The Epistle of James (New International Greek Testament Com (Eerdmans)) by Peter H. Davids

Author:Peter H. Davids [Davids, Peter H.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Eerdmans Publishing Co - A
Published: 2009-09-29T16:00:00+00:00

See further Burge; Ward, “Works.”

a. Illustration: Poor Christian 2:14-17

(14) The opening sentence introduces the theme of this section and presents the partners in the imaginary dialogue: (1) the author, (2) the Christian readership (ἀδελϕoί µoυ being a now familiar mode of address at the beginning of a new section of argument), and (3) τς, an imaginary member of the community who embodies the attitude James wishes to combat (this “straw man” stylistic device is widely found in Greek literature ; cf. Mussner, 130). The theme under discussion is that of a faith which does not produce works. The examples in 2:15-16 and 2:21ff. will show that the works being considered are not those of the ritual law, which were the works Paul opposed, but the merciful deeds of charity that 2:13 has already suggested (cf. van Unnik, 984ff.).

T( τò ὸϕελoς is a regularly occurring phrase in such a dialogical style (1 Cor. 15:32; Sir. 20:30; 41:14; Philo Post. C. 86: τί γὰρ ὄὄϕελoς λέγεν µὲν τἀ βέλτστα, δανoείσθα δὲ αί πράττεν τὰ αίσχστα; Epict. 1.4.16; 1.6.33; 3.7.30; 3.24.51; cf. Marty, 91, who notes that all the citations except 1 Cor. 15:32 lack the article, as does the text in B C 99, and suggests the text here is an assimilation to 1 Corinthians; yet haplography plus assimilation to the common idiom better explains the article’s absence in the minority manuscripts), always expecting a negative answer: it is no use at all. In a Christian context such as this, however, the “use” takes on serious consequences, for it is salvation which is at stake. What James is asking is whether a certain faith will help one in the final judgment (the ρίσς of 2:13). The implied “no” fits with the “no” expected in the final clause of this passage: “can such a faith [i.e. a faith lacking works] save him?” The eschatological ring of such a question is unmistakable (cf. 4:12; 1:21; 5:20 and W. Foerster, TDNT VII, 990-998, especially 996).

That which will be useless in the final judgment is a faith lacking works. The hypothetical situation introduced by ἐάν is described as a person “claiming to have faith.” And a claim it is, for whatever the content of the faith in terms of orthodox belief, pious expressions, prayers, etc., it appears only in the person’s verbalizations (and ritual actions) but not in such deeds as would prove the reality of an eschatological hope. The emptiness of such profession is not new in the NT. One has only to scan the prophets to discover a condemnation of ritual piety without practical justice for the poor (cf. Miranda, 111-160). John the Baptist is also reported as demanding deeds be added to faith (Lk. 3:7-14), and Jesus warned that it would not do to enter the last judgment merely verbalizing his lordship (Mt. 7:15-27; cf. 5:16). Paul also reiterates this theme (Rom. 1:5; 2:6-8; 6:17-18; 1 Cor. 13:2; 15:58; 2 Cor. 10:5-6; Gal. 6:4-6). James has already mentioned this theme in 1:22-27; here he underlines it.

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