The Message of James

The Bible Speaks Today: New Testament

by J. Alec Motyer, James the Just

As a good communicator, James addressed his readers directly and pointedly with vivid images from ordinary life and attention-gripping statements. This rich exposition brings James's letter to life for today's reader. Alec Motyer is himself gripped by James's energy and concern for practical Christianity.The letter shows how a genuine faith is a tested faith, how encounter with difficulties is an essential part of the growth to Christian maturity this book powerfully brings out James's memorable themes--the link between enduring trials and maturity; the question of perfection; the good gifts of God; faith, works and Christian concern in a world of human need; the implications of careless and evil words; the meaning of war; the church and healing; confession of sin; and the need for active purity in life.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Reference, Biblical Studies, Nonfiction, New Testament, Christianity

214 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1985

About the author

J. Alec Motyer (M.A., B.D., D.D.) was formerly principal of Trinity College in Bristol, England. He has extensive experience in parish ministry and is well known as a Bible expositor. He is author of The Prophecy of Isaiah, and he is Old Testament editor of IVP's commentary series, The Bible Speaks Today. He has written several volumes in that series.

Reviews

[Philip Mcduffie]

The Bible Speaks today series has been enjoyable thus far. Motyer does a great job of writing a pastoral commentary on the book of James. It is filled with wisdom for the church (that's because the book of James is filled with wisdom for the church)!

This will prove to be a helpful read for the pastor and the laymen alike!

[Jim]

I’ve really enjoyed reading Motyer. I find this commentary accessible as student, filled with both cultural and scripture references to help interpret the authors message. Application is purposeful to James’ writing.

[Troy Solava]

I typically don’t log commentaries on GR but this one on James reads devotional! All of Motyer is gold.

[Joshua]

Read most of it. Pastoral and pithy, while attentive to structural and thematic concerns.

[Jimmy Reagan]

Here’s another of the great commentaries by the late J. A. Motyer in the Bible Speaks Today (BST) series. In my view, it’s as top-notch as the one on Philippians. The author had written a smaller book several years ago on James but rewrote it in its entirety to produce this commentary. It’s not as scholarly or exegetical as many commentaries, but he captures James’s message better than most.

The Introduction is quite perceptive. Though he doesn’t talk about structure per se, he gives some great insights on how the book is designed. He sees the themes of conflict, holiness or a Christian lifestyle, the recovery of the local church, concern to meet the needs of others, and our tongue. He shreds a few of the strange scholarly trends that somehow has reached ascendancy and brings us back to basic conservative conclusions. It’s good stuff!

The commentary is outstanding at getting to the heart of what James is talking about. It would be a mistake to not add this inexpensive commentary to your collection.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Andrew Ivester]

This is a dated but reliable commentary on this difficult book of the Bible. Because the commentary seems to be geared toward application, Motyer made some interpretive decisions that made application accessible in sometimes difficult to interpret places. Overall, he didn’t stretch the text to an unhealthy place and gave solid application. This is a good preaching commentary, and it was my second-choice commentary when preaching through James in 2017.

[Alethia Kiv]

This was helpful if you have not studied James very much, as I haven't. It did not delve in deeply enough for what I would have wanted. His Amos commentary is much better, and I highly recommend that one. There were moments during this commentary that Motyer would randomly go on tangents against young people, and I found it not only unnecessary in relation to the text but also uncomfortable as a young person reading this book.

[Andy]

The Bible Speaks Today commentaries are my go-to. They’re perfect for personal study, very gospel centered and they offer practical wisdom. Very pastoral.

So far I’ve only read the books authored by John Stott, one of my favorite theologians, but this one introduced me to Motyer and I was very pleased with his writing, thoughts, wisdom, etc.

[Jack Vasen]

The book surprised me. I never saw the unity in James despite several times through and even memorizing much of chapter 1. Motyer does an excellent job linking verses and sections to show that unity.

For Motyer, v 1:18 is a key verse for the whole book showing that it is indeed God who does it all in salvation. That becomes much more clear after the author's discussion.

[Clansmitty]

I have come to appreciate the thoughtfulness of the writers in “The Bible Speaks Today” series. It not only helps one understand the scriptures, it helps one think rightly about how to interpret the scriptures. When I study a book of the Bible, this series is always among my resource materials.

[Jonathan Wylie]

Excellent book to give overview and insight into the book of James. This book help me understand some of the nuances written by James.

[Lindsay]

A fabulous commentary for the book of James. Motyer is one of the best.

[Bob Wolniak]

Helpful expositions.

[Matt Tyler]

While I didn’t always agree with his interpretations of certain passages, I found his insights and writing compelling.

I’ve enjoyed the books in this series so far.

[Nick Roark]

Insightful

[Stephen]

Warm and devotional. There were real moments of great insight and excellent application. Recommended.

[John Funnell]

The perfect companion for the preacher working through the book of James.

[Adam Thomas]

This is a commentary by Alec Motyer, so of course it's good.

[Juan Pablo Espinosa Melendez]

Maravilloso estudio de Santiago, profundo y sencillo de leer. Con tareas para todos

[Eric]

I started teaching through James in September of 2023 and completed James in September 2024 and found this to be very helpful and insightful.

[Kay]

Profound, yet understandable commentary on my new favorite book of the Bible.

[Aden Henry]

Very helpful overview of James. Read for Bellicose Church Sunday School 2025.

[Kevin Hearne]

Helpful companion as you read through one of the Bible’s most misapplied books.

[Wallace]

Another excellent commentary on James!

Alex Moyter's excellent commentary on James in The Bible Speaks Today produced by IVP, is another excellent, compact yet comprehensive treatment of the text of the Letter of James focussing on The Message of James: The test of faith.

I have read this book from cover to cover three times since I purchased it in August 1991, and have often dipped into it for some very helpful insights on other occasions.

Again, like other commentaries I have recommended on James, I leaned heavily on this one also!

I have no hesitation in giving it a 5-star rating and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to all!

[Skylar Burris]

We used this in my women's group for a weekly Bible study of James, and it offered a very in-depth analysis of the short book, perhaps too in-depth. When you’re writing over 200 pages on about 100 verses, there may be some stretching. And yet, oddly, there were still questions we had about the text that Motyer did not address. I got more out of John Stott’s analysis of Acts in this The Bible Speaks to Day series. If you are studying James, this will be a helpful read, but it is certainly not easy or light reading.

[Danmcgohan]

Narrative of the Book of James. Very insightful but a little drawn out. I find James to be one of my favorite books of the Bible.

[Deborah]

Excellent!

[Luke Evans]

Some great strengths; some so-so,

[Andrzej Stelmasiak]

The top 3 commentaries on James's Epistle for me are those written by Alec Motyer, Thomas Manton and Dan McCartney.

[Josh]

I thought this was a winsome commentary on James at the popular level. Very pastoral in it's illustrations and applications. Clearly written.