Or do you think that the scripture speaks to no purpose. As we look at this chapter, it is important to remember that the book of james. 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. James, like all of the general epistles except hebrews, is named after its author verse 1. 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. Slow to wrath neither murmuring at god, nor angry at his neighbour. The key personalities of this book are james and persecuted christians. Many subjects are handled quickly and succinctly in the book. Satan can be set running by the resistance of the lowliest believer who comes in the authority of what jesus did on the cross. Such a significant event as the jerusalem council warranted comment from james. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly. The double mindedness in the hearts of the individual brethren was inevitably reflected in the members of the ecclesial body cp. These letters were sent out as circular epistles to be passed around and read in several locations.
James 1 niv james, a servant of god and of the lord. James reminds his readers that the rich often sin against them, often because the love of money is the root of kinds of evil 1 timothy 6. He has written one of the best commentaries on romans, and now one of the best commentaries on james. The book of james is a website dedicated to the study of the epistle letter of james in the new testament. Iakobos, the epistle of james, or simply james, is one of the 21 epistles didactic letters in the new testament the author identifies himself as james, a servant of god and of the lord jesus christ who is writing to the twelve tribes scattered abroad. 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 1 commentary william barclays daily study bible. First pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. So james says that self versus self is at the heart of all relational conflicts. He jealously desires the spirit which he has made to dwell in us. Different bible translations of the letter of james and other bible study resources are available. This is treated of in the third, and throughout the fourth and fifth chapters.
Key points lessons and teachings from james faithlife. Read james 4 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. The book of james calls on the messianic community to live. James wrote this book to jewish believers to encourage them to endure. Let every man be swift to hear this is treated of from james 1. From the very beginning of the epistle, james is giving a consistent picture of authentic. Yet the evidence unquestionably favors one candidate. More probably is the view that james was not citing a particular passage but summarizing the truth expressed in several old testament passages. The allusions to romans may be because this letter too was in circulation amongst the dispersed jewish believers. The letter of james is an especially helpful source for consultation as to what james is about.
James 4 commentary william barclays daily study bible. James 1 james, a servant of god and of the lord jesus. James will treat the problem of riches in the next chapter. The following is from his preface to romans regarding saving faith. Catering to the influential reveals a selfcenteredness. James 4 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the church of christ, presents a verse level look at the bible. Commentaries for james chapter 4 applications for the church today. Study guide for james 4 by david guzik blue letter bible. Home versebyverse bible commentary james chapter 4. James 4 submit yourselves to god what causes bible. James here is defining exactly what he meant by the meekness of wisdom in james 3.
If you can only have one commentary on james, this is the one to have. Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of god. This commentary is accessible to a broad readership, at once full of insight and of good sense and wit that makes for good reading. In this chapter the apostle condemns a sinful regarding of the rich, and despising the poor, which he imputes to partiality and injustice, and shows it to be an acting contrary to god. James 2 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Study the bible online using commentary on james 4 and more. It was likely the first new testament book letter to be written. Chapter context the book of james is about what it means for a christian to. When gods people go through personal trials, they discover what kind of faith they really possess. Book of james overview insight for living ministries. Home group study book of james practical advice on living the life lesson one james 1. James 4 bible commentary matthew henry concise christianity. The letter of james the new international commentary on.
Again, james looks back to the sermon on the mount when he uses murder to express more than actual killing, but also as an inward condition of heart, shown. James james the half brother of jesus is the likely author of the book of james. Any christian who would show favoritism to the influential reveals that their sense of judgment is as warped as the worlds. James 1 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the church of christ, presents a verse level look at the bible. James addresses his letter to jewish christians scattered around the known world. What follows is a devotional bible study of the book of james. Key points lessons and teachings from james by brother michel lankford a personal note. Commentary on the book of james by matthew henry new. The book of james calls on messianic believers to follow jesus teachings and live wisely. Home group study book of james practical advice on living. Study guide for james 3 by david guzik blue letter bible. Also, there is an enemy within each of us, engaged in mortal combat. James the halfbrother of jesus wrote it approximately 4849 a.
It is not necessary to apply these verses through james 4. Read james 2 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. Resist, by faith, and the rest of the spiritual armour, ephesians 6. The book of james is a general epistle apostolic letter. The author is identified only as james, and there are four men so named in the new testament. It is filled with allusions to and quotations of the teachings of jesus, and it includes more imperatives per word than any other new testament book. Again james looked back to the sermon on the mount when jesus also used murder to express more than actual killing, but also as an inward condition of heart. Remember that as good as job was at the beginning of the book, he was a better man at the end of. James 4 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole.
This council met in ad 49, meaning james likely wrote his letter in ad 4548. James 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. Study guide for james 1 by david guzik blue letter bible. Study guide for james 2 by david guzik blue letter bible. In james 4 there is a logical progression throughout the chapter, while still allowing some verses to cover individual topics. Here are cautions against corrupt affections, and love of this world, which is enmity to god. Wordly and fleshly lusts are distempers, which will not allow content or satisfaction. David guzik commentary on james 5, where james rebukes the rich and gives a call for patient endurance in light of the coming judgment. Your prayer life or lack thereof reveals the focus of your heart. It is full of love and a giving heart, consistent with the holiness of god. James 4 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. James is an intensely practical book, filled with exhortations to christians about the way they should live their lives now that they have been given new life in jesus. James free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. An integrated digital bible study library including complete notes from the niv study bible and the nkjv macarthur study bible is just a step away.
James 4 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this. Douglas moo is one of the top conservative new testament scholars alive today. In the letter to timothy men are urged to lift holy hands to god in prayer 1. Martin luther knew and taught exactly what the book of james teaches. Verses 110 the former chapter speaks of envying one another, as the great spring of. For this reason alone, the rich are not worthy of the partiality often shown to them. James 4 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary is one of the most respected interdenominational commentaries ever written. It is impossible for it not to be doing good things incessantly. Zerrs commentary on selected books of the new testament. James 4 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Late last year, the lord was impressing upon me that i should start reading certain books of scripture, and keeping a running.