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Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible - New Testament

An exposition with practical observations of the General Epistle of St. James

 

James Exposition: Index | Introduction to the book of James | James 1 | James 2 | James 3 | James 4 | James 5

James full text: James 1 | James 2 | James 3 | James 4 | James 5

The writer of this epistle was not James the son of Zebedee; for he was put to death by Herod (Acts xii.) before Christianity had gained so much ground among the Jews of the dispersion as is here implied. But it was the other James, the son of Alpheus, who was cousin-german to Christ, and one of the twelve apostles, Matt. x. 3. He is called a pillar (Gal. ii. 9), and this epistle of his cannot be disputed, without loosening a foundation-stone. It is called a general epistle, because (as some think) not directed to any particular person or church, but such a one as we call a circular letter. Others think it is called general, or catholic, to distinguish it from the epistles of Ignatius, Barnabas, Polycarp, and others who were noted in the primitive times, but not generally received in the church, and on that account not canonical, as this is. Eusebius tells us that this epistle was "generally read in the churches with the other catholic epistles." His. Eccles. page 53. Ed. Val. Anno 1678. James, our author, was called the just, for his great piety. He was an eminent example of those graces which he presses upon others. He was so exceedingly revered for his justice, temperance, and devotion, that Josephus the Jewish historian records it as one of the causes of the destruction of Jerusalem, "That St. James was martyred in it." This is mentioned in hopes of procuring the greater regard to what is penned by so holy and excellent a man. The time when this epistle was written is uncertain. The design of it is to reprove Christians for their great degeneracy both in faith and manners, and to prevent the spreading of those libertine doctrines which threatened the destruction of all practical godliness, and you can find more about that here on st-takla.org on other commentaries and dictionary entries. It was also a special intention of the author of this epistle to awaken the Jewish nation to a sense of the greatness and nearness of those judgments which were coming upon them; and to support all true Christians in the way of their duty, under the calamities and persecutions they might meet with. The truths laid down are very momentous, and necessary to be maintained; and the rules for practice, as here stated, are such as ought to be observed in our times as well as in preceding ages.

 

St-Takla.org Image: The Epistle of James: In the foreground James writes his epistle, while looking into a mirror, which reminds the reader that he must not read the word and forget it, as one forgets his own reflection when looking in a mirror (James 1: 23). In the background an image of the sea being driven by the wind, representing doubt and lack of faith (James 1: 6), and a wilting flower appears behind him (James 1: 11) - from the book: The Holy Apostles Story and Epistles (Der Heyligen Apostel Geschichte und Episteln), by Johann Christoph Weigel, 1695. صورة في موقع الأنبا تكلا: رسالة يعقوب الرسول، ويظهر القديس يعوب وهو يكتب الرسالة، ناظرا في مرآة، وهو تذكير للقارئ بعدم نسيان ما يقرأه، كما ينسى الشخص وجه خلقته في المرآة (يعقوب 1: 23). كما يظهر صورة الريح وهو يضرب موج البحر ويحركه (يعقوب 1: 6)، وهو رمز الشك ونقص الإيمان. والشمس مشرقة بالحر، فيبس العشب وسقط الزهر (يعقوب 1: 11). - من كتاب: قصة الآباء الرسل والرسائل، يوهان كريستوف فيجيل، 1965 م.

St-Takla.org Image: The Epistle of James: In the foreground James writes his epistle, while looking into a mirror, which reminds the reader that he must not read the word and forget it, as one forgets his own reflection when looking in a mirror (James 1: 23). In the background an image of the sea being driven by the wind, representing doubt and lack of faith (James 1: 6), and a wilting flower appears behind him (James 1: 11) - from the book: The Holy Apostles Story and Epistles (Der Heyligen Apostel Geschichte und Episteln), by Johann Christoph Weigel, 1695.

صورة في موقع الأنبا تكلا: رسالة يعقوب الرسول، ويظهر القديس يعوب وهو يكتب الرسالة، ناظرا في مرآة، وهو تذكير للقارئ بعدم نسيان ما يقرأه، كما ينسى الشخص وجه خلقته في المرآة (يعقوب 1: 23). كما يظهر صورة الريح وهو يضرب موج البحر ويحركه (يعقوب 1: 6)، وهو رمز الشك ونقص الإيمان. والشمس مشرقة بالحر، فيبس العشب وسقط الزهر (يعقوب 1: 11). - من كتاب: قصة الآباء الرسل والرسائل، يوهان كريستوف فيجيل، 1965 م.

St-Takla.org                     Divider of Saint TaklaHaymanot's website فاصل - موقع الأنبا تكلاهيمانوت

Other commentaries and interpretations on the Book of James:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

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