REC: James

The book of James is both beloved for its practical wisdom and debated as to its relationship to Paul’s gospel. It offers concrete counsel on trials, poverty and riches, favoritism, social justice, the tongue, worldliness, boasting, planning, prayer, illness, and more. But in doing so, it exposes our inability to measure up to God’s standard.

Daniel Doriani, a pastor and scholar recognized for his works on biblical interpretation and application, resolves the tension between the wide-ranging practical commands of James and the centrality of faith in the Christian life. While James may not articulate the doctrine of atonement through the death and resurrection of Jesus, James does present Christ in his own way. Here Doriani shows us how. He thus helps us to apply the wisdom of James in a way that is rooted in grace.

As part of the Reformed Expository Commentary series, this commentary is written for both pastors and lay teachers. Each volume in the series provides exposition that gives careful attention to the biblical text, is doctrinally Reformed, focuses on Christ through the lens of redemptive history, and applies the Bible to our contemporary setting.

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction to James (1:1)
2. The Trials of Life (1:2-12)
3. Blessed Endurance (1:19-25)
4. Hearing to Obey (1:19-25)
5. The Tests of True Religion (1:26-2:7)
6. All or Nothing (2:8-13)
7. Faith That Works (2:14-19)
8. Justified by a Faith That Works (2:20-26)
9. Who Can Tame the Tongue? (3:1-12)
10. Two Kinds of Wisdom (3:13-18)
11. The Gospel According to James (4:5-10)
12. Grace for the Humble (4:5-10)
13. Pride and Humility (4:11-17)
14. Woe to the Rich (5:1-6)
15. Patient Endurance
16. Note on James 5:12
17. The Quest for Healing (5:13-20)

Author

Daniel M. Doriani is vice president of strategic academic projects and professor of theology at Covenant Theological Seminary. Previously he was senior pastor of Central Presbyterian Church in Clayton, Missouri.