1 tn (1:1) Grk "James." The word "From" is not in the Greek text, but has been supplied to indicate the sender of the letter.
2tn (1:1) Traditionally, "servant" or "bondservant." Though dou'lo" (doulos) is normally translated "servant," the word does not bear the connotation of a free individual serving another. BAGD notes that "`servant' for `slave' is largely confined to Biblical transl. and early American times...in normal usage at the present time the two words are carefully distinguished" (BAGD 205 s.v.). The most accurate translation is "bondservant" (sometimes found in the ASV for dou'lo"), in that it often indicates one who sells himself into slavery to another. But as this is archaic, few today understand its force.
sn (1:1) Undoubtedly the background for the concept of being the Lord's slave or servant is to be found in the Old Testament scriptures. For a Jew this concept did not connote drudgery, but honor and privilege. It was used of national Israel at times (Isa 43:10), but was especially associated with famous OT personalities, including such great men as Moses (Joshua 14:7), David (Ps 89:3; cf. 2 Sam 7:5, 8) and Elijah (2 Kings 10:10); all these men were "servants (or slaves) of the Lord."
3tn (1:1) Grk "to the twelve tribes in the Diaspora." The Greek term diasporav (diaspora, "dispersion") refers to Jews not living in Palestine but "dispersed" or scattered among the Gentiles.
4tn (1:2) Grk "brothers," but the Greek word may be used for "brothers and sisters" or "fellow Christians" as here (cf. BAGD 16 s.v. ajdelfov" 1, where considerable nonbiblical evidence for the plural ajdelfoiv [adelfoi] meaning "brothers and sisters" is cited).
5tn (1:2) Grk "all joy," "full joy," or "greatest joy."
6tn (1:8) Grk "a man of two minds," continuing the description of the person in v. 7, giving the reason that he cannot expect to receive anything. The word for "man" or "individual" is ajnhvr (anhr), which often means "male" or "man (as opposed to woman)." But it sometimes is used generically to mean "anyone," "a person," as here (cf. BAGD 66 s.v. 1, 6).
sn (1:8) A double-minded man is one whose devotion to God is less than total. His attention is divided between God and other things, and as a consequence he is unstable and therefore unable to receive from God.
7tn (1:9) Grk "brother." Here the term "brother" means "fellow believer" or "fellow Christian." The term broadly connotes familial relationships within the family of God (cf. BAGD 16 s.v. ajdelfov" 1, 2).
8tn (1:9) Grk "the lowly brother," but "lowly/humble" is clarified in context by the contrast with "wealthy" in v. 10.
9tn (1:9) Grk "let him boast."
10tn (1:9) Grk "his height," "his exaltation."
11tn (1:10) Grk "a flower of grass."
12tn (1:11) Or "perishes," "is destroyed."
13tn (1:12) The word for "man" or "individual" here is ajnhvr (anhr), which often means "male" or "man (as opposed to woman)." But as BAGD 67 s.v. 6 says, "equivalent to tiV" someone."
14tn (1:12) Grk "he"; the referent (God) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
15tn (1:13) Or "God must not be tested by evil people."
16tn (1:16) Grk "brothers." See note on the phrase "brothers and sisters" in 1:2.
17tn (1:17) The first phrase refers to the action of giving and the second to what is given.
18tn (1:17) Or "All generous giving and every perfect gift from above is coming down."
19tn (1:17) Grk "variation or shadow of turning" (referring to the motions of heavenly bodies causing variations of light and darkness).
20tn (1:18) Grk "Having willed, he gave us birth."
21tn (1:19) Grk "brothers." See note on the phrase "brothers and sisters" in 1:2.
22tn (1:20) The word translated "human" here is ajnhvr (anhr), which often means "male" or "man (as opposed to woman)." But it sometimes is used generically to mean "anyone," "a person," (cf. BAGD 67 s.v. 6), and in this context, contrasted with "God's righteousness," the point is "human" anger (not "male" anger).
