Introduction to the book of James

James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. [kjv]

The book of James is after Philemon and before Peter in the GNT (Greek New Testament).

In his extensive work entitled "Jewish Antiquities", Josephus mentions James the brother of Jesus the Christ, and, in passing, John the Baptist.

Josephus records his death (sometime from 62 to 69 AD) as being stoned to death by the Jewish religious establishment.

James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. [kjv]

ιακωβος θεου και κυριου ιησου χριστου δουλος ταις δωδεκα φυλαις ταις εν τη διασπορα χαιρειν [gnt]

Iacobus … duodecim tribubus … dispersione … [v]

The English word "James" comes, through French, from the Latin word "Iacomus" ≈ "James, Jacob" which is an altered pronunciation of "Iacobus" ≈ "Jacob" which comes from the ancient Greek word "Ἰάκωβος" ≈ "Jacob" which comes from "Ἰακώβ" ≈ "Jacob" which comes from the Hebrew word "יעקב" ≈ "Jacob".

Genesis 25:31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. [kjv]

ויאמר יעקב מכרה כיום את בכרתך לי׃ [he]

ειπεν δε ιακωβ τω ησαυ αποδου μοι σημερον τα πρωτοτοκια σου εμοι [lxx]

… Iacob vende mihi primogenita … [v]

More: James 1: Interpretation and misinterpretation

The Hebrew word "יעקב" (ya-a-qob) ≈ "Jacob".

Genesis 25:31

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KJV: And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.

Hebrew: ויאמר יעקב מכרה כיום את בכרתך לי׃

Greek: ειπεν δε ιακωβ τω ησαυ αποδου μοι σημερον τα πρωτοτοκια σου εμοι

Latin: cui dixit Iacob vende mihi primogenita tua

James 1:1

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KJV: James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

Greek: ιακωβος θεου και κυριου ιησου χριστου δουλος ταις δωδεκα φυλαις ταις εν τη διασπορα χαιρειν

James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. [kjv]

ιακωβος θεου και κυριου ιησου χριστου δουλος ταις δωδεκα φυλαις ταις εν τη διασπορα χαιρειν [gnt]

Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christians hold that James was not a brother of Jesus, to preserve the idea of the virgin Mary, but was a cousin or step-brother. There are other ways used to side-step the issue.

Whoever wrote James, it is addressed to the "twelve tribes". Thus, to make any theological points from James, one must justify how something written to the "twelve tribes" applies to everyone else.

Some will equate the "scattered" to the "diaspora" of the Jews. In general, the main Diasporas in 70 AD and 135 AD were after this letter was written.

Matthew 13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? [kjv]

13:56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? [kjv]

13:57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. [kjv]

Matthew 13:55

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KJV: Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

Greek: ουχ ουτος εστιν ο του τεκτονος υιος ουχι ουχ η μητηρ αυτου λεγεται μαριαμ και οι αδελφοι αυτου ιακωβος και ιωσης ιωσηφ και σιμων και ιουδας

Matthew 13:56

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KJV: And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?

Greek: και αι αδελφαι αυτου ουχι πασαι προς ημας εισιν ποθεν ουν τουτω ταυτα παντα

Matthew 13:57

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KJV: And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.

Greek: και εσκανδαλιζοντο εν αυτω ο δε ιησους ειπεν αυτοις ουκ εστιν προφητης ατιμος ει μη εν τη πατριδι αυτου και εν τη οικια αυτου

Mark 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. [kjv]

6:4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. [kjv]

6:5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. [kjv]

Mark 6:3

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KJV: Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

Greek: ουχ ουτος εστιν ο τεκτων ο υιος της μαριας και αδελφος δε ιακωβου και ιωση ιωσητος και ιουδα και σιμωνος και ουκ εισιν αι αδελφαι αυτου ωδε προς ημας και εσκανδαλιζοντο εν αυτω

Mark 6:4

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KJV: But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

Greek: και ελεγεν δε αυτοις ο ιησους οτι ουκ εστιν προφητης ατιμος ει μη εν τη πατριδι αυτου και εν τοις συγγενεσιν συγγενευσιν αυτου και εν τη οικια αυτου

Mark 6:5

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KJV: And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

Greek: και ουκ ηδυνατο εδυνατο εκει ποιησαι ουδεμιαν δυναμιν ποιησαι ει μη ολιγοις αρρωστοις επιθεις τας χειρας εθεραπευσεν

Paul mentions meeting with James the Lord's brother when he went to Jerusalem.

