JAMES 1:1. The greeting is in one of the ordinary forms with which public or private letters open (_cf._ Acts 15:23). Like his brother Judas (Jude 1:1), James calls himself servant of. Jesus Christ: he would no longer claim a brother's relation, except what all shared (Mark 3:35). On our theory we m... [ Continue Reading ]
The paragraph, like its successors, has no special link with its context: it is the writer's habit to throw out a series of aphoristic comments on topics, with as much connexion as there is between the essays of Bacon or successive cantos of Tennyson's _In Memoriam._ It is the manner of Wisdom liter... [ Continue Reading ]
The paradox of a bragging that comes of humility and faith is common to James and Paul: it starts from Jeremiah 9:23 t The brotherhood which levels all differences into a glorious liberty, fraternity, and equality is the community of God's faithful people. The rich man, as such, has only the common... [ Continue Reading ]
The Beatitude on Endurance (_cf. James 5:11_ and note). Trial is still neutral: it is affliction which tests and develops loyalty. But since human nature has a bias towards evil, a trial exerted upon man's evil desire (James 1:14) becomes a temptation. As in Romans 5:4, endurance produces approvedne... [ Continue Reading ]
Be sure of it (_cf. mg.),_ he goes on, and turns to ask what conduct right views of God should produce. Humility and self-control, firstly, then purity, gentleness, and teachableness, with unsparing honesty that turns every creed into a code of action. Quick to hear not only God's warning, but both... [ Continue Reading ]