Introduction

THE PURPOSE OF JAMES' EPISTLE

The message of the book of James is that faith must include a living reality. James writes that faith cannot exist without works.

Many people have misunderstood James to say that he contradicts the teachings of Paul -- that he is teaching a gospel of works for salvation. This is not so. James does not teach works for salvation. He teaches works WITH salvation.

When you come to Jesus Christ in faith, trusting Him as your Savior and Lord, a process begins. The Bible calls it SANCTIFICATION. The Holy Spirit begins to do a work within you, producing His fruit in your life and molding you into the character of Jesus Christ.

James is a book with which many Christians have struggled. Its presentation of faith and works seems at first glance to contradict the foundational doctrine of justification by faith. As a result, some have studied this epistle only with the aim of dispelling and “problem texts.” A closer examination will show great riches of spiritual teaching within this book.

This is a book which is rich in spiritual dynamics. It will be motivating and sobering in its message. It is a book of faith, a book of promise and a book of warning.


DATE OF WRITING

It is commonly thought that this epistle was written around 45-50 A.D., making it one of the first epistles to be written. It contains no mention of Gentile believers or the controversy that eventually arose in the church concerning Gentile Christians and the Law. It was evidently written before this had become an issue in the church.

The first of Paul’s missionary journeys had not yet taken place and the church was made up almost entirely of either Jews or Jewish proselytes -- Gentiles who had undergone circumcision and who had become Jewish.


AUTHORSHIP OF THE EPISTLE

The opening salutation identifies the writer as James. The Greek text describes him as IakwboV -- or as we would say, “Jacob.” The problem is that there are a number of different men in the New Testament possessing this name.

· James the brother of John and son of Zebedee (Matthew 10:2).
· James the son of Alphaeus (Matthew 10:3).
· James the half-brother of Jesus (Galatians 1:19).
· James the son of Mary (Matthew 27:56).
· James the father of Jude (Acts 1:13).


STYLE OF WRITING

There are some notable similarities between this epistle and the statements of James made at the Jerusalem Council and the letter that was written by that Council.

· The phrase “beloved” (James 1:16, 19; 2:5 and Acts 15:25).
· The exhortation, “Listen, my beloved brethren” (James 2:5 and Acts 15:13).
· The use of the infinitive salutation, “Greetings” as the opening of the letter (James 1:1 and Acts 15:23).
· The idea of a man turning back to the truth (James 5:19-20 and Acts 15:19).
· The use of the word “soul” (James 1:21; 5:20 and Acts 15:24).

Even greater similarities can be seen when we compare the epistle of James with the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus gave in Matthew 5-7.

Come to class starting on September 3rd to learn more about these similarities - and more!