Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of James
James is the most practical book in the New Testament, insisting that genuine faith proves itself in how we actually live. It applies the faith to trials, the tongue, favoritism, wealth, and prayer, echoing the teaching of Jesus at every turn. This commentary walks through it verse by verse.
About This Commentary
The Epistle of James is generally understood to have been written by James, the brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church, to Jewish Christians scattered abroad, likely one of the earliest New Testament writings. It is the New Testament's book of practical wisdom, reading much like the Old Testament wisdom literature and echoing the teaching of Jesus, especially the Sermon on the Mount. Its great theme is that real faith is a living faith that shows itself in works.
This commentary covers James verse by verse, with the Greek words that sharpen the meaning, verified background, and an Apostolic reading. James applies the faith to the hardest and most everyday parts of life: enduring trials, taming the tongue, refusing favoritism, and caring for the vulnerable. Its insistence that faith without works is dead complements, rather than contradicts, the gospel of grace, for a living faith always works. References are given at the foot of each chapter.
This commentary on James is now complete, covering all five chapters verse by verse.
Author
James, the brother of the Lord and leader of the Jerusalem church.
Setting
Written to Jewish Christians scattered abroad, likely early.
Key Themes
Trials, wisdom, the tongue, faith and works, and pure religion.
Great Theme
Faith without works is dead (2:14-26).
Translation
King James Version (KJV) throughout.
The Chapters
James Commentary
The chapters below are available now. The rest are being written and will open here as they are finished and verified.
James 1:1-27
Doers of the Word
James tells us to count trials joy because they mature our faith, to ask God freely for wisdom, and above all to be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving ourselves.
Read Chapter 1 →James 2:1-26
Faith Without Works Is Dead
Hold 'the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory,' without 'respect of persons,' keeping 'the royal law... Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.' Then the heart of the chapter: 'faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.' Even to believe 'there is one God' is not enough, 'the devils also believe, and tremble.' As Abraham and Rahab showed, 'as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.'
Read Chapter 2 →James 3:1-18
The Taming of the Tongue
The tongue is small but mighty, like a bit, a helm, and a spark: 'the tongue is a fire,' and 'the tongue can no man tame.' One mouth must not both bless God and curse those 'made after the similitude of God.' Then two wisdoms are set against each other: the earthly wisdom of 'bitter envying and strife,' which is 'devilish,' and 'the wisdom that is from above,' which 'is first pure, then peaceable, gentle... full of mercy and good fruits.'
Read Chapter 3 →James 4:1-17
Draw Nigh to God
Conflicts spring from 'lusts that war in your members,' and 'the friendship of the world is enmity with God.' But 'he giveth more grace... God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.' So: 'Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.' 'There is one lawgiver'; and life 'is even a vapour,' so we say, 'If the Lord will.'
Read Chapter 4 →James 5:1-20
The Prayer of Faith
A warning to the oppressive rich, whose defrauded wages cry 'into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth,' and a call to 'be patient... unto the coming of the Lord,' like the farmer and Job. Then the power of prayer: 'Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church... anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up.'
Read Chapter 5 →