James’s letter is one of the most quoted books of the entire Bible. It’s filled with famous phrases and quotations that often make their way into Christian conversation:

• Every good and perfect gift comes from above.
• Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.
• Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.
• Faith apart from works is dead.
• Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

James is an intensely practical book, filled with exhortations to Christians about the way they should live their lives now that they have new life in Jesus. It’s filled with allusions to, and quotations of the teaching of Jesus, and it includes many imperatives or commands. As a result, James has been called “the Proverbs of the New Testament.”

James is therefore highly relevant to the Christian life. Unlike many of the other books of the New Testament, James’s aim is not to give a theological presentation of the gospel. Rather, he writes his book to those who already believe the gospel, and his goal is to help them live faithfully as followers of Jesus. There are many different and seemingly disconnected themes in James – perseverance under trial, riches and poverty, wisdom, the danger of the tongue, prayer, and faith and works. But what ties them all together is James’s desire to take the teaching of Jesus and apply it to the Christian’s personal life.

Date and Historical Background

The book of James was written by a man who identifies himself simply as “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1). But who was this James? He was – James the brother of Jesus, the son of Mary and Joseph.

James died in AD 62, and scholars believe that this epistle was written in the mid-40s. That means that James likely wrote his book several years before Paul wrote his letters and only 15 years or so after Jesus had died and risen again.

James is a general epistle, meaning that it doesn’t seem to be written to any particular church, but rather to all Christian churches in general. It is addressed to “the twelve tribes in the Dispersion,” which probably means that James has Jewish Christians primarily in mind. The themes he addresses, however, are universal. Persevering under trial, not favouring the rich and powerful, taming the tongue—these are issues which will confront every Christian church and every believer.

As we commence this series on the Letter of James, we invite you to: listen to the messages, read the epistle in a single sitting, and read through the study notes provided each week. We pray that this practical book on Christian Discipleship will encourage and challenge you in your life and ministry.