Introduction to

James

Author

The writer of this letter calls himself simply “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (1:1). Of the four men with this name in the NT, only two are prominent enough to identify themselves so simply: James, the brother of John and son of Zebedee, who was one of the 12 original apostles (Mark 1:19), and James, “the Lord’s brother” (Gal 1:19), who was the leader of the early Jerusalem church (Acts 15:13; 21:18; Gal 2:9). The apostle James died at too early a date (AD 44; see Acts 12:2) to have written the letter, so this leaves James, the Lord’s brother, as the letter’s author. Although the matter is often contested, James was probably one of the younger brothers of Jesus (Matt 13:55) born to Joseph and Mary after Jesus’ birth. He was not a disciple during Jesus’ earthly ministry (John 7:5) and was perhaps converted when the resurrected Jesus appeared to him (1 Cor 15:7). James’s wise leadership of the Jerusalem church and the good name he maintained even among Jews earned him the title “James the Just,” according to Jewish and Christian traditions.

Recipients and Occasion

The letter is addressed to “the twelve tribes scattered among the nations” (1:1). This address has led to the tradition of classifying James as a “general” letter, with the whole Christian church in view. But James gives every indication of addressing a specific group of people.

“Twelve tribes” identifies these people as belonging to the people of God of the last days—the entire church, Gentiles and Jews alike (1 Pet 1:1), the Israel (or people of God) of the era of fulfillment. The prophets looked forward to the day when the scattered tribes of Israel would be reunited (Isa 11:11–12; 49:6; Jer 31:8–14; Ezek 37:21–22; 47:13; Zech 10:6–12). The NT teaches that God has accomplished this re-gathering through the work of Jesus (Matt 19:28; Rev 7:5–8).

The letter’s content, however, strongly suggests that James’s audience is limited to Jewish Christians. “Scattered among the nations” (1:1) shows that these believers were living outside the boundaries of Israel (cf. John 7:35; Acts 2:5). They may have been the Jewish Christians who were forced to flee Israel because of the persecution that arose after Stephen’s death (Acts 11:19). These Jewish Christians would have experienced the trials that befall most refugees, trials to which James frequently refers (1:2–4, 12; 2:5–7; cf. 5:1–11). Moreover, if these Jewish Christians came mainly from Jerusalem, it makes perfect sense that their former spiritual leader, James, would send them a letter to encourage them in their trials and exhort them to continue living faithful Christian lives in their new circumstances.

Date

If the above sketch of the circumstances that gave rise to the letter is correct, then James wrote in the mid to late 40s. It would be the first NT book written. But our information about the letter is sparse enough to encourage caution. Many scholars date the letter in the 60s, and we can consider this a viable option.

Nature and Purpose

Writing as a pastor, James addresses a number of different topics, sometimes quite briefly. This style, along with explicitly mentioning wisdom (1:5; 3:13–18) and treating topics that typically arise in wisdom literature, may suggest that we should classify James as a wisdom document. Yet it is best to view James as a series of brief sermons, or homilies, that James packages into one short letter. Notably, James frequently bases his teaching on tradition, especially the teaching of Jesus. He also makes use of various Jewish and even pagan teachings. These traditional teachings are thoroughly integrated into a distinctly Christian theological outlook. But this theology is more often assumed than taught. James focuses on getting believers to consistently live out the faith they proclaim.

Major Themes

The book of James is intensely practical. It is no accident that it includes the famous passage about doing what the word says (1:22–25) and the controversial one about showing faith by our deeds (2:14–26). These deeds are various: responding well to trials (1:2–4, 12; 5:7–12), praying fervently and effectively (1:5–8; 5:13–18), keeping our tongues under control (1:19–20; 3:1–12; 4:11–12), avoiding favoritism (2:1–13), cultivating a wisdom that will bring peace (3:13–18) in place of division (4:1–3), and using our material resources to honor God (4:13—5:6). Central to the letter is James’s call to a deep, sincere, and consistent faithfulness to God (4:4–5).

Outline

I. Address and Greeting (1:1)

II. Trials and Temptations (1:2–18)

A. Overcoming Trials (1:2–12)

B. The Source of Temptation (1:13–18)

III. Putting the Word Into Practice (1:19—2:26)

A. Listening and Doing (1:19–27)

B. Favoritism Forbidden (2:1–13)

C. Faith and Deeds (2:14–26)

IV. Words and Wisdom (3:1—4:12)

A. Taming the Tongue (3:1–12)

B. Two Kinds of Wisdom (3:13–18)

C. Submit Yourselves to God (4:1–12)

V. A Christian Perspective on the World (4:13—5:12)

A. Boasting About Tomorrow (4:13–17)

B. Warning to Rich Oppressors (5:1–6)

C. Patience in Suffering (5:7–12)

VI. The Prayer of Faith (5:13–20)