Author

The author identifies himself in the first verse of the book as “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” There are three prominent men named James in the New Testament: James the son Zebedee, one of the three apostles closest to the Lord (Matthew 4:21; 10:2; 17:1-2; 26:36-37), James the son of Alphaeus, also an apostle (Matthew 10:3), and James, the Lord’s brother, later called an apostle (Matthew 13:55; Galatians 1:19).

The term “apostle” means “a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders” (Thayer). Christ is the apostle of God (Hebrews 3:1), He Himself chose twelve apostles to send to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:2-4). These twelve minus Judas Iscariot plus Matthias became his apostles to the whole world (Acts 1:6-8,13-26). Paul became the apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13). And some men became apostles of churches (ones sent forth with orders, Acts 14:14;cf. 13:1-3; 14:26-27). In my opinion, James the brother of Christ became an apostle of Christ to replace the slain James the son of Zebedee.

Which James wrote this letter? The author does not call himself an apostle, but, if all three men named “James” were apostles, and all certainly were in one sense or another, this does not help us. James the son of Zebedee was murdered by Herod in A.D. 44 (Acts 12:1-2). This does not absolutely rule him out as the writer, for conditions in harmony with the contents of this book were present before his death. Nothing is known of James the son of Alphaeus after the beginning of the church. James, the half brother of the Lord Jesus became prominent in the first century church (1 Corinthians 15:7; Acts 1:14; Galatians 1:18-19; Acts 12:17; 15:13,19; Galatians 2:1,9-10,12; Acts 21:18). In fact, he became so prominent that he was characteristically called by his first name alone (Galatians 1:19; 2:9,12). The greeting of James 1:1 is similar to the one we know James the brother of Jesus authored as recorded in Acts 15:23. No other New Testament letter begins this way. Most likely, the author of the book of James is James the brother of Christ. Perhaps he does not so identify himself because it was unnecessary to a first century audience of Christians, because the New Testament authors do not make themselves prominent, and to avoid undue deference to his fleshly connection to Jesus (cf. Matthew 12:46-50).

Date

James (From hereon we will follow the custom of calling James the brother of the Lord simply by his first name, “James.”), according to the first century Jewish historian Josephus, was martyred in A.D. 62 or 63 (Harrison. 277). So, if he wrote the book, it must have been earlier than this. It must have been written after the events of Acts 8:1-4, for the disciples were “scattered abroad” (1:1). It appears to have been written after Acts 11:26, for it appears the name “Christian” was already in use (James 2:7; cf. 1Peter 4:15-16). The evidence points to a date before the events of Acts 15, since there is no reference to the decision of the apostles and elders concerning the Gentiles and the law, even though James was the chief architect of that decision (Acts 15:13-21), the book does not directly deal with the relationship between Jews and Gentiles, although it specifically forbids partiality (2:1-9; cf. Acts 10:34-35), and the disciples were still meeting in synagogues, or the author uses the Jewish name “synagogue” to refer to their meeting places (2:2).

A date around the time of the world-wide famine (A.D. 44) would fit, because of the reference to helping widows and orphans (1:26-27), a work for which James was particularly concerned (Galatians 2:9-10). Perhaps James wrote this letter about A.D. 44.

Audience

James writes “to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad” (1:1). By itself this salutation could be to all Jews of the Dispersion, those scattered from their homelands by the deportations which began with the conquest by Assyria. But the author makes it clear he is writing to those who “hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory” (2:1). Thus, “the twelve tribes scattered abroad” would be an apt reference to disciples scattered by the persecution which followed the stoning of Stephen (Acts 8:1-4; 11:19). These were, as we are, “the Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16; 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10).

From Where Written

Nothing is specifically stated in James to indicate where it was written. But references to springs which produced either “salt water” or “fresh” (3:11), figs, olives, and grapes as crops (3:12), and especially “the early and latter rain” (5:7) are all consistent with Palestine. James is identified with Jerusalem (Galatians 1:18-19; Acts 15:2,4,13).

Theme

James states his theme, “be perfect,” emphatically at the beginning (1:4) and returns to the idea of perfection several times. God is the source of every “perfect gift” rather than of temptation to sin (1:17). The “perfect law of liberty” is the standard of and guide to perfection (1:25). Works of faith and a bridled tongue are the means, fruits, and evidence of perfection (2:22; 3:2).

In all six occurrences of the word “perfect” in James, the original Greek term is either the noun or verb form of one word which Thayer defines as

1) brought to its end, finished 2) wanting nothing necessary to completeness 3) perfect 4) that which is perfect 4a) consummate human integrity and virtue 4b) of men 4b1) full grown, adult, of full age, mature.

Characteristics

James is one of seven letters the early church called “catholic,” meaning general , books not addressed to a specific church, group of churches, or individual. The others are First and Second Peter, First, Second, and Third John, and Jude.

James is the most Jewish New Testament book, even more so than Matthew and Hebrews. James definitely refers to Jesus Christ only twice (1:1; 2;1). He speaks of “the perfect law of liberty” (1:25; cf. 2:12) rather than the gospel. He never makes reference to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and he emphasizes the necessity of works of faith rather than grace (2:14-26).

The exhortations of James parallel those of the Master while He was on earth, especially of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5 - 7). The chart below lists the passages in James which echo the words of Jesus and the passages in the accounts of the life of Christ where the master spoke these words.

The entire book of James is a practical guide to how to live perfectly. The Greek word for religion is found only three times in the New Testament (Acts 26:5; Colossians 2:18 [“worship’]; James 1:27), and the corresponding adjective is only found once (James 1;26, “religious”). The word means “fearing or worshipping God” (Thayer). But James describes “pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father” as practical morality and love (James 1:26-27). No New Testament passage more clearly and forcefully proves that saving faith is working faith than James 2:14-26. James teaches us that “pure and undefiled religion” and working faith are one and the same, and they are the means by which we become perfect (mature, complete).

“There are over 50 imperatives (commands -KS) in the Epistle of James. James did not suggest - he commanded!” (Wiersbe. 10). In this also he is like his Master (Matthew 7:28-29).

James deals with the Christian’s social relationships to such an extent he has been called the Amos of the New Testament (cf. 2:1-9; 5:1-6).

Outline

The Perfect Christian

Salutation - 1:1

I. He triumphs over temptation. - 1:2-17
A. Value of Temptations - 1:2-4
B. Prayer for Wisdom - 1:5-8
C. Vanity of Riches - 1:9-11
D. Enduring Temptations - 1:12-15
E. God the Source of Blessings - 1:16-17

II. He Receives the Word - 1:18-27
A. Hears the Word - 1:18-21
B. Does the Word - 1:22-27

III. He Does NOT Show Partiality. - 2:1-13

IV. His Faith Works. - 2:14-26

V. He Bridles His Tongue. - 3:1-12

VI. He Has Wisdom from Above. - 3:13-18

VII. He Is NOT a Friend of the World. - 4:1 - 5:6
A. Friendship with the World, Enmity with God - 4:1-5
B. Submission to God - 4:6-10
C. Evil Speaking - 4:11-12
D. God Over Gold - 4:13 - 5:6

VIII. He Is Patient. - 5:7-12

IX. He Prays. - 5:13-18

X. He Restores Brethren Who Wander from the Truth. - 5:19-20