23sn (1:20) God's righteousness could refer to (1) God's righteous standard, (2) the righteousness God gives, (3) righteousness before God, or (4) God's eschatological righteousness (see P. H. Davids, James [NIGTC], 93, for discussion).
24tn (1:21) Or "with meekness."
25tn (1:23) The word for "man" or "individual" is ajnhvr (anhr), which often means "male" or "man (as opposed to woman)." But as BAGD 67 s.v. 6 says, "equivalent to tiV" someone."
26tn (1:23) Grk "the face of his beginning [or origin]."
27tn (1:24) Grk "and he has gone out and immediately has forgotten."
28tn (1:25) Grk "continues."
29tn (1:25) Grk "this one."
30tn (1:25) Grk "in his doing."
31tn (1:27) Or "in the sight of"; Grk "with."
32tn (1:27) Grk "the God and Father."
1tn (2:1) Grk "brothers." See note on the phrase "brothers and sisters" in 1:2.
2tn (2:1) Or "partiality."
3tn (2:1) Grk "do not have faith with personal prejudice," with emphasis on the last phrase.
4tn (2:1) Grk "our Lord Jesus Christ of glory." Here dovxh" (doxhs) has been translated as an attributive genitive.
5tn (2:2) The word for "man" or "individual" here is ajnhvr (anhr), which often means "male" or "man (as opposed to woman)." But as BAGD 67 s.v. 6 says, "equivalent to tiV" someone."
6tn (2:2) Grk "synagogue." Usually sunagwghv refers to Jewish places of worship (e.g., Mt 4:23, Mk 1:21, Lk 4:15, Jn 6:59). The word can be used generally to refer to a place of assembly, and here it refers specifically to a Christian assembly (BAGD 783 s.v. 2.b.).
7tn (2:3) Grk "and you pay attention...and say," continuing the "if" clauses from v. 2. In the Greek text, vv. 2-4 form one long sentence.
8tn (2:3) Or "sit here, please."
9tn (2:3) Grk "under my footstool."
10tn (2:4) Grk "have you not made distinctions" (as the conclusion to the series of "if" clauses in vv. 2-3).
11tn (2:4) Grk "judges of evil reasonings."
12tn (2:5) Grk "brothers." See note on the phrase "brothers and sisters" in 1:2.
13tn (2:6) This is singular: "the poor person," perhaps referring to the hypothetical one described in vv. 2-3.
14tn (2:7) Grk "that was invoked over you," referring to their baptism in which they confessed their faith in Christ and were pronounced to be his own. To have the Lord's name "named over them" is OT imagery for the Lord's ownership of his people (cf. 2 Chr 7:14; Amos 9:12; Isa 63:19; Jer 14:9; 15:16; Dan 9:19; Acts 15:17).
15tn (2:8) Grk "according to the scripture."
16sn (2:8) A quotation from Lev 19:18 (also quoted in Matt 19:19; 22:39; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27; Rom 13:9; Gal 5:14).
17tn (2:9) Or "transgressors."
18tn (2:10) Or "stumbles."
19tn (2:10) Grk "guilty of all."
20sn (2:11) A quotation from Exod 20:14 and Deut 5:18.
21sn (2:11) A quotation from Exod 20:13 and Deut 5:17.
22tn (2:12) Grk "a law of freedom."
23tn (2:13) Grk "boasts against, exults over," in victory.
24tn (2:14) Grk "brothers." See note on the phrase "brothers and sisters" in 1:2.
25tn (2:14) Grk "the faith," referring to the kind of faith just described: faith without works.
26sn (2:14) The form of the question in Greek expects a negative answer.
27tn (2:15) It is important to note that the words ajdelfov" (adelfos) and ajdelfhv (adelfh) are both in the Greek text at this point, confirming that the author intended to refer to both men and women. See the note on "someone" in 2:2.
