By Larry Barnes in James —

James - Intro

11/17/2025

I am preparing to start reading through James in the NKJV bible. I would like to start with some background information. Who was James? When was this book written? Who was the intended audience for this book?

Here’s a clear overview of the background to the Epistle of James (in the NKJV or any standard translation) to help you as you begin reading:

Who was James?

The letter opens simply with “James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1 NKJV).
The author is almost universally identified as James the brother (or half-brother) of Jesus, also known as James the Just.

  • He is mentioned in the Gospels as one of Jesus’ siblings (Matt 13:55; Mark 6:3).
  • Initially he did not believe in Jesus during His ministry (John 7:5), but the resurrected Jesus appeared to him personally (1 Cor 15:7), and he became a key leader in the early church.
  • He rose to become the presiding elder/bishop of the Jerusalem church (Acts 12:17; 15:13–21; 21:18; Gal 1:19; 2:9), often described as one of the “pillars” of the faith alongside Peter and John.
  • Church tradition and the Jewish historian Josephus record that he was martyred in Jerusalem around AD 62 (stoned and clubbed to death for his faith).

He is not James the son of Zebedee (the apostle who was martyred in AD 44) nor James the son of Alphaeus.

When was the book written?

This is one of the more debated questions in New Testament studies:

  • Traditional/evangelical/conservative view (held by many who accept direct authorship by James the brother of Jesus): Very early — probably AD 45–50, possibly the earliest book in the New Testament (written before the Jerusalem Council of AD 49–50 recorded in Acts 15). Reasons:
    • No mention of the Gentile controversy or the decisions of the Jerusalem Council.
    • Church meetings are still called “synagogue” (James 2:2, literally “assembly”).
    • Primitive church structure (elders and teachers, but no developed hierarchy).
    • Persecutions mentioned fit the scattered Jewish believers after Stephen’s martyrdom (Acts 8:1; 11:19).
  • Majority critical scholarly view: Later — usually AD 70–100 (or even into the early 2nd century), and often regarded as pseudonymous (written by an unknown author in James’s name to borrow his authority). Reasons cited: polished Greek style, possible echoes of later writings, and the letter’s slow acceptance in some parts of the early church.

Whichever date one prefers, the letter reflects a very Jewish-Christian environment before (or untouched by) the major Gentile mission and the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70.

Who was the intended audience?

James 1:1 (NKJV) is explicit:
“ To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad” (literally “in the Dispersion”).

  • This is classic Jewish terminology for Israel/Jews living outside the land of Palestine (the “Diaspora”).
  • The recipients are Jewish Christians — believers in Jesus who retained strong Jewish identity and practices, now living throughout the Roman Empire (probably in Syria, Asia Minor, and beyond).
  • Many were likely forced to flee Jerusalem/Judea after the persecution that followed Stephen’s death (Acts 8:1; 11:19).
  • They were facing trials, economic exploitation by wealthy landowners, and pressure to compromise their faith (themes that run throughout the letter).

The letter is sometimes called a “catholic” (universal) epistle because it is not addressed to one specific church, but it is clearly directed first and foremost to Jewish believers in Jesus scattered among the nations.

As you read James in the NKJV, you’ll notice how practical and wisdom-oriented it is — almost like a New Testament book of Proverbs combined with the Sermon on the Mount. It repeatedly calls believers to live out their faith consistently in everyday life: enduring trials with joy, controlling the tongue, caring for the poor, and showing that “faith without works is dead.” Enjoy your study — James is challenging, encouraging, and profoundly relevant!

Just out of curiosity, could you elaborate on Jesus appearing to him personally after the resurrection? I was not aware of this.

The key biblical reference to the resurrected Jesus making a special, personal appearance to James (His brother) is found in Paul’s summary of the resurrection appearances in 1 Corinthians 15:3–8 (NKJV):

“For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas [Peter], then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at one time… After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.”

So Paul lists a distinct appearance “He was seen by James” (Greek: eita ōphthē Iakōbō) separate from the appearance to “the twelve” and to “all the apostles.” Early Christian tradition unanimously understood this to be James the brother of Jesus (the same James who later led the Jerusalem church).