Galatians 1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. [kjv]

επειτα μετα τρια ετη ανηλθον εις ιεροσολυμα ιστορησαι και επεμεινα προς αυτον ημερας δεκαπεντε [gnt]

1:19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. [kjv]

ετερον δε των αποστολων ουκ ειδον ει μη ιακωβον τον αδελφον του κυριου [gnt]

Paul uses a uniquely created verb in Galatians 1:18. A related modern Greek word "ιστορία" (ee-sto-REE-a) ≈ "story, history". Herodotus in the 4th century BC wrote his "stories" which were mostly factual accounts of what we today call "history". Note how "weaving a story" is related to "weaving a web".

History is a set of lies agreed upon. (Napoleon)

Paul did not "see", as in «ειδον» (with understanding), the others, except James. Paul needed to "catch up" with (the history of) what had been going on.

Words: ιστορησαι

Strongs assumes a derivative from a verb. But it makes a lot more sense to use "history". Which sounds more like Paul.

I went to "see" Peter.
I went to "history with" Peter.
I went to "story with" Peter.

A very young boy, after "running" and "swimming", might want to go "tennising". Perhaps not grammatically correct but one certainly knows what he meant.

Paul appears to be doing the same thing in "tabling" as in "making a table of comparisons".

More: Galatians 4:21-25 Another allegory sequence of tabular dimensions

The modern Greek word "ιστορία" (ees-to-REE-a) ≈ "story, history" is a "story" that may have some untrue elements, but is basically true. Herodotus wrote stories that were what we call "history" and from that Greek word for "story" comes the English word "history".

Take off the prefix "hi-" sound from "history" and you have "story".

There are those who question what Herodotus wrote as not being completely true.

More: Herodotus

Galatians 1:18

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KJV: Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

Greek: επειτα μετα ετη τρια ετη ανηλθον εις ιεροσολυμα ιστορησαιπετρον κηφαν και επεμεινα προς αυτον ημερας δεκαπεντε

Galatians 1:19

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KJV: But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.

Greek: ετερον δε των αποστολων ουκ ειδον ει μη ιακωβον τον αδελφον του κυριου

Interspersed in a long sequence of insurrections, palace and other intrigues, events and deaths, etc., Josephus mentions Jesus.

English: About this time, there lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he was one who wrought surprising feats and was a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks. He was the Messiah. [Loeb #433, p. 49]

Greek: Γίνεται δὲ κατὰ τοῦτον τὸν χρόνον Ἰησοῦς σοφὸς ἀνήρ,εἴγε ἄνδρα αὐτὸν λέγειν χρή· ἦν γὰρ παραδόξων ἔργων ποιητής, διδάσκαλος ἀνθρώπων τῶν ἡδονῇ τἀληθῆ δεχομένων, καὶ πολλοὺσμὲν Ἰουδαίους, πολλοὺς δὲ καὶ τοῦ Ἑλληνικοῦ ἐπηγάγετο· ὁ χριστὸς (Josephus Antiquities 18:7)

As might be expected, there is controversy on the wording of what is said.

Josephus records some details about Jesus.

English: When Pilate, upon hearing him accused by men of the highest standing amongst us, had condemned him to be crucified, those who had in the first place come to love him, did not give up their affection for him. On the third day he appeared to them restored to life, for the prophets of God had prophesied these and countless other marvelous things about him. And the tribe of the Christians, so called after him, has still to this day not disappeared. [Loeb #433, p. 51]

Greek: καὶ αὐτὸν ἐνδείξει τῶν πρώτων ἀνδρῶν παρ᾿ ἡμῖνσταυρῷ ἐπιτετιμηκότος Πιλάτου οὐκ ἐπαύσαντο οἱ τὸ πρῶτον ἀγαπήσαντες· ἐφάνη γὰρ αὐτοῖς τρίτην ἔχων ἡμέραν πάλιν ζῶν τῶνθείων προφητῶν ταῦτά τε καὶ ἄλλα μυρία περὶ αὐτοῦ θαυμάσιαεἰρηκότων. εἰς ἔτι τε νῦν τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀπὸ τοῦδε ὠνομασμένον οὐκ ἐπέλιπε τὸ φῦλον. (Josephus Antiquities 18:7)

Josephus records some details about John the Baptist.

