Intro to James

Who wrote it?

James 1:1 ESV

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

Matthew 4:18–22 ESV

18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

This is our first James, son of Zebedee.

Mark 3:18 ESV

18 Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot,

This is the second disciple named James.

Mark 6:3 ESV

3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

Our final option is James Jesus’ brother.

So who do think is the author?

3 Possibilities

James the Son of Zebedee

James son Alphaeus

James Jesus’ brother

So is it James the son of Zebedee? No he died too early to be the author. He died in AD 44.

What about James the son of Alphaeus? No early church sources give credit to him.

So the most likely author is James the brother of Jesus.

Why is this important to our faith? Well let’s first look at

John 7:3–5 ESV

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.

So when Jesus was performing His earthly ministry His own brothers did not believe, why?

Matthew 27:15–18 ESV

15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.

Why did the Pharisees and sadducees offer Jesus up to be crucified? out of envy. Do you know what the New Testament says about envy? We will be looking at it in depth in a few months. Look with me at James 3 verses 14 and 15.

James 3:14–15 ESV

14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

What is selfish ambition and envy? It is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. That last one shook me a little when I read it the first time. It is demonic. I don’t know about you but I want to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit NOT fruit that is demonic.

So for whatever reason maybe envy, James did not believe in Jesus during His earthly ministry. But let’s look at some passages after Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Acts 1:14 ESV

14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

Acts 12:17 ESV

17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.

Acts 15:13 ESV

13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me.

Acts 21:18 ESV

18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.

1 Corinthians 15:7 ESV

7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.

I think this is what changed James. Jesus after His resurrection appeared to James. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, James may have been able to lie to himself about who Jesus was, but when he saw the risen Lord, how could he deny it any longer?

We see the impact this had on James, he went from mocking his brother to the head o the Church in Jerusalem.

On what authority did James write?

James 1:1 ESV

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

To whom was he writing?

The 12 tribes in dispersion. Remember after persecution broke out against the church by Saul the church scattered.

So if this is to the 12 tribes is it for us?

Romans 11:17–24 ESV

17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.

Galatians 2:9–12 ESV

9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. 11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party.