An in-depth look at one of the most practical books of the Bible. . . .

Herbert W. Bateman IV and William C. Varner. James: An Exegetical Guide for Preaching and Teaching. Big Greek Idea series. 336p., $33.99, Kregel Academic.

To read the Greek text of James is to face a rugged style and brief phrasing that match the fervency of the letter’s meaning. The book of James powerfully exhorts the earliest Christian believers to faithful living. Biblical Greek experts Herbert W. Bateman IV and William C. Varner lay out the linguistic and grammatical features unique to James—such as his specialized vocabulary and prolific use of imperatives—to show how the book’s many strong statements connect to one another in this masterwork on living according to the teachings of Jesus.

The Big Greek Idea series provides all the relevant information from the Greek text for preaching and teaching the New Testament. Each New Testament book is divided into units of thought, revealing a big Greek idea (the author’s main idea in the passage), and individual clauses are displayed visually to illustrate their relationships, portraying the biblical author’s logical flow. Greek clauses are accompanied by an original English translation.

Each volume in this series contains many practical features:

• Helpful charts, tables, and diagrams illustrate key points
• Numerous callouts provide deeper insights into word meanings and theological issues
• Visual cues highlight important information
• An introduction to each biblical book summarizes the grammar, style, and vocabulary, including reminders and explanations of key terms