English: But to some of the Jew the destruction of Herod's army seemed to be divine vengeance, and certainly a just vengeance, for his treatment of John, surnamed the Baptist [Loeb #433, p. 81]

Greek: Τισὶ δὲ τῶν Ἰουδαίων ἐδόκει ὀλωλέναι τὸν Ἡρώδου στρατὸν ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ μάλα δικαίως τινυμένου κατὰ ποινὴν Ἰωάννου τοῦ ἐπικαλουμένου βαπτιστοῦ. (Josephus Antiquities 18:12)

English: For Herod had put him to death, though he was a good man and had exhorted the Jews to lead righteous lives, to practice justice towards their fellows and piety towards God, and so doing to join in baptism. [Loeb #433, p. 81]

Greek: κτείνει γὰρ δὴ τοῦτον Ἡρώδης ἀγαθὸν ἄνδρα καὶ τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις κελεύοντα ἀρετὴν ἐπασκοῦσιν καὶτὰ πρὸς ἀλλήλους δικαιοσύνῃ καὶ πρὸς τὸν θεὸν εὐσεβείᾳ χρωμένοις βαπτισμῷ συνιέναι (Josephus Antiquities 18:12)

Josephus uses the Greek word for "exhorted" as that of "leading". The Greek word for "acolyte" as "follow" as the word used by Jesus is the negation of "leading". One is not called to "lead" in the human sense. One is called to "follow" the example of Jesus. That is, "imitate" Jesus but not "impersonate" Jesus.

More: Imitator or impersonator of Christ

Josephus records the death of James the brother of Jesus.

English: And so he convened the judges of the Sanhedrin and brought before them a man named James, the brother of Jesus who was called the Christ, and certain others. He accused them of having transgressed the law and delivered them up to be stoned. [Loeb #456, p. 109]

Greek: καθίζει συνέδριον κριτῶν καὶ παραγαγὼν εἰς αὐτὸτὸν ἀδελφὸν Ἰησοῦ τοῦ λεγομένου Χριστοῦ, Ἰάκωβος ὄνομα αὐτῷ,καί τινας ἑτέρους, ὡς παρανομησάντων κατηγορίαν ποιησάμενοσπαρέδωκε λευσθησομένους. (Josephus Antiquities 20:9)

Josephus records this as happening in the absence of full civil rule after the death of Porcius Festus and before Lucceius Albinus assumed office (dated to 62 AD).

This "James", the brother of Jesus, is different than "James", the brother of John.

Matthew 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. [kjv]

και προβας εκειθεν ειδεν αλλους δυο αδελφους ιακωβον τον του ζεβεδαιου και ιωαννην τον αδελφον αυτου εν τω πλοιω μετα ζεβεδαιου του πατρος αυτων καταρτιζοντας τα δικτυα αυτων και εκαλεσεν αυτους [gnt]

10:2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; [kjv]

των δε δωδεκα αποστολων τα ονοματα εστιν ταυτα πρωτος σιμων ο λεγομενος πετρος και ανδρεας ο αδελφος αυτου και ιακωβος ο του ζεβεδαιου και ιωαννης ο αδελφος αυτου [gnt]

17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, [kjv]

και μεθ ημερας εξ παραλαμβανει ο ιησους τον πετρον και ιακωβον και ιωαννην τον αδελφον αυτου και αναφερει αυτους εις ορος υψηλον κατ ιδιαν [gnt]

Matthew 4:21

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KJV: And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.

