(1) Syriac; the Peschito (second century); and Philoxenian of the fifth or sixth. (2) The Memphitic and Thebaic (second or third century) Egyptian Versions. (3) As has been already mentioned, it was not in the original old Latin Version, as made in Africa. It is found, however, in Codex Corbeiensis (ff), which apparently contains an Italian recension of the text, and, partially in (m) the readings extracted by Mai from a. speculum wrongly ascribed to Augustine. This contains "an interesting but not early old Latin text" (Hort, Introduction, ii. p. 89). The fragments found in s (Codex Bob- biensis), often quoted as " Old Latin," are said by Dr. Hort to be "appa- rently Vulgate only." It is scarcely necessary to mention that the Epistle is contained in St. J erome's version; but the reader should note that the readings quoted in the Commentary as Vulgate are taken (unless it is stated to the contrary) from Codex Amiatinus, and not from the Clementine editiou. THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF
JAMES. EXPOSITION. CHAPTER I. LXX. for the " dispersion" (2 Mace. i. 27, Jud. v. 19; cf. Dent. xxviiL 25, etc.), i.e. Ver. 1.-SALDTATION. James, a servant the Jews "so scattered among the nations of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. (On as to become the seed of a future harvest " the person who thus describes himself, see (Westcott on St. John vii. 35). (On the the Introduction.) It is noteworthy that he importance of the dispersion as preparing keeps entirely out of sight his natural the way for Christianity, see the 'Dictionary relationship to our Lord, and styles him- of the Bible,' vol. i. p. 441.) It was divided 11elf simply "e. bond-servant of God and the into three gree.t sections: (1) the Babylonian, Lord Jesus Christ." That, and that alone, i.e. the original dispersion ; (2) the Syrian, gave him a right to speak and a claim to dating from the Greek conquests in Asia, be heard. t.ov.\os is simile.rly used by Seleucus Nice.tor having transplanted large St. Paul in Rom. i. 1 ; Phil. i. l ; Titus i. l ; bodies of Jews from Babylonia to the by St. Peter in 2 Pet. i. I; and by St. Jude capitals of his Western provinces; (3) the ver. I. It is clearly an official desiguntion, Eyyptian, the Jewish settlements in Alex- implying that his office is one "in which, e.ndria, established by Alexander and not his own will, not the will of other men, Ptolemy L, and thence spreading along but only of God and of Christ, is to be the north coast of Africa. To these we performed" (Buther). To the twelve tribes, should, perhaps, e.ddafourth-{4) the Raman, etc. Compare the ee.lutation in Acts xv. 23, consequent upon the occupation of J ernse.J.em which was also probably written by St. by Pompey, B.c. 63. All these four divisions James: "The apostles and the elder were represented in Jerusalem on the day brethren unto the brethren which are of the of Pentecost (see Acts ii. S--II)-e. fact Gentiles in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicie., which will help to account for St. James's greeting." (1) Xa.lp«v is common to both, letter. The whole expression, "the twelve e.nd not found elsewhere in apostolic greet- tribes which a.re scattered abroad," makes ings. (It is used by Ignatius in the opening it perfectly clee.r that St. James is writing of o.11 his epistles . except that to the (1) to Jews, and (2) to those beyond the Phile.delphie.ns.) (2) The letter in the borders of Palestine. Acts is 11.ddressed to Gentile communities Vera. 2-18.-THE SUBJECT OF TEfil'TA- in definite regions ; St. Je.mes's Epistle, TION. This section may be subdivided as to Jews of the dispersion. So e.lso his con- follows :-{l) The value of temptation temporary Game.lie! wrote "to the sons of (v.ers. 2-4). (2) Digression suggested by the dispersion in Be.bylonie., e.nd to our the thought of perfection (vers. 5-ll). brethren in Medin, e.nd to all the dispersion (3) Return to the subject of temptation of Israel" (l:t're.nkel, ' Mone.tsschrift,' 1853, (vers. 12-18). p. 413). Ta.is 3,M.,ca. ,Pv.\a.is (cf. Bw8•1<ri4>v.\ov Vers. 2-4.-The 11alue of temptation. in Acts xxvi. 7; Clem., 'Rom.,' l, § Iv.; Considered e.s an opportunity, it is 11, cause 'Protev. Jacob.,' o. i.). Such expressions e.re for joy. importe.nt e.s tending to show the.t the Jews Ver. 2.-l!rly brethren. A favourite ex- were rege.rded as representing, not simply pression with St. James, occurring no less the tribes of Benjamin e.nd Jude.h, but the than fifteen tim~s in the compass of this whole nation, including those so often short Epistle. Count it all joy, etc. ; cf. spoken of as "the lost tribes" (cf. l Esdr. 1 Pet. i. 6, "Wherein ye greatly rejoice, Tii. 8). t.,a.r11rof"i. The abstract put for though now for e. little while, if need be, the concrete. It ia the word used by the ye have been put to grief in manifold temp• JAMES, B 'l'HE GENERAL EPISTLE OF JAMES. [011. I. 1-27.