James: Faith in Action
By David Feddes


General epistles

Catholic epistles

  • James
  • 1, 2 Peter
  • 1, 2, 3 John
  • Jude

 

Greetings

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:

Greetings.

 

Which James?

  • James the younger, son of Alpheus, one of Twelve apostles
  • James, son of Zebedee, brother of John, first of Twelve to be martyred
  • James the Just, Joseph and Mary’s son, Jesus’ half-brother

 

James the Just

  • Unbeliever, then saw risen Jesus
  • Leader in Jerusalem church
  • Presided at first great Council
  • Called “the Just,” had “camel knees”
  • Thrown from pinnacle of temple, clubbed, and stoned to death

 

Who is Jesus?

Messiah, God, Lord of glory

  • God and Lord Jesus Christ (1:1)
    Θεοῦ καὶ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ δοῦλος

  • Our Lord of glory Jesus Christ (2:1)
    τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ τῆς δόξης

 

Written to whom?

To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations (1:1)

  • Twelve tribes: can mean Jews or all of God’s people
  • Diaspora: living as exiles and foreigners in unfriendly nations 

Last modified: Tuesday, July 18, 2023, 1:43 PM