James (Reformed Expository Commentary | REC)

by Daniel M. Doriani

Publisher:

P&R

, 2007

Overview

The book of James is both beloved for its practical wisdom and debated as to its relationship to Paul’s Gospel. It offers concrete counsel on trials, poverty and riches, favoritism, social justice, the tongue, worldliness, boasting, planning, prayer, illness, and more. But in doing so, it exposes our inability to measure up to God’s standard.

Daniel Doriani, a pastor and scholar recognized for his works on biblical interpretation and application, resolves the tension between the wide-ranging practical commands of James and the centrality of faith in the Christian life. While James may not articulate the doctrine of atonement through the death and resurrection of Jesus, James does present Christ in his own way. Here Doriani shows us how. He thus helps us to apply the wisdom of James in a way that is rooted in grace.

In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.

Key Features

• Presents readers with a Christ-centered commentary
• Explores the structure, backgrounds and grammar of James
• Includes material well suited for pastors and students

Contents

Top Highlights

“In James, as in the military illustration, the word ‘justify’ still has a judicial sense. But here to justify is to vindicate, whereas in Romans, to justify typically means to declare righteous.” (Page 94)

“Of course, God can use all of life’s sorrows—and all its joys—to bring believers to maturity. But it is misleading to use James 1 as the first word in grief counseling. When Jesus met Mary and Martha, after their brother Lazarus died, he did not say, ‘God has a purpose in this’—even though he knew God did. First he comforted them, then he wept with them (John 11:19, 34). To use James for grief counseling is to miss its primary intent.” (Page 15)

“I will argue in later chapters, the climax of James occurs in 4:6. James completes his indictment of human sin in 4:5, then says: ‘But [God] gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ ’ The double mention of God’s grace at the rhetorical climax of the book shows that the gospel of James is the message of God’s grace for sinners.” (Page 7)

“Faith is proved by a way of life. James says, ‘I will show you my faith by what I do.’ When James says, ‘Show me your faith,’ he means good works make faith visible. Good works demonstrate that faith is real (cf. James 3:13). A claim of faith is vindicated by a life of holiness and good deeds.” (Page 87)

“At a minimum, trials expose our weaknesses so we know where we must grow. Trials expose our sin and our inability to reform ourselves. They reveal our need of a Savior.” (Page 24)

Praise for the Print Edition

Well researched and well reasoned, practical and pastoral, shrewd, solid, and searching, this is a truly Jamesish exposition of James’ letter, top-class in every way.

—J. I. Packer, professor of theology, Regent College

Product Details

• Title: James
• Author: Daniel M. Doriani
• Series: Reformed Expository Commentary
• Publisher: P&R
• Print Publication Date: 2007
• Logos Release Date: 2014
• Pages: 220
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible. N.T. James › Commentaries
• ISBNs: 9780875527857, 087552785X
• Resource ID: LLS:REC80JAM
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-10-01T00:39:27Z

About Daniel M. Doriani

Dr. Dan Doriani, vice president of strategic academic projects and professor of theology at Covenant Seminary, has extensive teaching and pastoral experience.

He served as assistant professor of biblical studies at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania for five years, as solo pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church in Cumberland, Maryland for five years, as well as a variety of associate pastor, interim pastor, and stated supply roles. He has been involved in several planning and study committees at the presbytery level in both the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC). He was also chair of the PCA’s Theological Examining Committee from 1999 to 2000.

He has authored several books, including Getting the Message: A Plan for Interpreting and Applying the Bible(P&R, 1996), Putting the Truth to Work: The Theory and Practice of Biblical Application (P&R, 2001), The Life of a God-Made Man (Crossway, 2001), and commentaries on Matthew and 1 Peter in P&R Publishing’s Reformed Expository Commentaries series.

Dr. Doriani and his wife, Debbie, live in Chesterfield, Missouri, and have three grown daughters.

 

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