Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Epistle of James

Epistle of James

9.0
A short New Testament book that teaches about faith and how to live
  • noun
  • /ɪˈpɪsəl əv dʒeɪmz/
translation icon : Epístola de Santiago
  • My church group is currently studying the teachings found in the Epistle of James.

Examples

  • Many scholars debate the authorship and audience of the Epistle of James.

  • The Epistle of James emphasizes the importance of faith in action.

  • The Epistle of James emphasizes the relationship between faith and deeds in Christian life.

  • Have you read the Epistle of James recently?

  • The Epistle of James emphasizes the importance of faith in action.

  • Many Christians refer to the teachings in the Epistle of James for guidance on moral conduct.

  • In his letter, the Apostle James stresses that faith without works is dead in the Epistle of James.

Synonyms

James
vsEpistle of James
  • Literature
∞ 5.5

A short book in the Bible that teaches about faith and good actions

is specifically the New Testament book focused on teachings about faith and conduct

Surface Forms

Epistle of James singular
Epistles of James plural

Morphology

epistle + of + James

The phrase is a straightforward noun phrase composed of 'epistle' (a letter) + 'of' (possessive/attributive) + 'James' (the author), so its meaning as the letter/book attributed to James is directly derivable from the constituents. This possessive/of construction and the concept of naming a document after its author are cross-linguistically common, making it immediately understandable to a learner who knows the component words.

Etymology

Epistle of James is named that because epistle means 'letter' and it was thought to be a letter from James, a leader in the early church. It gives short, practical advice about 'faith' and 'good behavior', so the title shows it is a personal message from James with moral teaching.