The impact of the Hebrew Scriptures, and especially the Torah, on James’s thought, terminology and teaching

Abstract

, every 1.86 verses, James’s thought is clearly shaped by the OT. He grounds his fundamental teachings in the Torah – notably in the Shema , Decalogue, and ‘Holiness Code’. While James is silent on the ritual commandments, he focusses on the moral commandments and ‘weightier matters’ of the Torah , so much so that his entire contents may fall under ‘faith/faithfulness’ (or loving God, 1st Table of the Decalogue) or ‘justice’/’mercy’ (or loving neighbour, 2nd Table of the Decalogue). With the core of the Torah evidently being foundational in James, it seems appropriate to interpret James’s terms and teaching in the light of and in line with the Torah , and especially the Torah ’s weightier matters and moral instructions. Contribution: This key finding may contribute to the debate about what James’s means and teaches concerning ‘law’ ( νόμος ) his Letter.