The Epistle of James: Proven Character Through Testing (The Grace New Testament Commentary Series)

Hodges' work on the Epistle of James might be the best work from a commentary in recent memory. This is stated because it is so profoundly clear from the text that the issue here is about 'works', not 'real/true faith'. Clearly the central issue in James is about perseverance, maturity, growth in the Christian Life, all to receive the 'approval of God' (Jas. 1:12). The usual difficulty with James is that the key terms from the Epistle, "Dead", "Saved", "Soul/Life [sozo]", even "righteousness", is all forced, against the thought of James, into fitting into faith for Justification and to explain faith. The whole reason for this tension is that as Evangelical Protestants we all must believe that it is 'faith alone' that justifies the ungodly. Well, thats not James' point in the epistle - not at all! The usual protestant approach is to try to fit every scriptural context having to do with 'salvation' to faith alone related to justification. So essentially, every commentary/sermon on James normally deals with explaining how 'real/true' faith has works to prove a living faith that saves. Instead of reading James 1, then letting that set the context, we read Jas. 2:14-26, let that set the context, and completely remove the thought of James from its original intent. The context is so clearly set by the first chapter, its incredible how little is understood by the church today with the epistle of James. Hodges treats James 2 masterfully; to be honest, he sets the text free from the common quagmire (to use his own terminology) that runs so rampant in current evangelical interpretations today. The immediate context for 2:14-26 is not "real faith works", but James 2:12-13, within the larger context of James 1:18-21. It is so clear, yet made so by a man who clearly follows the Lord ever closely that he should handle the Word of Truth so well. His understanding of Jas. 2:14-26 truly sets a believer free. An active faith is needed for a life to be profitable to Christ's Church and to others. True religion is a life that serves others, widows, orphans, and those in need. The emphases in Jas. 2:14-26 is helping those in need materially and spiritually, and being completely obedient to God in the process. By being obedient, the believer is freed from 'present judgment/discipline' and given a better 'judgment at the BEMA/rewarding stand'. The whole focus is on not simply giving 'lip-service' to those around them (exactly the thought in 1 Jn. 3:16-18). True works, brought to pass by a work-doer mentality (Jas. 1:22-26), coupled with a living and active faith in God, purifies dross from faith, brings maturity to faith, and profits the entire body of Christ. This is true works according to God (Titus 3:8). Before I conclude, I want to add one last thought. It is also important to understand the ideas of 'approval/fulfilled' from Jas. 1:12 and Jas. 2:23. The purpose of our salvation is to now 'live unto God'. When we are maturing, by being active in our faith, li

The author refreshingly bases his conclusions on the original Greek. What else is there? And, the results are amazing. In order to bring some of us up to speed, the issue at hand is "do Carnal Christians exist?" Can people be saved and be backslidden? Can Christians sin for long periods of time? Most accepted theology today states that Carnal Christians are not going to Heaven. On one side of the evangelical spectrum, the Carnal Christian once had salvation but lost it when he walked away from God (Arminius). On the other side of the spectrum, the Carnal Christian was deceived and never really had salvation in the first place (Calvin). What both spectrums have in common is that there is no such thing as a Carnal Christian. If you don't consistently perform, you are going to Hell. Hodges has written the most correct exegesis of James that I have yet to read. His resulting doctrine is one where Carnal Christians do exist and are in a frightening position of receiving possible Divine judgment (Faith alone cannot save from that Divine Judgment, it requires faith and works). No matter where you stand on the Master's College/Lordship Salvation/Grace Evangelical Society controversy, this is a must read. A previous poster from Santa Clarita, Ca stated that the conclusions made in this book are "probably" all wrong because they do not agree with accepted theology. I say, read this book and see if accepted theology might need a small tweak towards the "Grace" position. Every point is extensively documented and well-rooted in the Greek. In fact, the book is documented well-enough to tower over evangelical tradition. Or, are we evangelicals learning a lesson from Rome and valuing doctrinal tradition over exegesis? Beware though, when my wife and I first read his chapter on James 2, we threw the book across the room and shouted "Heresy!" But, like most material from Zane Hodges, the more you study, the more you wrestle with Scripture, the more you fight to the top of the mountain of Biblical understanding, when you finally see a glimpse of the peak, you see that Hodges has been up there waiting for you this whole time.

For many years, the traditional interpretations of James left me unconvinced and led to more questions than answers. The relation between faith and works has typically received strained and nebulous explanations. The tiny New Testament epistle of James was the centerpiece for most of this confusion.Hodges masterfully clears away many incorrect presuppositions concerning James, and verse-by-verse, introduces us to a clear understanding of the faith-works relationship. The conclusions Hodges draws out of this epistle seem so obvious and clear (this is Zane's gift), yet theological tradition and preconceived ideas prevent us from seeing what it is James wanted us to see. Key to this new understanding are discussions on: 1) two types of justification, 2) a different sense of salvation other than "from hell," 3) the objection to James found in 2:18-20, and 4) that the faith mentioned in James characterizes the stage of Christian experience AFTER regeneration. Needless to say, these are merely the confused passages of James. But Hodges goes on to draw out the many other gems contained in this epistle with the same exegetical skill and simplicity. The only point on which I might disagree is his position concerning textual material. Hodges prefers the Majority Text in the few places where textual criticism is discussed. But this really does not affect the understanding of James which he presents to us. A truly valuable work for New Testament and theological studies.

This book is one of my favorites out of all my commentary collection. James is one of the primary books on faith and I feel that with this commentary you are able to grasp the full meaning and power that faith plays in a Christians walk.

Luther called the Epistle of James "a right strawy epistle." He wished to remove it from the canon of Scripture. Hodges shows that James does not contradict Paul or any other biblical author. Rightly understood James is not dealing with justification before God, but rather with justification before men. I highly recommend this book. It is outstanding. Anyone who is interested in the Book of James should own this commentary.