Just FYI. James never identified himself as the "Lord's brother" in the epistle he wrote.
Care to share?
Sure I'll share. I actually knew this was coming when I added The "Lord's brother". I thought about typing His half brother but I went for Brother.
I'm quite aware of the debate over who wrote the book of James. My study bible has an introduction to each book of the bible. Here's what it has to say about the book of James.
Author: James, Brother of Jesus
Date: A.D. 48–62
Theme: Faith That Works
Key Words: Faith, Riches, Tongue, Pride, Prayer
Author. The author of this letter identifies himself simply as James. The name was quite common; and the New Testament lists at least five men named James, two of whom were Jesus’ disciples and one of whom was His brother. Tradition has ascribed the book to the Lord’s brother, and there is no reason to question this view. Evidently the writer was well known, and James the brother of Jesus became the leader of the church in Jerusalem at an early date (Acts 12:17; 15:13–21; 21:18; Gal. 1:19; 2:9, 12). The language of the epistle is similar to James’s speech in Acts 15. James apparently was an unbeliever during the ministry of Jesus (John 7:3–5). A post-Resurrection appearance of Christ to him (1 Cor. 15:7) probably led to his conversion, for he is numbered with the believers in Acts 1:14.
Date. The Jewish historian Josephus indicates that James was stoned to death in the year A.D. 62, so if he is the author the letter was evidently written before that date. The contents of the book suggest that it may have been written as early as a date shortly before the church council of Acts 15, which convened about A.D. 49. We cannot be dogmatic, and can only conclude that the letter was likely written between A.D. 48 and 62.
Purpose. James is primarily practical and ethical, emphasizing duty rather than doctrine. The author wrote to rebuke the shameful neglect of certain Christian duties. In doing so, he analyzed the nature of genuine faith and urged his readers to demonstrate the validity of their experience with Christ. His supreme concern was reality in religion, and he set forth the practical claims of the gospel.
Content. Rather than speculating or debating on religious theories, James directs his readers toward godly living. From beginning to end the mood of his letter is imperative. In 108 verses, 54 clear commands are given, and 7 times James calls attention to his statements by using terms that are imperative in nature. This “bondservant of God” (1:1) writes as one supervising other slaves. The result is a statement of Christian ethics, which stands on a par with any such teaching in the New Testament.
Personal Application. The book’s call for ethical living based on the gospel provides its relevance. James gives a practical exposition of “pure and undefiled religion” (1:27). His two fundamental emphases are personal growth in the spiritual life and sensitivity in social relationships. Any faith that does not deal with both personal and social issues is a dead faith. The message of James speaks especially to those who are inclined to talk their way to heaven instead of walk their way there.
Christ Revealed. Beginning in the first verse and continuing throughout the letter, James recognizes the lordship of Jesus, referring to himself as the Lord’s “bondservant,” or slave. That term is applicable to all Christians, because all true disciples of Christ acknowledge His sovereignty over their lives and willingly commit themselves to His service. Christ is the object of our faith (2:1), the One in whose name and by whose power we perform our ministry (5:14, 15), the Rewarder of those who are steadfast in the midst of trials (1:12), and the Coming One for whom we patiently wait (5:7–9). James identifies Christ as the “glory” (2:1), referring to the Shekinah, the glorious manifestation of the presence of God among His people. Not only glorious Himself, He is the divine Glory, the presence of God on Earth (see Luke 2:30–32; John 1:14; Heb. 1:3).
Of considerable interest is the close parallel between the content of this letter and the teachings of Jesus, particularly the Sermon on the Mount. Although James does not quote any statement of Jesus exactly, there are more verbal reminiscences of the Lord’s teachings in this letter than in all the rest of the New Testament epistles combined. These allusions indicate a close association between James and Jesus and give evidence of the strong influence of the Lord in the author’s life.
The Holy Spirit at Work. The letter specifically mentions the Holy Spirit only in 4:5, which states the indwelling Spirit’s strong desire for our undivided loyalty, jealously brooking no rivals.
The activity of the Holy Spirit may be seen in the ministry to the sick described in 5:14–16. In light of other biblical terminology connecting anointing with the Spirit (see Is. 61:1; Luke 4:18; 1 John 2:20–27), anointing with oil is best understood as symbolic of the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, in the Greek the definite article used with the word for “faith” in 5:15 particularizes this faith, suggesting that James is referring to the manifestation of the gift of faith (1 Cor. 12:9).
Study Bible, electronic ed.
