Well, for james, the brother of jesus, this wasnt just an imaginary scenario. James james the half brother of jesus is the likely author of the book of james. The book of james is possibly the earliest writing found in the new testament canon. In addition, it gives personal help, teaching notes, and sermon ideas that will address needs, answer questions. Some informed voices put it in the 2nd century even the midsecond century. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you doubleminded. More probably is the view that james was not citing a particular passage but summarizing the truth expressed in several old testament passages. The jerome biblical commentary outlines these verses as 1 root causes of conflict james 4. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight.
The origin of wars and contentions, and the wretched lot of those who are engaged in them, james 4. Ann arbor informed comment security guard calvin munerlyn, father of six with three stepchildren, was shot to death monday in an altercation over munerlyns juan cole israel palestine. It is needed because men are horribly divided from one another. James seems to refer to many, not any one particular scripture. While you may not want to convey this information wordforword with your teenagers, youll definitely want to refer. Some causes of contention, besides those mentioned in the foregoing chapter, and to watch against them v.
In repentance according to james s message, people will be growing. The epistle of james chapter four objectives in studying the chapter 1 to gain insight into the source of wars and fighting, even among brethren 2 to see the importance and means of befriending god, of not speaking evil of brethren, and planning for the future with the lords will in mind summary james asks his readers to consider the. The honesty of the gods word is apparent in that it does not concern itself with political correctness. The spirit of love that dwelleth in all believers lusteth against envy galatians 5. Commentary on the book of james by matthew henry new. Each person wanted their own way and their own advantage. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. This is represented as the language of scripture in the old testament. Ideas include 1 james quoted from some unknown apocryphal work 2 the quote is an unrecorded statement of james half brother jesus. The book of james looks a bit like the old testament book of proverbs dressed up in new testament clothes.
In addition, it gives personal help, teaching notes, and sermon ideas that will address needs, answer questions, and provide insight for applying gods word to life today. He poses as a friend promising pleasure, but his end is death. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament. This verse shows why the day of atonement is needed. And he informed them that they would soon suffer for it. James will treat the problem of riches in the next chapter. Turn your laughter 12 into mourning and your joy into despair. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. Part of the reason for this is that james is like proverbs in that many of its verses really stand alone in their content. When we are struggling with anxiety, fear, or guilt about our lives we listen easily to the devils voice about ourselves and our situations. The scripture calls some of the great people in israels history slaves or servants of god. James chapter 4 small group starter questions james is still talking to christians.
Its consistent focus on practical action in the life of faith is reminiscent of the wisdom literature in the old testament, encouraging gods people to act like gods people. Different bible translations of the letter of james and other bible study resources are available. Study james 4 using matthew henry bible commentary complete to better. You will also find options for commentaries on james that help pastors, teachers, and readers with application of the bible, commentaries that approach the scripture versebyverse, classic christian commentaries, and much more. Every day we read or see on the tv multiple stories of conflict.
Your prayer life or lack thereof reveals the focus of your heart. James, the father of judas, not iscariot see john 14. It is a day that pictures atonement, the state of being at one. Furthermore, in what seems only too modern in theme, james identifies our difficulty in satisfying our insatiable wants and desires for things as the root cause of the inevitable coveting and cravings that lead to conflict, disputes, and eventually to outright war james 4. James 4 commentary gracepoint berkeley church devotions. This book provides a great commentary on the book of james. While you may not want to convey this information wordforword with your teenagers, youll definitely want to refer to it as you lead your small group lesson. He claimed that the reason that the people he was writing to did not have what they wanted was because they either did not ask for it or they asked for. It is woven throughout the passage that we need to learn to rely on god. His eye was on envy as at the bottom of many of the contentions and strifes existing on earth, james 3. Much of our thinking and behavior is shaped by what we can see of present. The book of james is a website dedicated to the study of the epistle letter of james in the new testament. The main purpose of a summary is as a simplification highlighting the major points from the original and much longer version of the subject. It was likely written after paul began to bring the gospel to the gentiles but before he and james met at the jerusalem council cf.
James 4 bible commentary matthew henry complete christianity. James 4 bible commentary wesleys explanatory notes. James, like them, lived to serve god and the people of god. Study the bible online using commentary on james 4 and more. These letters were sent out as circular epistles to be passed around and read in several locations. Top 5 commentaries on the book of james ligonier ministries. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the scripture says, he yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us. James 4 commentary by admin on september 19th, 2010. In repentance according to jamess message, people will be growing.
