James 1

“James.” It’s not clear which James wrote this letter, though many scholars lobby for the brother of Jesus. There are about half a dozen men named James in the Bible story of Jesus. Two of his dozen disciples are named James (Luke 6:14-15). James is also one of his four brothers, perhaps the oldest, since he is listed first (Matthew 13:55). Some Christians—including many Catholics and Eastern Orthodox—teach that James was only an older stepbrother, born to Joseph’s first wife. As the story goes, Joseph’s first wife died, leaving him with four sons and some daughters. Scholars say that might help explain why dying Jesus, hanging on the cross, entrusted Mary’s care to John, one of his best friends and closest disciples (John 19:26-27). Perhaps Jesus considered John better suited to taking care of his mother or to looking after her until she returned to her stepchildren. Most other Christians, including many Protestants, say Mary was the birth mother of James and the other brothers and sisters of Jesus. Mary remained connected to the brothers and sisters of Jesus, sometimes traveling with them (Matthew 12:46). Paul didn’t call the brothers of Jesus “stepbrothers.” He simply called them “our leader’s brothers” (1 Corinthians 9:5). He also called James “the Lord’s brother” (Galatians 1:19). Many say it was this James who became leader of the Jerusalem church, and who apparently convened the first church leadership meeting (Acts 15). Jewish historian Josephus (about AD 37-100) reported that the Jerusalem-based Jewish high priest ordered the execution of James “the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ” (Antiquities of the Jews, book 20, chapter 9, section 1). Josephus says Jews stoned him to death, estimated in about AD 62, a few years before Nero is said to have ordered Paul beheaded and Peter crucified upside down.

“Twelve tribes.” Bible experts debate who James addressed. The 12 tribes of Israel were actually extended families descended from the dozen sons of Jacob, grandson of Abraham. Taken literally, the “12 tribes” would have meant the Jews. It’s possible James meant just the Jews who believed Jesus was the Messiah. Paul led the mission work among non-Jews. James in Jerusalem, along with apostles such as Peter, seemed to focus more on convincing Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. Some Bible experts speculate that James may have been thinking of all believers, since they now represent the new Israel. Paul put it this way: “You are the true Israel—the authentic people of God” (Galatians 6:16). Peter called them “God’s chosen” (1 Peter 2:9, Contemporary English Version).

It’s unclear if James is talking about rich Christians or rich unbelievers. If he’s talking about rich Christians, some scholars say he’s telling them not to get snooty about their wealth. If James is talking about rich unbelievers, he may be saying they can party now because they won’t be partying when they stand before their Judge.

“Reward” is more literally “crown of life.” A crown is often a symbol of a reward. And “life” seems to refer to something more than life on earth. The Wisdom of Solomon, a Jewish book written during the first century AD, describes the reward of godly people this way: “The righteous live forever, and their reward is with the Lord; the Most High takes care of them. Therefore they will receive a glorious crown” (5:15-16, New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition).

Many Bible experts say this is a symbolic way of teaching that God never changes, either in who he is or in the way he deals with people.

More literally, the “word of truth.” James seems to be double-dipping the symbols in this verse, some scholars say, referring to creation and to the good news of Christianity. James is possibly pointing back to creation, when God spoke humanity into existence. It started on Day One. “God said, ‘Lights.’ Lights came on” (Genesis 1:3). But James may be referring, also, to what Paul called the “word of truth” (2 Corinthians 6:7), the good news of Jesus that helps us endure hard times.

James explains in 2:8 what he means by “perfect law.” He’s talking about making a commitment to love others like we love ourselves.

James seems to be warning the readers not to pick up the bad behavior of the secular world. God’s people should resemble Jesus on a mission, not the devil on vacation.