Greek: και προβας εκειθεν ειδεν αλλους δυο αδελφους ιακωβον τον του ζεβεδαιου και ιωαννην τον αδελφον αυτου εν τω πλοιω μετα ζεβεδαιου του πατρος αυτων καταρτιζοντας τα δικτυα αυτων και εκαλεσεν αυτους

Matthew 10:2

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KJV: Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

Greek: των δε δωδεκα αποστολων τα ονοματα εστιν ταυτα πρωτος σιμων ο λεγομενος πετρος και ανδρεας ο αδελφος αυτου και ιακωβος ο του ζεβεδαιου και ιωαννης ο αδελφος αυτου

Matthew 17:1

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KJV: And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

Greek: και μεθ ημερας εξ παραλαμβανει ο ιησους τον πετρον και ιακωβον και ιωαννην τον αδελφον αυτου και αναφερει αυτους εις ορος υψηλον κατ ιδιαν

Mark 1:19 And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. [kjv]

και προβας ολιγον ειδεν ιακωβον τον του ζεβεδαιου και ιωαννην τον αδελφον αυτου και αυτους εν τω πλοιω καταρτιζοντας τα δικτυα [gnt]

3:17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: [kjv]

και ιακωβον τον του ζεβεδαιου και ιωαννην τον αδελφον του ιακωβου και επεθηκεν αυτοις ονομα βοανηργες ο εστιν υιοι βροντης [gnt]

5:37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. [kjv]

και ουκ αφηκεν ουδενα μετ αυτου συνακολουθησαι ει μη τον πετρον και ιακωβον και ιωαννην τον αδελφον ιακωβου [gnt]

Mark 1:19

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KJV: And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.

Greek: και προβας εκειθεν ολιγον ειδεν ιακωβον τον του ζεβεδαιου και ιωαννην τον αδελφον αυτου και αυτους εν τω πλοιω καταρτιζοντας τα δικτυα

Mark 3:17

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KJV: And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:

Greek: και ιακωβον τον του ζεβεδαιου και ιωαννην τον αδελφον του ιακωβου και επεθηκεν αυτοις ονοματα βοανεργες ονομα βοανηργες ο εστιν υιοι βροντης

Mark 5:37

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KJV: And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

Greek: και ουκ αφηκεν ουδενα αυτω μετ αυτου συνακολουθησαι ει μη τον πετρον και ιακωβον και ιωαννην τον αδελφον ιακωβου

Acts 12:1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. [kjv]

κατ εκεινον δε τον καιρον επεβαλεν ηρωδης ο βασιλευς τας χειρας κακωσαι τινας των απο της εκκλησιας [gnt]

12:2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. [kjv]

ανειλεν δε ιακωβον τον αδελφον ιωαννου μαχαιρη [gnt]

12:3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) [kjv]

12:4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. [kjv]

ον και πιασας εθετο εις φυλακην παραδους τεσσαρσιν τετραδιοις στρατιωτων φυλασσειν αυτον βουλομενος μετα το πασχα αναγαγειν αυτον τω λαω [gnt]

This use of the term "Easter" in the KJV (King James Version) for the Greek for "passover" has, at times, been controversial. The imprisonment of Peter leads to the prayer meeting and the angel freeing Peter from prison.

Acts 12:1

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KJV: Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

Greek: κατ εκεινον δε τον καιρον επεβαλεν ηρωδης ο βασιλευς τας χειρας κακωσαι τινας των απο της εκκλησιας

Acts 12:2

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KJV: And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

Greek: ανειλεν δε ιακωβον τον αδελφον ιωαννου μαχαιρα μαχαιρη

Acts 12:4

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KJV: And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

Greek: ον και πιασας εθετο εις φυλακην παραδους τεσσαρσιν τετραδιοις στρατιωτων φυλασσειν αυτον βουλομενος μετα το πασχα αναγαγειν αυτον τω λαω

Acts 12:3

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KJV: And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

Greek: και ιδων δε οτι αρεστον εστιν τοις ιουδαιοις προσεθετο συλλαβειν και πετρον ησαν δε ημεραι των αζυμων

Jude 1:1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: [kjv]

Jude is the "brother of James". It is unclear to which James this applies. Jude is usually taken to be a brother of Jesus.

Jude 1:1

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KJV: Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

Greek: ιουδας ιησου χριστου δουλος αδελφος δε ιακωβου τοις εν θεω πατρι ηγιασμενοις ηγαπημενοις και ιησου χριστω τετηρημενοις κλητοις