Letter of James: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary
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THE LETTER OF JAMES

A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary

LUKE TIMOTHY JOHNSON

volume 7A

the anchor yale bible

Yale University Press

New Haven & London

First published in 1974 by Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc. First Yale University Press impression 2008.

Copyright © 1974 by Yale University as assignee from Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc.

The Anchor Bible

PUBLISHED BY DOUBLEDAY

a division of Random House, Inc.

The Anchor Bible, Doubleday, and the portrayal of an anchor with a dolphin are registered trademarks of Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc.

A hardcover edition of this book was published in 1995 by Doubleday

Original Jacket Illustration by David Frampton

The Library of Congress has catalogued the hardcover edition as follows:

Bible. N.T. James. English. Johnson. 1995.

The Letter of James: a new translation with introduction and commentary / by Luke Timothy Johnson.

p. cm.—(The Anchor Bible: v. 37A)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. Bible. N.T. James—Commentaries. I. Johnson, Luke Timothy. II. Title. III. Series: Bible. English. Anchor Bible. 1964:

37A.

BS192.2.A1 1964G3 vol. 37A

[BS2783]

227′.91077—dc20

94-40581

CIP

Copyright © 1995 by Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

First trade paperback edition published 2005

ISBN: 978-0-300-13990-7

To Joy

Contents

Preface

Abbreviations

Introduction

I. The Character of The Writing: The Voice

A. The Text

Bibliography

B. Language and Style

Bibliography

C. Structure

Bibliography

D. Genre

Bibliography

E. Literary Relationships

1. Greco-Roman Moralists

2. The Old Testament

a. The Law

b. Prophecy

c. Wisdom

3. Jewish Literature

a. The Pirke Aboth

b. Qumran: 1QS, CD

c. The Sentences of the Syriac Menander

d. The Letter of Aristeas

e. 4 Maccabees

f. The Sentences of Pseudo-Phocylides

g. Philo

h. The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs

Bibliography

4. New Testament Writings

a. Johannine Writings

b. First Letter of Peter

c. Synoptic Tradition

Bibliography

d. James and Paul

Bibliography

5. Noncanonical Christian Literature

a. The Didache

b. The Letter of Barnabas

c. The Sentences of Sextus

d. The Teachings of Silvanus

e. 1 Clement

f. The Shepherd of Hermas

Bibliography

F. Moral and Religious Perspectives

II. Circumstances of Composition: Whose Voice?

A. James the Brother of the Lord

1. New Testament Evidence

a. Evidence in Paul

b. Evidence in the Gospels

c. Evidence in Acts

2. Extracanonical Evidence

a. Evidence in Josephus

b. Evidence in Christian Writings

1. Traditions of James’ Death

2. James’ Authority and Character

a. Clement/Hegesippus/Eusebius

b. Gnostic Writings

c. The Gospel of the Hebrews

d. Protevangelium of James

e. Pseudo-Clementine Literature

Bibliography

B. Theories of Authorship

C. Loosening the Pauline Connection

Bibliography

D. The Question of Language

E. Reasons for Early Dating

Bibliography

III. History of Interpretation: How was the Voice Heard?

A. The Reception of James in the Church...

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AYB 37A

About Letter of James: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary

The letter of James is one of the most significant, yet generally overlooked, New Testament books. Because Martin Luther, leader of the Protestant Reformation, disliked this letter for its emphasis on good deeds, the book has come to be viewed as being in opposition to Paul’s letters, which emphasize faith in God. To correct these and other misperceptions about James, Luke Timothy Johnson embarks on an unprecedented history of the interpretation of this pivotal letter, highlighting the vast appreciation for James over the centuries.

Johnson boldly identifies the first-century author as none other than James, the brother of Jesus Christ. While modern skepticism casts doubt on this conclusion, early textual witnesses, as well as saints and scholars throughout the centuries, corroborate Johnson’s position.

A thorough examination of the original-language texts and an explanation of the literary context of James help illuminate the original meaning of the letter. Johnson’s sensitivity to both the biblical text and the sensibilities of the modern reader, coupled with his convincing scholarly presentation, set this apart as one of the premier commentaries on James for present and future generations.

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