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James: Biblical Commentary

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Put your faith into practice on a daily basis and grasp the practical truths of God's Word with this in-depth commentary on James from Internationally renowned Bible teacher.

James has so much to say about living a powerful and effective life in Christ. The book addresses a variety of topics important to growing your faith and teaches that you not only need to read the Word of God and know what it says, but you also need to act on it. In this comprehensive biblical commentary, Joyce Meyer offers you practical insights for studying the book of James, with room for personal reflections that will help you grasp the truths in God's Word. You'll discover how to identify life-changing wisdom and get a better understanding of God's plan and purpose for your life.

Part of her first-ever biblical commentary series, Joyce's book on James will stir your faith in God and inspire you to live it out in practical ways because of your love for Him and desire to glorify Him in your life.

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Published March 12, 2019

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About the author

Joyce Meyer

1,558 books3,871 followers
Joyce Meyer is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers. A New York Times bestselling author, Joyce’s books have helped millions of people find hope and restoration through Jesus Christ. Through Joyce Meyer Ministries, Joyce teaches on a number of topics with a particular focus on how the Word of God applies to our everyday lives. Her candid communication style allows her to share openly and practically about her experiences so others can apply what she has learned to their lives.

Joyce’s programs, Enjoying Everyday Life and Everyday Answers with Joyce Meyer, can be seen around the world through television, radio, and the Internet. Joyce has authored more than 100 books, which have been translated into more than 100 languages and over 65 million of her books have been distributed worldwide. She teaches in cities across America as well as internationally. Joyce Meyer Ministries has offices in nine countries.

Joyce’s passion to help hurting people is foundational to the vision of Hand of Hope, the missions arm of Joyce Meyer Ministries. Hand of Hope provides worldwide humanitarian outreaches such as feeding programs, medical care, orphanages, disaster response, human trafficking intervention and rehabilitation, and much more – always sharing the love and Gospel of Christ.

Her latest book, LIVING A LIFE YOU LOVE, releases Spring 2018.

Hachette Book Group has sold over 30 million copies of Joyce Meyer's books.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Jessica.
969 reviews113 followers
April 20, 2019
This was my first study on the book of James, and of course Joyce Meyer is always fabulous. The idea of this being a Bible Commentary is misleading, in my opinion. I would call it more of a study. I consider a commentary to break down words in the original languages, other definitions of words, historical situations and relevance of the times during writing. Therefore I found this to be more of a study.
And like many other Joyce Meyer books I’ve read, some of what I love about Joyce is lost in her writing. The writing becomes a bit dry and the humor/sarcasm that she is so loved and known for is missing.
But the study itself was very good, opening up so much from this wonderful book of the Bible that is James.
Profile Image for Jen.
1,461 reviews139 followers
April 19, 2019
I read this biblical commentary as a devotional. It’s an easy to understand, in depth look at the book of James. It’s not only educational but highly motivating. Joyce Meyer breaks down James into easy to understand sections with room for personal reflection. This is deeply rooted in the word and a fantastic source of encouragement. Thank you @faithwords for this advance reader in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Tanya.
445 reviews9 followers
August 24, 2020
Wow! This book showed up at the perfect time in my life. Thank you God for putting it in my path and leading me to read it. I had been led to read the book of James in the Bible and then this book showed up!

It's an excellent Bible study of the book of James. I'll definitely be reading it again. Probably multiple times!

I like how each verse is explained and there are reflection questions throughout too.

Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Joan.
4,348 reviews123 followers
March 6, 2019
Meyer's teaching is deeply rooted in the Word and it is no surprise that she would write Bible commentaries. This book is a good general devotional commentary on James. It is good for general audiences as it does not go into Greek. Meyer at times comments on one verse while at other times covers up to twelve verses in her writing. There is usually a personal reflection question at the end of each section with space for journaling although some sections do not have it.

There are some areas of her teaching I particularly like. One is her teaching on contentment (on James 4:1-3). “I have discovered that the secret of being content is to ask God for what I want and to rest in the knowledge that if it is right, He will bring it to pass at the right time.” That really precludes the greed and selfishness James wrote about.

Another area of her strong teaching is on the tongue and our words. This is an important area for Meyer and she really emphasizes the effect our words can have on others. We are to use our words to prove our faith and trust in God. She also has a good section on what it means to keep God first in our lives. A good way to do that is to have a continual conversation with Him, she says.

