(supplanter)
Probably James, “son of Alphaeus,” one of the twelve and “a pillar” in the church at Jerusalem, wrote this final word to Israel. He exhorts the believing remnant, who were in the midst of many mere professors, to consistency of life. He insists upon works as the evidence before men (chapter 2), whereas Paul refuses works as the means before God (Rom. 3:2828Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. (Romans 3:28)). The law of Moses (2:10), “the law of liberty” (1:25; 2:12) is obedience of the new man (1:18 with Psa. 40:88I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. (Psalm 40:8)), and “the royal law” (2:8). He warns the unruly tongue, friendship with the world, the rich in this world, but comforts the tried with the hope of the soon coming of the Lord. It is regarded as the earliest Christian epistle, when both the “Synagogue” (2:2) and the “church” (5: 14) were not yet separated.
Written very likely about A.D. 41-45.