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 having known the grace of God which was given unto me, James and Cephas and John, who seem to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and 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 speech be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay; but that which aboundeth more than these is of the evil one.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust corrupt, and thieves break through and steal:
No one is able to serve two masters: for he will hate the one, and love the other; or cleave to the one, and despise the other. You are not able to serve God and mammon.
Criticise not, that you may not be criticised. For with what criticism you criticise, you will be criticised: and with what measure you measure, it will be measured unto you. read more. But why do you see the mote which is in the eye of your brother, and do not recognize the beam which is in your own eye? Or how will you say to your brother, Permit me, I will cast out the mote from your eye; and behold, there is a beam in your own eye? O hypocrite, first cast out the beam from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to cast out the mote from the eye of your brother.
Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
You shall know them by their fruits. Do the people gather the grape-bunches from thorns, or figs from thistles?
And the rain came down, and the rivers came, and the winds blew, and fell against that house; and it did not fall; for it was founded upon the rock.
But whosoever shall exalt himself, shall be abased; and whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Truly I say unto you, That whosoever may say to this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and may not doubt in his heart, but believe that what he says does take place; it shall be unto him.
And He lifting up His eyes to His disciples, said, Blessed are ye poor: because the kingdom of God is yours.
Moreover woe unto you rich! because you exhaust your reward.
If you know these things, happy are ye if you may do them.
having written through their hand; The apostles and elders, brethren to the brethren who are from the Gentiles throughout Antioch and Syria and Cilicia greeting. Since we heard that certain ones having come out from us troubled you, disturbing your souls with words which we did not command:
Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, every one judging. For in whatsoever thou art judging another, thou art condemning thyself; for thou judging art doing the same things.
who will give to each one according to his works: to those indeed who with patience of good work are seeking glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: read more. but to those who are of self-seeking, and disobedient to the truth, but obedient to unrighteousness, there are indignation and wrath. Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that is working out evil, both the Jew first, and the Greek; but glory and honor and peace to every one doing good; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For there is no respect of persons with God. For so many as sinned without law will also perish without law; and so many as sinned under the law shall be judged by the law; for the hearers of the law are not righteous with God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
for the hearers of the law are not righteous with God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, not having the law, may by nature do the things of the law, they, not having the law, are a law unto themselves: read more. who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience witnessing, and their thoughts accusing or indeed excusing with one another, in the day when God will judge the secrets of men through my gospel according to Jesus Christ. But if you are denominated a Jew, and rest in the law, and boast in God, and know his will, and approve the things which are excellent, being taught by the law; and persuade yourself that you are a guide of the blind, a light of those who are in darkness, an instructor of the ignorant, a teacher of the juveniles, having a form of knowledge and truth in the law;
it could not be so: but let God be true, and every man a liar; as indeed it has been written, In order that you may be justified in your words, and shall prevail, in your judgment.
Therefore no flesh shall be justified by works of law: for through law there is a perfect knowledge of sin.
but the righteousness of God through faith of Jesus Christ is unto all who believe: for there is no difference,
in the forbearance of God; unto the manifestation of his righteousness at the present time, so that he is just, and justifying him who is of the faith of Jesus.
For we conclude that a man is justified by faith without works of law.
For we conclude that a man is justified by faith without works of law.
Then what shall we say that Abraham, our father according to the flesh, has found?
And not only so, but let us also rejoice in tribulation; knowing that tribulation works out endurance; and endurance, approval; and approval, hope: read more. and hope makes not ashamed; because the divine love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Ghost who has been given unto us.
but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
For the night is far spent, and the day is at hand. Therefore let us lay aside the works of the darkness, and let us put on the arms of the light.
Who art thou judging another man's servant? to his own master he stands or falls: but he shall stand; for God is able to make him stand.
but I saw no other of the apostles, except James the brother of the Lord.
knowing that a man is not justified by works of law, but through the faith of Christ Jesus, and we have believed into Christ Jesus, in order that we may be justified by faith of 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 through the faith of Christ Jesus, and we have believed into Christ Jesus, in order that we may be justified by faith of Christ, and not by works of law, because by works of law no flesh shall be justified.
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision or uncircumcision avails anything; but faith working through divine love.
Who in the days of his flesh, having with strong crying and tears offered up both prayers and supplications unto him who is able to save him from death, and having been heard on account of his piety,
By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with the unbelievers, having received the spies with peace.
James, the servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are in the Dispersion, greeting.
James, the servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are in the Dispersion, greeting.
James, the servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are in the Dispersion, greeting.
