Full Description
In his commentary on the letter of James, Hartin offers a unique approach toward understanding a much-neglected writing. Refusing to read the letter of James through the lens of Paul, Hartin approaches the letter in its own right. He takes seriously the address to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion" (1:1) as directed to Jews who had embraced the message of Jesus and were living outside their homeland, Israel. At the same time, Hartin shows how this letter remains true to Jesus' heritage. Using recent studies on rhetorical culture, Hartin illustrates how James takes Jesus ' sayings and performs them again in his own way to speak to the hearers/readers of his own world.
Hartin examines the text, passage by passage, while providing essential notes and an extensive explanation of the theological meaning of each passage. The value of this commentary lies in its breadth of scholarship and its empathic approach to this writing. The reader will discover new and refreshing insights into the world of early Christianity as well as a teaching that is of perennial significance.
Patrick J. Hartin was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. He studied at the Gregorian University in Rome and is an ordained priest of the Diocese of Spokane, Washington. He holds two doctorates in Theology: in Ethics and in the New Testament, both from the University of South Africa. Presently he teaches courses in the New Testament and in Classical Civilizations at Gonzaga University. He is the author of eleven books, including: Apollos (Paul's Social Network series), James of Jerusalem (Interfaces series), and James, First Peter, Jude, Second Peter (New Collegeville Bible Commentary series), all published by Liturgical Press.
Contents
CONTENTS
Editor's Preface vii
Author's Preface xi
Abbreviations xiii
Introduction
1. Approaches to the Letter of James 1
2. Text and Canonicity 6
3. Genre and Purpose 10
4. Author and Date 16
Evidence in the New Testament 16
Evidence from Beyond the New Testament Writings 20
Evidence from the Letter of James 21
Conclusion: James of Jerusalem as Author 24
5. Addressees and Context of the Letter 25
6. Structure of the Letter 28
7. Theological Vision 29
Faith 30
God 31
Christ 33
Eschatology 34
Prayer 36
A Theology of Social Concern 37
8. Outline of the Letter of James 38
9. General Bibliography 39
Translation, Notes, Interpretation
1. Greetings (1:1) 49
Excursus 1: To the Twelve Tribes in the Dispersion (1:1) 53
2. Testing, Wisdom, and the Lowly (1:2-11) 56
Excursus 2: James and the Heritage of Israel (Perfection and Purity [1:2-4]) 71
Excursus 3: The Wisdom of James (The Gift of Wisdom [1:5-8]) 75
Excursus 4: James and the Heritage of Jesus (James's Use of the Jesus Traditions [1:9-11]) 81
3. Testing, Hearers and Doers of the Word (1:12-27) 88
Excursus 5: The Perfect Law of Liberty (1:25) 111
4. Do Not Show Favoritism (2:1-13) 116
Excursus 6: Honor and Shame, Patronage and Grace (Cultural Scripts behind the Letter of James) 140
5. Doers of the Word/Faith and Works (2:14-26) 149
Excursus 7: Faith and Works in James and Paul 163
6. The Tongue and Speech (3:1-12) 172
7. Call to Friendship with God (3:13-4:10) 190
8. Speaking Evil against Another (4:11-12) 217
9. Judgment on the Rich Because of Friendship with the World (4:13-5:6) 223
10. Call to Patient Endurance (5:7-11) 240
11. Call to Avoid Taking Oaths (5:12) 257
12. Prayer (5:13-18) 264
13. The Great Commission (5:19-20) 282
Indexes
Scriptural Index 291
Index of Ancient Writings 309
Author Index 316
Supplementary Bibliography 320
