What is the theme of the Epistle of James?

Answer 1

Dr John MacArthur ("The MacArthur Study Bible", introduction to James, p. 1893) says:-

[James] has a practical emphasis, stressing not theoretical knowledge, but godly behaviour. James wrote with a passionate desire for his readers to be uncompromisingly obedient to the Word of God...

Answer 2

AnswerThe General Epistle of James could be substantially pre-Christian, or at least proto-Christian. Its teaching is not about the Christian faith, but about the importance of living a moral life, and the arguments for doing so are set forth as common wisdom.

The source and authority for this wisdom are taken for granted by the author. Sayings reminiscent of the teachings of Jesus are not given special privilege and are not even attributed to him as their author or authority. The authorities to which the epistle appeals are the wisdom common to ancient Near Eastern ethical instruction, "the perfect law, the law of liberty" or "the royal law according to the (Jewish) scripture" (James 1:25, 2:8-12). Jesus is only mentioned twice (James 1:1, 2:1) in what may be later insertions.

Answer 3

The teaching of the Epistle of James is not about the Christian faith, but about the importance of living a moral life. The arguments for doing so are set forth as common wisdom. The source and authority for this wisdom are taken for granted by the author. Sayings reminiscent of the teachings of Jesus are not given special privilege and are not even attributed to him as their author or authority. The authorities to which he appeals are the wisdom common to ancient Near Eastern ethical instruction, "the perfect law, the law of liberty" or "the royal law according to the (Jewish) scripture" (James 1:25, 2:8-12). And Jesus is only mentioned twice (James 1:1, 2:1) in what may be later insertions.

Included are some proverbs and imperatives typical of the Jewish wisdom tradition, as well as many Greek-style maxims, examples and small rhetorical units carefully crafted in the style of the Hellenistic art of persuasion. The Letter of James can sound like a treatise written against the Pauline notion that the Christian faith opposed the "works of the law". James 2:14-16 is a famous tirade against such an idea, arguing for the insight that "faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead" (James 2:17).

The epistle appears not to have been read or even noticed by authors in the centrist tradition before Origen in the third century.

Answer 4

A:

The Epistle of James consists entirely of moral exhortation in the genre of proverbs, maxims, and ethical impereratives. The teaching of the letter is not about the Christian faith, but about the importance of living a moral life. It sounds like a treatise written against the Pauline notion that the Christian faith opposed the "works of the law". James 2:14-16 is a famous tirade against such an idea, arguing for the insight that "faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead." (James 2:17).

For centuries scholars of the New Testament maintained that James is responding to the teaching of Paul's Letter to the Galatians. More recent scholars have called this into question because, even though the letter uses the same terms as Paul, James demonstrably means something different by these terms. Later authors, such as the author of Ephesians (attributed to Paul but written long after his death), transformed Paul's teaching that the works of the Jewish law could not bring salvation into a teaching that said good works could not save. For the author of Ephesians, doing good deeds does not contribute salvation. So James is reacting not to what Paul said but to what later Christians misunderstood Paul as saying.

Another View:

Many biblical scholars refer to the Epistle of James, circa A.D. 44-62, as the 'how to' book for Christians. James explains how things are done with some very helpful pointers and often times, colorful illustrations. Yet this letter has caused much confusion and debate in the Christian world. Is it possible that James was addressing this work against a fellow writer in the New Testament - namely Paul?

Consider Martin Luther who called the Epistle of James 'the epistle of straw' and relegated it to the appendix of his 1522 edition of the New Testament. Martin preferred Paul's wording of the 'faith v. works' equation: "A man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law (see Romans 3:28). But if the Bible is to be whole and have a single unified message, then just what was James saying?

Paul was addressing the problem of people believing that deeds of the Law will save them in Romans. James was addressing the new 'freeloaders' entering the Christian community. These would claim to have no need for good works as they now had faith. Not that much different than some in today's world. James and all the writers in the New Testament - including Paul (see Galatians 3:1-3) - were and are totally in sync. What James was saying is the simple fact that if you have faith, works will naturally be a product. You can't discontinue works just because they don't save you. That would be like severing the effect from the cause. Consider what Jesus said to this: "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree (humans) is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers (see Luke 6:43-44 NIV).

The new creature (spirit-begotten Christian) is driven by God's Holy Spirit to do His good works - just as Jesus came to do His Father's work (see John 10:25) As for us:

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to DO GOOD WORKS, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:8-10).

Additionally:

Matthew Henry; on the book of JAMES

"Book Synopsis: - This epistle of James is one of the most instructive writings in the New Testament. Being chiefly directed against particular errors at that time brought in among the Jewish Christians, it does not contain the same full doctrinal statements as the other epistles, but it presents an admirable summary of the practical duties of all believers. The leading truths of Christianity are set forth throughout; and on attentive consideration, it will be found entirely to agree with St. Paul's statements concerning grace and justification, while it abounds with earnest exhortations to the patience of hope and obedience of faith and love, interspersed with warnings, reproofs, and encouragements, according to the characters addressed. The truths laid down are very serious, and necessary to be maintained; and the rules for practice ought to be observed in all times. In Christ there are no dead and sapless branches, faith is not an idle grace; wherever it is, it brings forth fruit in works." (Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary: JAMES)

Answer 5

The theme is James is A FAITH GAGUE