Epistle of James
The Epistle of James refers to the writings of James, the Bishop of Jerusalem, the Lord's brother and one of the Twelve Apostles. This was written in a high level of elegant Greek, above the rest of the New Testament except the even higher-quality Epistle to the Hebrews. The Epistle of James is one of the earliest written works of the New Testament, probably written by the late 40s prior to the Jerusalem Council held in A.D. 50. The authenticity of this work has been fully accepted since at least the third century, as it was included in lists of the Sacred books.[1] Totaling 5 chapters and 108 verses, this Epistle has 2,304 words (KJV translation).
In terms of theological themes of the Epistle of James, the epistle centers on practical Christian living and emphasizes the importance of good works alongside faith. Some key theological themes include: seeking wisdom from God as God is the source of all wisdom, the nature of true faith, emphasizing that it manifests itself in good works and a life transformed by the Holy Spirit (See: Works (theology)). Other themes include enduring suffering and trials, material things will not last, everything belongs to God, caring for the vulnerable such as orphans and widows and the importance of godly speech.[2][3]
In support of James as the author, as the Epistle indicates, is its simplicity of introduction of the author (who would be familiar to all) and linguistic similarities between this Epistle and a speech given by James in Acts of the Apostles chapter 15.
Contents
Literary Style
The style is elegant classical Greek, above that of the Gospels and Paul's letters. In addition, the Epistle to James has unique vocabulary which is nowhere else in the New Testament, or in the Septuagint, including:
- “sea creature” (enalios, 3:7)
- “dejection” (katēpheia, 4:9)
- “daily” (ephēmeros, 2:15)[4]
The style of Greek is concise, even laconic, without anything to trace it back to an Aramaic original that some scholars hypothesized. Similarity with the style of Hebrew poetry, which would make sense for one raised in a traditional Jewish home, has been suggested. But this writing is purely Greek.
Thomas Aquinas and the Epistle of James
See also: St. Thomas Aquinas
In Christian theology, "the doctrine of justification concerns God’s gracious judicial verdict in advance of the day of judgment, pronouncing guilty sinners, who turn in self-despairing trust to Jesus Christ, forgiven, acquitted of all charges and declared morally upright in God’s sight."[5]
Thomas Aquinas saw the Book of James, especially its emphasis on faith and works, through the prism of his understanding of Christian faith and justification. Aquinas viewed James's teachings as being complementary to the Apostle Paul's, emphasizing that saving faith is not merely intellectual assent but is demonstrated and perfected through works of love and charity. Aquinas understood that true faith will invariably lead to actions that demonstrate that faith.[6]
Aquinas addressed any asserted tensions between Paul's emphasis on faith and James's emphasis on works in his theological work Summa Theologica. He reconciled these emphases by indicating that while justification is by faith alone, that faith is not truly saving unless it is "formed by love". Thus, this means that a true, saving faith will necessarily lead to good works.[7]
Aquinas interpreted James 2:24 ("A man is justified by works and not by faith alone") not as being contradictory to Paul's teachings, but as an explanation of what bona fide, saving faith looks like in actuality. He believed that works are not a separate requirement for salvation, but rather the outward manifestation of an inward and truly living faith.[8]
The website The Bible and Catholic notes about Aquinas and the Epistle of James:
| “ | St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that wisdom is a kind of practical know-how in life as a Christian; knowing how to discern, judge, and direct the happenings in life. This is what James says God will give generously, through the gift of the Holy Spirit.So, ask for wisdom; ask for that practical discernment in life. But also ask for ever deeper and stronger faith. Whilst James does tie his remarks here to asking for wisdom, there is a wider principle at play; something that we can see in so many of Jesus’ miracles that are based on faith, so approach God and ask in faith for everything that you need and the wisdom to know what that is.[9] | ” |
Martin Luther and the Epistle of James
See also: Martin Luther
Martin Luther had difficulty with the Epistle of James as it did not easily fit his concept of justification by faith alone as James also seems to stress the importance of works. Nevertheless, he kept it as a part of the New Testament canon in Protestant Churches. Luther's tirade against James' Epistle parallels contemporary slanders propagated by apostate Protestantism which brands any emphasis on law-keeping alongside faith as "legalism" and "denying grace."
Martin Luther wrote in his 1599 preface that the St. James Epistle is really "an epistle of straw" compared to Apostle John's Gospel and his first epistle, to St. Paul's epistles, especially Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians, and to Apostle Peter's first Epistle, because of its insistence on works as a requirement for justification to life and its rejection of faith alone without works (sola fide). He afterward removed the "straw" statement, insisting that the Epistle was good.
In the very early Universal Church years (1st and 2nd centuries A.D.), some of this work was disputed as to authenticity and scattered among churches.
Articles:
- Epistle of Straw? - Twelve Tribes (twelvetribes.org)
- Six Points on Luther's "Epistle of Straw", James Swan - Alpha & Omega Ministries (aomin.org).
See also
External links
- The Book of James, Bible Project
- Survey of the Epistle of James, Bibleref.com
- Epistle of James, Biblestudytools.com
Videos:
- Epistle of James - video playlist, Video playlist
- Epistle of James: Full Bible Study - video playlist, Video playlist
References
- ↑ Epistle of St. James Catholic Encyclopedia
- ↑ Theological Themes in James
- ↑ What Is the Book of James About? Here Are 10 Key Themes, Zondervan Academic
- ↑ See Sophie Laws, "A Commentary on the Epistle of James" (1981).
- ↑ The Doctrine of Justification, The Gospel Coalition website
- ↑ Aquinas on Faith That Does Not Save
- ↑ Aquinas on Faith That Does Not Save
- ↑ Aquinas on Faith That Does Not Save
- ↑ Sharing The Letter of James: Chapter 1
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