Hermeneia: James: A Commentary on the Epistle of James (Herm)
Overview
This commentary, by Martin Dibelius, is a distinguished contribution to New Testament scholarship. James represents a classic position that must be taken into account by all other interpreters.
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- Includes a number of valuable insights
- Presents a detailed and authoritative interpretation
- Provides a fantastic commentary for students, teachers, scholars, and professors
Top Highlights
“Form this shining God nothing evil can come. But they overlook the fact that the discussion is not of the Father of lights, but of the lights themselves, i.e., the heavenly bodies, and also that ‘shadowing’ (ἀποσκίασμα) is mentioned here only as a special instance of ‘change.’” (Page 102)
“There is not the slightest hint in the text of Jas that there were personal or other reasons which forced the author to compose this writing at that particular moment.” (Page 2)
“For this reason, the time of composition for Jas must not be placed too late in the second century. So we are left with the approximate time span A.D. 80–130, which of course could be substantially reduced if it were possible to prove that 1 Clement is dependent upon Jas.” (Pages 45–46)
“Finally, there is one other feature which Jas shares with other paraenetic literature: the admonitions in Jas do not apply to a single audience and a single set of circumstances; it is not possible to construct a single frame into which they will all fit.” (Page 11)
“The frequent use of this favorite device of formal connection is further evidence of the paraenetic character of Jas. I believe that catchword connection can be observed in the following instances:24 1:4* and 5*; 1:12* and 13*; (1:15* and 16–18*?); 1:26* and 27*; 2:12* and 13*; (3:11f* and 13f* ?); 3:17* and 18*; 5:9* and 12*; 5:13ff*, 16ff* and 19f*.” (Page 7)
Martin Dibelius (1883–1947) was professor of New Testament at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, and one of the most important biblical scholars of the twentieth century. Among his many publications in English are From Tradition to Gospel, The Sermon on the Mount, Paul, and The Pastoral Epistles.