AUTHOR

The author identifies himself as “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,” suggesting that he was a humble and yet well-known leader. Taking into account the four men named James who appear in the New Testament, it seems most likely that this book was written by James the half-brother of Jesus (Mt 13:55), who was leader of the Jerusalem church (Ac 15:12-21; Gl 1:19). Support for this conclusion is found in the fact that James the father of Judas (Lk 6:16; Ac 1:13) and James the son of Alphaeus (Mk 3:18) were rather obscure and insignificant figures, while James the apostle, brother of John and son of Zebedee (Mk 1:19; 5:37; 9:2; 10:35; Ac 12:2), had been martyred by the time of writing (Ac 12:2).

Roman Catholic scholars who argue for the perpetual virginity of Mary believe that James the Lord’s half-brother was either Joseph’s son by a previous marriage or Jesus’s cousin. This view, however, has no scriptural support. Joseph and Mary no doubt had children, but they did so after the virgin birth of Jesus, and no evidence exists to indicate that Joseph was formerly married. Further, the Greek word adelphos plainly means “brother” and not “cousin.”

DATE

James wrote at an early date, likely in the mid-40s. This conclusion is probable because: (1) leaders in the church were teachers and elders (3:1; 5:14) rather than bishops and deacons, contrary to later practice; (2) Christians were apparently still meeting in synagogues (2:2); (3) truths found in later New Testament letters are not mentioned here; (4) the controversy over the necessity of circumcision for believers had apparently not yet taken place.

The place of the letter’s origin is unknown. Assuming, however, that the Lord’s half-brother wrote it, he likely did so from Jerusalem.

The designation “To the twelve tribes dispersed abroad” strongly suggests that the recipients were Jewish Christians outside Palestine. These Jewish believers perhaps were scattered outside their homeland due to early persecutions that had arisen in Jerusalem (Ac 8:1-4; 11:19). Further support that the letter’s original readers were Jewish Christians is found in the fact that James never brought up issues such as the assimilation of Gentiles into the church. James encouraged his readers to live consistent Christian lives in the midst of persecution for their faith in Christ.