I. Introduction (1:1) The opening verse of Malachi serves as a superscription or introduction to the entire book. It states three important facts: (1) what follows is the word of God, (2) it is addressed to the people called Israel, and (3) it is communicated ... Read More »

There is a widespread conviction that Hebrews is an unusually difficult book. It has commonly been neglected in the course of preaching, study, and devotional reading of the Bible. Three factors in particular appear to have contributed to this situation: (1) t... Read More »

This final chapter in James is rich in the practical guidance which has characterized the entire book. It begins with a condemnation of the sins of oppressive rich people. Patience until the second coming of Christ is the next emphasis, followed by a prohibiti... Read More »

A Protest against Prevalent Evils James 3:13-5:6 In keeping with the working theme of the Epistle of James, a manual of Christian conduct, chapter four falls in the middle of James’s discussion of prevalent evils. His protest against prevalent evils cent... Read More »

Two themes common to the Jewish Wisdom Literature are presented in James 3:1-18, namely, the abuses of the tongue in verses 1-12 and the practical expression of wisdom in verses 13-17. The former theme was reflected in several passages of the Book of Proverbs.... Read More »

What About Your Faith? To believe affects more than just the head, more than the head and the heart; believing most ultimately affect one’s lips and hands. This is James’s point in chapter two. Religious appearance must have substance, not just ima... Read More »

Relating Christianity and Life Our current interest in the Epistle of James may stem from some scholars’ difficulties with the epistle. Some of these difficulties kept the letter from initial admission into the New Testament canon. This brief document st... Read More »

An Outline of James Occasion: This letter was written to a group of Jewish Christians who were facing trials and persecution. Under the threat of this persecution they were tempted to compromise their Christian commitment and relapse into an accommodation to t... Read More »

The title itself accents the apprehension sometimes expressed by preachers who are encouraged to use communication principles in preaching. Ever since that ancient but inevitable marriage between “sacred preaching” and “worldly rhetoric,̶... Read More »

As the term suggests, Christology is the doctrine of Christ. Christ is its theme with regard to his work as well as his person, for in the teaching of the New Testament the person and the work of Christ belong together as a unity. A right understanding of the ... Read More »