CIRCUMSTANCES OF WRITING

AUTHOR: James is named as the author in 1:1. A number of New Testament personalities were named James, but only three are candidates for the authorship of this book. James the son of Zebedee died in AD 44, too early to have been the author. No tradition names James the son of Alphaeus (Mk 3:18) as the author. This leaves James the brother of Jesus, also called James the Just (Mk 6:3; Ac 1:14; 12:17; 15:13; 21:18; 1Co 15:7; Gl 2:9,12), as the most likely candidate.

This James is identified as the brother of Jesus in Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3; and Galatians 1:19. Though he was not a follower of Christ during his earthly ministry (Jn 7:3-5), a post-resurrection appearance convinced James that Jesus is indeed the Christ (Ac 1:14; 1Co 15:7). James later led the Jerusalem church (Gl 2:9,12), exercising great influence there (Ac 1:14; 12:17; 15:13; 21:18; 1Co 15:7; Gl 2:9,12).

BACKGROUND: James was probably written between AD 48 and 52, though nothing in the epistle suggests a more precise date. James’s death in AD 62 or 66 means the epistle was written before this time. Similarities to Gospel traditions and Pauline themes are suggestive. If Mark was written around AD 65 and time is allowed for the events of Acts 15 and 21 to have occurred between Paul’s first and second missionary journeys, a date between AD 48 and 52 seems most likely.

James led the Jerusalem church. The reference to “the twelve tribes dispersed abroad” (1:1) suggests the letter was written to Jewish Christians living outside of Israel. The reference to a synagogue in 2:2 also suggests that his audience were Jewish Christians. References to their circumstances (e.g., oppression by wealthy landowners, 5:1-6) could refer to congregations anywhere in the Roman Empire. However, Semitic word order, quotations from the Septuagint, and the overall dependence of the epistle on the Jewish wisdom tradition suggest a specifically Jewish Christian audience.

MESSAGE AND PURPOSE

As a general epistle, James was addressed to a broad audience (Jewish Christians) rather than a specific audience (e.g., Christians at Ephesus only). There is an obvious concern to address internal and external difficulties being faced by Jewish Christian congregations. Externally they were facing trials (1:2), particularly oppression of various sorts exerted by wealthy landowners. It does not appear that the oppression was religious in nature. Internally it appears that dissension was caused by a lack of self-control (1:13-17), uncontrolled speech, and false teachings that led to a misunderstanding of true religion (1:19-27; 2:1-4; 3:1-8), favoritism toward the wealthy (2:1-13), and selfish ambition that led to murder and criticism (4:1-12).

James addressed these issues primarily through the application of principles defined by the Old Testament wisdom tradition. The solutions he named reflected the wisdom from above that comes from the “Father of lights” (1:17) who gives wisdom generously to those who ask for it. Wisdom is required for proper speech in worship and in determining who ought to teach (1:19-27; 3:1-8). Wisdom is also needed to avoid internal conflicts that create dissension within congregations (3:13-18; 4:1-12). The theme of faith in action is also important (1:19-27; 2:14-26); James demonstrated that faith that does not express itself in good works is useless. Another theme of the epistle is ethics, especially social justice (2:1-13; 4:1-12; 5:1-12).

CONTRIBUTION TO THE BIBLE

James continually called for obedience to the law of God. He never referred to the ceremonial law, but to the moral law. While some people think James is at odds with Paul about the Christian’s relationship to the law, both authors actually combine to give us a solid understanding of the Old Testament law. Paul showed believers that Christ met the demands of the law and, thus, brings us to salvation. James showed believers that their obedience to God’s moral standards is an indication of a living faith, which is a life lived in step with the one who met the demands of the law. Some choose to oversimplify the distinctions between the Old Testament and the New Testament and say the Old Testament is grounded in works and the New Testament is grounded in faith, but James brings both testaments together to show that faith and works are integrally related in both the old and new covenants.

STRUCTURE

The book of James is a letter (an epistle), though only the greeting conforms to the ancient Greek form exemplified in Paul’s letters, especially Galatians. The greeting identifies the author as James, includes a title demonstrating the source of his authority (“a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”), names the recipients (“the twelve tribes dispersed abroad”), and conveys “Greetings” (1:1). Epistles were often used as a means of spurring the recipients to a change in behavior or belief based on the authoritative word and guidance of the sender.

The book of James has been compared to Old Testament Wisdom literature. While there are wisdom elements in James, such as comparing the wisdom of the world with the wisdom that comes from God, it also contains exhortations and prophetic elements not common to Wisdom literature.

OUTLINE

I.Salutation (1:1)

II.Surviving Trials and Temptation (1:2-18)

A.Facing trials (1:2-12)

B.God and temptation (1:13-15)

C.Demonstrate God’s good gifts (1:16-18)

III.Authentic Religion (1:19-2:26)

A.Show maturity of character (1:19-21)

B.Put faith into action (1:22-27)

C.Shun partiality and favoritism (2:1-13)

D.Practice good works (2:14-26)

IV.The Need for Wise Teachers (3:1-18)

A.Teachers and control of the tongue (3:1-12)

B.Teachers and wisdom from above (3:13-18)

V.Peace with God and One Another (4:1-17)

A.Pride and humility (4:1-12)

B.Our will and God’s will (4:13-17)

VI.Discipline in the Christian Life (5:1-20)

A.The hazards of wealth (5:1-6)

B.Persevere under trial (5:7-11)

C.Avoid swearing (5:12)

D.Reach out to God in prayer (5:13-18)

E.Minister to the wayward (5:19-20)

2100-900 BC

Job 2100-1900?

Abraham 2166-1991

The Mosaic Law at Sinai 1446

Rahab supports the conquest of Jericho. 1406

Much of Proverbs is written. 970-931

900 BC-AD 33

Elijah’s ministry 862-852 BC

The Book of Wisdom 220-50 BC?

The deuterocanonical book of Ecclesiasticus 180 BC

Jesus’s trials, death, and resurrection Nisan 14-16 or April 3-5, AD 33

Following his resurrection, Jesus appears to James his brother. AD 33

AD 33-44

Pentecost 33

Saul’s conversion on the Damascus Road October, 34

Paul meets with Peter and James on his first visit to Jerusalem following his conversion. 37?

James becomes leader of the church at Jerusalem. 44

Execution of James, son of Zebedee, by Herod Agrippa 44

AD 44-330

The Letter of James 48-52

Martyrdom of James half brother of Jesus 62

Destruction of Jerusalem 70

Origen quotes James in his commentary on the Gospel of John. 230

Eusebius refers to the Letter of James as Scripture. 330