Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 162:648 (Oct 2005)
Article: The Sermon on the Mount in the Book of James, Part 2
Author: Virgil V. Porter, Jr.

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Bsac 162:648 (October 2005) p. 470

The Sermon on the Mount in the Book of James, Part 2

Virgil V. Porter Jr.

Virgil V. Porter Jr. is Pastor, Northside Missionary Baptist Church, Garland, Texas.

Numerous connections can be noted between the Book of James and Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5–7). In a previous article several connections were observed including similar statements and parallel subjects.1 This article considers the theological associations between the Sermon on the Mount and the Book of James.2 “Many have shown that James’s theological and ethical instructions are strongly influenced by the teaching of Jesus, and his choice of words to express these is often similar to the wording of the Synoptic Gospels, especially Matthew.”3 The theological parallels serve to support the conclusion that the book does rely on the Sermon and that the Epistle of James was written by Jesus’ brother at an early date. James’s theology was shaped by his having heard Jesus teaching on numerous occasions,

Bsac 162:648 (October 2005) p. 471

particularly the Sermon on the Mount. “True, [James] presents theology—but it is implicit rather than explicit. James depends on the preaching of Jesus.”4

Anthropology

The Book of James presents humans as sinners subject to a fallen nature, temptations, and various sins. “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death” (James 1:14–15). James referred to the one who doubts (v. 6), the double-minded (v. 8; 4:8), a forgetful hearer (1:25), transgressors (2:9), a transgressor of the Law (v. 11), a foolish fellow (v. 20), the adulteresses (4:4), a friend of the world (v. 4), an enemy of God (v. 4), the proud (v. 6), “you sinners” (v. 8), and a sinner (

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