The Epistle of James

INTRODUCTION to JAMES

There is some confusion as to the place of the General Epistles. This is especially true of the book of James. It is caused by three factors:

·         The date of these epistles.
·         The subject of these epistles.
·         The receivers of these epistles.

Dispensationalists see a conflict with the Epistles of Paul, especially a conflict between grace and works. These as Circumcision Epistles are distinct from the Church Epistles of Paul. The receivers are Hebrews consisting of the believing Jewish remnant. Hunter observes “much of James sounds like the kingdom teaching of the Lord Jesus and His disciples before the resurrection”[1]  James is addressed to “the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad” (1:1).[2] Paul says the Jewish remnant, “Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come” (Acts 26:7). There are several Jewish references in this epistle (cf. 1:18; 2:21-22; 5:4, 7). It does not profess to be addressed to Gentile churches, nor is it addressed to a single church; but to a people or nationality.  This is vital to understanding the book of James.

Author

It is generally believed that James, the half-brother of Jesus is the author (Gal. 1:19; 2:9). This can be traced back to the time of the church fathers in the very early church. Early Christian writing refers to him as “James the Just.” There are three features that fit James as the author:

·         The historical circumstances reflect the time in which James was in Jerusalem. He was the head of the Jewish church at Jerusalem. James fits the portrait gained from Acts (15;13-21; 21:18ff). James maintains Jewish vocabulary and truths. All but thirteen words are found in the Greek Old Testament (LXX). The style is Semitic.

·         The theological concepts fit the early Jewish remnant. Moo calls it a “primitive Christian theology.”[3] This is contrary to the claim that James has no theology. Part of this problem is James is written on a practical level, not a theological one. However, we must not downgrade nor dismiss the theological thoughts in James.  His theology includes (1) God, who is one (1:5; 2:19), the judge (4:11), giver of grace (4:6) and jealous (4:5). (2) The Law of God which is the law of liberty (1:25). The unity of the Law (2:10-11). The royal law needs to be obeyed (2:8). However, “James reveals little concern about obedience to the ritual law.”[4] (3) Eschatology. The main characteristics are the Jewish teaching of the end times. The eschatological judgment is given to stimulate right attitudes and behavior (1:10-11; 2:12-13; 3:1; 5:1-6, 9, 12). The eschatology involves the promised kingdom (2:5). Surely, the letter is not void of theology.

·         There are resemblances to James’ speech in Acts 15 and the letter.

JAMES	RESEMBLANCE	ACTS 15 SPEECH
1:1	He wrote Letters	15:23
1:16, 19	To the Brethren	15:25
1:27	Keep yourself, Holy	15:14, 29
2:5	Choice of God	15:14, 25
2:7	Name of God	15:17
5:19-20	Conversion	15:19

Date

The letter shows the evidence of being written early, even before Paul penned his epistles. The traditional date of James’s death is 62 AD and had to be written before that time. At the other end, it had to be written after the crucifixion, resurrection, and Pentecost. There is no evidence in the letter concerning the conversion of Gentiles or the issues raised by their conversion. There is no evidence that the Jerusalem council (Acts 15) had taken place.

There are four views of authorship and date (which go together):[5]

·         The work is pseudonymous, written by a Jewish proponent in the second century. This is to be rejected. This takes a low view of Scripture, denying supernaturalism and divine inspiration.
·         It was written by committee and assembled after the death of James. On the same grounds as above, we reject this view.
·         It was written after Paul’s letters. However, one must reject the authorship of James to hold this view.
·         The best view is that it was written by James before Paul’s letters. This clearly puts the epistle during the apostle’s lifetime. There are a number of reasons for the early date: (1) There is little or no connection to the tradition found in the Gospels. It was likely written before the standardization of the Gospels.[6] (2) The manner of the letter is strongly Jewish. Mayor long ago pointed out that, “No less confirmatory of an early date is the Judaic tone of the Epistle.”[7] (3) The primitive nature of the meetings of the Jewish believers. Most scholars put the date in the 30’s to late 50’s. It is most likely the first written document in the New Testament. As such, it cannot be a polemic against Paul since it was written before Paul penned his letters. Blue dates it between 45 to 48 AD.[8] However, Zane suggests a date of 34-35 AD.[9] It is clear that it was written sometime before Jerusalem Council in 48-49 AD.[10]

