Echoes of the Shema in the Epistle of James

Abstract

The article examines the echoing of Shema (Deut 6:4–5) as well as its allusions in the Epistle of James. James utilizes the fundamental tenets of Israel’s faith for his admonition. In Jewish thought, the Shema is the supreme affirmation of the unity of God and its recitation may be regarded as the acceptance of the yoke of the Kingdom of Heaven. In addition, it serves as a tangible boundary marker between Jews and pagans. Allusions to the Shema are replete in his opening section (1:2–27), which apprises the reader of what is to come in the body of the letter. As the Shema itself is an appeal to the love of God, the words about “love him” (1:12; 2:5) can be referring to the the Shema. Behind the language of 1:17 may be present the benedictions preceding the recitation of the Shema. Therefore, James stands on the solid ground of liturgical tradition. Condemnation of double-mindedness (1:8; 4:8) refers the reader to the commandment to love God with all one’s heart and soul. All of this is a clue to the text (2:14–16), where Shema is mentioned clearly (2:19). James insists that one should not be confined to the correct proclamation of faith only — it must be followed by correct behavior. It can be polemics with either the misunderstood views of Paul, or with the irresponsible confidence in a special relationship with God. Shema is used in the verbal ethics context to remind one about a God who provides the law and who judges (4:12). However, the idea of God as Judge is christologically reinterpreted by James — the function of a Judge is delegated to the Lord Jesus Christ (5:9). Therefore, the traditional Jewish wisdom is considered by James in the light of the message of Jesus himself as well as through the lens of the teaching about Him.