the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Commentaries
Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary Hole's Commentary
Trials, Temptations; Wisdom; Faith and Deeds.Chapter 2
Faith and Works; Partiality Condemned.Chapter 3
The Power of the Tongue; Wisdom.Chapter 4
Warning Against Worldliness; Humility.Chapter 5
Warnings to the Rich; Patience and Prayer.
- James
by Frank Binford Hole
JAMES
F. B. Hole.
INTRODUCTION
WE INCLINE TO think that the Epistle of James is read less than any other of the Epistles. This is a pity, because it deals with matters of a very practical sort. There is in it hardly anything which could be called the unfolding of Christian doctrine, but a great deal which inculcates Christian practice. We might almost call it the Epistle of works, of everyday Christian behaviour. Its difficulty lies in the fact that the standpoint from which it is written differs from that of all the other Epistles. But we must not neglect it on that account.
The James who wrote it was not the brother of John. He was slain by Herod in very early years, as recorded in Act_12:2 . The author of the Epistle was the James spoken of in Act_15:13 , and Acts 21.0 ; Acts 18.0 . Paul calls him, “James, the Lord’s brother,” in Galations 1.19 , and he acknowledges him’ as one of the “pillars” of the Church in Jerusalem in Galations 2.9 . He does not appear to have gone forth to Judea or Samaria or to the uttermost parts of the earth, but to have remained in Jerusalem and there attained to a position of great authority.
