James/Introduction/Commentary

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The Book of James Introduction

Authorship A number of men in the New Testament bear the name “James”:  James the apostle, the brother John and son of Zebedee. Yet this James was killed by Herod Agrippa I no later than 44 A.D. (Acts 12:2). Most consider his death happening so early in the history of the Church as to rule out that he could have been the author.  James the son of Alphaeus who was also an apostle (Matthew 10:3). It appears that this James is not mentioned after Acts 1:13. In addition, the writer of this letter does not assert his apostleship, as did Peter (1 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 2:1) and Paul (Romans 1:4 and so on). It would appear that the writer of this letter was so well known and prominent that he could simply say, “James, a bondservant of God”, and Christians in the first century would immediately recognize the identity of the writer. “Only a very prominent person could use such a common name without further identification. To suggest some obscure James would not be convincing” 1

1 Faith that Works, Studies in the Epistle of James, Homer A. Kent Jr., p. 18

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James/Introduction/Commentary by Mark Dunagan - Issuu