Did Luther Correctly Read the Epistle of James?
By Jonathan Mitchell
Does Modern Christianity Still Incorrectly Read It?
"Martin Luther's stance on James is clearly seen in his prefaces to the NT books from his German translation of the Bible, first published in 1522. Luther dubbed James an "epistle of straw" not in his preface to James but originally in his more general preface to the NT." (thegospelcoalition.org)
First of all, this letter was obviously written to those who were already followers of Christ, who modern Christianity would call "believers." So this writing should be understood as being in the same vein as we read Paul's "imperatives" to the called-out, covenant communities.
Following J.A.T. Robinson, the date given for Jacob (incorrectly known as James; Greek: Iakobos) writing this is circa AD 47-48. Just as Peter knew Paul's teachings, we surmise that so did Jacob. As with 1 Peter, Jacob makes reference to the older folks of the covenant communities (in 5:14), and speaks of teachers/instructors in 3:1. These were the leaders within each group. 2:2 speaks of their meeting together as either a "gathering" or in a synagogue (places where early believers may have continued meeting; Greek: sunagoge),and with the Jewish character of the letter it has been suggested that it was at the time and/or situation where the followers of Christ were still predominantly Jewish. One can easily see the continuity, and yet progression, from the old covenant to the new, in this transition period. As with other NT writers, Jacob addresses tests and trials in the first part of ch. 1, then from vs. 19 through vs. 27 speaks to how folks should live in covenant life.
There is a discussion, in chapter 2, about works, deeds and actions within community life, chiding those who show preference to rich people, while at the same time showing disregard for the poor (cf Paul, in 1 Cor. 5 through 11). But in Jas. 2 we also find the "royal law of Love," and vs. 12 says,
"Thus keep on speaking and thus keep on doing (performing): as those being continuously about to be separated and decided about (evaluated; judged; made a distinction between; scrutinized) through means of a law (or: custom; [p74: word; message]) of freedom and liberty" (recall Gal. 5:1).
Verses 17-26, below, show that it is FAITH and TRUST that include a person in covenant membership of the Way pointed out (or, in "justification"), using OT examples. We maintain that Jacob teaches justification by faith, just as Paul did!
In the earliest NT manuscripts that we have, the scribes (those who made copies of earlier manuscripts) did not put punctuation marks into the texts. Therefore, a sentence can be construed as a declarative statement, or as a question. When translating 2:17-26, it seemed more consistent with other NT letters to make some sentences into declarative statements, where common translations render them as questions, and elsewhere, vice versa. So, let us consider these verses from chapter 2:
17. Thus also [is] The Faithfulness (or: trust; conviction; loyalty): if it should not continue to have works (include actions; possess deeds; have employment), by itself it exists being dead (or: is lifeless; = is unresurrected) in correspondence to, and in the sphere of, itself.
An example of this is the seed that does not fall into the ground (be implanted) and die: it abides alone (John 12:24), and will not bring forth life, but in time will die. What is loyalty, if you do not stand by your friend? What is conviction, if it does not empower the decisions of your life? What is trust, if you do not live with complete reliance upon the Father? The Seed of His faith may have been sown in your field, but if He has not yet prepared your soil (through burning off the competing weeds, through plowing up the beaten-down path of your life, through adding soil, or substance, to your rocky terrace) will it produce a crop?
18. In contrast, someone will proceed saying, "You continuously have (hold) faith, and I continuously have (or: possess) works (actions; deeds). You at once show me (exhibit to my eyes) your faith apart from the works or actions, and I, forth from out of the midst of my actions, works and deeds, will continue showing (exhibiting to) you the faith, trust, conviction, loyalty and The Faithfulness."
Observe: in vs. 18, Jacob's rhetorical "straw man" is speaking about "showing" or "exhibiting" one's faith or trust to someone else. Alas, we still find this abominable practice with some, even today. Apparently "some" folks were questioning the validity of certain people being "believers." These folks who made such statements were probably Judaizers, like those who opposed Paul.
It can also be read that Jacob's straw man is making the point for Jacob in this illustration, the point being that it is the works that demonstrate the faith, and without action faith cannot be shown to the outside community and culture. This is not a "faith versus works" position. Either reading gives the same point.
