A clear and systematic progression of thought is difficult to find in the letter of James. He prefers to move from topic to topic, sometimes joining them with a loose connection in subject matter, sometimes using a play on words to make the transition. Chapter 1:2–18 contains two of these wordplays. ‘Greetings’ (chairein) in 1:1 is picked up by ‘joy’ (chara) in 1:2, and the verb ‘lack’ (leipō) connects 1:4 and 1:5. Other verbal contacts indicate continuity
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