Epistle of James

Definition and Meaning

The Epistle of James is the twentieth book of the New Testament, a letter of five chapters. Letters addressed broadly to many churches rather than to a particular congregation are called the "General Epistles" (or "Catholic Epistles"), and James is the first of the seven General Epistles. Its central theme is that faith must be shown through works in everyday life. In brief exhortations, it also addresses trials and perseverance, guarding one's speech (the tongue), not discriminating against the poor, and prayer.

Biblical and Historical Background

The author identifies himself as "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ" and addresses his readers as "the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad" (James 1:1). Tradition identifies the author as James, the brother of Jesus and a leader of the church in Jerusalem (Galatians 1:19; Acts 15:13). Scholars have proposed other views, and opinions also differ on the date of composition.

James is known as one of the books whose inclusion in the canon was disputed in the early church. In the preface to his 1522 German New Testament, Martin Luther called it an "epistle of straw" in comparison with other books. He did so because the verse "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (James 2:24) appeared to conflict with the Pauline Epistles, which emphasize justification by faith. Nevertheless, Luther did not remove the book from the Bible.

Use in Korean Churches

In Korean churches, James is frequently drawn on in preaching and quiet time devotions, particularly for verses such as "faith without works is dead" (James 2:26) and "If the Lord will" (James 4:15).

Denominational traditions differ in how they frame the relationship between James and Paul.

• The Reformed tradition, including Presbyterian churches, generally interprets the works James describes not as a condition for obtaining salvation but as evidence of genuine faith.
• The Wesleyan tradition, including Methodist and Holiness churches, tends to read the book as grounds for emphasizing the life of sanctification that follows faith.
• Pentecostal churches, such as the Full Gospel churches, sometimes cite James 5:14–16, which instructs believers to anoint the sick with oil and pray for them, as a basis for prayer for divine healing. The Catholic Church regards the same passage as one of the foundations for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

James 1:27, which calls for caring for orphans and widows, is often cited in discussions of almsgiving and the church's social responsibility.