28tn (2:16) Grk "what is necessary for the body."
29tn (2:18) There is considerable doubt about where the words of the "someone" end and where James' reply begins. Some see the quotation running to the end of v. 18; others to the end of v. 19. But most punctuate as shown above. The "someone" is then an objector, and the sense of his words is something like, "Some have faith; others have works; don't expect everyone to have both." James' reply is that faith cannot exist or be seen without works.
30tn (2:18) Or "from."
31tn (2:19) Grk "you do well."
32tn (2:19) Grk "believe and tremble." The words "with fear" are implied.
33tn (2:20) Grk "do you want to know."
34tn (2:20) Grk "O empty man."
35sn (2:23) A quotation from Gen 15:6.
36sn (2:23) An allusion to 2 Chr 20:7; Isa 41:8; 51:2; Dan 3:35 (LXX), in which Abraham is called God's "beloved."
1tn (3:1) Grk "brothers." See note on the phrase "brothers and sisters" in 1:2.
2tn (3:1) Grk "will receive a greater judgment."
3tn (3:2) Or "fail."
4tn (3:2) Or "fail."
5tn (3:2) Grk "in speech."
6tn (3:2) The word for "man" or "individual" is ajnhvr (anhr), which often means "male" or "man (as opposed to woman)." But it sometimes is used generically to mean "anyone," "a person," as here (cf. BAGD 66 s.v. 1, 6).
7tn (3:3) Grk "their entire body."
8tn (3:5) Grk "a small member."
9tn (3:5) Grk "boasts of great things."
10tn (3:5) Grk "Behold."
11tn (3:6) Grk "makes itself," "is made."
12sn (3:6) The word translated hell is "Gehenna" (gevenna, geenna), a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew words ge hinnom ("Valley of Hinnom"). This was the valley along the south side of Jerusalem. In OT times it was used for human sacrifices to the pagan god Molech (cf. Jer 7:31; 19:5-6; 32:35), and it came to be used as a place where human excrement and rubbish were disposed of and burned. In the intertestamental period, it came to be used symbolically as the place of divine punishment (cf. 1 En. 27:2, 90:26; 4 Ezra 7:36).
13tn (3:7) Grk (plurals), "every kind of animals and birds, of reptiles and sea creatures."
14tn (3:7) Grk "the human species."
15tn (3:9) Grk "men"; but here ajnqrwvpou" (anqrwpous) has generic force, referring to both men and women.
16tn (3:10) Grk "brothers." See note on the phrase "brothers and sisters" in 1:2.
17tn (3:12) Grk "brothers." See note on the phrase "brothers and sisters" in 1:2.
18tn (3:13) Grk "who...among you."
19tn (3:13) Grk "works in the gentleness of wisdom."
20tn (3:15) Grk "This."
21tn (3:15) Grk "come down"; "descend."
22tn (3:15) Grk "soulish," which describes life apart from God, characteristic of earthly human life as opposed to what is spiritual. Cf. 1 Cor 2:14; 15:44-46; Jude 19.
23tn (3:17) Or. "willing to yield," "open to persuasion."
24tn (3:17) Grk "fruits." The plural Greek term karpouv" has been translated with the collective singular "fruit."
25tn (3:17) Or "sincere."
26tn (3:18) Grk "the fruit of righteousness," meaning righteous living as a fruit, as the thing produced.
27tn (3:18) Grk "is sown."
28tn (3:18) Or "for," or possibly "by."
1tn (4:1) The word "where" is repeated in Greek for emphasis.
2tn (4:1) Grk "from here."
3tn (4:1) Grk "in your members [i.e., parts of the body]."
4tn (4:4) Grk "is hostility towards God."
5tn (4:5) Grk "vainly says."
