Biblical Matters

Beyond that one verse, James shares with Job a cluster of themes: testing that refines faith (Jas 1:2-4; Job 23:10), wisdom that comes from God (Jas 1:5; Job 28:12-28), speech as the measure of integrity (Jas 3:2; Job 2:10), care for widows and orphans (Jas 1:27; Job 29:12-13) and the prayer of a righteous person (Jas 5:16; Job 42:8-10). The parallels are thematic; James never quotes Job directly.

James links his opening sentences by catchwords: “greetings” (chairein, Jas 1:1) leads to “joy” (charan, Jas 1:2); “not lacking anything” (leipomenoi, Jas 1:4) leads to “if anyone lacks wisdom” (leipetai, Jas 1:5).

Wisdom is a gift and a relationship, not a technique. Job 28 locates wisdom with God and defines it as fearing the Lord (Job 28:28); James locates it “from above” (Jas 3:17).

Job 28 asks where wisdom can be found and answers that God alone knows its way (Job 28:23, Job 28:28); James tells the one who lacks wisdom to ask God (Jas 1:5).

Job 28 describes miners reaching hidden places, then asks “But where can wisdom be found?” (Job 28:12) and answers that God understands its way (Job 28:23). James: “if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God” (Jas 1:5).

Both books distinguish wisdom from cleverness: Job’s friends speak much but are rebuked; James contrasts “earthly” wisdom marked by envy with the wisdom “from above” that is pure, peaceable and merciful (Jas 3:15-17).

Ask God for wisdom specifically and expectantly; then test what you think you know by James 3:17.

Job is introduced as one “fearing God and shunning evil” (Job 1:1), and Job 28 ends: “the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom” (Job 28:28) — the same principle as Prov 1:7.

“The fear of the Lord — that is wisdom” (Job 28:28); “now I know that you fear God” (Gen 22:12).

Reverence, not fearfulness, unites faith and wisdom.

Quotes Job 5:13.

Righteousness tried and vindicated.

Parrhēsia appears in LXX Job 22:26 and 27:10 and in Wisdom 5:1 (the righteous stand with great boldness).

Boldness of the righteous.