Question: Who wrote the Book of James; Jesus’ brother or James of Zebedee? Many scholars say Jesus’ brother. I’m leaning more towards Zebedee. Jesus’ brother spent time with Paul, you would think he’d be influenced doctrine of grace, but he speaks more of works and faith, no grace. Thoughts?
Discussion
13 comments
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There are enough brilliant, accomplished, godly theologians who have explored this!
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Epistle of James refers to the writings of James, son of Alpheus, the Bishop of Jerusalem, the Lord’s brother and one of the twelve Apostles. It may be one of the earliest written works of the New Testament, possibly as early as the late 40s. There is reason to conclude that this letter was written prior to the Jerusalem Council, which was held in A.D. 50. The authenticity of this inspired work has been fully accepted since at least the third century, as demonstrated by the various lists of the Sacred books drawn up since the fourth century, although debate continues about who actually wrote it.
In support of James as the author, as the Epistle indicates, is its simplicity of introduction of the author (who would be familiar to all) and linguistic similarities between this Epistle and a speech given by James in Acts of the Apostles chapter 15.
The quality of the Greek in the Epistle of James is higher than the Greek written by Apostles, which further suggests that this Epistle was written by a relative of Jesus rather than by an average disciple. The only higher form of Greek in the New Testament is the Epistle to the Hebrews, which may have been written by Jesus himself, although this has been disputed. (See Mystery:Did Jesus Write the Epistle to the Hebrews?)
Martin Luther had difficulty with the Epistle of James as it did not easily fit his concept of justification by faith alone as James also seems to stress the importance of works. Nevertheless, he kept it as a part of the New Testament canon in Protestant Churches.
Martin Luther wrote in his 1599 preface that the St. James Epistle is really “an epistle of straw” compared to St. John’s Gospel and his first epistle, to St. Paul’s epistles, especially Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians, and to St. Peter’s first epistle, because of its insistence on works as a requirement for justification to life and its rejection of faith alone without works (sola fide). He afterward removed the “straw” statement, insisting that the epistle was good.
In the very early Universal Church years (1st and 2nd centuries A.D.), some of this work was disputed as to authenticity and scattered among churches.
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What they wrote the Spirit dire led gim to what was needed at the time with those they dealt with. Pauls stress on Faith may well have lead som to think the law had not place at all in their live, though Paul dd warn avainst making forgiveness a licence to sin. A problem among us too to it would senm.
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What they wrote the spirit dire ted it to what was needed at tge time with those they dealt with. Pauls stress on Faith may well have lead som to think the law had not place at all in their live, though Paul dd warn avainst making forgiveness a licence to sin. A problem among us too to would senm.
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Most scholars believe it to be James the brother of Jesus, and based upon the Bible I have to agree with that, it was James the brother of Jesus
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I don’t see that James the brother of Jesus spent a lot of time with Paul the book of Acts does not support your theory
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JAMES THE BROTHER OF JESUS
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From what I glean from my studies, it is James Zebedee. James, the brother of Jesus, was not a believer until after the resurrection. As a follower of the gospel presented by Paul, there is much in the book of James that he would not have written. The doctrinal contents are not consistent with the Pauline gospel.
I realize that some believe James Zebedee died too early to have written the text, but that isn’t so. He died in Acts 12, around 43-44 a.d. It is acknowledged that the book was written prior to 49 a.d. It also makes sense from the standpoint of Jesus’ inner circle of Peter, James, and John (Matt. 17:11, 26:37, Mark 13:3, Luke 8:51). Jesus’ brother was never in that trio…he wasn’t saved at that point. It wasn’t written primarily to Christians or Jewish Christians. It was written to the “twelve tribes.”
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It was James the half brother of Jesus. He didn’t believe that Jesus was the Christ until after the resurrection. He became pastor of the church at Jerusalem.
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James of Zebedee was the brother of John…they were the “Sons of Thunder.” Brother John wrote the Gospel of John, the Epistles, 1st, 2nd, 3rd John and Revelation.
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There is no conflict between works and grace. Once His Spirit of truth lives in us, He nudges us to live as He did. He lived God’s Law perfectly applied in Wisdom.
Sin is defined as transgressing the Law. He would never make us sin. The New Covenant is His Law written on our hearts by His Spirit.
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In his epistle, James simply agrees with Paul about faith…James just elaborates that if one is saved (by grace through faith), that faith should produce good works!
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