not be judged: for with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you measure, it shall be measured to you. read more. And why do you look at the splinter that is in your brother's eye, but perceive not the beam that is in your own eye? Or, how will you say to your brother, Let me pull out the splinter from your eye: and lo; a beam is in your own eye? Hypocrite! first pull the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to pull the splinter out of your brother's eye.
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.
By their fruits you will know them. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles?
and the rain descended, and the torrents came, and the winds blew, and they beat against that house, and it fell not: for it was founded on the rock.
Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
For, verily I say to you, that whoever will say to this mountain, Be removed, and be cast into the sea, and will not doubt in his heart, but believe that what he says will come to pass, he shall have whatever he says.
And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: Blessed are you that are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
But alas for you that are rich! for you have received your consolation.
If you know these things, blessed are you, if you do them.
and they wrote by their hands as follows: The apostles, and the elders, and the brethren, to the brethren of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting: Inasmuch as we have heard that certain persons went out from us and troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, That you must be circumcised, and keep the law, to whom we gave no commandment,
For which reason, you are without excuse, man, who ever you are, that judge; for in that in which you judge an other, you condemn yourself; for you who judge, practice the same things.
who will render to every man according to his works; to those who, by patient continuance in good works, seek for glory and honor and incorruptibility, eternal life: read more. but to those who are contentious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, anger and wrath, affliction and distress, upon every soul of man that practices what is evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek: but glory and honor and peace to every one that practices what is good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek: for there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law, shall also perish without law; and as many as have sinned under law, shall be judged by law, in the day when God shall judge the secret works of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
in the day when God shall judge the secret works of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. read more. For when the Gentiles, who have not a law, do, by nature, the things of the law, these who have not a law, are a law to themselves, who show that the work which the law requires, is written in their hearts, their conscience bearing testimony, and their reasonings with each other accusing, or making excuse. But if you are named Jew, and rest in the law, and make your boast in God. and know his will, and approve what is excellent, being instructed by the law: if you are also confident that you yourself are a guide for the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the simple, a teacher of the unlearned, because you have the form of true knowledge in the law;
It can not be. But let God be true, though every man be a liar, as it is written: That thou mightest be justified in thy words, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
Wherefore, by works of law, no flesh shall be justified in his sight; for by law is the knowledge of sin.
I repeat it, God's plan of justifying men through faith in Jesus Christ, which is for all, and on all that believe; for there is no difference;
in order to manifest his righteousness at the present time, that he might be just, while he justifies him who believes in Jesus.
For we conclude that a man is justified by faith, without deeds of law.
For we conclude that a man is justified by faith, without deeds of law.
What, then, shall we say that Abraham our father has found, as it respects the flesh?
And not only so, but we rejoice in afflictions also; because we know that affliction produces patience, and patience, an approved character, and an approved character, hope; read more. and this hope disappoints us not; because the love of God is poured abundantly into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that is given to us.
but I perceive another law in my members, at war with the law of my mind, and making me a captive to the law of sin, which is in my members.
the night is far advanced, the day draws near. Let us, therefore, put off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
Who are you that judge another man's servant? To his own master he stands or falls; indeed, he shall stand, for God is able to make him stand.
but of the apostles I saw no other, but James the brother of the Lord.
knowing that a man is not justified by works of law, but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed on Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of law: because, by works of law no flesh shall be justified.
knowing that a man is not justified by works of law, but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed on Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of law: because, by works of law no flesh shall be justified.
For, in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision, but faith that works by love.
In the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and supplications, with strong crying and tears, to him that was able to save him from death, and having been heard with respect to that which he feared,
By faith Rabab the harlot perished not with the disobedient, because she had received the spies with peace.
JAMES, a servant of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes that are in the dispersion, greeting.
JAMES, a servant of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes that are in the dispersion, greeting.
JAMES, a servant of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes that are in the dispersion, greeting.
JAMES, a servant of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes that are in the dispersion, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy, when you fall into manifold trials, read more. knowing that the trial of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its work perfected, that you may be perfect and faultless, wanting in nothing. Now, if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him.
but he that is rich, in his humiliation; because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
but he that is rich, in his humiliation; because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
Blessed is the man that endures trial: for, being approved, he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Be not deceived, my beloved brethren; every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change, nor slightest trace of turning. read more. Of his own will, he begot us with the word of truth, in order that we might be, as it were, the first-fruits of his creatures.
Of his own will, he begot us with the word of truth, in order that we might be, as it were, the first-fruits of his creatures. So, then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.
Wherefore, laying aside all filthiness, and every excess caused by malice, receive with meekness the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
But he that looks intently into the perfect law of liberty, and remains constant, being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, he shall be blessed in his deed.
But he that looks intently into the perfect law of liberty, and remains constant, being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, he shall be blessed in his deed.
Religion, pure and undefiled before God and the Father, is this: To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
My brethren, do not hold the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, so as to show a partiality for persons. For if there comes into your assembly a man in splendid apparel, and with gold rings on his fingers, and there comes in also a poor man, in mean clothing,
Hear, my be loved brethren: Has not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which God has promised to those who love him?
Hear, my be loved brethren: Has not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which God has promised to those who love him?
Hear, my be loved brethren: Has not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which God has promised to those who love him?
Hear, my be loved brethren: Has not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which God has promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you, and do they not themselves drag you to the judgment-seats?
But you dishonor the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you, and do they not themselves drag you to the judgment-seats? Do they not themselves revile that honorable name which is called upon you? read more. If, however, you fulfill the law of highest excellence, according to the scripture, You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you do well.
So, also, faith, if it has not works, is dead, being by itself.
You believe that there is one God; you do well: the demons also believe, and tremble.
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
Do you see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only? Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and sent them out another way?
Whence come wars and strifes among you? Come they not hence, even of your passions, which war in your members?
Whence come wars and strifes among you? Come they not hence, even of your passions, which war in your members?
Adulterers and adulteresses, know you not that the friend ship of the world is enmity to God? Whoever, therefore, will be a friend of the world, is an enemy of God.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you. Do not speak evil one of another, brethren. He that speaks evil of his brother, and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law, and judges the law: but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.
Do not speak evil one of another, brethren. He that speaks evil of his brother, and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law, and judges the law: but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.
Do not speak evil one of another, brethren. He that speaks evil of his brother, and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law, and judges the law: but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.
Come, now, you that say, Let us go to-day, or to-morrow, into this city, and remain there a year, and trade, and make gain;
Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped your fields, which has been unjustly withheld by you, cries out: and the cries of those who have reaped, have entered into the ears of the Lord of hosts.
You have condemned and killed the Just One: and he does not set himself against you.
You have condemned and killed the Just One: and he does not set himself against you. Be patient, therefore, brethren, till the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer looks for the precious fruit of the earth, and waits patiently for it, till he receives the early and the latter rain. read more. Be you also patient, establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draws near.
Take, my brethren, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering evil, and of patience. Behold, we count those happy who endure. You have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the final dealing of the Lord, that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
Behold, we count those happy who endure. You have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the final dealing of the Lord, that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. But above all things, my brethren, swear not, either by heaven, or by the earth, or with any other oath: but let your yes, be yes, and your no, be no, lest you fall into condemnation. read more. Is any one among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any one cheerful? let him sing praise. Is any one among you sick? let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil, in the name of the Lord.
Elijah was a man with passions like our own; and he earnestly prayed that it might not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.
Brethren, if any among you should err from the truth, and one should turn him back,
To this, indeed, you have been called; because even Christ suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his footsteps.
as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to be understood, which the unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, to 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