This commentary would be good for new Christians or ones not very familiar with the Bible. Meyer writes about the truth of James in a very understandable way. She does not explore puzzling or complex issues, such as how turning a sinner from his way will save his soul from death (James 5:19-20). Readers will gain encouragement and inspiration from the book of James as Meyer explains the practical teaching contained in it.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Profile Image for Monica H (TeaandBooks).
836 reviews83 followers
March 5, 2019
James, A Biblical Commentary by Joyce Meyer is one of the nicest Biblical commentaries that I have used as a layperson.


This commentary on James is especially user friendly. In the introduction, Meyer tells about James--when it was written and some of the history behind this book and the man who wrote it. Joyce then goes on to break the book of James down into chapters and expound on each one. She also includes space to ask yourself questions and to reflect on what you have read.


Meyer's commentary on James is both beautiful on the outside and practical on the inside. The Biblical book of James is one of my favorites. I like her key reminder that we must have faith in God first and then we will do the good works that glorify Him. And that is the key, God is to get the glory and we are reminded that we don't and we need to have the faith to reflect Him to others. I truly appreciate Meyer's hard work to make this book so easy to understand and practical to use for the reader. I also like that there is space in the book to make notes and to remember my thoughts as I am reflecting on the book of James and her commentary. I highly recommend Meyer's commentary to anyone wishing to study the Bible in more depth.


I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. #sponsored by faithwords



Profile Image for Create With Joy.
682 reviews169 followers
March 18, 2019
James: Biblical Commentary is an easy-to-read, highly accessible commentary for the beginning Bible student and for anyone who wants to learn more about the Bible but needs it broken down in plain English. Joyce’s commentary is written in the everyday language you’d expect from her, making these commentaries much easier to read and understand than most.

This commentary opens with background information about the book of James, and then goes through each chapter with commentary on the verses. The sections open with the text of the verse in the Amplified translation which is nice for convenience – adds Joyce’s commentary on the passage – and ends with journaling space for personal reflection.

This format turns these commentaries into a great alternative to your traditional daily devotion if you only have time to do one and you’d like to learn more about Scripture!

This excerpt is taken from the original review that is published on my blog. To read my review in its entirety, please visit Create With Joy.
146 reviews
August 18, 2021
This commentary was not great, but I would say it was good for a lay person like me. I have find that when choosing a commentary you must be aware of who you read. And I am no expert in choosing commentaries by no means. But by saying this... I would recommend this commentary as a practical commentary and this is Meyer’s style of writing; concise with practical speech. Swindoll Commentaries are just little higher in its contents. Joyce’s commentary carries no high scholarly thought, but it does convey a concise commentary for those readers who may have issues with a high grammar commentary books. My final thought is this… consider her commentaries as a companion to a more in-depth commentary that are design for layperson or teacher. Instead of a Meyer's commentary consider a commentary by a great pastor/teacher would be a great start. (Macarthur, Osborne, Phillips, Bible Speaks Today). Question of today… would I buy another of her commentaries – yes and that only with reservations because there are other good commentaries out there. Good Luck…
431 reviews8 followers
May 11, 2019
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway. I really liked this commentary on the book of James because it is written in a way that is easy for a lay person to understand. so many commentary writers write in such a way that you need a Theology education to understand their terminology. Joyce Meyer does not lose sight of the fact that she is teaching people she unpacks bible truths in a manner anyone can understand. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Liz.
135 reviews7 followers
April 24, 2019
I received this for free in a first read giveaway.
This is a wonderful, short, very readable commentary on the book of James. It has valuable lessons and gives good pointers on how to apply the Bible to your everyday life. I particularly enjoyed the writing exercises.
Profile Image for Holly.
1,368 reviews34 followers
September 20, 2021
This series is a commentary and is not set up like an interactive study. I found this book to be very insightful. It’s broken down into smaller segments and could easily be read like a daily devotional if you wanted to.
250 reviews1 follower
November 8, 2022
Truly Loved it and used arrow posted it notes for references in the future
Profile Image for T.M..
Author 5 books3 followers
November 8, 2022
Educational. I have a new appreciation for this specific book.
Profile Image for Turquoise Brennan.
621 reviews1 follower
May 11, 2023
What a great and simple study - pushing me to other passages I haven't looked at before.
96 reviews
July 3, 2025
Enlightening

She does a good job of breaking things down and explaining them. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will refer back to it often.
1,149 reviews
December 7, 2025
I really enjoyed this biblical study. It provided insights I hadn’t thought of while reading it
Profile Image for Debbie.
3,629 reviews86 followers
March 2, 2019
"James" is a Bible commentary on James that can be used for personal Bible study or even as a devotional. The author provided an amplified version of the verses, doing one to seven verses at a time and working her way through James. She talked about each group of verses and brought out insights to improve our understanding. She stayed focused on the verses rather than telling funny stories, but it wasn't highly academic or difficult to follow. It's written at a layman's level and contained short enough sections that it could be used for daily devotional reading. She included questions for personal reflection along with space to write in your answer. Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone wanting to better understand James.

