Exegesis of the Book of James
An Exegesis of James
Synopsis/Overview:
The Book of James is addressed to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion and outlines how an individual should live their life. The book of James outlines the faith walk through sincere religion, honest faith, and wisdom. The book of James also contains a significant parallel to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. James begins by describing the overall traits of the walk of faith. James goes on to discuss the evil of the tongue, the responsibility of anyone who teaches, and faith in action. He then compares and contrasts the difference between worldly and godly wisdom and asks us to become close to God and abstain from evil. James goes on by rebuking the rich who hoard and those who are self-reliant. James ends with encouragement to believers; he tells to be patient in suffering, pray and care for one another and strengthening their faith through fellowship (James 1:1-5:20, p. 2120-5, The New Oxford Annotated Bible, 2010).
Author: * According to Utley, the author of the book of James is James (Utley, Introduction to James, 2012, http://bible.org/search/apachesolr_search/literary%20work%20of%20james). * Several scholars agree to the idea that the book of James was written by James himself, who was also the half-brother of Jesus (Hauer & Young, 2012, p. 10; The New Oxford Annotated Bible, 2010, p. 2119). * Reworked by a disciple to create the letter, as it is known today (The New Oxford Annotated Bible, 2010, p. 2119).
Style/Format: * Wisdom literature (Hauer & Young, 2012, p. 163, 314; Utley, Introduction to James, 2012, http://bible.org/search/apachesolr_search/literary%20work%20of%20james). * Letter (The New Oxford Annotated Bible, 2010, p. 2119). * New Testament letter (Hauer & Young, 2012, p. 10). * General (or Catholic) Epistles/letters (Hauer & Young, 2012, p. 290, 306). * Loosely organized collection of teachings (The New Oxford Annotated Bible,
Synopsis/Overview:
The Book of James is addressed to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion and outlines how an individual should live their life. The book of James outlines the faith walk through sincere religion, honest faith, and wisdom. The book of James also contains a significant parallel to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. James begins by describing the overall traits of the walk of faith. James goes on to discuss the evil of the tongue, the responsibility of anyone who teaches, and faith in action. He then compares and contrasts the difference between worldly and godly wisdom and asks us to become close to God and abstain from evil. James goes on by rebuking the rich who hoard and those who are self-reliant. James ends with encouragement to believers; he tells to be patient in suffering, pray and care for one another and strengthening their faith through fellowship (James 1:1-5:20, p. 2120-5, The New Oxford Annotated Bible, 2010).
Author: * According to Utley, the author of the book of James is James (Utley, Introduction to James, 2012, http://bible.org/search/apachesolr_search/literary%20work%20of%20james). * Several scholars agree to the idea that the book of James was written by James himself, who was also the half-brother of Jesus (Hauer & Young, 2012, p. 10; The New Oxford Annotated Bible, 2010, p. 2119). * Reworked by a disciple to create the letter, as it is known today (The New Oxford Annotated Bible, 2010, p. 2119).
Style/Format: * Wisdom literature (Hauer & Young, 2012, p. 163, 314; Utley, Introduction to James, 2012, http://bible.org/search/apachesolr_search/literary%20work%20of%20james). * Letter (The New Oxford Annotated Bible, 2010, p. 2119). * New Testament letter (Hauer & Young, 2012, p. 10). * General (or Catholic) Epistles/letters (Hauer & Young, 2012, p. 290, 306). * Loosely organized collection of teachings (The New Oxford Annotated Bible,
References: * Job: (Hebrew) “Hated, persecuted, he was hostile to, enmity, the penitent one” (Harper, 2008, http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Job&allowed_in_frame=0). * "Christ" (Sloan, The Christology of James, 1986, http://faculty.gordon.edu/hu/bi/Ted_Hildebrandt/NTeSources/NTArticles/CTR-NT/Sloan-ChristologyJames-CTR.pdf) * “Lord Jesus Christ” (Hauer & Young, 2021, p * The Triune God (Fresno Pacific University, Lemoore, CA, Dr. Simmons lecture, 2012). Pneumatology: * In the book of James the reference to the Spirit seems implied (Sloan, The Christology of James, 1986, http://faculty.gordon.edu/hu/bi/Ted_Hildebrandt/NTeSources/NTArticles/CTR-NT/Sloan-ChristologyJames-CTR.pdf) * You cannot say that you have faith without doing the work of Christ (James 2:14-16, The New Oxford Annotated Bible, 4th edition, 2010 pg. 2122). * We all make many mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every way. (James 3:2, The New Oxford Annotated Bible, 4th edition, 2010 pg. 2122). * The power of the tongue, the power of speech, and the power of words (James 3:5-12, The New Oxford Annotated Bible, 4th edition, 2010 pg. 2122). * Symbolic number of organization (Utley, Introduction to James, 2012, http://bible.org/search/apachesolr_search/literary%20work%20of%20james). Bible Study Tools, Lexicon and history, (2012), Retrieved from http://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?q=Parmashta&rc=LEX&rc2=LEX+HEB&ps=10&s=Rferences Dr Fisk, Bruce N. Second Temple Judaism: A Brief Historical Outline, (2010), Retrieved from, http://www.westmont.edu/~fisk/Articles/jewhista.htm Hauer, Christian E Herrick, Greg. Ecclesiology: The Church, (2011), Retrieved from, http://bible.org/seriespage/ecclesiology-church Just, Felix The New Oxford Annotated Bible: New Revised Standard Version With The Apocrypha. (2010). New York: Oxford University Press. Tierney, John (1910). Herod. The Catholic Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07289c.htm#IV Utley, Bob Wallace, Daniel B. (1995-2012). James: Introduction, Outline, and Argument. Bible.org. Retrieved from http://bible.org/seriespage/james-introduction-outline-and-argument