James (Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 48 | WBC)

by Ralph P. Martin

Publisher:

Word

, 1988

Overview

One of the most challenging New Testament books, James presents many historical, theological, and textual problems. Ralph Martin tackles each one in order and with scholarly precision. He provides detailed textual notes, places the epistle historically, and engages the theological controversies raised by this often maligned epistle.

The Word Biblical Commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. These widely acclaimed commentaries serve as exceptional resources for the professional theologian and instructor, the seminary or university student, the working minister, and everyone concerned with building theological understanding from a solid base of biblical scholarship.

Contents

Top Highlights

“Rather, trials serve as a feature of the life of trust that refines and shapes believers’ knowledge of divine providence and God’s holy purpose.” (Page 15)

“νεκρά describes as ‘dead’ the faith that is without works. Such a faith is dead in the sense of ineffectual” (Page 85)

“Paul in polemical contexts views ‘works’ as the keeping of the commandments of the Torah while James employs ‘works’ to signify acts of mercy and kindness (2:13; the fulfilling of the royal law, 2:8).” (Page 81)

“Freedom is not from the works of the law (as in Paul; James has no precise phrase ἔργα τοῦ νόμου as in Rom 3:20; Gal 2:16; 3:10), but rather it connotes a release from self-interest and a new capacity to practice God’s will in the interests of one’s needy neighbor (v 27).” (Page 51)

“A faith without works (by itself) is no more a living faith than a corpse without breath is a living person” (Page 85)

Product Details

• Title: Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 48: James
• Author: Ralph P. Martin
• Series: Word Biblical Commentary
• Volume: 48
• Publisher: Word
• Print Publication Date: 1988
• Logos Release Date: 2002
• Pages: 354
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Bible › Commentaries--Collected works; Bible. N.T. James › Commentaries
• ISBNs: 9781418504007, 1418504009
• Resource ID: LLS:29.64.5
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-08-13T23:25:47Z

About Ralph P. Martin

Ralph P. Martin (1925–2013) served as scholar-in-residence at several schools, including Fuller Theological Seminary, Haggard School of Theology, and Azusa Pacific University. He was a professor emeritus of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary and an associate professor in biblical studies at the University of Sheffield in England.

Martin earned degrees at University of London and King’s College. He has written several commentaries and books, including Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon, the commentaries on 2 Corinthians in the Word Biblical Commentary series, and many more!