I have heard it stated that in the New Testament book of James, the writer referred to a quotation from the Old Testament that actually does not exist. Is there a “missing quote” from the O.T. to which James was referring?
Some have suggested that the Epistle of James passage regarding the taming of animals contradicts the book of Job. Job teaches Behemoth and Leviathan cannot be tamed, while James suggests “every kind of beast and bird…has been tamed by mankind” (James 3:7). There seems to be an issue reconciling the passages. So, does James 3:7 contradict Job 40–41?
The Example of Abraham
Both Paul and James turned to the life of Abraham to illustrate justification. Paul writes, “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness” (Rom 4:2-3). James seems to contradict Paul when he writes, “Was not our father Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?” (James 2:21) A careful analysis will help shed light on this apparent disagreement.