2. Mark 3:21 “And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, ‘He is out of his mind.’”

3. John 7:2-5 “ 2 Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand. 3 So his brothers said to him, ‘Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. 4 For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.’ 5 For not even his brothers believed in him.”

4. John 19:26-27 “ 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’ 27 Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’ And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.”

5. 1 Corinthians 15:7 “Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.”

6. James 1:1 “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.”

7. 1. James the brother of John and the son of Zebedee: First mentioned in Matt 4:21. In Acts 12:2, we learn that Herod killed “James the brother of John with the sword” in A.D. 44, much too early for him to be the author. 2. James the son of Alphaeus: In Matt 10:3, we learn that James the son of Alphaeus was a disciple of Christ, but Scripture or history records little else about him. This may also be James the less or James the younger mentioned in Mark 15:40. 3. James the father of Judas not Iscariot: (Luke 6:16, Acts 1:12) We know very little about him. 4. James the half-brother of Jesus and brother of Jude: (Mark 6:3, Matt 13:55; Gal. 1:19; Jude 1).

8. Servant : δο ῦ λος (doulos) “Hence we have a service which is not a matter of choice for the one who renders it, which he has to perform whether he likes or not, because he is subject as a slave to an alien will, to the will of his owner.” Theological Dictionary of the New Testament

9. Recurring themes: Faith and works (1:22-24, 2:14-26) Trials and temptations (1:2-4, 1:12-18, 4:13-5:18) Wisdom (1:5-8, 1:19-26, 3:1-4:12) Riches and poverty (1:9-11, 1:27, 2:1-16) and more

11. Steadfast : James 1:3, 1:4, 1:12, and twice in 5:11 Steadfast (ESV); patience (NKJV); endurance (NASB, HCSB), or perseverance (NIV) Steadfast: ὑ πομονή (hupomone) “refers to the steadfast endurance of the Christian under the difficulties and tests of the present evil age.”

12. James 1:2-4 “2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:12 “ Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” Theme Verse

13. James 5:11 “ Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” Theme Verse