General Comments on James The lack of any explicit historical references makes the book of James difficult to date. However, there is material in the text suggesting a time frame. The lack of any references to Gentiles within the ecclesia, the repeated references to the Law of Moses and the Prophets, and the repeated paraphrases of Jesus' teachings all argue for an earlier rather than later date. And, there is nothing within the text to suggest a late date. Thus, we can fairly confidently say the letter was written early in the Church's history. In general, when taken superficially, the text is a series of exhortations on specific topics which we would assume the ecclesia was having problems with. However, there are undercurrents throughout each exhortation. For example, in ch. 1, the blatant theme is that of persevering through trials (v. 2, 12). However, the underlying theme is these trials are given to humble the individual (v. 9, 21), get them to rely on and trust in God (v. 5, 13, 17), and therefore render them fit for eternal life (v. 12). And again, note in the discussion in 2:1-13 while the blatant topic is the sin of being a respecter of persons, the underlying thought James is ferreting out is what is the person's motive for behaving in this manner (2:4)? And he again does the same in 2:14-26 where the blatant themes are faith and works, when what he is really addressing is hypocrisy. And so on throughout the book. Thus, when we read this text, we should be keenly aware this is no simple staid sermon. It is a careful analysis of human behavior in a religious context. People do things for reasons, and James is interested in discovering (exposing?) people's motives and psychology when it comes to sin and righteousness. The main topics addressed by James in this letter can be broken down as follows: 1:1 Introduction 1:2-27 The purpose of trials 2:1-4:12 On the Lack of unity, both between people and within a person 2:1-13 On being a respecter of persons (between people) 2:14-26 Hypocrisy in religion (within a person) 3:1-12 Defilement by the tongue (within a person) 3:13-4:12 Contention (between people) 4:13-5:6 On riches 5:7-18 Summary 5:19-20 Closing A brief review of the LDS Edition KJV footnotes shows numerous translation corrections from the Greek, as indicated by the "GR". The KJV doesn't do all that well in this book. I recommend the New American Standard (NAS) translation. Comments on James 1 As noted above, the purpose of this chapter is to examine the role of trials in one's life. While James exhorts the person to persevere in trials, he is also examining the different possible reactions a person can have to them and why. They can confess their lack of wisdom and ask for help (v. 5), or they can blame God for their apparent misfortune (v. 13). Why would they fail to ask for help or blame God for their apparent difficulties? Because they have little or no faith (v. 6-8), and/or are filled with lust and sin (v. 14-18). The text can be arranged as a parallelism, and doing so exposes James' points more clearly: A - (v. 2-4) Joy in trials that you may be perfect B - (v. 5) How a person should respond to trials C - (v. 6-8) Wavering faith and double mindedness D - (v. 9-11) Humility, or be withering grass A - (v. 12) Blessed are those who endure temptation B - (v. 13) How a person should not respond to trials C - (v. 14-18) Lust and sin D - (v. 19-27) Meekness, or be a fading image The subjects touched on in this chapter are later discussed in greater detail in 2:1-5:6, and then again summarized in 5:7- 18, a few for example: Patience 1:3 5:7-8 Wisdom 1:5 3:13-18 Riches 1:9-11 4:13-5:6 Contention 1:19-20 4:1-11 5:9 Hypocrisy 1:22-24 2:14-26 Defilement 1:26 3:12 5:12 So, ch. 1 serves as the main thesis of the ensuing book. v1 A standard introduction identifying the author and the audience. Note who James is addressing, and also note the complete absence of any reference to Gentiles throughout the entire letter. v2 "divers temptations", the IV/JST emends this to "many afflictions". v5 The context of this verse is that of one who is experiencing trials per v. 2-3. James encourages the individual to ask God to shed light upon the individual so they may understand why they are experiencing these trails. Note James explicitly states God "giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not" to mitigate any idea that God is mean, vicious, or capricious, as the unfaithful one would accuse as in v. 13. It is common for people to turn on or away from God when things don't go as they please. Here we are exhorted instead to turn to him and ask him to help us understand the struggles we face. v9-11, 19-27 These two complimentary blocks of text admonish the reader to be humble and meek and submit themselves to God's word by having a godly walk. James wards them off from things of the world that are fleeting using imagery portraying the transient nature of material things. v9 "low degree", i.e., humility. v10-11 James probably draws the withering grass and flowers imagery from Isa. 40:6-8. v12 "blessed is the man that endureth temptation", the IV/JST emends this to "blessed is the man that resisteth temptation" v13 Here, James insinuates Job's character, as this is precisely what Job accused God of, cf. Job 19:6, Job 24. Note the example of Job and his being reproved by the Lord (cf. Job 38:1-2, Job 40:1-2, Job 40:6-9) to his benefit (cf. Job 40:3-5, Job 42:1-6) are employed in 4:11. James uses Job as an example because the purpose and nature of suffering is discussed and explained in that book, and James is discussing the same subject. See Job 33 for Elihu's explanation of the purpose of affliction, which is to humble the individual, agreeing with James' message. v27 "visit the fatherless and widows", a statement taken directly from the Law of Moses, cf. Exod. 22:22, Deut. 10:18, Deut. 24:19- 21, Deut. 27:19. Persons such as these were easily neglected and oftentimes exploited because of lack of integration in a family- based society, hence the Lord's particular concern in their well- being. Copyright © 2002 by S. Kurt Neumiller . All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced in any form or by any means for commercial gain without the express written consent of the author. Digital or printed copies may be freely made and distributed for personal and public non-commercial use.