James 1:21-22

1:21 So put away all filth and evil excess and humbly ¹  welcome the message implanted within you, which is able to save your souls. 1:22 But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves.

James 1:1

Salutation

1:1 From James, ²  a slave ³  of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. ⁴  Greetings!

James 3:18

3:18 And the fruit that consists of righteousness ⁵  is planted ⁶  in peace among ⁷  those who make peace.

[1:21]  ¹ tn Or “with meekness.”

[1:1]  ² tn Grk “James.” The word “From” is not in the Greek text, but has been supplied to indicate the sender of the letter.

[1:1]  ³ 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.

[1:1]  ⁴ 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.

[3:18]  ⁵ tn Grk “the fruit of righteousness,” meaning righteous living as a fruit, as the thing produced.

[3:18]  ⁶ tn Grk “is sown.”

[3:18]  ⁷ tn Or “for,” or possibly “by.”