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Thru the Bible #53
James
Radio messages from J. Vernon McGee delighted and enthralled listeners for years with simple, straightforward language and clear understanding of the Scripture. Now enjoy his personable, yet scholarly, style in a 60-volume set of commentaries that takes you from Genesis to Revelation with new understanding and insight. Each volume includes introductory sections, detailed outlines and a thorough, paragraph-by-paragraph discussion of the text. A great choice for pastors - and even better choice for the average Bible reader and student! Very affordable in a size that can go anywhere, it's available as a complete 60-volume series, in Old Testament or New Testament sets, or individually.
120 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1920
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51 people want to read
About the author
J. Vernon McGee
485 books67 followersJohn Vernon McGee was born in Hillsboro, Texas, in 1904. Dr. McGee remarked, "When I was born and the doctor gave me the customary whack, my mother said that I let out a yell that could be heard on all four borders of Texas!" His Creator well knew that he would need a powerful voice to deliver a powerful message.
As a student pastor, Dr. McGee's first church was located on a red clay hill in Midway, Georgia. It was there that he received his greatest compliment: "It was from a country boy wearing high buttoned, yellow shoes. After a morning service he came to speak to me. He groped for words, then blurted out, 'I never knew Jesus was so wonderful!' He started to say more but choked up and hurried out of the church. As I watched him stride across the field, I prayed, 'Oh, God, help me to always preach so that it can be said, I never knew Jesus was so wonderful.'"
After completing his education (earning his A.B. from Southwestern University in Memphis, Tennessee; his B.D. from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia; his Th.M. and Th.D. from Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas), and after pastoring Presbyterian churches in Decatur, GA, Nashville, TN, and Cleburne, TX, he and his wife came west, settling in Pasadena, where he accepted a call to the Lincoln Avenue Presbyterian Church. He recalls this period as the happiest in his life, with a young family and a young congregation whom he loved.
Dr. McGee's greatest pastorate was at the historic, Church of the Open Door in downtown Los Angeles, where he served from 1949 to 1970. There he began a daily radio broadcast called "High Noon Bible Class" on a single station.
Dr. McGee began teaching Thru the Bible in 1967. After retiring from the pastorate, he set up radio headquarters in Pasadena, and the radio ministry expanded rapidly. Today the program airs on over 400 stations each day in the United States and Canada, is heard in more than 100 languages around the world and is broadcast worldwide via the Internet.
As a student pastor, Dr. McGee's first church was located on a red clay hill in Midway, Georgia. It was there that he received his greatest compliment: "It was from a country boy wearing high buttoned, yellow shoes. After a morning service he came to speak to me. He groped for words, then blurted out, 'I never knew Jesus was so wonderful!' He started to say more but choked up and hurried out of the church. As I watched him stride across the field, I prayed, 'Oh, God, help me to always preach so that it can be said, I never knew Jesus was so wonderful.'"
After completing his education (earning his A.B. from Southwestern University in Memphis, Tennessee; his B.D. from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia; his Th.M. and Th.D. from Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas), and after pastoring Presbyterian churches in Decatur, GA, Nashville, TN, and Cleburne, TX, he and his wife came west, settling in Pasadena, where he accepted a call to the Lincoln Avenue Presbyterian Church. He recalls this period as the happiest in his life, with a young family and a young congregation whom he loved.
Dr. McGee's greatest pastorate was at the historic, Church of the Open Door in downtown Los Angeles, where he served from 1949 to 1970. There he began a daily radio broadcast called "High Noon Bible Class" on a single station.
Dr. McGee began teaching Thru the Bible in 1967. After retiring from the pastorate, he set up radio headquarters in Pasadena, and the radio ministry expanded rapidly. Today the program airs on over 400 stations each day in the United States and Canada, is heard in more than 100 languages around the world and is broadcast worldwide via the Internet.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 5, 2020
2020 "Bible Bus"
August 12, 2016
This book was originally presented as a radio broadcast narrated by J. Vernon McGee. As a result, this book is less "theological" and more personal from McGee's point of view. McGee works through the book of James verse by verse and offers his off the cuff commentary which is complete with many personal anecdotes.
I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this book to anyone working through the Book of James.
I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this book to anyone working through the Book of James.
June 30, 2016
A great "little" commentary of the book of James.
September 3, 2024
Title: Thru the Bible: James
Author: J. Vernon McGee
J. Vernon McGee’s Thru the Bible series is a well-known resource that combines deep biblical insights with a pastoral tone. His commentary on the book of James is structured in a verse-by-verse format, providing a systematic and thorough exploration of the text.
Content and Structure:
The verse-by-verse organization is one of the commentary’s strong points, making it easy for readers to follow and engage with the text. McGee’s pastoral approach shines through, offering practical applications and a clear outline that helps guide readers through James’s teachings.