Unique Features

·         There is no personal reference to any specific individuals among the recipients.
·         One out of two verses are imperatives (commands).
·         James alludes to over 20 Old Testament books. It “has a more Jewish cast than any other writing of the New Testament.”[11]
·         Many references to nature which was a Jewish teaching characteristic. Jesus used this method as well.
·         There are many allusions to the Sermon on the Mount. If Matthew had not been in existence at the time of this letters writing, makes little difference. James was associated with Jesus’ ministry thus it is probable that he heard the sermon, recalling it from memory.[12] Porter gives 45 parallel statements between James and the sermon (e.g. James 1:4 and Matthew 5:48).[13] There are numerous connections between the two, indicating a strong influence of Jesus’ preaching on James. Jesus presented three great truths: (1) Jesus taught on the behavior of believers (cf. Matthew 5:20). (2) Jesus clarified the believer’s goal (Matt. 5:48). (3) Jesus illuminated the method by which to reach maturity (Matt 6:1). These are “the hidden framework on which James hung his challenges to his readers.”[14]
·         The letter is NOT used to teach doctrine, but to lead into an appreciation of what they already knew.
·         Stress is on morality and ethics of the teaching of Jesus.
·         Probably written to Hellenistic Jewish synagogue. Some suggest it was the synagogue of dispersion Jews in Jerusalem, which is referred to in Acts 6:9.

Purpose of James

There is one key word for the purpose of James—edification. James wants to encourage the Jewish remnant to bear their trials with patience and to exhort them to maturity and holiness. He encourages maturity through compassionate service, speech, contriteness, and concern for others. He does so through the Jewish practice of the time, yet there is much that can be applied today. Hill gives this warning:

“I want to make it very clear that we should teach and preach the practical truth found in them [i.e., the circumcision epistles]. As we rightly divide the truth, we must rightly handle the truth and allow the Holy Spirit to apply it to our lives.”[15]

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[1]  Finley Hunter, “The Circumcision Epistles,” unpublished paper.

[2]  King James Version is used unless footnoted.

[3]  Douglas J. Moo, PNTC: THE LETTER OF JAMES, [Grand Rapids MI, Eerdmans, 2000], 11.

[4]  Ibid, 31.

[5]  Dan G. McCartney, BECNT: JAMES, [Grand Rapids, Baker, 2009], 14-20.

[6]  Ibid, 15.

[7]  Joseph B. Mayor, THE EPISTLE OF ST. JAMES [Grand Rapids, Baker, reprint 1978], cxxiv.

[8]  J. Ronald Blue, BKC: “James,” [Wheaton IL, Victor, 1983], 816.

[9]  Zane C. Hodges, THE EPISTLE OF JAMES, [Irving TX, Grace Evangelical Society, 1994], 12.

[10] Douglas J. Moo, PNTC: JAMES, 26.

[11]  Joseph B. Mayor, JAMES, ii.

[12]  Virgil V. Porter Jr, “The Sermon on the Mount in the Book of James, Part 1,” BIBIOTHECA SACRA, July-September 2005, 346. James Adamson, NICNT: JAMES [Grand Rapids MI, Eerdmans, 1976], 22.

[13]  Virgil V. Porter Jr, “The Sermon on the Mount in the Book of James, Part 1” 347-352. I will point out some of these paralells in our notes.

[14]  Thomas L. Constable, NOTES ON JAMES, [Soniclight.org, 2015], 7.

[15] Bob Hill, THE BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO GOSPELS, [Commerce City CO, Biblical Answers Ministry, 1999], 101