There are a number of helpful commentaries on the book of james, and the following are five of the best. This highly original commentary seeks to make the letter of james. Robertson, rudolf stier, thomas manton, and james moffatt, this collection is youre connection to historical interpretation, observation, translation, contextual history, and. The book of james is probably the oldest book of the new testament, written perhaps as early as a. The next step is to enter your payment information. The text of the new king james version nkjv appearing on or deriving from these or any other web pages is for personal use only. This is part 4 in a 7part series on the book of james. In the opening of his letter, james called himself a bondservant of god, an appropriate name given the practical, servantoriented emphasis of the book. The author is identified only as james, and there are four men so named in the new testament. James takes the familiar identity of a bondservant in his greeting, evidencing his humility and obedience to his lord jesus christ.
Best commentaries and books on james logos bible software. But one can say that james often speaks like the lord jesus. Top 5 commentaries on the book of james ligonier ministries. When gods people go through personal trials, they discover what kind of faith they really possess. Youre already logged in with your bible gateway account. An integrated digital bible study library including complete notes from the niv study bible and the nkjv macarthur study bible is just a step away. At one point in his career, martin luther famously stated, st. James does not imagine that work is at odds with faith.
Bible commentary on the book of james, chapter 5, by dr. A verse by verse consideration of the letter of james. Peter nguyen of for the incredible comic book cover. James with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. James 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on the. James chapter 1 barnes notes on the new testament on.
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. Robert johnstone is the author of a commentary on james 4. Let corrupt men run into what notions they will, the truth. St james orders this anointing for the cure of the body, but they apply it for the cure of the soul. He became a leader of the church in jerusalem galatians 1. The letter of james the new international commentary on the new testament by scot mcknight.
The key personalities of this book are james and persecuted christians. Paul has carried the sentiment out farther, and shows that tribulation produces other effects than patience. James was one of several brothers of christ, probably the oldest since he heads the list in mt. James 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Any other use of the nkjv must be in conformity with the quotation policy for the new king james version. He is always named next after jesus in lists of jesus brothers, so he was presumably considered to be. Commentary on the book of james by matthew henry new. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. Luther removed this statement from later editions and. The letter of james the epistle of james, or simply james, is one of the 21 epistles didactic. You may recognize his name from the recommendations for romans where his name also appears. The book does not have the fullorbed doctrinal scope that later new testament authors develop since he stands at the beginning of the new testament chronologically.
The author of this letter could not have been the apostle james, who died too early a. Moos commentary is widely regarded as the best treatment of james and is universally recommended by the commentators on the commentaries. Hes got some important things to tell themmainly that there will be tough times, but that its all good. Different bible translations of the letter of james and other bible study resources are available. Read james commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete.
James summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of james for bible study or sunday school lessons. Study the bible online using commentary on james and more. James 1 james, a servant of god and of the lord jesus. Below is a modified transcript of the audio lesson. 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. 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. The other two men named james had neither the stature nor the influence that the writer of this letter had. Osw commentary 232 archive of european integration. It is remarkable that james does not call himself an apostle. Commentary on james commentary on the new testament. James 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. But it was the other james, the son of alpheus, who was cousingerman to christ, and one of the twelve apostles, matt. James 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Jamess epistle is really an epistle of straw, compared to these others, for it has nothing of the nature of the gospel about it german new testament, preface, 1522 ed.
Moo, pillar new testament commentary pntc, eerdmans, 2000, 287 pp. There is no way to settle the issue for certain, but most scholars agree that james the lords brother is most likely to have been the author of the book of james. The book of james is a concise, howto guide on being a christian. Classic commentaries and studies on the epistle of james 26. The lord jesus in his discourses often spoke to a mixed audience of believing and unbelieving jews telling them what practical faith must. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading james. This summary of the book of james provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of james. Yet the evidence unquestionably favors one candidate.
This would mean it was sent throughout most of the ancient mediterranean world. The last ever edition of monday nitro, march 26th 2001. James james the half brother of jesus is the likely author of the book of james. Home group study book of james practical advice on living. In fact, it was likely the first new testament book written. Gaius marius victorinus, in his commentary on the epistle to the galatians, openly questioned whether the teachings of james were heretical. An inspired letter of the christian greek scriptures. Every book of the bible has a theme and a purpose, and that is true of the book of james as well. Classic commentaries and studies on the epistle of james offers some of the most significant classic studies on the book of james since the time of the reformation. Home group study book of james practical advice on living the life lesson one james 1. Book of james overview insight for living ministries. Read james 1 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. He is always named next after jesus in lists of jesus brothers, so he was presumably considered to be jesus next younger brother. Interestingly enough because of human nature, the same problems are in the church today.
