James 1:8

1:8 since he is a double-minded individual, ¹  unstable in all his ways.

James 1:25

1:25 But the one who peers into the perfect law of liberty and fixes his attention there, ²  and does not become a forgetful listener but one who lives it out – he ³  will be blessed in what he does. ⁴ 

James 2:18

2:18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” ⁵  Show me your faith without works and I will show you faith by ⁶  my works.

James 5:3

5:3 Your gold and silver have rusted and their rust will be a witness against you. It will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have hoarded treasure! ⁷ 

James 5:12

5:12 And above all, my brothers and sisters, ⁸  do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath. But let your “Yes” be yes and your “No” be no, so that you may not fall into judgment.

¹ tn Grk “a man of two minds,” continuing the description of the person in v. 7, giving the reason that he cannot expect to receive anything. The word for “man” or “individual” is ἀνήρ (anhr), which often means “male” or “man (as opposed to woman).” But it sometimes is used generically to mean “anyone,” “a person,” as here (cf. BDAG 79 s.v. 2).

² tn Grk “continues.”

³ tn Grk “this one.”

⁴ tn Grk “in his doing.”

³ tn There is considerable doubt about where the words of the “someone” end and where James’ reply begins. Some see the quotation running to the end of v. 18; others to the end of v. 19. But most punctuate as shown above. The “someone” is then an objector, and the sense of his words is something like, “Some have faith; others have works; don’t expect everyone to have both.” James’ reply is that faith cannot exist or be seen without works.

⁴ tn Or “from.”

⁴ tn Or “hoarded up treasure for the last days”; Grk “in the last days.”

⁵ tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:2.