But now, in vs. 19, Jacob confronts this attitude and practice, answering his "straw man":
19. You continuously believe (or: trust; are convinced) that God is One (or: that God exists being One; that One exists being God; or: that there is one God). [Deut. 6:4] You are performing (doing) beautifully (excellently; ideally) - even the demons (Hellenistic concept and term: = animistic influences) continuously believe (or: presently trust; are constantly loyal; are normally convinced [about this]), and constantly shudder (bristle; shiver; are ruffled).
In this last phrase Jacob is either making an ontological statement about "demons," or, he is using sarcasm, referring in a derogatory manner to the Jews who also believe this. Jesus used the term diablos (devil; one who thrusts-through folks) to refer to Judas in John 6:70. He used the term satan when speaking to Peter in Mark 8:33. This phrase could also refer to the superstitious mindsets of folks who have believed Jewish or pagan myths, or have accepted Hellenistic, animistic influences into their thinking. This is an obvious "put-down" of the "straw man."
20. But are you willing to experientially and intimately know and receive insight, O empty person, that the faith, trust and loyalty, apart from the works and actions, exists being inactive (continues unproductive; [p74 reads: empty; without contents; other MSS: is dead])?
The faith and trust that Christ gives to us through giving birth to us (and through His eschatological deliverance) is a living faith/trust that, from the initial implanting of His Seed within us, conceives His Life within us that is expected to sprout, grow and then bear the Fruit of the Spirit. Without the work of the Sap (think "Spirit") of the Vine, the branch will not grow, and will not produce Fruit. Faith that is devoid of the action inherent in His Life will wither, become unproductive, and will die (similar to the Seed sown among the weeds and briars, or to that which was sown into one with a stony heart). Work and action is a necessity to the continuity of life. But keep in mind that Jacob is writing to believers, who have already been eschatologically delivered (justified). Now he presents OT examples...
21. Our father Abraham was NOT placed within the Way pointed out (made fair and equitable; justified; put in right relationship; rightwised; made a just one; also: = placed in covenant) from out of works, when offering up his son Isaac upon the altar!
The works were the outflow of His believing God; He was already in the Way pointed out and pointed in the right direction (which is trust and faith). His works did not put Him there, they demonstrated his faith, as in vs. 18, above. This is affirmed by Paul in Gal. 3:5-6,
"The One, therefore, continuously furnishing and supplying to (or: for; in) you folks the Spirit and constantly and effectively energizing, being active, working and producing abilities and powers within you people - [is its source] from out of works of Law, or out of a hearing of a report of faithfulness,
(or: The one, then, constantly supplying the Breath-effect for you folks, and repeatedly working powers among you - [does he do it] from out of deeds based on [the] Law and of observances of [Torah], or from out of faith's attentive listening or a hearing from trust,) just as Abraham, 'was faithful to God
(or: believed by God; trusts in, and with, God), and he is/was at once logically considered and viewed by Him [that he had come] into a right relationship
(or: and it was counted for him into a rightwised, equitable and covenantal relationship with [God] which aligned with the Way [that God had] pointed out)'?" [Gen. 15:6; cf Rom. 4:3ff]
Consider Heb. 11:
18. toward whom it was spoken that, "In Isaac a seed shall continue being called (or: an offspring shall continue being summoned) for (to; in; by) you," [Gen. 21:12]
19. was logically reasoning and considering (reckoning; figuring; counting on) that God has power and is able to repeatedly arouse even out from among dead folks - whence also, in a parable, he took him back into keeping (or: he recovered him). [cf Gen. 22:5]
Observe that Abraham reasoned in trust and faith, because of God's Word to him, and thus he ACTED.
22. Are you normally seeing that the faith, trust and loyalty continued to synergistically work together with his actions and works, and forth from out of the actions (or: works), faith (trust, loyalty and conviction) was brought to its goal (was perfected; was matured; was finished)?