Style:
McGee’s pastoral tone is evident throughout the commentary, making the material approachable and encouraging. However, his style is somewhat old-fashioned, which may resonate with some readers but could feel outdated to others. His approach tends to leave little room for the dynamic work of the Holy Spirit, focusing instead on a more rigid interpretation of the text.
Strengths:
• Clarity and Structure: The verse-by-verse format and strong outline make this commentary easy to navigate and understand.
• Pastoral Approach: McGee’s ability to apply biblical truths to everyday life is evident throughout, making the commentary relatable.
Weaknesses:
• Old-Fashioned Thinking: The commentary’s dated approach may not resonate with all readers, particularly those seeking a more contemporary or open-ended exploration of Scripture.
• Lack of Flexibility: McGee’s interpretation leaves little room for the work of the Holy Spirit, which could limit the commentary’s usefulness for some.
Overall Opinion:
While McGee’s commentary on James offers clarity and a pastoral touch, its old-fashioned perspective and rigid interpretation may not appeal to everyone. For those seeking a more flexible, Spirit-led study, this commentary may not be the best fit. Therefore, I would not recommend it to others.
Author: J. Vernon McGee
J. Vernon McGee’s Thru the Bible series is a well-known resource that combines deep biblical insights with a pastoral tone. His commentary on the book of James is structured in a verse-by-verse format, providing a systematic and thorough exploration of the text.
Content and Structure:
The verse-by-verse organization is one of the commentary’s strong points, making it easy for readers to follow and engage with the text. McGee’s pastoral approach shines through, offering practical applications and a clear outline that helps guide readers through James’s teachings.
Style:
McGee’s pastoral tone is evident throughout the commentary, making the material approachable and encouraging. However, his style is somewhat old-fashioned, which may resonate with some readers but could feel outdated to others. His approach tends to leave little room for the dynamic work of the Holy Spirit, focusing instead on a more rigid interpretation of the text.
Strengths:
• Clarity and Structure: The verse-by-verse format and strong outline make this commentary easy to navigate and understand.
• Pastoral Approach: McGee’s ability to apply biblical truths to everyday life is evident throughout, making the commentary relatable.
Weaknesses:
• Old-Fashioned Thinking: The commentary’s dated approach may not resonate with all readers, particularly those seeking a more contemporary or open-ended exploration of Scripture.
• Lack of Flexibility: McGee’s interpretation leaves little room for the work of the Holy Spirit, which could limit the commentary’s usefulness for some.
Overall Opinion:
While McGee’s commentary on James offers clarity and a pastoral touch, its old-fashioned perspective and rigid interpretation may not appeal to everyone. For those seeking a more flexible, Spirit-led study, this commentary may not be the best fit. Therefore, I would not recommend it to others.
November 24, 2020
First sentence: The Epistle of James is the first in a group of epistles customarily called General Epistles, which includes James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, and 3 John, and Jude. They are designated as general or “catholic” epistles in the sense that they are universal, not being addressed to any particular individual or church, but to the church as a whole.
I am reading the Bible in 2020 using the daily M'Cheyne (Robert Murray M'Cheyne) plan. I thought it would add a layer of substance to in addition to the four chapters a day, to also read commentaries for those chapters. For that I am using Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible. But the plan goes through the New Testament (and Psalms, I believe) twice. So now that I've finished Henry's commentary for the New Testament, I am tackling the New Testament commentary section of J. Vernon McGee's series.
This is not my first time reading J. Vernon McGee. I've read probably twenty or so of his commentaries. Most recently Hebrews.
I really am LOVING McGee. This has been the best idea--to correspond my Bible reading with commentary reading.
James is a little book with a BIG, BIG, BIG bite. McGee's bite is mighty as he shares his insights on James.
I am reading the Bible in 2020 using the daily M'Cheyne (Robert Murray M'Cheyne) plan. I thought it would add a layer of substance to in addition to the four chapters a day, to also read commentaries for those chapters. For that I am using Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible. But the plan goes through the New Testament (and Psalms, I believe) twice. So now that I've finished Henry's commentary for the New Testament, I am tackling the New Testament commentary section of J. Vernon McGee's series.
This is not my first time reading J. Vernon McGee. I've read probably twenty or so of his commentaries. Most recently Hebrews.
I really am LOVING McGee. This has been the best idea--to correspond my Bible reading with commentary reading.
James is a little book with a BIG, BIG, BIG bite. McGee's bite is mighty as he shares his insights on James.
June 29, 2023
I picked up this commentary set at an estate sale. Some great insights and quotes. Looking forward to using the set as an additional reference as I study the Bible.
“It is easier to preach than to practice; it’s easier to say than to do. Most sermons are heard by the many, but taken to hear by the few.”
James 1:22 - But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
So much great practical wisdom in the book of James.
“It is easier to preach than to practice; it’s easier to say than to do. Most sermons are heard by the many, but taken to hear by the few.”
James 1:22 - But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
So much great practical wisdom in the book of James.
August 22, 2011
A commentary on the New Testament book of James; suitable for use as a devotional along with your Bible reading.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews