James Verse by Verse (Osborne New Testament Commentaries)
James Verse by Verse
James's letter is famous for its practical wisdom and its heart for gospel transformation reflected in action.
James is like Proverbs in the New Testament—but written as a letter, reflecting the New Covenant of Christ. It advises believers facing cultural challenges in the diaspora how to approach practical issues like trials and suffering, the proper use of the tongue, and poverty and wealth from a worldview shaped by Christ. Stated simply, it teaches believers about living life in God’s world by God’s rules.
In James Verse by Verse, the late Grant R. Osborne invites readers to delve into this uniquely structured, immensely practical book. James is all about what early Christians called “the Way” and, as such, holds a unique place in the New Testament. This commentary will help modern readers embrace James as a distinctively Christian letter, full of wisdom for everyday life.
The Osborne New Testament Commentaries
Lexham Press is proud to announce a New Testament commentary series from respected biblical scholar Grant R. Osborne. His seminal work, The Hermeneutical Spiral, has become a standard for biblical interpretation, and as a culmination of his life’s ministry, he's bringing his academic acumen to an accessible, application-focused commentary.
The Osborne New Testament Commentaries interpret Scripture verse by verse, bridging the gap between scholarship and the Church. This set of commentaries is for people seeking a straightforward explanation of the text in its context, avoiding either oversimplification or technical complexity. Osborne brings out the riches of the New Testament, making each book accessible for pastors and all who consider themselves students of Scripture.
Learn more about the other titles in this series.
Praise for the Osborne New Testament Commentaries
With this new series, readers will have before them what we—his students—experienced in all of Professor Osborne's classes: patient regard for every word in the text, exegetical finesse, a preference for an eclectic resolution to the options facing the interpreter, a sensitivity to theological questions, and most of all a reverence for God's word.
—Scot McKnight, Julius R. Mantey Professor in New Testament, Northern Seminary
The Osborne New Testament Commentaries draw from the deep well of a lifetime of serious study and teaching. They present significant interpretive insights in a highly accessible, spiritually nurturing format. This is a tremendous resource that will serve a new generation of Bible readers well for years to come. Highly recommended!
—Andreas J. Kӧstenberger, Founder of Biblical Foundations™, senior research professor of New Testament & biblical theology, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Top Highlights
“James is telling us to open ourselves to the internal spiritual power of the Word in us, listen carefully to its truths, come to understand their meaning and message, and live out their principles in our daily life. This is another of those wonderful passages on the value of deep Bible study.” (Page 52)
“Favoritism of any kind—social (as here), racial, or simply on the basis of externals (looks, athletics, intellect, and so on)—is worldly and the product of sin in the world. Certainly our society has proved beyond all doubt the utter devastation caused by human prejudice.” (Page 67)
“In Hellenism the idea of ‘friendship’ connoted a very serious relationship with political and social allegiance and a harmony of outlook, sharing the same standards and seeking the same pleasures.” (Pages 123–124)
“The sin is not in the planning or even in the desire for profit but in the boastful, self-engrossed attitude. The self is the total focus and God a forgotten footnote in their lives.” (Page 137)
“Literally, ‘good life’ is ‘good conduct,’ meaning that the good works are not occasional acts but become a lifestyle of goodness that defines everything you do.” (Pages 112–113)
Contents
- Introduction to James
- Testing and Temptation
- Hearing and Doing the Word
- The Sin of Favoritism in the Assembly
- Faith Accompanied by Works
- The Danger of the Tongue
- Wisdom from God in the Midst of Conflict
- Warning to the Worldly and the Wise
- Concluding Exhortations
Product Details
- Title: James Verse by Verse
- Author: Grant R. Osborne
- Publisher: Lexham Press
- Publication Date: 2019
- Page Count: 296
- Format: Logos Digital, Paperback
- Trim Size: 8.5x5.5
- ISBN: 9781683592938
About Grant R. Osborne
Grant R. Osborne is professor emeritus of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is the author of numerous books, including The Hermeneutical Spiral: A Comprehensive Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, and commentaries on Revelation (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament), Romans (IVP New Testament Commentary), Matthew (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament), and John, James, 1-2 Peter, and Jude (Cornerstone Biblical Commentary). He has also taught at Winnipeg Theological Seminary and the University of Aberdeen, and has pastored churches in Ohio and Illinois.
Sample Pages from James Verse by Verse
Reviews
3 ratings
Ronald L. Bass
5/30/2021
Glenn Crouch
8/19/2020
This was the first commentary by Osborne that I have read, and I must say that I like his approach. This is a good introductory commentary that is easy to read, and well laid out. It is not a scholarly commentary, nor is it too concerned with the underlying Greek - however it is good for devotional reading, bible studies and the like - and to get you into the Epistle of James! I like that the Author takes an early approach to the writing of James, and I like how he frequently indicates how James is using Jesus’ teaching - and does note how similar it is to what we have in Matthew (especially the Sermon on the Mount). It is well indexed and includes a useful Bibliography and a Glossary (which is nice to see!).
Debra W Bouey
8/7/2019
