The letter of James has a clear and compelling message: faith in Jesus Christ must make a difference in how we live. James calls individual believers and the church to live with integrity, to be "whole" people and not "double-minded." What we believe and know must be reflected in what we say and do. Although intensely practical, the letter is not merely a checklist of rules to follow to be "good people." Rather, it is profoundly rooted in a theology of God's grace, goodness, and generosity and in the good news that God has birthed us by the word of truth, making us new creatures.

Although the letter of James mentions Jesus infrequently, it is thoroughly soaked in the teachings of Jesus, particularly the Sermon on the Mount. At the heart of those teachings is the admonition to "love your neighbor as yourself." For James, such love is demonstrated in speaking truthfully and kindly, caring for the vulnerable, sharing generously with those in need, not privileging those with status and money, praying for and forgiving each other, and being patient in times of trial—to name only a few.

The 38th volume in the Believers Church Bible Commentary series works at interpreting the letter of James with a view to how its original Jewish Christian readers would have heard it and how it continues to have resonance today. Scholar Sheila Klassen-Wiebe is attentive both to detailed exegetical issues and to how teachings fit into the larger context of the letter and the biblical story. Although the letter is sometimes perceived as disjointed bits of advice, this commentary argues that James has a coherent message intended to prod the church toward greater faithfulness and to encourage people to follow Jesus in all of life.

About the Believers Church Bible Commentary series

This readable commentary series is for all who seek more fully to understand the original message of Scripture and its meaning for today—Sunday school teachers, members of Bible study groups, students, pastors, and other seekers.

—From the Series Foreword