THE PROPER VIEW OF THIS PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE

THE PROPER VIEW OF THIS PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE

James 5:13-20

 

 

lb. The provision of the service of anointing and prayer. vs. 13-15

lc. The audience among whom are the sick.  13, 14 "Among you" - 13, 14.

ld. This group is clearly identified as Jews. 1:1

Epistle addressed to the "twelve tribes", and these are among the scattered Jews.

2d. This group is also identified as Christian Jews.
James calls himself a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ (1:1) Then he identifies himself with those to whom he writes (1:18, 2:1; 3:1; 4:5; 5:11). Uses expressions significant only to Christian Jews; he calls them "Brethren" (1:1, 2, 19); says they were born-again (1:18). They have Christ as Lord (2:1); implies they were called Christians (2:7), etc.

3d. This group finally enlarges to include all Christians.
The only believers, almost, by 45 A.D. when this epistle was written, were Jewish believers. Through this group the message goes to Gentile Christians. The proof of this lies in the fact that this epistle was classed by the early church as one of the general epistles.