The Fellowship Residency Program has introduced me to the idea of reading commentaries alongside scripture. By August of 2019, I will have read through the entire Bible as well as The King in His Beauty, our selected commentary. As I am reading, I am writing a little bit about each of the books of the Bible so you and I can have a more thorough understanding of the scriptures. I invite you to follow along with me as we learn the Bible in its entirety from Genesis to Revelation. This summary does NOT encompass the entire book, but it is a good place to start. I encourage you to read for yourself and begin your own Biblical journal along the way. To read any of my other Residency related posts, click here.
Many argue that James is the Proverbs of the NT. A unique note for the book is the infrequency with which the author makes references to Jesus. Though James does not dwell on Christ’s identity, it is not accurate to assume that he has a low christology. He often references God, and Jesus as Christ shares the same glory as the Father.
Salvation is a gift of God. Faith is a consequence of our election and therefore cannot be attributed to the work of man. The emphasis on forgiveness in the book of James is often overlooked. James doesn’t necessarily explain how we receive forgiveness, but he does teach that it is available for all. Even those who have sinner and strayed far from the faith.
It is clear that James often emphasizes righteous living, but there is also evidence that he believes that faith is the fountain of which works flow. James does not believe that works are the basis of salvation. Instead, he is concerned with an intellectual faith that knows the truth of faith but lives an unchanged life. “If works are not produced, then the faith exercised is not saving faith, for true faith manifests itself in works.” Paul argues that works are not the fundamental basis of faith, and therefore works do not affect justification. James agrees with a slightly different perspective that argues that works that justify are a result of one’s faith which is the foundation of one’s salvation.
Salvation, whether by works or faith, is not dependent to efforts of human beings. Instead, it is rooted in the supernatural Word of God. James emphasizes the necessity to be not only a hearer of the Word, but also a doer. For those who “do the will of God will be ‘heirs of the kingdom.’” We are not only ordered to do good work, but also made to understand that good work frees us. The power to keep the law of God stems from His grace.
James is likened to Proverbs for his emphasis of wisdom. Those who live wisely fear the Lord and live under His rule and authority. The fruit of wisdom in James is often compared to the fruits of the spirit in Galatians as there is a close link between the Spirit and wisdom. “The reality of their faith is discerned by their works; the authenticity of their wisdom is manifested by their character.” James does not tolerate those who say Jesus is Lord with no reflected change in their lives. His message though harder to recognize, is closely related with that of Christ.
Themes: Salvation is a gift from God. Righteous living is a result of true faith. The wise fear the Lord and follow His commands. God has made forgiveness available for all.