About the Author James the author of this Epistle is the half brother of Jesus It was written between A.D. 45-49 in Jerusalem Also known as James the Just Was the first, as record tells us, to be elected to the Episcopal throne of the Jerusalem Church. He presided over the Apostolic Council in Jerusalem.

About the Author(cont.) He was not Jesus' blood brother; they were really half-brothers. James was not the follower of Jesus during the time Jesus was on earth. James believed in Jesus after his resurrection. He witnessed the resurrected body of Jesus. He made a speech at the Jerusalem council to take the gospel message to the Gentiles. James was martyred (stoned) in approximately 62A.D., according to the historian Josephus.

Audience Jewish Christians Experiencing a severe persecution at the hands of their leaders in Judaism Grieved because of the sudden death of Stephen

Purpose Mishandling of diverse trials (1:2) Failure to appropriate the available resources through prayer (1:5) Unfair treatment of brothers (2:6-7; 5:4) Worldly attitudes(4:10-12;5:9-10) Strife and dissensions (4:1-3) Attitude that Christian faith would suffice to save them without a holy life (2:14-26)

Context/Background Info. James is filled with direct commands to pursue a life of holiness. James states that a faith that does not produce real life change is a faith that is worthless (James 2:17). James states that faith produces deeds or fruit. He uses the following as examples: faith endures in the midst of trials, calls on God for wisdom, bridles the tongue, sets aside wickedness, visits orphans and widows, and does not play favorites.

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Structure/Organization Be swift to Hear – James 1-2 Be slow to Speak – James 3 Be slow to Wrath – James 4-5

Key Passages and Meanings James 1:2-3: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." James 1:19: "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.“(Self-control summarizes a person of genuine faith. ) James 2:17-18: "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.”

Key Passages and Meanings (cont.) James 3:5: "Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark." James 5:16b: "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

Theme Chapter 1- Perseveres in Testing Perseverance Tested by Trial. (Perseverance) Chapter 2- Practices Truth Faith Proved by Works. (Faith) Chapter 3- Power over the Tongue Restraint Manifested by speech. (Restraint)

Theme (cont.) Chapter 4- Peacemaker in Travail Submission Evidenced by Conduct. (Submission) Chapter 5- Prays for the Teetering Patience Exercised by Trouble. (Patience)

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Distinguishing Characteristics/Miscellaneous Info. James mentions to focus on: your actions during trials, your treatment of those less fortunate, the way you speak and relate to others, and the role that money plays in how you live your life. James presents 60 obligations in only 108 verses. He focuses on the truths of Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount and motivates us to act upon what he taught.

Quote James D.G. Dunn once referred to the epistle of James as "the most Jewish, the most indistinctively Christian document in the New Testament."

Quote Martin Luther referring to it as "an epistle of straw" and noting that it contained "nothing of the nature of the gospel."

Sources bible.org biblegateway.com bookofjamesbiblestudy.com stjamesthejust.com/james touchstonemag.com biblica.com

Sources (cont.) books Valentine; Foy; 1981; Layman’s Bible Book Commentary; Nashville, Tennessee; pages 66-92 Gregory; Joel; 1986; James: Faith Works!; Nashville, Tennessee; pages 4-105 Ironside; H.A.; 1947;Expository Notes on the epistle of James; Neptune, New Jersey; pages 1-63

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