Introduction to the Epistle of James

29 June 2014

Author

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. - James 1:1

Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? - Matthew 13:55

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. - Mark 6:3

Author

Now the Jew's feast of tabernacles was at hand. His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. For neither did his brethren believe in him. - John 7:2-5

Author

... Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. - 1 Cor. 15:3-7

Author

And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain ... And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. – Gal. 2:2,9

Author

But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place. - James 12:16,17

Author

But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren ... we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they ... And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me ... Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. – Acts 15:5-7, 11 13, 19, 20

Author

Traditionally nicknamed “James the Just”

Tradition says James had “knees like those of camels” because of much time spent in prayer

Perhaps looked like Jesus

Josephus recorded that James was martyred during an uprising against Christians in 62 A.D.

Namesake

King James I of England

Named after James

Authorized the 1611English translationof the Bible; the resultwas the “King James Bible”, which has hada special anointing and brought salvationto millions of souls.

Date

Probably around 46 A.D.

Perhaps the earliest N.T. epistle

Recipients

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. - James 1:1

Literary Style and Techniques Like a sermon

Metaphors from rural life, marine life, astronomy, domestic life and public life

Illustrations from every day life

Rhetorical questions

Excellent Greek

Plain and direct

Authoritative

Practical

Relevant

Jewish

Different from Paul

Similar to Jesus

James Outline 1:1-8 Trials are part of life

1:9-11 Testing / temptation will come

1:12-18 Response to testing

1:19-27 Be doers of the Word, not just hearers

2:1-5 Avoid favoritism and prejudices

2:6-12 Avoid Apathy and wrong mindsets

2:13-26 Obedience and action are proof of faith

James Outline 3:1-12 Our words reflect what is in our soul

3:13-18 Heavenly vs. devilish wisdom

4:1-5 Worldly lusts make people enemies of God

4:6-10 God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble

4:11-12 Don’t judge your brother in how he serves God (ref., Mt. 6:33-7:5)

4:13-17 Don’t be presumptuous about the future

James Outline 5:1-6 Woe to the rich men in the last days

(banksters, powerful elite, Illuminati)

5:7-11 Be patient and endure suffering

5:12 Do not swear or make oaths

5:13-18 Pray for and anoint sick Christians

5:19,20 Help backsliders repent

Key verse

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone – James 2:17

Closing thought

Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts:

for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. – James 5:8