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Introduction to James
Part 1: General Introduction
Outline of the Book of James
- Greetings (1:1)
- Testing and maturity (1:2-18)
- Hearing and doing the Word of God (1:19-27)
- True faith seen in works
- Word of God (1:19-27)
- Royal law of love (2:1-13)
- Works (2:14-26)
- Difficulties in community
- Dangers of the tongue (3:1-12)
- Wisdom from above (3:13-18)
- Worldly desires (4:1-12)
- God's perspective on your decisions
- Boasting about tomorrow (4:13-17)
- Warning about riches (5:1-6)
- Suffering with patience (5:7-11)
- Closing exhortations
- Oaths (5:12)
- Prayer and healing (5:13-18)
- Care for one another (5:19-20)
Who wrote the Book of James?
The author identified himself as James. This was probably James, the half-brother of Jesus. James was a leader in the early church and was part of the Jerusalem council. The Apostle Paul also called him a "pillar" of the church.
This is not the same man as the Apostle James. The Apostle James was killed before this letter was written.
What is the Book of James about?
In this letter, James encouraged believers who were suffering. He told them know that God uses their suffering to help them become mature Christians. James also told them of the need for believers to do good deeds. He wrote much in this letter about how believers should live and treat one another. For example, he commanded them to treat one another fairly, to not fight with one another, and to use riches wisely.
James taught his readers by using many examples from nature such as in 1:6, 11 and 3:1-12. Also, many parts of this letter are similar to what Jesus wrote in the Sermon on the Mount (Mat 5-7).
Who were the "twelve tribes in the dispersion"?
James said he was writing to the "twelve tribes in the dispersion" (1:1). Some scholars think that James was writing to Jewish Christians. Other scholars think that James was writing to all Christians in general. This letter is known as one of the "General Epistles" since it was not written to a specific church or individual.
How should the title of this book be translated?
Translators may choose to call this book by its traditional title, "James." Or they may choose a clearer title, such as "A Letter from James" or "The Letter James Wrote." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names)
Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts
Did James disagree with Paul about how a person is justified before God?
Paul taught in Romans that Christians are justified by faith and not by works. James seems to teach that Christians are justified by works. This can be confusing. But a better understanding of what Paul and James taught shows that they agree with one another. Both of them taught that a person needs faith in order to be justified. And they both taught that true faith will cause a person to do good works. Paul and James taught about these things in different ways because they had different audiences who needed to know different things about being justified. (See: rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/justice and rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/faith and rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/works)
Part 3: Important Translation Issues
How should the translator signal transitions between topics in the Book of James?
The letter quickly changes topics. Sometimes James does not tell the readers that he is about to change topics. It is acceptable to allow the verses to appear disconnected from each other. It may make sense to set the passages apart by starting a new line or putting a space between topics.
What are the major issues in the text of the Book of James?
- "Do you want to know, foolish man, that faith without works is useless?" (2:20). The ULB and modern translations read this way. Some older translations read, "Do you want to know, foolish man, that faith without works is dead?" If a translation of the Bible exists in the general region, translators should consider using the reading found in those versions. If not, translators are advised to follow the modern reading.