Good morning,
The next six weeks we will be studying the Book of James. This week we will look at a summary of the book, author, date, recipients, distinctive characteristics, and outline.
Summary of the Book of James
This summary of the book of James provides information about the title, author, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of James.
Author
The author identifies himself as James (1:1); he was probably the brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem council (Acts 15). Four men in the NT have this name. The author of this letter could not have been the apostle James, who died too early (a.d. 44) to have written it. The other two men named James had neither the stature nor the influence that the writer of this letter had.
James was one of several brothers of Christ, probably the oldest since he heads the list in Mt 13:55. At first he did not believe in Jesus and even challenged him and misunderstood his mission (John 7:2-5). Later he became very prominent in the church:
- He was one of the select individuals Christ appeared to after his resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7).
- Paul called him a “pillar” of the church (Galatians 2:9).
- Paul, on his first post-conversion visit to Jerusalem, saw James (Gal 1:19).
- Paul did the same on his last visit (Acts 21:18).
- When Peter was rescued from prison, he told his friends to tell James (Acts 12:17).
- James was a leader in the important council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:13).
- Jude could identify himself simply as “a brother of James” (Jude 1:1), so well known was James. He was martyred c. a.d. 62.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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