James, the servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are in the Dispersion, greeting. Count it all joy, my brethren, when you may fall into manifold temptations. read more. Knowing that the trial of your faith works out endurance. But let endurance have its perfect work, in order that you may be perfect and whole in every part, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all cheerfully and upbraids none; and it will be given unto him.
and the rich man, in his humility: because as the flower of the grass he will pass away.
and the rich man, in his humility: because as the flower of the grass he will pass away.
Happy is the man who endures temptation: because, being proved, he will receive a crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him with divine love.
Be not deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of change. read more. Of his own will begat he us by the word of truth, that we should be some first fruit of his creations.
Of his own will begat he us by the word of truth, that we should be some first fruit of his creations. Know, my beloved brethren; but let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow toward wrath:
Therefore having laid aside all filthiness and excess of evil, receive with meekness the engrafted 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 the one having looked into the perfect law which is the law of liberty, and having remained in it, not being a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, he shall be happy in his work.
But the one having looked into the perfect law which is the law of liberty, and having remained in it, not being a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, he shall be happy in his work.
Pure religion and undefiled with God even the Father is this, to relieve the orphans and widows in their affliction, and keep himself unspotted from the world.
My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect to persons. For if a gold-ringed man may come into your synagogue, in shining apparel, and a poor man may also come in with soiled clothing;
Hear, my beloved brethren. Has not God chosen the poor in the world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him with divine love?
Hear, my beloved brethren. Has not God chosen the poor in the world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him with divine love?
Hear, my beloved brethren. Has not God chosen the poor in the world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him with divine love?
Hear, my beloved brethren. Has not God chosen the poor in the world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him with divine love? You have dishonored the poor. Do not the rich domineer over you, and drag you into courts?
You have dishonored the poor. Do not the rich domineer over you, and drag you into courts? Do they not blaspheme the good name which has been called upon you? read more. If indeed you keep the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor with divine love as thyself, you do well.
So indeed faith, if it may not have works, is dead, as to itself.
Do you believe that there is one God? you do well: the demons also believe and tremble.
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, having offered up his son Isaac on the altar?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, having offered up his son Isaac on the altar?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, having offered up his son Isaac on the altar?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, having offered up his son Isaac on the altar?
You see that a man is justified by works, and not only by faith. And likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, having received the spies, and sent them out by another way?
Whether does the fountain out of the same chink send forth sweet water and bitter?
Whence come wars and whence come battles within you? are they not from thence, from your pleasures warring in your members?
Whence come wars and whence come battles within you? are they not from thence, from your pleasures warring in your members?
O adulteresses, do you not know that the friendship of the world is enmity to God? Whosoever therefore may wish to be the friend of the world renders himself the enemy of God.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will raise you up. Do not calumniate one another, brethren: the one speaking against his brother, and judging his brother, speaks against the law, and judges the law: if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.
Do not calumniate one another, brethren: the one speaking against his brother, and judging his brother, speaks against the law, and judges the law: if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.
Do not calumniate one another, brethren: the one speaking against his brother, and judging his brother, speaks against the law, and judges the law: if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.
Come now, ye who are saying, To-day or to-morrow we will go into that city, and abide there a year, and trade and accumulate:
Behold, the wages of the laborers having reaped your fields, which is fraudulently kept back by you, is crying out: and the voices of the reapers have come into the ears of the Lord of hosts.
You condemned, you murdered the righteous; nothing antagonizes you.
You condemned, you murdered the righteous; nothing antagonizes you. Therefore, O brethren, suffer long, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer receives the precious fruit of the earth, waiting for it, until he may receive the former and latter rain: read more. you also suffer long; establish your hearts; because the coming of the Lord is nigh.
Brethren, receive the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord as an example of suffering evil and longsuffering. Behold, we pronounce them happy who have endured: you have heard the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, because the Lord is very merciful, and sympathetic.
Behold, we pronounce them happy who have endured: you have heard the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, because the Lord is very merciful, and sympathetic. But, my brethren, before all, swear not, neither by heaven, or by earth, or any other oath: but let your conversation be yes yes; and no no; lest you may fall under condemnation. read more. Who is afflicted among you? let him pray. Who is merry? let him sing psalms. Is any one sick among you? 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 of like suffering to us, and he prayed with prayer that it might not rain, and it rained not upon the earth during three years and six months;
My brethren, if any one among you may err from the truth, and one may turn him back;
For unto this you have been called: because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you may follow in his steps:
as also in all his epistles, speaking in the same concerning these things; in which there are some things hard to understand, which the unlearned and unestablished wrest, as they also 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