Jensens survey of the old testament adam 571
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ethical (Christian behavior)
Jude and 2 Peter — eschatological
(doctrine of last events)
Epistles of John — Christological and
ethical
It is interesting to observe that James, the
rst author of the New Testament, and John,
the last author, both write with a note of
authority, emphasizing conduct acceptable
to God.
G. STYLE
The book of James is a letter, as its
salutation indicates, but its style is more like
that of a preacher’s sermon, or an Old
Testament prophet’s appeal. James writes in
simple, straightforward sentences. Like Old
Testament writings and Jesus’ discourses,
there are no abstractions, and picture
language abounds. Most of the sixty-three
Greek words unique to James’s letter are
picture words, such as poison, fade. The
epistle bristles with strong, pointed truths,
from the rst word to the last. Hayes says of
James, “He has the dramatic instinct. He has
the secret of sustained interest. … He is an
artist.”13
H. TONE
A tone of authority pervades the epistle.
(There are fty-four imperatives in the one
hundred eight verses.) For this, James has
been called ‘The Amos of the New
Testament.” But James’s forth-rightness and
severity are blended with warmth and love,
evidenced by the repeated words “brethren”
and “beloved brethren.” Read 1:5, 17; 2:5;
4:6 and 5:11, 19, 20 for some of the more
tender sentences of the epistle.
I. PLACE IN THE CANON
Questions over authorship and doctrine
delayed general recognition of this book’s
divine inspiration, but by the end of the
fourth century the epistle of James was
firmly fixed in the canon of Holy Scripture.
III. SURVEY
As you make your own survey of James,
keep from getting involved in details, which
is the task of analysis. Look especially for
main emphases and broad movements.
A. FIRST READING
Scan the book in one sitting, reading
aloud if possible. You may choose to do this
rst in a modern paraphrase and then in the
version of your study. What are your rst
impressions of the book? What things stand
out? Do you sense a tone or atmosphere in
the writing? Do any key words and phrases
draw attention to themselves?
B. SUBSEQUENT READINGS
1. Scan the book again, underlining every
appearance of the address “my brethren” (or
related phrases). How often is this repeated?
Is there any pattern concerning where the
phrase appears? What does this brief study
tell you about the epistle?
2. Compare the opening verses (e.g., 1:14) with the closing verses (e.g., 5:19-20).
3. With a pencil, mark paragraph divisions
in your Bible at these places: 1:1, 2, 5, 9, 13,
