James
INTRODUCTION
JAMES
LEON MORRIS
The original readers of this writing are unknown. It is in the form of a letter, but it is not certain whether it should be taken as a real letter meant for a certain definite circle of recipients. There are no personal details such as would be expected in a writing of that sort, and the address is general. It reads much like a sermon, a short appeal to fulfill Christian duties and to remember the essence of Christian teaching.
If nothing definite is known of the original readers, the same must be said about the author. He tells us that his name is James, and he describes himself only as “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,” a description that would fit all of God’s servants. As James was a fairly common name among the early Christians, this makes it difficult for us to be precise in our ascription of authorship. It is often held that the James in question was James the Lord’s brother, and that he is identical with the James who is so prominent in Acts. This may well be so, and it would explain the authoritative tone in which the letter is written. But it must be recognized that there is a good deal that is speculative here. In the end our verdict will probably have to be that we do not know for certain who wrote the letter, though James the Lord’s brother is a possibility.
Just as there is uncertainty as to writer and readers, so there is doubt as to the date of the writing. Nothing dates it with any exactness and we are not likely to get beyond the position that it is undoubtedly early. No advanced stage of church development seems indicated, and the section on faith and works looks early. After Paul’s writings had become widely accepted, it is not easy to see a writer producing something which might be interpreted as opposing the great apostle.
But if there are many uncertainties, one thing is plain: we would be greatly impoverished without this short document. Zahn speaks of the author as “a preacher who speaks like a prophet … in language which for forcibleness is without parallel in early Christian literature, excepting the discourses of Jesus.” Moffatt cites this and goes on to point out that in 108 verses there are no fewer than fifty-four imperatives. This is forthright writing emphasizing the importance of practical Christian action.