The Book of James

James Who

James was a younger brother of Jesus, a disciple, and a respected leader of the Jewish-Christian church
in Jerusalem. He is most naturally identified as the author of the letter bearing his name. Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3; Galatians 1:19

James seems to have been head of the Jerusalem congregation about A.D. 48–62. Paul considered him to be one of the pillars of the Jerusalem church (Galatians 2:9). His fellow Jews recognized James as a righteous man, and tradition bestowed on him the title “The Just.” James was martyred in A.D. 62.

The Date James was Written

If James, the brother of the Lord wrote the letter, it must be dated sometime before AD 62, when James was martyred, as recorded by Josephus (Ant. XX.9.1)

An early date for this New Testament book is likely, around 45–47. There was an issue concerning the Jerusalem Council (AD 48 or 49). We can surmise that Paul’s preaching in Antioch, beginning around 45 (Acts 11:25–26), was heard and misunderstood by some Jewish Christians in the same area (Acts 11:19). Since these Jewish Christians may well have looked upon the Jerusalem church as their “home” church, it is entirely feasible that the head of that church, James, would have learned about the distortion of Paul’s teaching and responded.

James Wrote the Letter from Jerusalem

James lived in Jerusalem during this period. His readers are probably to be found in the regions just outside of Palestine, along the coastline to the north, in Syria, and perhaps in southern Asia Minor. Several allusions are present in the letter, most notably the reference to the ‘earlier and latter rains’ (5:7). These seem to confirm this location, as only along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea do the rains come in this sequence.

The Recipients of the Letter

James addressed his letter to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad. The twelve tribes was a synonym for the nation Israel. Dispersion was a technical term used for the Jews who were scattered over the Gentile world outside of Palestine. John 7:35 and 1 Peter 1:1.

The letter implies that these Jewish believers were mainly poor people who were caught in a situation of considerable social tension. The trials they are suffering are to be met with steadfast endurance, so that their Christian character might reach full maturity and their reward, “the crown of life” be secured.

The Purpose of the Epistle

There is little in James to suggest a particular event or set of circumstances which might have occasioned the letter. It had a broad, general purpose, primarily to give directions concerning the living of the Christian life.

It would appear that under the pressures of poverty and persecution some of the readers had become depressed, bitter, and impatient, and were accommodating their lives to the life of the world. While the situation of the church in the world provides the background for the letter, James’ concern is with the world getting into the church.

James calls on his readers to repent from this worldliness; to humble themselves before the Lord so that he might exalt them (4:7–10); and to work diligently to bring other sinners back from the error of their ways (5:19–20).

The letter has a strong tone of pastoral exhortation. James has a greater frequency of imperatives than any other New Testament book. His purpose is not just to inform, but to command, exhort and encourage a change of lifestyle in his readers.

The Theological Emphases of James

James was writing to believers who were already well acquainted with fundamental Christian teachings. So there was little reason for him to rehearse basic biblical truths again. His readers were not perplexed over any major doctrinal issues, (with the possible exception of the place of works in salvation).

Their problem was a failure to put their faith into practice.

Therefore, it is at the level of practical daily living that James concentrates. His letter is a practical homily,
designed to encourage believers to show the reality of their theological commitment in practice.

The passages 4:4 –10 contains a stinging indictment of the readers for their worldliness, along with a strongly worded summons to repentance. As such, it provides the perfect foundation for James’ accusation that his readers are spiritual adulterers, who are tarnishing their relationship with God through entanglement with the world (4:4).

The most famous, controversial and important contribution of James to theology comes in his teaching about the relationship of faith, works, and justification in James 2:14–26. He is resolutely opposing any form of Christianity that drifts into a sterile, action-less “orthodoxy.” As important and necessary as is “right belief,” it is much less than true Christian belief if it is not accompanied by works. Paul and James are combating opposite problems. Paul highlights faith as the sole instrument of justification. James is combating an under-emphasis on works, which is an attitude that turns faith into mere doctrinal orthodoxy.

The Christian life focus is where James makes his most important contribution. No other New Testament
book concentrates so exclusively on ethical questions.