6tn (4:5) Grk "he"; the referent (God) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
7tn (4:5) Interpreters debate the referent of the word "spirit" in this verse: (1) The translation takes "spirit" to be the lustful capacity within people that produces a divided mind (1:8, 14) and inward conflicts regarding God (4:1-4). God has allowed it to be in man since the fall, and he provides his grace (v. 6) and the new birth through the gospel message (1:18-25) to counteract its evil effects. (2) On the other hand the word "spirit" may be taken positively as the Holy Spirit and the sense would be, "God yearns jealously for the Spirit he caused to live within us." But the word for "envious" or "jealous" is consistently negative in biblical usage and the context before and after seems to favor the negative interpretation.
sn (4:5) No OT verse is worded exactly this way. This is either a statement about the general teaching of scripture or a quotation from an ancient translation of the Hebrew text that no longer exists today.
8sn (4:6) A quotation from Prov 3:34.
9tn (4:8) Or "two-minded" (the same description used in 1:8).
10tn (4:9) This term and the following one are preceded by kaiv (kai) in the Greek text, but contemporary English generally uses connectives only between the last two items in such a series.
11tn (4:9) Grk "let your laughter be turned."
12tn (4:11) Grk "brothers." See note on the phrase "brothers and sisters" in 1:2.
13tn (4:11) See note on the word "believer" in 1:9.
14tn (4:11) Grk "a judge."
15tn (4:12) Grk "who judges your neighbor."
16tn (4:13) Or "city."
17tn (4:14) Grk "who" (continuing the description of the people of v. 13). Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
18tn (4:14) Or "you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow."
19tn (4:14) Or "a vapor." The Greek word ajtmiv" (atmis) denotes a swirl of smoke arising from a fire (cf. Gen 19:28; Lev 16:13; Joel 2:30 [Acts 2:19]; Ezek 8:11).
20tn (4:15) Grk "instead of your saying."
21tn (4:16) Grk "but now."
22tn (4:17) Or "knows how to do what is good."
23tn (4:17) Grk "to him it is sin."
1tn (5:1) Or "wail"; Grk "crying aloud."
2tn (5:3) Or "hoarded up treasure for the last days"; Grk "in the last days."
3sn (5:5) James' point seems to be that instead of seeking deliverance from condemnation, they have defied God's law (fattened your hearts) and made themselves more likely objects of his judgment (in a day of slaughter).
4tn (5:6) Literally a series of verbs without connectives, "you have condemned, you have murdered...he does not resist."
5tn (5:7) Grk "brothers"; this phrase occurs again three times in the paragraph. See note on the phrase "brothers and sisters" in 1:2.
6tn (5:7) Grk "Behold! The farmer waits."
7tn (5:7) Grk "being patient."
8tn (5:9) Grk "brothers." See note on the phrase "brothers and sisters" in 1:2.
9sn (5:9) The term gates is used metaphorically here. The physical referent would be the entrances to the city, but the author uses the term to emphasize the imminence of the judge's approach.
10tn (5:10) Grk "brothers." See note on the phrase "brothers and sisters" in 1:2.
11tn (5:11) Grk "Behold! We regard..."
12sn (5:11) An allusion to Exod 34:6; Neh 9:17; Ps 86:15; 102:13; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2.
13tn (5:12) Grk "brothers." See note on the phrase "brothers and sisters" in 1:2.
14tn (5:14) Grk "anointing."
15tn (5:15) Grk "it will be forgiven him."
16tn (5:16) Or "the fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful"; Grk "is very powerful in its working."
17tn (5:17) Grk "he prayed with prayer" (using a Hebrew idiom to show intensity).
18tn (5:18) Here kaiv (kai) has been translated as "then" to indicate the implied sequence of events.
19tn (5:19) Grk "brothers." See note on the phrase "brothers and sisters" in 1:2.
20tn (5:20) Grk "from the error of his way" (using the same root as the verb "to wander, to err" in the first part of the verse).
21tn (5:20) Grk "his soul"; the referent (the sinner mentioned at the beginning of the verse) has been specified in the translation for clarity.