Who was James? The writer of the Epistle of James was the half-brother of Jesus, who became a prominent leader in the church in Jerusalem. James humbly calls himself a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. James wrote this letter during a time of transition. There was both religious and political turmoil during his time. Christians faced opposition and persecution from Jewish leadership. The Roman Empire did not sanction Christianity like Judaism and prosecuted Christians. To make matters even worse, an economic downturn made most poor.
James wrote his letter to encourage people to live out their faith. Conditions of the time may have tempted believers to compromise their faith to escape persecution or to improve their financial standing.
Who Were the Recipients?
James 1:1bI am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad.[1] Who were the twelve tribes? In the Old Testament, the Jewish people consisted of the twelve sons or tribes of Jacob. Assyria carried ten of these tribes to exile, and these never returned. But the prophets spoke of a time when all the tribes would be regathered. By the time of this letter, Jesus had made it possible for God to renew Israel and, in a way, be regathered.
So, James is writing to mostly Jews who had dispersed because of persecution. Some of these Jews would have been present at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came. They would have taken the Gospel message back home with them. Other believers had left Jerusalem because of persecution and carried the news of Jesus with them. By the time of writing, in 49 AD, many Gentiles were coming into the church. This message would also encourage them.
James, Unbeliever to Leader
James was not a believer while Jesus was alive. John 7: 5 For even his (Jesus’) brothers didn’t believe in him.[2] What made the change? How did James go from an unbeliever to an outspoken leader for Jesus? He saw Jesus alive! 1 Corinthians 15: 3 I (Paul) passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 5 He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. 6 After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles.[3]
The resurrection of Jesus also changes us. It is the reason we have hope here on earth and for eternity. James believed that we are saved by faith alone in Christ and urged his readers to put this faith into action. We can learn much from James today. First, we can move from an unbeliever to God’s Kingdom by believing in the resurrection of Jesus. Second, we are to act on that faith. While good works don’t save us, they should result from true faith.
Who was James? To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/jesus-faith-in-action
[1-3] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.