Who wrote the letter of James?

[babs57]

Why do people say that the James who wrote the epistle of James was not one of the Apostles? Paul seems to identify him as an apostle in Gal 1:18-19.

“Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save James, the Lord’s brother.” (KJV)

This isn’t a thread to discuss the Lord’s “brothers”. I’m just trying to find out why some scholars think there was a third James.

:bible1::bible1::bible1::bible1::bible1:

 

[Don_Jackson]

Who wrote any book in the bible is unimportant compared to who inspired the work and what the message is.

 

[patrick457]

Why do people say that the James who wrote the epistle of James was not one of the Apostles? Paul seems to identify him as an apostle in Gal 1:18-19.

“Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save James, the Lord’s brother.” (KJV)

This isn’t a thread to discuss the Lord’s “brothers”. I’m just trying to find out why some scholars think there was a third James.

:bible1::bible1::bible1::bible1::bible1:

That’s because the word ‘apostle’ (‘one who is sent’) could mean anything depending on the user. While in a strict sense it could specifically refer to the inner circle of Jesus’ followers (the Twelve) only, the term could also be used in a more broader sense: Paul speaks of himself as an ‘apostle’ even though he was not one of the Twelve, and the author of Hebrews calls Jesus Himself an ‘apostle’.

While there is a tradition that ‘James brother of the Lord’, ‘James son of Alphaeus’ and the elusive ‘James the younger’ are one and the same, another tradition - one which many modern scholars seem to support - is that they are two (or even three) distinct individuals. Even today James Adelphotheos (‘brother of God’) is venerated separately from James of Alphaeus in the East (they have separate feastdays).

 

[COPLAND_3]

Here is what the great Bishop John McEvilly says

**Author of.—**Who is the St. James to whom this Epistle is attributed? There were two, who bore the name of James, mentioned among the Apostles—one, the son of Zebedee, and brother of St. John; he was put to death by Herod (Acts 12) He is called James the Greater. The other frequently styled in Scripture the brother of our Lord, was the son of Alpheus, also called Cleophas, and of Mary, the cousin, although in SS. Scripture, frequently called the sister, of the Blessed Virgin. He was the brother of St. Jude and of Joseph, called the Just. To distinguish him from the other James, he is called James the Less, a title bestowed upon him, either on account of his age, or the lowness of his stature, or, from being called later to the Apostleship. He is also styled James, the Just, a title which it is universally agreed, he merited, owing to his eminent sanctity, so generally recognized, that it procured for him the singular veneration of the Jews themselves, by whom he was called “the just man.” To his death Josephus attributes the final destruction of Jerusalem and the total dispersion of the Jews. The true cause, Josephus appeared, or at least affected, not to understand, viz., the murder of the Son of God, whose blood they invoked on themselves and on their children. Saints Jerome and Epiphanius relate, that our Lord, at his ascension, recommended to St. James the Church of Jerusalem, of which city he was, in consequence, constituted first Bishop, by the other Apostles, He was a Nazarite, never drank wine, and was particularly distinguished for his love of prayer. Ananias the son of Annas, of whom mention is made in the Gospels, being High Priest about the year 60, when St. Paul had appealed to Caesar, having assembled the Sanhedrim, summoned St. James before them. Josephus narrates, that he was accused of violating the laws, and handed over to the people to be stoned to death. Hegesippus adds, that they compelled him to be carried to the battlements of the temple, and would fain have compelled him to make a public renunciation of his faith in Christ; but St. James took this public opportunity of proclaiming the Divinity of Jesus Christ, He was, in consequence, hurled from the battlements, and after his fall, dispatched by a blow from a fuller’s club. This occurred in the year 62. This latter St. James, and not James the Greater, is the author of this Epistle, the best proof of which is, that in it, the inspired writer undertakes the refutation of errors which did not exist at the time St. James the Greater was put to death by Herod about the year 42, full fifteen years before St, Paul had written his Epistle to the Romans. The error referred to, which this Epistle is principally employed in refuting, was occasioned by the false interpretation of certain passages of St, Paul to the Romans, From these passages some persons inferred the absolute inutility of good works, without which St. James here clearly points out that faith is dead, and salvation, unattainable; he delivers also many other precepts of a holy life.

 

[driscll_books]

*Who wrote any book in the bible is unimportant compared to who inspired the work and what the message is. *
I feel this diminishes the honest question which was asked.

 

[aragonjohn1]

Why do people say that the James who wrote the epistle of James was not one of the Apostles? Paul seems to identify him as an apostle in Gal 1:18-19.

“Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save James, the Lord’s brother.” (KJV)

This isn’t a thread to discuss the Lord’s “brothers”. I’m just trying to find out why some scholars think there was a third James.

:bible1::bible1::bible1::bible1::bible1:

most of the time it is a mental bias towards james 2:24-26

other times it is a critique of inconsistences that a thinking person would normally do and not “inspired”

at least that has been my experience in acadamic pursuits

Shalom
God bless

 

[Publisher]

There is no evidence that the “James” referenced in the gospels or Acts is the James that wrote the letter attrributed to “James.”

