Biblical Matters

Modern scholars are divided: many accept authorship by James of Jerusalem in the 40s–50s CE; others regard the letter as a later work written in his name. The study does not depend on settling this.

The Testament of Job, a Jewish work usually dated between the 1st century BCE and the 1st century CE, retells the story with strong emphasis on Job’s endurance. It shows that “Job the enduring one” was a familiar portrait in the period when James wrote.

Job’s defence lists concrete deeds for the poor, widow, orphan and stranger (Job 29:12-16; Job 31:16-22); James defines pure religion by the same deeds (Jas 1:27) and argues that faith without works is dead (Jas 2:17).

Job’s oath of innocence (Job 31) lists deeds of purity, honesty, generosity and justice. James argues that faith “if it does not result in action, is dead” (Jas 2:17), citing Abraham and Rahab (Jas 2:21-25).

The adversary’s question, “Does Job fear God for nothing?” (Job 1:9), and James’s question, “Can such faith save him?” (Jas 2:14), both probe whether devotion is genuine. The comparison is interpretive.

Let your trust in God show in specific deeds this week, not only in convictions.

“God tested Abraham.” The first explicit divine test in Scripture; James cites Abraham’s offering of Isaac as faith completed by works (Jas 2:21-23).

Love “in action and truth” toward a brother in need — the concern of Jas 2:15-16.

The framework: (1) God’s reality stands beneath everything (hypostasis); (2) faith trusts that reality before it is seen; (3) trust becomes bold speech and action (parrhēsia); (4) bold trust takes the shape of righteous living; (5) Scripture names such people “the righteous”.

Bold faith is lived as righteousness: Abraham believed and it was credited as righteousness (Gen 15:6); his faith was “made complete” by works (Jas 2:22). Positions on how Paul and James relate are labelled on the Righteousness concept page.

Faith made complete by works (Jas 2:22).

Abraham offers Isaac by faith (Hebrews) and faith is completed by works (James).

James calls Job’s quality hypomonē (“endurance”) (Jas 5:11) and says Abraham was “justified” (dikaioō) by works when he offered Isaac (Jas 2:21).

Faith completed by works; “friend of God”.