The book of James begins with this passage; “James, a bond-
servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are
dispersed abroad: Greetings.” (Jas 1:1) Who wrote the book? Though there has
been much discussion about authorship the only real viable answer is James the
brother of Jesus. This view also has much support from ancient tradition.1
Who is the audience? The first verse says, “To the twelve
tribes who are dispersed abroad.” (Jas 1:1b) Is he literally writing to the
twelve tribes of Israel or is it metaphor for the chosen people of God? At face
value this could mean that the letter was written to Jewish believers who were
dispersed outside of Palestine, but the apostle Paul contends that the true
Israel of God is spiritual and not ethnic. Therefore, in that since it could be
written to all believers who are facing the hardships of being citizens of the
kingdom of God who are presently dwelling in the kingdom of man.
Because of its placement in the New Testament canon most
consider it to be an epistle, but I think it best viewed as a homily or sermon.
The book begins with a thesis statement (Jas 1:2-21) and concludes with
exhortations to keep walking in the faith. (Jas 5:7-20) In between the thesis
statement and the conclusion are three wisdom essays on being quick to hear, slow
to speak, and slow to anger. (Jas 1:22-5:6) “James refers to wisdom as the
divine word of truth.”3 One of the main purposes for James is to promote active faith in the believer.
(cf. Jas 2:20)
James uses Old Testament figures as examples. The first two
Old Testament figures that James uses are Abraham and Rahab. Both of these Old
Testament figures appear in the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews chapter 11. These
Old Testament figures are exemplified in the “Hall of Faith,” because of their
actions that resulted from their faith; which is the point that James is making
by using them in his writing. Abraham offered Isaac on an alter out of faith,
(Jas 2:21) and Rahab the harlot received the messengers and sent them away
another way out of faith. (Jas 2:24) James follows Abraham's example of active
faith by saying, “You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith
alone.” (Jas 2:23) Then he follows Rahab’s example of active faith by saying, “For
just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is
dead.” (Jas 2:25) James used the Old Testament figures of Abraham and Rahab as
examples of active faith.
The next two Old Testament figures that James uses is Job
and Elijah. In James chapter 5 he is extorting the readers to not be inpatient
and to not complain, but to have endurance during their suffering. He then uses
the prophets and Job as examples of patients and endurance while suffering.
(Jas 5:10-11) He then turns to the subject of prayer saying, “Therefore,
confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be
healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” (Jas
5:16) He then uses Elijah as an example of effective prayer in a righteous man
and declares him to be no different than us. (cf. Jas 5:17-18) The only
difference would be the faith of Elijah.
The epistle or homily concludes with James’ purpose for
writing it; that is enduring active faith until the Parousia. (Jas 5:19-20)
Abraham was an example of faith; he trusted God and demonstrated that faith by
offering Isaac on an altar. (Jas 2:21-22) Rahab was an example of faith; she
believed in the God of the Israelite's and demonstrated that faith by receiving
the messengers and sending them out a different way. (Jas 2:23) Job was an
example of faith; he endured suffering believing God to be good, and therefore,
saw the Lord’s compassion and mercy. Elijah is an example of faith; he believed
that God would answer when he prayed. (Jas 5:17-18) All four of these figures
demonstrate the point James makes; and that is you cannot demonstrate faith
without works, therefore, faith without works is dead. (cf. Jas 2:18-20)
1 R. W. Wall, “James, Letter
of” in Dictionary of the Later New
Testament and Its Developments, eds. Ralph P. Martin and Peter H, Davids (Downers
Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 1997), 545.
2 R. W. Wall, “James, Letter
of” in Dictionary of the Later New
Testament and Its Developments, eds. Ralph P. Martin and Peter H, Davids (Downers
Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 1997), 548-549.
3 R. W. Wall, “James, Letter
of” in Dictionary of the Later New
Testament and Its Developments, eds. Ralph P. Martin and Peter H, Davids (Downers
Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 1997), 552.
