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 grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
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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Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,
No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the same judgment you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. read more. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?
And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.
He lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: "Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
and they sent the following letter with them: "The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, greetings. Since we have heard that some persons from us have disturbed you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions,
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, whoever you are who judge another; for in whatever point you pass judgment on him you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things.
For he "will render to each one according to his works": to those who by patience in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality, he will give eternal life; read more. but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey wickedness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality. All who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in the sight of God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.
For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in the sight of God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. When Gentiles, who have not the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. read more. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts accusing or else excusing them on that day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. But if you call yourself a Jew, and rely on the law and boast of your relation to God and know his will and approve of what is excellent, because you are instructed in the law, and if you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth
Certainly not! Let God be true, though every man a liar. As it is written: "That you may be justified in your words and prevail when you are judged."
Therefore no flesh will be justified in his sight by works of the law, for through the law comes knowledge of sin.
the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. For there is no difference,
and it was to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
For we hold that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
For we hold that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found?
And not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. read more. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
but I see in my members another law, at war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin which dwells in my members.
The night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will be made to stand, for the Master is able to make him stand.
But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother.
yet who know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law will no flesh be justified.
yet who know that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law will no flesh be justified.
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any avail, but faith working through love.
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his godly fear.
By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had welcomed the spies.
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: greetings.
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: greetings.
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: greetings.
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: greetings. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, read more. for you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like the flower of the grass he will pass away.
and the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like the flower of the grass he will pass away.
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. read more. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger,
Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and rank growth of wickedness, in humility receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.
But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.
But one who looks intently into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but a doer that acts, this man will be blessed in what he does.
But one who looks intently into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but a doer that acts, this man will be blessed in what he does.
Religion that is pure and undefiled in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
My brethren, show no favoritism as you hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in shabby clothes,
Listen, my beloved brethren: has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him?
Listen, my beloved brethren: has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him?
Listen, my beloved brethren: has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him?
Listen, my beloved brethren: has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court?
But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? Is it not they who blaspheme the honorable name by which you have been called? read more. If you really fulfill the royal law, according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well.
So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believeand shudder.
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. In the same way was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works, when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
What causes quarrels and fights among you? Is it not your passions that are at war in your members?
What causes quarrels and fights among you? Is it not your passions that are at war in your members?
You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it.
Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it.
Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it.
Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit."
Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out against you; and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you.
You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you. Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receives the early and late rains. read more. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.
As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we call those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
Behold, we call those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is full of compassion and mercy. But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your yes be yes and your no be no, that you may not fall under condemnation. read more. Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is any 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 a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.
My brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back,
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do 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