James – An Overview

Albert Barns notes

The first question is, Who was the author? It has been attributed to one of three persons: to James “the elder,” the son of Zebedee, and brother of John; to James “the less,” son of Alphaeus or Cleophas; and to a James of whom nothing more is known. Some have supposed, also, that the James who is mentioned as the “Lord’s brother,” Gal_1:19, was a different person from James, the son of Alphaeus.

There are no methods of determining this point from the Epistle itself. All that can be established from the Epistle is:

(1) that the name of the author was James, Jam_1:1

(2) that he professed to be a “servant of God,” Jam_1:1

(3) that he had been probably a Jew, and sustained such a relation to those to whom he wrote, as to make it proper for him to address them with authority; and,

(4) that he was a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, Jam_2:1; Jam_5:8

There are two persons, if not three, of the name of James, mentioned in the New Testament. The one is James, the son of Zebedee, Mat_4:21; Mar_3:17; Luk_6:14; Act_1:13, et al. He was the brother of John, and is usually mentioned in connection with him; Mat_4:21; Mat_17:1; Mar_5:37; Mar_13:3, et al. The name of their mother was Salome. Compare Mat_27:56, with Mar_15:40. He was put to death by Herod Agrippa, about 41 a.d. Act_12:2. He was called the major, or the elder - to distinguish him from the other James, the younger, or the less, Mar_15:40; called also, in ancient history, James the Just.

The other James was a son of Alphaeus or Cleophas; Mat_10:3; Mar_3:18; Act_1:13; Luk_24:18. That Alphaeus and Cleophas was the same person is evident from the fact that both the words are derived from the Hebrew הלפי h-l-p-y. The name of the mother of this James was Mary, Mar_15:40; and James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas, are mentioned as brethren; Mat_13:55. There is also a James mentioned in Mat_13:55; Mar_6:3; and Gal_1:19, as a “brother of our Lord.” On the meaning of this expression, see the notes at Gal_1:19

Matthew Henry

The writer of this epistle was not James the son of Zebedee; for he was put to death by Herod (Acts 12) before Christianity had gained so much ground among the Jews of the dispersion as is here implied. But it was the other James, the son of Alpheus, who was cousin-german to Christ, and one of the twelve apostles, Mat_10:3. He is called a pillar (Gal_2:9), and this epistle of his cannot be disputed, without loosening a foundation-stone.

Mary the wife of Cleophas - She is said, in Mat_27:56, (see the note there), and Mar_15:40, to have been the mother of James the Less, and of Joses; and this James her son is said, in Mat_10:3, to have been the son of Alpheus; hence it seems that Alpheus and Cleopas were the same person. To which may be added, that Hegesippus is quoted by Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. l. iii. c. 11, as saying that Cleopas was the brother of Joseph, the husband of the virgin. Theophylact says that Cleopas, (brother of Joseph, the husband of the virgin), having died childless, his brother Joseph married his widow, by whom he had four sons, called by the evangelists the brothers of our Lord, and two daughters, the one named Salome, the other Mary, the daughter of Cleopas, because she was his daughter according to law, though she was the daughter of Joseph according to nature. ( I don't buy into this, because if you study the marriage traditions the woman had to be a virgin and had to prove it during the 3 day "alone time" the bride and groom had in the room he built off his fathers house.) There are several conjectures equally well founded with this last to be met with in the ancient commentators; but, in many cases, it is very difficult to distinguish the different Marys mentioned by the evangelists.

In my opinion, the writer of this letter is the brother or our Lord, Jesus. Joseph and Mary had other children and James was one of them. Alphaeus or Cleophas could also be nick names for Joseph.

This epistle of James is one of the most instructive writings in the New Testament. Being chiefly directed against particular errors at that time brought in among the Jewish Christians, it does not contain the same full doctrinal statements as the other epistles, but it presents an admirable summary of the practical duties of all believers. The leading truths of Christianity are set forth throughout; and on attentive consideration, it will be found entirely to agree with St. Paul's statements concerning grace and justification, while it abounds with earnest exhortations to the patience of hope and obedience of faith and love, interspersed with warnings, reproofs, and encouragements, according to the characters addressed. The truths laid down are very serious, and necessary to be maintained; and the rules for practice ought to be observed in all times. In Christ there are no dead and sapless branches, faith is not an idle grace; wherever it is, it brings forth fruit in works.

James 1 -

(Jam_1:1-11) How to apply to God under troubles, and how to behave in prosperous and in adverse circumstances.

(Jam_1:12-18) To look upon all evil as proceeding from ourselves, and all good from God.

(Jam_1:19-21) The duty of watching against a rash temper, and of receiving the word of God with meekness.

(Jam_1:22-25) And of living according thereto.

(Jam_1:26, Jam_1:27) The difference between vain pretences and real religion.

James 2 -

(Jam_2:1-13) All professions of faith are vain, if not producing love and justice to others.

(Jam_2:14-26) The necessity of good works to prove the sincerity of faith, which otherwise will be of no more advantage than the faith of devils.

James 3 -

(Jam_3:1-12) Cautions against proud behaviour, and the mischief of an unruly tongue.

(Jam_3:13-18) The excellence of heavenly wisdom, in opposition to that which is worldly.

James 4 -

(Jam_4:1-10) Here are cautions against corrupt affections, and love of this world, which is enmity to God.

(Jam_4:11-17) Exhortations to undertake no affairs of life, without constant regard to the will and providence of God.

James 5 -

(Jam_5:1-6) The judgments of God denounced against rich unbelievers.

(Jam_5:7-11) Exhortation to patience and meekness under tribulations.

(Jam_5:12-18) Cautions against rash swearing Prayer recommended in afflictive and prosperous circumstances, Christians to confess their faults to each other.

(Jam_5:19, Jam_5:20) The happiness of being the means of the conversion of a sinner.

My First Posting

I am a Teacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I make no apologies for this. I guess I was encouraged to start this blog when I saw a posting/blogger ask a question, long in word but asked, which church should I attend? He was Mormon and has started to see the truth. Had issues with basic beliefs of the Christian church but was searching. The replies he got were disturbing. I wanted to post a reply but thought better to start my own blog.

This blog will cover basic understandings of the True Christian Faith. (That to be explained) It will also go into end times issues. My hope is that those "left behind" will come across this and it will guide them thru the coming 7 year tribulation period.

I will post my teaching notes with commentary.

If you are going to post replies or comments, I welcome them, however, I will remove comments that are abusive, irreverent to my Lord, or just inappropriate.

In His Grip
By His Command
Dave