Bible Commentaries
James

When we look at the little book of James it is possible that we are getting a peek at the very earliest Christianity. A number of scholars feel that James might even be the first book of the New Testament. In James, we are also getting a look at Christianity as it is described by a member of Jesus' own family, for the author, James the Just, was likely the oldest of Jesus' brothers. Although Jesus' name is scarcely mentioned (perhaps due to the humility of James himself), the teaching of Jesus fills this book, especially references to his Sermon on the Mount. One author says about this that James, "more than any other New Testament writing outside the four Gospels, is permeated by the thoughts and sayings of Jesus."^(F1)

Although some scholars see this book as being late and written shortly before the martyrdom of James in AD 62, there is much evidence for the early date. Some think it was written even before the Jerusalem Council in AD 49. A few hints of an early date are the use of "synagogue" to describe the church in 2:2, and there is the clear lack of church organization reflected in the epistle. Then there is the word "elder" which is used in the Jewish sense in 5:14; and the fact that James makes no mention of the great controversy over the Gentile mission (cf. Acts 15).^(F2)

While the Book of James may have had an early date, it was nevertheless quite slow in gaining acceptance by the church. The Muratorian Canon (AD 170) gives an early listing of New Testament books but James is absent from the list. The early African church father, Tertullian (c. 160 – c. 220) did not mention James although he made over seven thousand quotes from the New Testament. At last, James was quoted by Hilary of Poitiers about AD 357.^(F3) For such reasons some, including the great Martin Luther, have doubted the authenticity of James.

Perhaps all this can be explained by the extremely turbulent times in which James may have been written. Certainly by AD 66 the land of Israel was engulfed in the great revolt against Rome. In this revolt the early Jerusalem church fled across the Jordan to Pella and was no doubt in a great state of disorganization and distress. After the revolt ended, life in Israel was greatly disrupted for many years. This may have caused a serious delay in the circulation of the James letter. It is interesting that the church father Origen (c. 185-254) made mention of James only after coming in close contact with the church in Israel.^(F4)

If James was written early by the brother of Jesus it was obviously written from Jerusalem where James was the leader of the church. As we shall see in the text it was written to those believers scattered or dispersed from Jerusalem and from Israel. Even the scattered and stressed nature of the recipients would probably not bode well for the book of James being received and accepted by the church at large.

Nevertheless, regarding this little book the Canadian professor Peter Davids remarks, "The Epistle of James is one of the most exciting parts of the New Testament. It has a hard-hitting punch and a reality-oriented attitude." He adds that this sometimes catches readers off guard and astounds them. But at the same time it offers them many practical guidelines for life.^(F5)