Works, i.e., living a life of doing mercy and producing love (and all of the Fruit of the Spirit), is the goal of faith, and is the finished demonstration that faith exists in the person. A changed life is evidence that the new birth has occurred. We do not produce a new birth by actions (such as just changing our behavior, as it under the Law). Birth comes first. And vs. 22 explains that this existing faith, trust and loyalty "CONTINUED to synergistically work together with his actions." Faith produced the actions, then worked with the actions, and so, out of the faith-produced actions, faith (the Seed) was brought to its purpose, its goal, and its intended end (the Body of the Plant became an accomplished production). Paul put it this way, in Gal. 5:6b,
"faithfulness (or: trust; faith; loyalty): of itself continuously working effectively (operating; being inwardly active and productive) through Love ("[God's] acceptance of the object of love without restriction, in spite of the estranged, profanized and demonized state of the object; the whole being's drive and movement toward reunion with another, to overcome existential separation" - Paul Tillich, on agape; or: [God's] fully giving of Himself to [us] - Richard Rohr; brackets added; cf John 3:16; 1 Cor. 13:4-8).
The goal is having Christ formed within so that we - joined with Him - become the New Being, the new creation in Christ, the
"purposed and destined adult man (complete, finished, full-grown, perfect, goal-attained, mature manhood) - into (or: unto) [the] measure of [the] stature (full age; prime of life) of the entire content which comprises the Anointed One" (Eph. 4:13b).
23. And thus the Scripture was made full, the one saying,"Now Abraham believed (or: put trust and confidence) in God (or: became persuaded by God; adhered to God), and he was counted into the Way pointed out by Him (or: he was considered rightwised by Him; he was reckoned fair, equitable and just in Him; alternately: so it was counted into right relation [= covenant inclusion] for him)," [Ex. 15:6] and later, he was called "God's friend." [Isa. 41:8]
This verse affirms the declarative nature of vs. 21, above, and in my view gives witness to my renderings.
24. Are you folks normally observing (or: perceiving) that humanity (or: a person) is normally being eschatologically delivered and rightwised (from time to time being placed in right relationship in the Way pointed out; progressively made fair and equitable; normally justified; = put in covenant) forth from out of the midst of actions and works, and not only from out of faith and trust?
Here, rendering vs. 24 as a question flows with the declaration in vs. 25. We are told in Heb. 10:1 that the Law
"is not even once able (or: never has power) at any point to perfect (bring to the goal, finish, complete or mature) those folks repeatedly coming near (approaching) by offering the same sacrifices every year, on into the whole length (or: extended or stretched into the unbroken continuance) [of its existence]."
The Law is the epitome of "actions and works." So here, we suggest that this be read as a rhetorical question, with the expected audience answer, "NO!"
25. Now in this same vein, even Rahab the prostitute, taking under [her roof] and welcoming the agents (messengers), and then later exiting them by a different way, was not rightwised (placed in right relationship in the Way pointed out; made fair and equitable; justified; or: shown to be righteous; also: = brought into covenant) forth from out of works!
Notice the opening phrase: "Now in this same vein." Jacob is referring back to his argument based upon vs. 23, and the example of Abraham. And thus...
We read, in Heb. 11:31,
"In faith, by confidence, with trust and for loyal allegiance, Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed or lost with those being unpersuaded (or: incompliant; [p46 reads: those not having faith, trust or loyalty]), having welcomingly received and embraced the scouts (or: spies) with peace." [Josh. 2:9-21]
You see, she had believed the word that she had heard about Israel's God. She said to the spies
"I know that Yahweh has given you the land... For we heard how Yahweh dried up the waters of the Red Sea..." (Joshua 2:9, 10).
That faith is contrasted to the others in Jericho who remained "unpersuaded." The word that she heard imparted faith into her, and thus she acted.
26. You see, just as the body apart from a breath-effect (or: spirit) is lifeless (dead), thus also the faith and trust apart from actions and works [i.e., the living it out] is (exists being) lifeless (dead).
The subject here is faith and trust, not works. Faith and trust are kept alive and productive by action, just like breathing keeps the body alive. Faith, like the seed sitting alone on a shelf, can abide alone and eventually die. But in the planting of faith (which is in the Seed, the Word - Rom. 10:8, 17) by the Spirit, a plant is brought to birth. The work of planting did not produce the seed or the plant, but the work of planting was necessary to bring the seed to its goal: a new plant. You see, the plant came from the seed. Dig all you want to, if there is no seed there will be no plant. But later, we do become co-laborers with Christ (Who is the Seed; the Faith): we go out and sow the Seed in the world (1 Cor. 3:7-9), sowing the Word within which is the Faith.
