Overview
Addressed to Hebrew Christians this book is about Faith. True faith manifests itself in good works; in endures trials; it defeats temptation; it harbours no sin; it obeys God; it controls the body; it acts with spiritual wisdom and it responds to the promises of God.
The Author
There are four men called James mentioned in the New Testament: James the father of Judas (not Iscariot) one of the disciples; James the son of Zebedee and the brother of John; James the son of Alphaeus, also a disciple; and James the Lord’s half-brother (Matt 13,55 Mark 6,3)
It is the half-brother of our Lord who is the most likely author of this book. He was not converted until after the resurrection (1 Cor 15,7) and became a leader in the church at Jerusalem. He suffered a violent martyr’s death.
Time of James
It is accepted that this may have been one of the earliest books of the New Testament written any time from AD 45.