WORD

BIBLICAL

COMMENTARY

VOLUME 48

James

RALPH P. MARTIN

General Editors

Bruce M. Metzger

David A. Hubbard†

Glenn W. Barker†

Old Testament Editor

John D. W. Watts

New Testament Editor

Ralph P. Martin

WORD BOOKS, PUBLISHER • DALLAS, TEXAS

Word Biblical Commentary

James

Copyright © 1988 by Word, Incorporated

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Main entry under title:

Word biblical commentary.

Includes bibliographies.

1. Bible—Commentaries Collected Works.

BS491.2.W67 220.7′7 81-71768

ISBN 0-8499-0247-9 (vol. 48) AACR2

The author’s own translation of the Scripture text appears in italic type under the heading Translation.

Conlegis Amicisqve

Scholae Fullerianae

In Oppido Pasadena

SS Theologiae Professoribvs

Grato Animo

D. D. D.

Avctor

Table of Contents

Editorial Preface

Author’s Preface

Abbreviations

General Bibliography

Commentary Bibliography

INTRODUCTION

James in the New Testament

Introduction

James the Lord’s Brother

James in Jewish Christianity

The Gospel according to the Hebrews

The Clementine Literature

The Role of James in Ecclesiastical Circles

Hegesippus

Clement of Alexandria

Origen

Eusebius

James and His Epistle

James and Ananus II: Historical Questions

James’ Role in a Jerusalem Setting

The Letter of James

Themes in James

Perfection

Wisdom

The Piety of the Poor

Backgrounds to James

Wisdom

The Righteous Sufferer

Structure and Outline of the Letter

Canonical Status of the Letter

JAMES: TEXT AND COMMENTARY

I. Address and Greeting (1:1)

II. Enduring Trials (1:2–19a)

1. Trials, Wisdom, Faith (1:2–8)

2. The Reversal of Fortunes (1:9–11)

3. Testing: Its Source and Mischief—and Rationale (1:12–19a)

III. Applying the Word (1:19b–3:18)

1. The Obedience of Faith (1:19b-27)

2. Problems in the Assembly (2:1–13)

3. Faith and Deeds—Together (2:14–26)

Excursus: Note on Faith and Deeds in 2:14–26

4. Warning about Teachers and Tongues (3:1–12)

5. Two Types of Wisdom (3:13–18)

IV. Witnessing to Divine Providence (4:1–5:20)

1. Community Malaise and Its Antidote:

(i) False Hopes (4:1–10)

2. Community Problems

(ii) Godless Attitudes (4:11–17)

3. Judgment on Rich Farmers (5:1–6)

4. Call to Patience (5:7–11)

5. Community Issues: Oath-Taking; Reactions to Trouble, Sickness, and Sins (5:12–18)

6. Final Words and Fraternal Admonitions (5:19–20)

Indexes

Editorial Preface

The launching of the Word Biblical Commentary brings to fulfillment an enterprise of several years’ planning. The publishers and the members of the editorial board met in 1977 to explore the possibility of a new commentary on the books of the Bible that would incorporate several distinctive features. Prospective readers of these volumes are entitled to know what such features were intended to be; whether the aims of the commentary have been fully achieved time alone will tell.

First, we have tried to cast a wide net to include as contributors a number of scholars ...