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The book of James

Author

James, but not the Apostle James.
This gets a bit complicated:

Protestants believe he was the half-brother of Jesus.
Catholics believe he was the step-brother of Jesus.
Go here to read about the differences.

James was also head of the house churches in Jerusalem.

In the 40's and 50's, Jerusalem was the leading Christian city with many house churches, and, as head of the house churches in Jerusalem, James was a very important Christian leader.

James was one of the leaders at the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15.
James probably died in 62 while being stoned by the Jewish leadership.

Place and Time of Writing

Probably Jerusalem since James lived there.
Probably before the Council of Jerusalem, so we will say 48.

Unique Characteristics

The book of James is a General Epistle.

All the books from James to Jude (this letter plus the next six letters) are referred to as “General Epistles.” Most of them are written to all Christians, and so they are all put in the same category and called General Epistles.
Note: Sometimes these letters are referred to as “Catholic Epistles.” In that case, the word “Catholic” does not mean the Catholic Church, but instead refers to the original meaning of “catholic” which is “universal.” So these letters are sometimes called “Catholic Epistles,” which means “universal epistles.”
Note: Remember that “epistle” is Greek for “letter.”

It contains little doctrine or theology; the letter is concerned mostly with Christian living.

Audience

This letter is addressed: “To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations.” (1:1)
This is a code. In the Old Testament the Jews had twelve tribes, but this letter is not addressed to the Jews.
Some scholars believe it is written to Jewish Christians outside of Israel, and others believe it is addressed to all Christians.

Theme

True faith results in action; faith without works is dead.

More details about James

Why did James write this letter?

James wrote this letter before the Council in Jerusalem met in 50 and before the Gospels were written. That means it was written at a time when many Christians were confused about their lifestyle as Christians: basically, how should they live? Should they follow the Law of Moses? Should they live as they pleased since they were forgiven? Many Christians didn’t know.
Therefore, as an influential pastor, James decided to write a letter explaining how to live as a Christian. Basically, he did what Paul did in the second part of most of his letters to churches: he gave them instructions on how to live as a Christian. That is the focus of the entire book.
It does not discuss doctrine or theology, and we can only guess as to why. I think it is because he was more of a pastor than a theologian, and so focused more on the concerns of people about how to live. Yes, the Jewish Christians were confused about the Law: should they follow it or not? Gentile Christians would also have been confused. After all, Jesus had followed the Law, so shouldn't they? Remember, this letter was written before the Council of Jerusalem with its teaching that one did not have to follow the Law but focus on their faith that leads to actions.
At this point, both Jewish and Gentile Christians were confused about how to live, therefore, James wrote the letter about how to live around the year 48. And who would know better then James, since he grew up with Jesus as a half-brother and, no doubt watched Jesus closely.

Comparing James and Paul

We do not know how or when James became a Christian. We do know that by the late 40s he was the leader of the house churches in Jerusalem. Christianity probably did not have bishops at that point, but, if they did, James would be considered the bishop of Jerusalem. To understand James better, he can be compared with Paul:

Name	Job	Location	Focus
Paul	Missionary & theologian	Traveled in northeastern Mediterranean Sea area	Faith for individuals and unity for churches
James	Pastor	Jerusalem	Living an active Christian life

Paul’s main point concerning individuals in his letters was that each person only needed faith to please God. On the other hand, James’ main point in his letter was that Christians needed to have action. These points should not be understood as opposite but complimentary. Think about it this way:

Paul, as a missionary, met many people, most of whom were not Christian. Therefore it was necessary for him to mainly discuss the faith people should have in Jesus. He also started many house churches, and his main focus for the churches was to have unity.
James, as a pastor, preached many sermons to Christians in established house churches. There is no evidence that he started churches. Therefore, he did not need to focus on faith but instead on action, or how to live as a Christian; after all, he wrote to Christians who did not need to hear about faith in Jesus because they had already accepted Jesus. Therefore, he focused on the actions of each Christian.

Contents of James

James is basically a book of advice on how Christians should live. It has a short greeting contained in one verse, and does not have a salutation but instead ends abruptly. Examples of some of the advice:

1:2-4: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
1:19: “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
3:9, 10: “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth comes praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”
3:17, 18: “But the wisdom that comes form heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”

Outline

1:1: Greetings
1:2-12: The purpose of tests
1:13-18: The source of temptations
1:19-5:6: The characteristics of faith
5:7-20: How faith triumphs

Questions with answers

True or False

The book of James was included in the New Testament because the author was an Apostle.

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False

James was the half-brother of Jesus and the head of the house churches in Jerusalem.

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True or False

The book of James is considered a General Epistle.

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True

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True or False

The theme of James is that Christians need to act on their faith in addition to believing in Jesus.

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True

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Consider this

Paul spoke mainly about faith and James spoke only about action. Did they contradict each other?

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No. They had two different audiences. Paul often wrote to people who were struggling with understanding the faith, especially how Gentiles could become Christian without following the Covenant with Abraham or the Law of Moses. Therefore Paul needed to spend much time talking about faith. On the other hand, James wrote to Christians who did not have a question about their faith. Therefore, he did not have to speak about faith but could focus on how to live as a Christian. He wrote to Christians who were trying to understand a Christian lifestyle since they were not supposed to follow all the Law of Moses anymore (specifically the sacrifices). They wondered, how are we supposed to live a Christian lifestyle? James told them.

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Timeline up to the book of James

Dates are approximate.

Year	Event
63 B.C.	Romans conquer Israel.
27 B.C.	Pax Romana began and lasted until A.D. 180.
4 B.C.	Jesus born.
	All dates after this are A.D.
27	Jesus baptized.
30	Jesus was crucified, buried, rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven. Apostles travel to Jerusalem and choose Matthias to replace Judas as an Apostle. Day of Pentecost: Peter assumes leadership of Christianity.
30-50	Peter was leader of Christianity.
33	Jesus appeared to Paul and Paul became a Christian.
48	James written.
48-50	Paul's First Missionary Trip.
50	Council of Jerusalem; Paul became one of the main Christian leaders.
50-55	Paul's Second Missionary Trip.
51-53	Galatians, I & II Thessalonians, and I & II Corinthians written.
55-60	Paul's Third Missionary Trip.
55	Romans written.
60-62	Paul arrested in Jerusalem and taken to Rome. Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon written while Paul was under house arrest in Rome.
62-63	(Not in Acts) Paul probably released from prison during this time.
63-65	(Not in Acts) Paul probably traveled. He may have gone to Spain.
63	I Timothy and Titus written.
64	Fire in Rome and Christians persecuted by Emperor Nero.
65	II Timothy written. (Not in Acts)Paul back in Rome; he and Peter arrested and martyred: Peter was crucified upside down and Paul was beheaded.
67	Gospel of Mark written.
68	Hebrews written.
70	Temple in Jerusalem destroyed by Romans (it has not been rebuilt).
80	Gospels of Matthew and Luke written.
90	Gospel of John and book of Acts written.
95	Christians persecuted by Emperor Domitian; Apostle John exiled on island of Patmos where he wrote Revelation.
96	Emperor Domitian died; Apostle John probably moved to Ephesus.
100	Apostle John died; he was the last Apostle to die.
390's	New Testament canon "closed" at Councils of Hippo (393) and Carthage (397).
1200's	Chapters added to the New Testament.
1500's	Verses added to the New Testament.

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