Why is this appearance significant?

During Jesus’ public ministry, His brothers (including James) did not believe in Him:

  • John 7:5 (NKJV): “For even His brothers did not believe in Him.”
  • Mark 3:21 tells us that His family once thought He was “out of His mind” and tried to seize Him.

Yet after the resurrection, something dramatically changed. By the time we reach Acts and Paul’s letters:

  • James is a leader in the Jerusalem church (Acts 12:17; 15:13; 21:18; Gal 1:19).
  • The brothers of Jesus are praying with the disciples (Acts 1:14).
  • Paul calls James “the Lord’s brother” and one of the “pillars” (Gal 2:9).

The early church fathers are unanimous that the turning point was this private resurrection appearance to James mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:7. Here are a few ancient witnesses:

  • Jerome (late 4th century, De Viris Illustribus 2): “...the Lord after the resurrection appeared first to James who was called the brother of the Lord.”
  • The Gospel of the Hebrews (a 2nd-century Jewish-Christian text, quoted by Jerome): “Now the Lord, after he had given his grave clothes to the servant of the priest, went to James and appeared to him (for James had sworn that he would not eat bread from that hour in which he had drunk the cup of the Lord until he should see him risen from among those that sleep).”

Even though the Gospel of the Hebrews is not canonical, it preserves a very early tradition (probably 2nd century or earlier) that James had taken a vow not to eat until he saw Jesus risen—and the risen Lord appeared to him personally, even sharing a meal.

So in short: yes, Scripture explicitly records a post-resurrection appearance of Jesus specifically to His skeptical brother James (1 Cor 15:7), and the early church universally believed this private encounter was what transformed James from an unbeliever into one of the most respected leaders of the first-generation church—and eventually a martyr for the faith he once rejected.

Could you give me a brief overview of what I can expect to find while reading this book?

Here’s a concise overview of what you’ll encounter as you read the Epistle of James (5 short chapters) in the NKJV:

Overall Tone & Style

  • Very practical, direct, and pastoral — like a sermon or wisdom sayings from a seasoned church leader.
  • Often compared to the Old Testament book of Proverbs and Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (James echoes Jesus’ teaching more than any other NT letter).
  • Written in excellent Greek but with a strong Jewish flavor (frequent OT allusions, “synagogue” for church meeting, etc.).

Key Themes & What to Expect Chapter by Chapter

Chapter 1

  • Joy in trials: Suffering produces patience and maturity.
  • Ask God for wisdom without doubting.
  • The danger of loving the world and the blessing of enduring temptation.
  • Be doers of the word, not hearers only — includes the famous “religion that God accepts” = caring for orphans and widows + personal holiness.
  • Warning against partiality and favoritism toward the rich.

Chapter 2

  • Faith without works is dead — the clearest NT passage linking genuine faith to action (often paired with Romans for “faith and works” discussions).
  • Illustration: Abraham offering Isaac, Rahab hiding the spies.
  • Sharp rebuke of showing favoritism to rich people while humiliating the poor.

Chapter 3

  • The untamable tongue: How something so small can cause massive destruction.
  • Heavenly vs. demonic wisdom — one is pure, peaceable, gentle; the other is jealous and selfish.

Chapter 4

  • Why Christians fight: covetousness and worldliness.
  • “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
  • Don’t speak evil of one another; don’t presume on the future (“If the Lord wills…”).
  • Strong condemnation of rich oppressors who hoard wealth and defraud workers.

Chapter 5

  • Patience in suffering; look to the prophets and Job as examples.
  • Don’t swear oaths — let your yes be yes.
  • Prayer: the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (Elijah example).
  • Instructions on anointing the sick with oil and praying.
  • Ends with the beautiful call to restore a wandering brother or sister — “whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death.”

Overall Takeaway

James is intensely practical Christianity. You won’t find much doctrine about justification or the person of Christ (Paul covers that), but you will be repeatedly challenged on how authentic faith shows up in everyday life: how you speak, how you treat the poor, how you handle money, trials, and temptation.

It’s short, punchy, memorable, and convicting — many readers say it feels like James is staring right at them. Perfect book to read slowly and prayerfully! Enjoy your time in it.