James

By Mary Jane Chaignot

The author of the book of James is probably one of three men called “James” in the New Testament.
The first “James” was the brother of John, son of Zebedee.
Along with Peter and John, he was a member of Jesus’ “inner circle” and witnessed the resurrection of Jairus’ daughter and the transfiguration.
His mother’s name was Salome, and he and John were usually mentioned together.
He was put to death by Herod Agrippa, possibly as early as 44CE.
Most scholars think this was too early for such a letter to be written.
Another “James” was the son of Alpheus or Cleophas (which is actually the same word in Hebrew).
He was called James, the younger (or the less), to distinguish him from James, the elder (or major).
His mother might have been Mary, and some think his brother’s name was Joses.
This was Calvin’s choice for author.
So little is known about this “James” that it is impossible to know whether or not he could have been the author.
The third major contender is “James,” the brother of Jesus.
Tradition has it that he became a follower only after the resurrection (but see the discussion on this month’s Bible Overview – James).
According to Paul (I Cor 15:7), Jesus appeared to James before he appeared to the larger apostolic community.
According to Acts 1:14, Mary, the mother of Jesus and his brothers (which would have included James) were among those who were gathered in prayer while awaiting the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
This James, then, remained in the city when the other apostles began to travel outside Jerusalem.
He attained a high level position in the Jerusalem church.
According to Paul’s writings (Gal 2:9), he was one of the apostles to approve Paul’s mission to the Gentiles.
Paul calls James an apostle in Gal 1:19.
In exercising his leadership and authority during the Council of Jerusalem, James made the final decision that Gentiles did not have to be circumcised.
He wrote the letter that Paul and Barnabas carried back to Antioch and that would become the authoritative statement for the Gentile world.
The letter of James is written to the “twelve tribes of Israel” who are scattered abroad.
Most think this scattering would have occurred early, possibly at the time of Stephen’s martyrdom.
Many Jewish Christians left their homes in Palestine and faced economic hardships in the Diaspora.
The contents of the letter would fit such circumstances in that it addresses the poor.
The letter is also clearly addressed to Jewish Christians.
The New Testament clearly states that James’ ministry was to Jewish Christians. (Paul ministered to Gentile Christians.)
The book of James is also quite primitive in its theology, which is another argument for an early dating.
It conforms regularly with traditional Old Testament concepts and Jewish perspectives.
Some scholars argue that it might have been written as early as 45-50, thus making it one of the first letters of the New Testament.
Some scholars question, however, whether the brother of Jesus could be the author of the book of James.
The Greek of this letter is very sophisticated and few scholars think “James, the brother of the Lord,” son of a carpenter, could have written it.
Others argue that Palestine was fully Hellenized and ordinary people would have had a good grasp of the language.
That argument cannot be answered conclusively.
Nonetheless, James, the author, was a respected and beloved figure in the Jerusalem Church.
He was the first “bishop” of the church.
He was called James, the righteous, or James, the Just because of his faithfulness to the law and devotion to prayer.
Legend has it that his knees were calloused like those of a camel due to his intense prayers on behalf of his people.
He was an ally of the Jewish Christians in the early church.
He would have lived long enough to attain the stature required of the author of this letter.
He was stoned to death in 62CE for refusing to renounce his commitment to Christ.
A different legend states that he was thrown off the pinnacle of the temple – for the same reason.
Shortly after his death, the Jewish-Christian church fled Jerusalem in anticipation of the advancing Roman armies.
Most recently James has emerged as an important figure in a number of Gnostic writings.
The Gospel of Thomas acknowledges the authority of James.
In that Gospel Jesus instructs his disciples to go to James, the Just after he has gone from them.
Several other Gnostic books attest that James was the receiver of a special revelation.
Studies on James are a hot topic these days.

Bibliography

Barclay, William. "The Letters of James and Peter." Daily Study Bible. Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Press. 1975.

Davids, Peter. "James." New International Biblical Commentary. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson. 1989.

Duling, Dennis and Norman Perrin. The New Testament. Proclamation and Parenesis, Myth and History. Philadelphia, PA: Harcourt Brace College Publishers. 1994.

Hartin, Patrick. "James." Sacra Pagina. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press. 2003.

Gaebelein, Frank. "James." Expositor's Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing. 1985.

Keck, Leander, ed. "James." The New Interpreter's Bible. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press. 1998

Martin, Ralph. "James." Word Biblical Commentary. Thomas Nelson Publishers. 1988.

Moo, Douglas. "The Letter of James." The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm B Eerdmans. 2000.

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