It is perhaps best understood when viewed as a commentary on Old Testament Law or the
Sermon on the Mount in light of the Gospel.
B. Probably the earliest book of the New Testament.
While it is addressed to the "twelve tribes scattered abroad" (which was the
common designation by the Jews for all those who were in parts of the world other than
Judea, see John 7:35), there is no mention of or reference to Gentile believers. This
probably means that the Council of Jerusalem, which dealt with the subject of Gentile
Believers (Acts 15:13ff, 48 or 49 A.D.) had not yet taken place.
The structure of the church referred to in James is simple; it has "teachers"
and "elders", but there is no reference to "bishops" or
"deacons." Various members of the church were evidently seeking to establish
themselves as teachers (and are cautioned against this), and the church was still meeting
in Christian-controlled synagogue (James 2:2, the word "assembly" or
"meeting" is actually "synagogue.")
C. One of seven "general" or "catholic" (universal) epistles.
Rather than being addressed to a particular church or a particular area, it is simply
addressed to Christians in general. The other "general" epistles are 1 & 2
Peter, 1, 2, & 3 John (although 2 & 3 John are actually addressed to a particular
individual), and Jude.
II. James, the man.
A. There are three men called James in the New Testament.
James, the brother of John and son of Zebedee. This James was one of Christ's disciples
(Matthew 10:2).
James, the son of Alphaeus. He, too, was a disciple (Matthew 10:3).
James, the brother of Jesus. Galatians 1:19, Matthew 13:55.
B. The evidence available is fairly conclusive that the writer of James is James, the
Lord's brother.
Some tradition taught that he was actually the Lord's half brother, but this arose
primarily from the teaching about Mary's perpetual virginity (a teaching both unreasonable
and unscriptural).
We only know a little about this James, but it is adequate to see his progression in
the things of the Lord and the high regard others had for him.
James was devout in the Jewish religion (John 7:10), but, a year before Jesus
crucifixion, James did not believe in Jesus as the Messiah (John 7:2-5). (Also, see Mark
3:21, where "kinsmen" means "brothers" or "family."
After Jesus resurrection, He made a special appearance to James (1 Corinthians 15:6).
After this special appearance of Jesus to James, James seems to have become a devout
Believer in Christ. He was among those who gathered to pray in the upper room with the
apostles, with Mary and with the other brothers of Jesus (Acts 1:13,14).
By the time of Paul's entry into public ministry, James was considered an apostle and
was among the leadership of the church in Jerusalem (Galatians 1:18,19). (This would have
been about 40 A.D.)
During Herod's persecutions of the Believers in Jerusalem, James the son of Zebedee was
killed and Peter was imprisoned to be killed. When Peter was delievered from prison by an
angel, he instructed those gathered in the home of John Mark's mother to specially tell
James of Peter's deliverance (Acts 12:17). This indicates Jame's place of prominence among
those in the Jerusalem church.
After Paul had established churches among the Gentiles, a counsel was held in Jerusalem
to determine what Old Testament requirements would be enforced among the new Gentile
Believers. The counsel was made up of the apostles and elders (Acts 15:6). James,
evidently as a leader among these men, made the recommendation that was finally adopted
(Acts 15:13ff).
When Paul made his official reports of God's work among the Gentiles, he reported to
Peter, John, and James. He called these men the "pillars" of the Jerusalem
church (Galatians 2:9; Acts 21:18,19). (Remember that John's brother named James had been
killed much earlier.)
Historians record that James was such a Godly and righteous man that he was called
"James the Just" and "James the Righteous" by even the unbelieving
Jews in Jerusalem.
It is undisputed that James died as a martyr, but the manner of his death is debated.
Fox's Book of Martyr's says that "[a]t the age of ninety-four he was beat and stoned
by the Jews; and finally had his brains dashed out with a fuller's club." He most
probably died about 62-63 A.D.
III. Why should we know about James?
A. Paul admonishes Believers to know those who labor among them (1
Thessalonians 5:12), in order that we esteem them highly, accept their admonitions, and
submit to them in the Lord.
B. In James, we see a man who intimately knew Jesus Christ, but who rejected Jesus'
message until after His death. But rather than succumb to guilt because of his past
errors, he grew quickly in his relationship with the risen Lord and became a leader among
men. This should encourage us not to rely on any knowledge we may have of Christ, but to
come to know Christ in genuine relationship and allow Him to be exalted in our lives.
IV. Why study the book of James?
A. The early church was struggling to balance the truth of the Gospel with Old
Testament revelation. James served as a fulcrum, or a balance between the Old and New
Covenant, showing that rightly understood, the Old Testament was entirely consistent with
the continuing revelation of the New Testament. There are no contradictions in God's
revelation; but there is a fuller revelation.
B. The modern church has so often called itself the "New Testament Church"
that it has forgotten the validity of the Old Testament. We are certainly not to be under
the bondage of the Law, but then neither was Israel. But Paul tells us repeatedly (1
Corinthians 10:11; Romans 15:4) that all that is recorded in the Old Testament is for our
instruction and advantage. James can serve as our needed balance back into a proper
understanding of Old Testament truth and its present application. We must not only apply
"The New Bible" to our lives, but be people reflecting all of God's truth.