I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
Profile Image for Jeremy.
663 reviews37 followers
February 23, 2020

Quotes:

Our words are verbal expressions of our souls, and we can tell what is in us by hearing what comes out of us.

If we want to live by God’s Word, we need to ask ourselves if we can fellowship with other Christians who may not believe exactly as we do on every point of theology, or who are not part of our denomination. Can we refrain from judging them and love them as the Bible teaches us?

I have discovered that the secret of being content is to ask God for what I want and to rest in the knowledge that if it is right, He will bring it to pass at the right time. If it is not right, He will do something much better than what I asked for.

As believers, the Holy Spirit lives in us, and God makes us holy. We do not have to let our human thoughts or emotions determine our behavior. We are to allow the Spirit of God to guide us.
431 reviews8 followers
May 9, 2019
I received this book in a goodreads giveaway. I found this commentary on James to be very good. The commentary is very easy for a lay person to understand. I really like that because a lot of the commentaries that are published are written in such a way that you need a education in Theology to understand it. In my opinion it defeats the purpose of a commentary when they write them like that. Commentaries are meant to help people understand the Bible if you need a Bible dictionary or a theology education to understand the commentary it is really no help at all. Joyce Meyer does not lose sight of the fact that she is explaining the scripture. she does it well in an easy to understand manner. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Sarah.
958 reviews32 followers
February 22, 2019
Do you study God's word, but aren't really sure what you're studying or maybe struggle with staying guided in His word? Jame is a great commentary and tool that helps the reader live on the Bible in practical ways. This book has space for you to record your notes, thoughts, or prayers as you read the book of James. This commentary is a fantastic tool whether you are new to the Christian faith or you have been in a relationship with the Lord for years. You will grow in your walk and learn so much more about the Bible! This is a great, practical tool! Thank you to the publisher for providing a complimentary copy. A review was not required. #sponsoredbyfaithwords
Profile Image for Tricia.
67 reviews
March 20, 2019
I have studied the book of James countless times. It is one of my favorite books of the Bible, and one whose verses are etched into my mind.

I was not sure how much more I could glean from this book, but low and behold here it is. The book focuses on small sections of verse and delves into their meaning, the greatness Christ is offering and how you can apply it to your everyday.

I loved the way I was asked to think about my actions and thoughts, pondering how I can be more of who James is portraying, more like Christ.

This book is great as a personal devotional or even for a close bible study group.
Profile Image for Susan Shipe.
Author 46 books14 followers
February 25, 2019
Raise your hand if you love Joyce! The room is filled with raised hands - big fan here and this commentary/bible study on the book of James is no exception.
Joyce takes the rich teaching in the Epistle and breaks it down for complete understanding. Included are areas for personal reflection. This powerful epistle written by James is rich with everyday, practical information. Take your time reading the pages of Joyce's commentary, you won't want to miss one nugget.
I recommend this book for anyone desiring to go deeper in the study of God's Word.
963 reviews27 followers
August 12, 2019
Over the years, I have read many books by Joyce Meyer. I appreciate her honest, open way of writing because she shares so much of herself and her own personal journey. Her humbleness is also something I always appreciate; she’s the first to admit that her life is a work in progress and the areas she really need to work on she trusts God to lead the way.

I love that she decided to write Bible commentaries. This is the second one in the Deeper Life series. Once again, I learned so much from this author, and I am very grateful for this addition. It’s definitely a five star book.
Profile Image for Ashley Montgomery.
88 reviews4 followers
February 5, 2019
The style of this book is far different than what I would expect from a Bible commentary. I enjoyed reading through it and I feel that this is perfectly geared towards those who are relatively new to the faith and/or the Bible. Having guidance in how to relate the passages to everyday life will certainly prove invaluable to the readers of this book.
Profile Image for Jennifer Newell.
460 reviews2 followers
July 13, 2019
I was given an advanced copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

I found this book to be very insightful on the book of James. I have studied James before yet was pleasantly surprised by the depth this study.

Remmended resource for any study of James.
Profile Image for Andrés Beltanien.
96 reviews4 followers
March 26, 2019
Me encantó. Joyce expande cada uno de los versículos y nos explica el verdadero significado. A veces ni leyendo las Traducción al Lenguaje Actual uno comprende del todo, pero Joyce es punto aparte...
Profile Image for LaWanda.
53 reviews1 follower
April 18, 2019
Super powerfully anointed book, that teaches about everyday life!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

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