James was a man whom the Jerusalem church, a thoroughgoing Jewish church, much loved and honored. James modified his views on issues of circumcision, Sabbath keeping, and eating only ritually clean food as a concession to Paul's impassioned convictions. An all-out fight could have wrecked the church, that these two strong men avoided it is remarkable. James could not resist reminding Paul of the "many thousands of Jews...which believe; and they are all zealous of the law" (Acts 21:20). Nor could he resist prodding Paul to affirm his own Jewishness. Rather than fight, Paul gave in, with disastrous results.

But James wrote this letter long before these events took place. All the great truths of the faith, so common in Paul's letters, are missing from James' epistle. James had not as yet grasped the fact that Christianity had ushered in a new dispensation and that the rending of the temple veil had to rendered Judaism obsolete.

Join John Phillips in exploring this epistle of James, the first New Testament document.

The John Phillips Commentary Series is designed to provide pastors, Sunday school teachers, and students of the Scripture with doctrinally sound interpretation that emphasizes the practical application of Bible truth. Working from the familiar King James Version, Dr. Phillips not only provides helpful commentary on the text, but also includes detailed outlines and numerous illustrations and quotations. Anyone wanting to explore the meaning of God's Word in greater depth - for personal spiritual growth or as a resource for preaching and teaching - will welcome the guidance and insights of this respected series.

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John Phillips (1927-2010) served as assistant director of the Moody Correspondence School as well as director of the Emmaus Correspondence School, one of the world's largest Bible correspondence ministries. He also taught in the Moody Evening School and on the Moody Broadcasting radio network.