Consider what Jesus said, about the need to abide in the Vine in order to produce His Fruit (Jn. 15:4-6, where we understand that He was speaking about discipleship and cleansing - vss. 2-3). We observe a deeper relationship between Jesus and His disciples, in Jn. 15:14-15,
"You folks are (exist continuously being) My friends! So if you can - or would - [simply] keep on doing (or: be habitually producing) whatever I, Myself, am constantly imparting as the goal in you (or: repeatedly giving as inner direction to you; progressively implanting as the goal and end for you; now implanting as the interior aim, purpose and destiny by you)! I am no longer calling (or: terming) you people slaves... Yet now I have declared you folks friends, because I make intimately and experientially known to you everything (or: all things) which I heard and hear at My Father's side and in His presence."Jacob is calling these scattered folks (out among the Jewish dispersion; Jas. 1:1), as Paul would say, to
"be habitually walking about (= living your life) in spirit (or: by [the] Spirit; with a Breath-effect)," Gal. 5:16,
and to go on to maturity (as in 1 Cor. 3:1-3, but he desired to speak with them as in 2:6-16). It is stated more specifically in Heb. 5:12-6:3,
"For also, being indebted (or: obligated) to be teachers, because of the time [gone by], you again have a need of someone to be teaching you folks the elementary things (or: fundamental principles; rudiments and rules) of the beginning of the brief spoken words (or: which are the principle of the short thoughts; concerning the Beginning, from the little messages) of and from God, and so you have become folks having need of milk, and not solid food. For everyone partaking (sharing in) milk [is] untried (inexperienced) pertaining to [the] Word of the Way pointed out (from the message of fair and equitable dealing or an idea about rightwised relationships; also: = in regard to the idea of, and the reason derived from, covenant membership), for he is a babe.
(or: when facing the act of separating, making a distinction and then a decision about) both good and evil (both that which is excellent, ideal, of good quality, profitable and beautiful, as well as that which is of bad quality, worthless, ugly or of bad form; or: = between right and wrong), through which [practice and exercise]
(or: On account of which), in at some point leaving behind the word from the beginning, in regard to the Christ (or: the message pertaining to the origin of the Christ; or: the primary thought about the Anointed One [= the Messiah]) we can be continuously and progressively brought upon (or: carried on [to]) the realization of the end in view
(or: the accomplished goal of maturity; completion of the destined, finished product), not again repeatedly conceiving
(or: laying; casting down; putting down) a foundation which involves a change of mind with a turning away from dead works
(or: observances), and of faith and trust upon God; of teachings of immersions (baptisms), besides a placing-on of hands; and then of resurrection of dead ones - as well as of the results of an eonian decision
(or: the effects of an unspecified separation, or a judgment which pertains to and has the quality of an age)! And this we shall progressively do! - if it be that God would proceed turning upon [it]."
So we suggest that the letter of Jacob (aka James) be read through the lens of Paul's Gospel, of which Jacob knew (long before either of them wrote letters), and which had been spread abroad. We conclude that Luther was wrong, probably due to having only later MSS (with punctuation added), as is the case with the KJV. Let us end with Jas. 3:
18. Now the fruit of eschatological deliverance (or: fair and equitable dealings which bring justice and right relationship in accord with the Way pointed out; the condition of being rightwised, or turned in the right direction, with covenant participation; justification) is continuously being sown in Peace and harmonious Joining by, for and among those habitually performing (making; doing; producing; creating; building; forming) peace and harmonious joining. [comment: this is the fruit of the Spirit, or, from the Tree of Life]
Jacob taught justification (eschatological deliverance; a rightwising into the WAY pointed out) as producing FRUIT (a way of living in Christ's Peace and Joining, as the Vine produced the Fruit of the Spirit) that was then sown by folks who were
"habitually performing (making; doing; producing; creating; building; forming) peace and harmonious joining."
Jonathan
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