Dont they come from your desires that battle within you. Praised for its thoughtful scholarship for studying pastors and its readability for inquiring lay people, the becnt is a standard exegetical commentary for any biblestudy library. Best commentaries and books on james logos bible software. We have detailed a brief summary of the book of james for bible study or sunday school lessons. James 4 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this. Or do you think scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us.
So james says that self versus self is at the heart of all relational conflicts. All people, regardless of wealth, social standing or any other condition, who make their life plans without respect to the will of god are the ones remonstrated. Many older commentators understood the epistle of james to address itself to. I intend to take brimstone to persia and china, where i am informed it brings a. The life application bible commentary series provides versebyverse explanation, background, and application for every verse in the new testament. As of the green leaves of a thick tree, some fall and some grow. Best james commentaries updated for 2020 best bible. The author spends the majority of his time interacting with the text and spends a fair bit of time discussing the greek text though knowledge of greek is not needed to utilize this commentary but also does a good job of informing the reader of other opinions by both recent and older commentators. James writing to the first century church, very clearly brought this problem to light. Also, there is an enemy within each of us, engaged in mortal combat. In the first three chapters he is going to speak of the verification of genuine faith and give us some of the ways god tests faith. James 4 commentary applications for the church today. The book of james is about specifically understanding what saving faith looks. In james 4 there is a logical progression throughout.
It is not necessary to apply these verses through james 4. The kjv bible commentary a common characteristic of backsliding is the voluntary. It is related to the improper use of the tongue as in chapter 3. It shows what happens to christians and churches when they chose to live for selfish desires and for the things of this world rather than god. Other men mentioned in the bible named james include.
The pages of james are filled with direct commands to pursue. He shows how heavily james relied on jesus teachings, as well as the book s cohesion within itself and with the rest of scripture most notably with paul. Introduces the epistle of james as the new testament book of wisdom, and examines. But there is a very remarkable saying in the book of ecclesiasticus, which should be quoted. The purpose of jamess discussion of the tongue and wisdom appears in this next section. A selection of the best commentaries and bible study resources on the book of james. James baker exegetical commentary on the new testament. He pondered why people lust and fight over things and still are unable to have them.
We are taught to abandon the friendship of this world, so as to submit and subject ourselves entirely to god v. The book of james, chapter 4 free bible commentary. Sadly also in churches, whose places should be most noted for christs peace, we also find conflict. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the scripture says, he yearns. David guzik commentary on james 4, where james emphasizes the humble character of a living faith and of a dependency on god.
All detraction and rash judgment of others are to be. There were struggles in the christian community james was writing to. The friendship of the world is enmity with god, james 4. The baker exegetical commentary on the new testament becnt, one of todays most respected sources for new testament exegetical studies, equips you to know the gospel better. In james 4 there is a logical progression throughout the chapter, while still allowing some verses to cover individual topics.
Both the major themes and major sections are decisively categorized, and while you wont get far without a working knowledge of greek, this commentary still contains many devotional. Many subjects are handled quickly and succinctly in the book. He shows how heavily james relied on jesus teachings, as well as the books cohesion within itself and with the rest of scripture most notably with paul. In james chapter 4, the apostle of christ wrote about the origins of war, lust, and lifes uncertainties. To what extent is your life directed by the knowledge that christ is coming back. Your lusts spoil your prayers, and make them an abomination to god. Commentary for james 4 here are cautions against corrupt affections, and love of this world, which is enmity to god. What object or illustration does james use to show that faith without works is dead. Read james 4 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. Let us therefore take care that conscience be rightly informed, and then that it. James 4 niv bible what causes fights and quarrels among. Book of james overview insight for living ministries.
James 4 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. J ames is a book that many of us know random verses from, yet we tend to not really know the book that well. There are several men named james mentioned in the new testament, but reliable tradition assigns this book to the one called james the just, the halfbrother of jesus matthew. Let us therefore take care that conscience be rightly informed, and then that it be. James tells his readers to resist the devil and he will flee from you. James the way to overcome them, and recover gods favour. To james it was an honour to make himself a slave, and to belong to god and to the lord jesus. The sin of him who knows the will of god, and does not do it, james 4. There should be an increasing measure of the specifics of the royal law in the way people treat each other. The book of james a detailed commentary basic training bible ministries page 2 introduction to james background of the book the epistle of james is one of the general epistles, including 1 and 2 peter, 1, 2 and 3 john, and jude.
245 258 286 317 826 1572 817 839 1007 862 378 413 1275 1213 1132 888 177 1551 436 339 1393 1502 227 756 577 1310 254 1004 5 1491 1242 1368 1543 1045 82 1010 589 798 1044 1409 562 469 779 1121 775 841 980