Introduction to the Book of James

James is the first of seven letters known as the “General Epistles.”  The other general epistles are 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, 3 John, and Jude.  They are referred to as “General Epistles” because, unlike Paul’s letters which are written to specific congregations or to individuals, the “General Epistles” are written to a more general audience.  These epistles are named according to their authors.

In the original order of the New Testament, the General Epistles were placed after the book of Acts, and before the Epistles of Paul.  These letters are more clear and easier to understand than some of the statements made by Paul.  They build on the framework of the Gospels and the book of Acts.

The book of James names its author as “James” (or, “Jakobus” in the Greek) (1:1).  However, there is little indication to the actual identity of which James wrote this letter.  The traditional view is the author is James, the half-brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55).  Likewise, the traditional dating of the letter is around 60-62 A.D.  James writes to a general audience, not just to one geographical region or person.  He writes “to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad” (1:1).

James’ purpose for writing this letter was (1) to encourage those who were facing persecutions and to persevere to the end, (2) to motivate Christians to hold onto the law of God, (3) to explain that faith apart from obedience to God is worthless, and (4) to teach that the practical application in a Christian life, even during persecution, is vital.

The epistle of James had one of the hardest struggles to be accepted in the New Testament canon.  It appears very late in the canon and not officially accepted and recognized until 397 A.D.  Even after being accepted, many continued to critique the book.  For example, Martin Luther called the book of James “an epistle of straw” when compared to the works of Paul and John.  Those who are critical have the preconceived bias that the law is done away and Christians no longer have to keep it.  But James makes it clear that keeping the law of God is something that all true believers, all Christians, are required to do.

The book of James is written with an Old Testament viewpoint.  Christianity is seen as the logical progression of the religion of the Old Testament.  While there seems to be an absence of basic Christian doctrines found elsewhere in the New Testament, such as redemption by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the resurrection, there are plenty of allusions to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the philosophy of Christianity.  James has a more practical approach as opposed to a philosophical approach.

The format of the epistle of James is much like a sermon.  It has been said to have a structure like a “string of beads,” or a “string of pearls,” much like the book of Proverbs.  It is written intentionally disjointed or detached, moving from one subject to another, like stringing beads on a pearl necklace – a string of moral truths and exhortations coming one after another.