James 1:1

Salutation

1:1 From James, ¹  a slave ²  of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. ³  Greetings!

James 1:4

1:4 And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.

James 1:6

1:6 But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind.

James 2:2

2:2 For if someone ⁴  comes into your assembly ⁵  wearing a gold ring and fine clothing, and a poor person enters in filthy clothes,

James 2:6

2:6 But you have dishonored the poor! ⁶  Are not the rich oppressing you and dragging you into the courts?

James 2:22

2:22 You see that his faith was working together with his works and his faith was perfected by works.

James 2:26

2:26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

James 3:10

3:10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters. ⁷ 

James 3:13

True Wisdom

3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings. ⁸ 

James 4:3

4:3 you ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, so you can spend it on your passions.

James 5:5

5:5 You have lived indulgently and luxuriously on the earth. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. ⁹ 

James 5:8

5:8 You also be patient and strengthen your hearts, for the Lord’s return is near.

James 5:10

5:10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers and sisters, ¹⁰  take the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name.

James 5:19

5:19 My brothers and sisters, ¹¹  if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone turns him back,

¹ tn Grk “James.” The word “From” is not in the Greek text, but has been supplied to indicate the sender of the letter.

² tn Traditionally, “servant” or “bondservant.” Though δοῦλος (doulos) is normally translated “servant,” the word does not bear the connotation of a free individual serving another. BDAG notes that “‘servant’ for ‘slave’ is largely confined to Biblical transl. and early American times…in normal usage at the present time the two words are carefully distinguished” (BDAG 260 s.v.). The most accurate translation is “bondservant” (sometimes found in the ASV for δοῦλος), in that it often indicates one who sells himself into slavery to another. But as this is archaic, few today understand its force.

³ tn Grk “to the twelve tribes in the Diaspora.” The Greek term διασπορά (diaspora, “dispersion”) refers to Jews not living in Palestine but “dispersed” or scattered among the Gentiles.

⁴ tn The word for “man” or “individual” here is ἀνήρ (anhr), which often means “male” or “man (as opposed to woman).” But as BDAG 79 s.v. 2 says, “equivalent to τὶς someone.”

⁵ tn Grk “synagogue.” Usually συναγωγή refers to Jewish places of worship (e.g., Matt 4:23, Mark 1:21, Luke 4:15, John 6:59). The word can be used generally to refer to a place of assembly, and here it refers specifically to a Christian assembly (BDAG 963 s.v. 2.b.).

⁷ tn This is singular: “the poor person,” perhaps referring to the hypothetical one described in vv. 2-3.

¹⁰ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:2.

¹³ tn Grk “works in the gentleness of wisdom.”

¹⁶ sn James’ point seems to be that instead of seeking deliverance from condemnation, they have defied God’s law (fattened your hearts) and made themselves more likely objects of his judgment (in a day of slaughter).

¹⁹ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:2.

²² tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:2.