1tn Grk James. The word From is not in the Greek text, but has been supplied to indicate the sender of the letter
2tn Traditionally, servant or bondservant. Though dou'lo" (doulos) is normally translated servant, the word does not bear the connotation of a free individual serving another. BDAG notes that servant for slave is largely confined to Biblical transl. and early American times
in normal usage at the present time the two words are carefully distinguished (BDAG 260 s.v.). The most accurate translation is bondservant (sometimes found in the ASV for dou'lo"), in that it often indicates one who sells himself into slavery to another. But as this is archaic, few today understand its force.
sn Undoubtedly the background for the concept of being the Lords slave or servant is to be found in the Old Testament scriptures. For a Jew this concept did not connote drudgery, but honor and privilege. It was used of national Israel at times (Isa 43:10), but was especially associated with famous OT personalities, including such great men as Moses (Josh 14:7), David (Ps 89:3; cf. 2 Sam 7:5, 8) and Elijah (2 Kgs 10:10); all these men were servants (or slaves) of the Lord.
3tn Grk to the twelve tribes in the Diaspora. The Greek term diasporav (diaspora, dispersion) refers to Jews not living in Palestine but dispersed or scattered among the Gentiles.
4tn Grk brothers, but the Greek word may be used for brothers and sisters or fellow Christians as here (cf. BDAG 18 s.v. ajdelfov" 1, where considerable nonbiblical evidence for the plural ajdelfoiv [adelfoi] meaning brothers and sisters is cited). Where the plural term is used in direct address, as here, brothers and sisters is used; where the term is singular and not direct address (as in v. 9), believer is preferred.
5tn Grk all joy, full joy, or greatest joy.
6tn Grk a man of two minds, continuing the description of the person in v. 7, giving the reason that he cannot expect to receive anything. The word for man or individual is ajnhvr (anhr), which often means male or man (as opposed to woman). But it sometimes is used generically to mean anyone, a person, as here (cf. BDAG 79 s.v. 2).
sn A double-minded man is one whose devotion to God is less than total. His attention is divided between God and other things, and as a consequence he is unstable and therefore unable to receive from God.
7tn Grk brother. Here the term brother means fellow believer or fellow Christian (cf. TEV, NLT Christians; CEV Gods people). The term broadly connotes familial relationships within the family of God (cf. BDAG 18 s.v. ajdelfov" 2.a).
8tn Grk the lowly brother, but lowly/humble is clarified in context by the contrast with wealthy in v. 10.
9tn Grk let him boast.
10tn Grk his height, his exaltation.
11tn Grk a flower of grass.
12tn Or perishes, is destroyed.
13tn The word for man or individual here is ajnhvr (anhr), which often means male or man (as opposed to woman). However, as BDAG 79 s.v. 2 says, here it is equivalent to tiV" someone, a person.
14tc Most mss ([C] P 0246 Ï) read oJ kuvrio" (Jo kurio", the Lord) here, while others have oJ qeov" (Jo qeo", God; 4 33vid 323 945 1739 al). However, several important and early witnesses (Ì23 Í A B Y 81 co) have no explicit subject. In light of the scribal tendency toward clarification, and the fact that both kuvrio" and qeov" are well represented, there can be no doubt that the original text had no explicit subject. The referent (God) has been specified in the translation for clarity, not because of textual basis.
15tn Or God must not be tested by evil people.
16tn Grk brothers. See note on the phrase brothers and sisters in 1:2.
17tn The first phrase refers to the action of giving and the second to what is given.
18tn Or All generous giving and every perfect gift from above is coming down.
19tn Grk variation or shadow of turning (referring to the motions of heavenly bodies causing variations of light and darkness).
20tn Grk Having willed, he gave us birth.
21tn Grk brothers. See note on the phrase brothers and sisters in 1:2.
22tn The word translated human here is ajnhvr (anhr), which often means male or man (as opposed to woman). But it sometimes is used generically to mean anyone, a person (cf. BDAG 79 s.v. 2), and in this context, contrasted with Gods righteousness, the point is human anger (not exclusively male anger).
23sn Gods righteousness could refer to (1) Gods righteous standard, (2) the righteousness God gives, (3) righteousness before God, or (4) Gods eschatological righteousness (see P. H. Davids, James [NIGTC], 93, for discussion).
24tn Or with meekness.
25tn The word for man or individual is ajnhvr (anhr), which often means male or man (as opposed to woman). However, as BDAG 79 s.v. 2 says, here it is equivalent to tiV" someone, a person.
26tn Grk the face of his beginning [or origin].
27tn Grk and he has gone out and immediately has forgotten.
28tn Grk continues.
29tn Grk this one.
30tn Grk in his doing.
31tn Or in the sight of; Grk with.
32tn Grk the God and Father.