The Pulpit Commentary — James — Section 27

martyr's death. For this e.n outline of the subsequent history of JBmes. But more fnlly. During the waiting in the upper room "these all contiuued in prayer . . . with his bret,hren '.' (Acts i. 14). 'l'hcy took pa.rt in the election of Matthias; they, with the rest, received the Holy Ghost. Natural promiuence now among disciples. Paul, three years after his conversion, coming to Jerusalem, was received by Peter, e.nd by "James the Lord's brother" (Gal. i. 18, 19). Then the death of James the son of Zebedee (Acts xii.), e.nd probable election of namesake to the vacant place. And ( Acts xii. 1 i) on Pater's departure, probably left in charge of the :church at Jerusalem. And out of this new position probably originated the Epistle with which we have to do. Then the council (Acts x:v.), James acting as president, and speaking with the authority of a recognized head. Gives Paul and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, and publicly sanctions their work among the Gentiles. And he, at Paul's last visit,, recommends the presentation of himself in the temple, which led, unfortunately, to such ill results (Acts x.xi.). Here the New Testament record ends. 'l'radition tells usof his martyr's death. (See account by Hegesippus, quoted by Plumptre from Eusebius.) Such, then, the life. And the character? It stands out from the life, strongly marked. Belief in Christ slow to form, but, once formed, formed for ever. .Attachment to the old religion in its outward expression, at least in part, as a national institution. Spot- less integrity; James the Just. True charity of heart. Fa.ithful unto death. With all this, as indicated by text, humility; "a.servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ," sinking his relationship according to the flesb. III. A1111 OF EPISTLE. Have considere-i its probable origin : his elevation to virtual apostleship, and superintendency of Churches of J udrea. .An encyclical. Addressed primarily to Churches of Judma. themselves. References to persecution. .And of these e.lone a personal knowledge. But the feasts brought to Jerusalem those of the disper- sion, as in Acts ii., with some of whom he would come into contact. ~'rorn Parthia, Persia, and Media, the descendants of the ten tribes; from Mesopotamia, children of the Baby Ionian ea pti vi ty ; from Egypt and Ethiopia ; and from every province of the Roman empire. His heart was drawn towards them. Fellow-worshippers. In some sense holders of the truth. But greed, respect of persons, and bitter wrangling, as among his own countrymen. Their monotheism was the substitute for holiness: "'fhe Name of God blasphemed among th~ Gentiles through them" (Rom. ii. 24). With this in view, his letter should be to them also, summoning them at least to live up to their ideal. But especially to Christian Jews. Their belief in Jesus Christ as much a mere dogma, in many cases, as monotheism of their brethren. And the fruits of faith must be set forth to them as necessary to the validity and life of the faith itself. So, then, to the Jews of the dispersion, to Christian Jews, and especially to Cluistian Jews of J udaia, his words were addressed. And the aim throughout was to bring the practice of religion up to its ideal, to urge the necessity of a true life as the outcome of a true fa.ith. IV. CRABACTERIBTICS. Little mention of distinctive doctrines of Christianity; remember aim, as above. Let the scattered Jews but be true, and they would then be likely to recognize him who was the Truth. Yet there is distinct and uncompromising mention of Christ as the Lord and Saviour. Insistence upon necessity of works. Imagined antagonism between this and the teaching of Paul. But see sequel. One other noticeable featur&--prominence given to wisdom. The Christian life is not divided; it is one. But the same life takes on diverse forms. So, as Plumptre remarks, while faith is the special characteristic of Paul, hope of Peter, and love of John, wisdom was the special characteristic of James: "The wisdom that is from above-first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy." And so, in conclusion, let us thank God that he has spoken his own truth to us, not only in human voices, but in divers tones, that each one may hearken to the tone which most quickly touches a responsive chord in his own heart. And, entering upon the study of this book, let us remember that "every Scripture inspired of God is also profit- able for teaching. for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness : that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work" (2 Tim. iii. 16, li).-T. F. L. Ver,. 2-4.-Tl,e strange paradox. He has given them "greeting" (ver. 1), or, en. 1. 1-27.] 'fHE GENERAL EPISTLE OF JAMES. 21