volume 3, issue 2, 2011, pages 173-221

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64438/sbsHXYL6203
Published online: 2011-12-01
Published in print: 2011-12-30

Abstract: „Law“ (James 1:25; 2:8,9,10,11,12; 4:11 [4 times]) is not a central theme in the Letter of James, but it is one of its theologically relevant terms. The formula „law of freedom“ (James 1:25; 2:12) is a unique feature of this letter, because it is not found in other New Testament writings. The connections of the „law“ – with the „word“, with the theme of the perfection, with the „royal law“ of love, with the judgement and mercy – show the important aspects of the concept of the law in the Letter of James: theological, or rather theocentric: God is the lawgiver; eschatological: the law has the decisive function at the last judgement; soteriological: the law as the „implanted word“ (e;mfutoj lo,goj) is able to save the souls; ethic: the law is a norm of life (poihth.j no,mou; no,mon telei/n); and ecclesiological: one of the characteristic features of the believing Christian community is the critical and normative status of the law of love and mercy in the interpretation and application of the commandments of the Law of Moses.