The Letter of James (2nd ed.)
in Pillar New Testament Commentary
Pages
383
Publisher
Eerdmans
Published
6/22/2021
ISBN-13
9780802876669
Few New Testament books have been as controversial and misunderstood as the letter of James. Its place in the canon was contested by some early Christians, and the reformer Martin Luther called it an "epistle of straw." The sometimes negative view of the letter among modern theologians, however, is not shared by ordinary believers. Well known and often quoted, James is concise, intensely practical, and filled with memorable metaphors and illustrations. As such, it has become one of the most popular New Testament books in the church.
This highly original commentary on James by respected New Testament scholar Douglas Moo combines penetrating scholarship with the simplicity of style and pastoral tone characteristic of James itself. After discussing such background issues as authorship, genre, purpose, structure, and theology, Moo provides a verse-by-verse exposition of the text that leads readers to the heart of James's message--wholehearted commitment to Christ. In addition to expounding the meaning of James, Moo also takes care to provide practical insights for applying that meaning in the church today.
At once scholarly and accessible, this volume has become a standard commentary on James. The second edition is based upon the newest version of the NIV and incorporates the latest scholarship. It has been expanded, updated, and revised throughout.
This highly original commentary on James by respected New Testament scholar Douglas Moo combines penetrating scholarship with the simplicity of style and pastoral tone characteristic of James itself. After discussing such background issues as authorship, genre, purpose, structure, and theology, Moo provides a verse-by-verse exposition of the text that leads readers to the heart of James's message--wholehearted commitment to Christ. In addition to expounding the meaning of James, Moo also takes care to provide practical insights for applying that meaning in the church today.
At once scholarly and accessible, this volume has become a standard commentary on James. The second edition is based upon the newest version of the NIV and incorporates the latest scholarship. It has been expanded, updated, and revised throughout.
Collections
This book appears in the following featured collections.
- Basic Library Booklist by Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary
- Recommended New Testament Commentaries for Evangelical Pastors by Thomas R. Schreiner
- TGC: Preaching Commentaries by The Gospel Coalition
Reviews
DavidH
August 12, 2026
August 12, 2026
Moo remains the strongest all-round exegetical commentary on James and probably the volume I would most readily recommend as a primary companion to the Greek text. His great strength is judgment: he identifies the genuine exegetical problem, presents the important alternatives fairly, and normally reaches a carefully argued conclusion without forcing novelty. The substantially revised second edition also benefits from another generation of scholarship while retaining the clarity and economy of the original. Moo is particularly strong on the relationship between faith, works, justification, judgment, and salvation in James 2, where he avoids both facile harmonization with Paul and an unnecessary contradiction between them. He is similarly sensible about the letter’s structure, recognizing significant coherence without creating an overly intricate outline. Moo is less obviously original than Johnson, Green, Allison, or Varner, but remarkably little space is wasted and his conclusions are consistently worth weighing. If originality alone were the criterion he would rank lower; for dependable exegesis combined with theological usefulness, he remains among the very best.
The Gospel Coalition
June 1, 2024
June 1, 2024
Moo’s more technical commentary is indispensable for Bible teachers. Tabb says it “displays [Moo’s] usual combination of exegetical rigor, clarity of expression, and sound theology.” In his second and expanded edition, Moo includes discussions of contemporary research. Readers will benefit from his understanding of faith, works, and justification.
[Full Review]