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INTRODUCTION

Text: James

INTRODUCTION

1. Authorship

James introduced himself as the author of this Epistle. The original readers would have no problem identifying the author. But the problem we have is which James?

2. A number of people who bore the name “James”. However, only two possible candidates may be considered.

a) James the brother of John (Matthew 4:21)

i) James was one of the first disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

ii) He was called to follow the Lord together with his brother John.

iii) He was mentioned by name in the original list of apostles (Matthew 10:2).

iv) James was the first apostle killed. He was slain by Herod Agrippa (grandson of Herod the Great). [Acts 12:2]

v) Thus, he could not have been the author of this Epistle.

b) James the half-brother of the Lord Jesus Christ

i) He was named as one of the siblings of the Lord (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3).

ii) James was one of the brothers who did not believe in Jesus initially (John 7:5).

iii) Jesus made a special appearance to him after resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7).

iv) He became an outstanding leader of the Church (Acts 15:13).

v) He addressed the Council that convened in Jerusalem (Acts 15:13-21).

vi) This James is regarded by many scholars to be the author of this Epistle.

3. Characteristics of the Epistle of James

a) James wrote from a very practical standpoint.

i) He believed that faith in God was never just “theological”.

ii) Faith was meant to be practised in life.

b) James was very much involved in the Jewish ministry rather than the Gentile one.

i) Hence there would be references that are obviously Jewish.

ii) One of the main groups reading this Epistle would be Jewish Christians.

Let us look forward to reading the Epistle of James as we would read any other portions of Scripture. Let us read prayerfully and meditatively. May the Spirit of God enlighten us as we read this wonderfully practical epistle.