Scot McKnight here explains the Letter of James both in its own context and as it may be seen in light of ancient Judaism, the Graeco-Roman world, and emerging earliest Christianity. From beginning to end, the book is shaped for pastors, teachers, and scholars. McKnight is less interested in shedding new light on James than on providing a commentary for those who want to explain the letter and its significance to congregations and classes. This commentary is accessible to a broad readership, at once full of insight and of good sense and wit that makes for good reading. The Letter of James is an especially helpful source for consultation as to what James is about. “Scot McKnight has written a very readable, evangelical commentary on James. While covering the traditional bases and literature, he also includes a number of new readings of the data that make his work fresh and intriguing. This book will be viewed as a standard evangelical work that needs to be consulted in any future work on this letter.” ― Peter H. Davids St. Stephen’s University “A readable and carefully organized commentary packed full of concrete insights. McKnight brilliantly blends the best thoughts of earlier scholarship with innovative thinking, and he remains sensitive throughout to both ancient context and his modern audience.” ― Craig S. Keener Palmer Theological Seminary “Readers will find in Scot McKnight’s learned and well-written commentary rich insights acquired through many years of investigating the life, leadership, and theology of James the brother of Jesus. Again and again McKnight breaks new ground, correcting old misconceptions and throwing new light on important issues.” ― Craig A. Evans Acadia Divinity College Scot McKnight teaches in the Doctor of Ministry program at Houston Theological Seminary. His many books include  The Jesus Creed , A Community Called Atonement , A Church Called Tov (coauthored with Laura Barringer), Kingdom Conspiracy: Returning to the Radical Mission of the Local Church , The Second Testament: A New Translation , and multiple volumes in the New Testament Everyday Bible Study series. The Letter of JAMES By SCOT MCKNIGHT William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company Copyright © 2011 Scot McKnight All right reserved. ISBN: 978-0-8028-2627-5 Contents Editor's Preface.................................................................xAuthor's Preface.................................................................xiAbbreviations....................................................................xiiiBibliography.....................................................................xixINTRODUCTION.....................................................................1JAMES IN THE STORY...............................................................4JAMES: WHO WROTE THE LETTER?.....................................................13WHAT ARE THE CENTRAL THEMES OF JAMES?............................................39WHAT IS THE STRUCTURE OF JAMES?..................................................47COMMENTARY.......................................................................591. SALUTATION (1:1)..............................................................592. THE CHRISTIAN AND TRIALS (1:2-18).............................................683. GENERAL EXHORTATIONS (1:19-27)................................................1334. THE CHRISTIAN AND PARTIALITY (2:1-13).........................................1735. THE CHRISTIAN AND WORKS (2:14-26).............................................2246. GENERAL EXHORTATIONS FOR TEACHERS (3:1–4:12)............................2647. THE MESSIANIC COMMUNITY AND THE WEALTHY (4:13–5:11).....................3668. CONCLUDING EXHORTATIONS (5:12-20).............................................423Authors..........................................................................462Subjects.........................................................................471Scripture References.............................................................473Extrabiblical Ancient Literature.................................................492 Chapter One Commentary 1. SALUTATION (1:1) The language of the first verse indicates that James is a letter, though there is little in the remainder of the text to lead one to think of James as a letter. Letters in the first-century Jewish and Christian worlds varied in substance (Romans, 2 Corinthians, 1-2 Timothy) and style (Romans, 1 Thessalonians, Hebrews), so one should not infer from James's substance, which is largely hortatory, homiletical, and even sapiential, to its form (letter). There was no prescribed format, especially in the cauldron of a new movement like messianism, that one had to follow for one's writing to be classified as a "letter" or "epistle." Unlike the Pauline and Petrine epistolary form, which have both typical salutations and some kind of introductory thanksgivings, James has only the salu