Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Introduction -- The letter in the church -- Nature and genre -- Author -- The case for James of Jerusalem as the author -- The challenge to the traditional view -- Final assessment -- Occasion and date -- The readers and their situation -- Date -- Context of thought and theology -- Cognitive environment -- James and "theology" -- God -- Eschatology -- The law / the word of God -- Wisdom -- Poverty and wealth -- The Christian life -- Faith, works, and justification -- Structure and theme -- Commentary -- Outline of James -- Commentary on James -- Letter opening : overview of pastoral concerns -- Address and greeting -- The pursuit of spiritual wholeness -- Characteristics of spiritual wholeness -- Letter body : development of pastoral concerns -- Discrimination against the poor and the "royal law -- The faith that saves -- Spiritual wholeness, speech, and community harmony -- Arrogance, the abuse of wealth, and the Christian response -- Letter closing : final pastoral concerns -- Oaths and truthfulness -- Prayer and healing -- A concluding summons to action

"The second edition of a commentary on the letter of James that provides a verse-by-verse exposition of the text and practical insights for applying its meaning in the church today"-- Provided by publisher.