It wasn’t until I was in the seminary that I caught that the author of James was not James the Son of Zebedee who was also one of Jesus’ disciples. Acts records that that James was martyred early on by King Herod, and therefore would not have had time to write this letter. So, who is this James?
James, the author – also known as James the Less – was Jesus’ younger brother. While the gospels record that Jesus’ brothers did not believe in him (John 7:3-5), Paul records that James was a witness of the resurrection, and Acts records that he was the leader of the church in Jerusalem. As strange as it must have been, James believed that his older brother - crucified and risen – was the Christ, the Son of God.
James’ letter is highly practical and deals largely with how we should live as Christians. He does not speak much of forgiveness, the cross, or salvation, which has lead people to ignore this valuable book and mitigate it’s value. In 1522, Martin Luther famously called it, “an epistle of straw,” likely due to what I’ve said above. However, in 1546 he writes, “I praise [the book of James] and consider it a good book, because it sets up no doctrines of men but vigorously promulgates the law of God.” I believe that part of the tension people have when reading this book is due to a difference in audience. Most of the New Testament was written to non-Jewish people who were very new in faith to teach them the Gospel. Paul (who wrote most of the New Testament) often taught briefly in a town and then had to leave, so letters were his way of reinforcing his message. James seems to be writing to believers with a Jewish background who have a firm understanding of God’s Gospel, and need to be refreshed in the importance of the Law.
James begins by encouraging us to, “Count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds . . . .” He fully understands that God uses all things to the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28), and that God uses the difficult circumstances of this world to shape us, bless us, help us rely on Him, and grow in our maturity and wisdom. He wants us to grow in that godly wisdom, not thinking that can be double minded – living as though we were not saved, but saying we believe that Jesus has redeemed us from sin and death. Instead, he is urging us to live the changed lives that Jesus has given us in His resurrection.
In this world we will be tested and tempted. This is not God’s doing, but the work of the devil, the world and our sinful nature. Notice that verse 14 says that each person is tempted when he is “lured” and “enticed” by his own desire, passion, or lust. Those two words, “lured” and “enticed,” make me think of fishing where we use lures to entice fish to bite a hook so we can catch them and eat them. “Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” Giving temptation a foothold is extremely dangerous! God gives only good gifts. It is the Devil and his sinful partners who twist those good gifts into things that are deadly to us.
James is calling us to be both hearers and doers of the Word. Remember what it says – the messages of both Law and Gospel. Do not forget who we are by our sinful nature, nor who we are in Christ but live in vigilance against the first, and in the confidence the second.
Father in Heaven, thank you for giving me every good and perfect gift that I need! I must confess that I have been at times a hearer of Your Word and not always a doer. Open my eyes to Your will for my life and make me wise – remembering that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom! Use me to show the effect of Your Law and Gospel so others can have the hope You have given me. Amen.
James, the author – also known as James the Less – was Jesus’ younger brother. While the gospels record that Jesus’ brothers did not believe in him (John 7:3-5), Paul records that James was a witness of the resurrection, and Acts records that he was the leader of the church in Jerusalem. As strange as it must have been, James believed that his older brother - crucified and risen – was the Christ, the Son of God.
James’ letter is highly practical and deals largely with how we should live as Christians. He does not speak much of forgiveness, the cross, or salvation, which has lead people to ignore this valuable book and mitigate it’s value. In 1522, Martin Luther famously called it, “an epistle of straw,” likely due to what I’ve said above. However, in 1546 he writes, “I praise [the book of James] and consider it a good book, because it sets up no doctrines of men but vigorously promulgates the law of God.” I believe that part of the tension people have when reading this book is due to a difference in audience. Most of the New Testament was written to non-Jewish people who were very new in faith to teach them the Gospel. Paul (who wrote most of the New Testament) often taught briefly in a town and then had to leave, so letters were his way of reinforcing his message. James seems to be writing to believers with a Jewish background who have a firm understanding of God’s Gospel, and need to be refreshed in the importance of the Law.
James begins by encouraging us to, “Count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds . . . .” He fully understands that God uses all things to the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28), and that God uses the difficult circumstances of this world to shape us, bless us, help us rely on Him, and grow in our maturity and wisdom. He wants us to grow in that godly wisdom, not thinking that can be double minded – living as though we were not saved, but saying we believe that Jesus has redeemed us from sin and death. Instead, he is urging us to live the changed lives that Jesus has given us in His resurrection.
In this world we will be tested and tempted. This is not God’s doing, but the work of the devil, the world and our sinful nature. Notice that verse 14 says that each person is tempted when he is “lured” and “enticed” by his own desire, passion, or lust. Those two words, “lured” and “enticed,” make me think of fishing where we use lures to entice fish to bite a hook so we can catch them and eat them. “Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” Giving temptation a foothold is extremely dangerous! God gives only good gifts. It is the Devil and his sinful partners who twist those good gifts into things that are deadly to us.
James is calling us to be both hearers and doers of the Word. Remember what it says – the messages of both Law and Gospel. Do not forget who we are by our sinful nature, nor who we are in Christ but live in vigilance against the first, and in the confidence the second.
Father in Heaven, thank you for giving me every good and perfect gift that I need! I must confess that I have been at times a hearer of Your Word and not always a doer. Open my eyes to Your will for my life and make me wise – remembering that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom! Use me to show the effect of Your Law and Gospel so others can have the hope You have given me. Amen.
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