James wrote this book to jewish believers to encourage them to endure and live bold christian lives. Mattis and the vicepresident of the united states mike pence spoke in this vein. Since the time of the reformation, the book of james has been controversial. The life application bible commentary series provides versebyverse explanation, background, and application for every verse in the new testament. People think that the writer was james the brother of jesus. The book of james is possibly the earliest writing found in the new testament canon. A free bible commentary on the letter of james in easy english. James the halfbrother of jesus wrote it approximately 4849 a. James only asks that patience may have its perfect work, supposing that every christian grace is implied in. You can find the best commentary on james for you using the tools on the right side. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in jesus christ. For james, a faith that does not produce real life change is a faith that is worthless james 2.
In this book, james combines the wisdom of his brother jesus with the book of proverbs in his own challenging call to live a life wholly devoted to. Turkeys attitude towards the war in syria szymon ananicz the conflict in syria, which has lasted since 2011, has become the most significant test of the efficiency of turkeys foreign policy and the biggest challenge to turkeys security in recent decades. But james made no mention of gentile christians at all, making an early date for the letter most likely. The niv application commentary from biblical contemporary life. If you can only have one commentary on james, this is the one to have.
He was the son of joseph, a construction worker who originally lived in nazareth in galilee. The letter of james the anchor yale bible commentaries. 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. Those who are disposed to look into these may consult the first book of irenaeus against heresies. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament. The introduction to the book of james is about onethird of the book, and well worth reading despite being a bit dated. 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. Other men mentioned in the bible named james include. Daydreamfigures for the awesome action figure title card. The epistle of james has had a controversial history. Scholars have compared james speech and letter of acts 15. The book of james is a website dedicated to the study of the epistle letter of james in the new testament. It was likely the first new testament book letter to be written.
James wrote during the time of transition in the early apostolic church. Martin sees a twostage process for the production of the letter, first a collection of sayings going back to james the jerusalem martyr was made. J b mayor in dictionary of the bible, edited by j hastings. In an effort to drive home his main point act on your faith, james gives. Darby, from synopsis of the books of the bible the epistle of james is not addressed to the assembly, and does not take the ground of apostolic authority over the persons to whom it is sent. Today we move into lesson two of james 2, the second chapter of james.
A linguistic commentary applying discourse analysis varner, dr william on. David guzik commentary on james 1 talks about how the believer can make it through trials, and how he can receive wisdom from god. Study the bible online using commentary on james 1 and more. There can be no justification by works because there can be no good works unless there is already faith trust in god. Commentary on the book of james relevant bible teaching. Throughout the book, james contended that faith produces authentic deeds. The writer of this epistle was not james the son of zebedee. As fellow christians, we could all learn a lot about james by simply reading the book of james. The book of james is a letter in the new testament of the bible.
James free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. This is the holy book of james, known as the general epistle of james. James, like all of the general epistles except hebrews, is named after its author verse 1. We pray that this book of james bible study blesses you and inspires you to become more like the man james admired most, the. Themes in the book of james scripture confident living. Hes a member of jesus inner circle, and hes writing this letter to jewishchristians all throughout the roman empire. Although some christians interpret james as proving that good works play a role in our salvation, this letter actually says that good works are the fruit of our salvation and will attract nonbelievers to. A mcnab the new bible commentary ivf r v g tasker james the tyndale new.
A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. Along with 1 and 2 peter, 1, 2 and 3 john, and jude, it belongs to that category of new testament epistles called general or catholic in the sense of universal. The letter of james the anchor yale bible commentaries johnson, luke timothy on. The main theme of james is that of faith and actions, but there are also other themes and key topics addressed in this book. Moo, in his commentary on james, writes about the background of the epistle. My goal is to do an accurate exegesis of the epistle, but also to relate it to our christian living. James, a servant of god on the meaning of the word servant in this connection, see the note at romans 1. In addition, it gives personal help, teaching notes, and sermon ideas that will address needs, answer questions, and provide insight for applying gods word to life today. Starting your free trial of bible gateway plus is easy. The commentary section includes running commentary on the bible text with reference to several modern versions, especially the new international version and the new revised standard.
James begins to talk about some of the problems that were in the early church. Intro to james biblica the international bible society. Apr 02, 2016 as for the book of james, it has amongst the earliest attestations of all the books of the new testament. Barclays own translation is printed at the beginning of each of the paragraphs into which the epistle is divided. 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. There are several men named james mentioned in the new testament, but reliable tradition assigns this book to the one called james the just, the halfbrother of jesus matthew. Hiebert barclay holds that our book of james is the substance of a sermon preached by james, the lords brother, taken down by someone else and translated into greek with a few additions. The book of james, chapter 5 free bible commentary.