 

[babs57]

There is no evidence that the “James” referenced in the gospels or Acts is the James that wrote the letter attrributed to “James.”

But that’s the thing. It appears that Paul is referring to an apostle when he says that he saw James in Jerusalem (Gal 1:19). I would think that that James would have been the same James that was the Bishop of Jerusalem at the time. I know it was a very common name, but it seems unlikely that there would have been two Jameses that were apostles, and that it was yet a different James that somehow became the Leader of the Church in Jerusalem.

Jesus makes a special post-resurrection appearence to James (1 Cor 15:7), and Paul again seems to attach him to the other apostles. “Then he appeared to James, then to all of the apostles.” (emphasis mine)

Any comments?

 

[patrick457]

But that’s the thing. It appears that Paul is referring to an apostle when he says that he saw James in Jerusalem (Gal 1:19). I would think that that James would have been the same James that was the Bishop of Jerusalem at the time. I know it was a very common name, but it seems unlikely that there would have been two Jameses that were apostles, and that it was yet a different James that somehow became the Leader of the Church in Jerusalem.

Jesus makes a special post-resurrection appearence to James (1 Cor 15:7), and Paul again seems to attach him to the other apostles. “Then he appeared to James, then to all of the apostles.” (emphasis mine)

Any comments?

To go on what I said earlier:

Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to (or ‘prominent among’) the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.

Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, to the church of God that is in Corinth…

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then tto all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because wI persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!

Paul seems to use the word in a broad sense.

 

[babs57]

So, this “apostle” could have been the relation of Jesus; the one who came with Mary to Jesus to complain that He was embarrassing the family. I guess if anyone needed a special visit from the risen Lord, it might be him!

I guess I could believe that. But it still seems more likely (to me) that it would have been one of the twelve to be made Bishop of Jerusalem.

I think Jesus made Paul the “apostle to the gentiles” because all twelve of His guys were so very Jewish, but Paul on the other hand, had a lot of exposure during his upbringing with Greece and Rome. It doesn’t make a lot of sense for Jesus to call another very Jewish guy to do the same things that the other apostles were doing.

But thanks to all for the (name removed by moderator)ut! :twocents::twocents::twocents::twocents:

 

[patrick457]

So, this “apostle” could have been the relation of Jesus; the one who came with Mary to Jesus to complain that He was embarrassing the family. I guess if anyone needed a special visit from the risen Lord, it might be him!

I guess I could believe that. But it still seems more likely (to me) that it would have been one of the twelve to be made Bishop of Jerusalem.

The thing is, the Desposynoi (the relatives of Jesus and their descendants) were highly-influential figures in the Jerusalem Church. In fact, the last Jewish bishop of Jerusalem before AD 135 was Judas Kyriakos, the grandson of Judas (another ‘brother’ of the Lord). According to Hegesippus (c.110-c.180), as quoted by Eusebius (Church History 3.19-20):

But when this same Domitian had commanded that the descendants of David should be slain, an ancient tradition says that some of the heretics brought accusation against the descendants of Jude (said to have been a brother of the Saviour according to the flesh), on the ground that they were of the lineage of David and were related to Christ himself. Hegesippus relates these facts in the following words.

Of the family of the Lord there were still living the grandchildren of Jude, who is said to have been the Lord’s brother according to the flesh. Information was given that they belonged to the family of David, and they were brought to the Emperor Domitian by the Evocatus. For Domitian feared the coming of Christ as Herod also had feared it. And he asked them if they were descendants of David, and they confessed that they were. Then he asked them how much property they had, or how much money they owned. And both of them answered that they had only nine thousand denarii, half of which belonged to each of them. And this property did not consist of silver, but of a piece of land which contained only thirty-nine acres plethra], and from which they raised their taxes and supported themselves by their own labor. Then they showed their hands, exhibiting the hardness of their bodies and the callousness produced upon their hands by continuous toil as evidence of their own labor. And when they were asked concerning Christ and his kingdom, of what sort it was and where and when it was to appear, they answered that it was not a temporal nor an earthly kingdom, but a heavenly and angelic one, which would appear at the end of the world, when he should come in glory to judge the quick and the dead, and to give unto every one according to his works. Upon hearing this, Domitian did not pass judgment against them, but, despising them as of no account, he let them go, and by a decree put a stop to the persecution of the Church. But when they were released they ruled the churches because they were witnesses and were also relatives of the Lord. And peace being established, they lived until the time of Trajan.

These things are related by Hegesippus.

 

[babs57]

Oh, yeah! I also just remembered (duh moment!) that in the book of Jude, Jude calls himself the brother of James! Like in Mk 6:3. THE THIRD JAMES!!

I Learnt sumpin’! :extrahappy: Thanks all!

 

[dovy707]

Apostle as a title is applied to more than the Twelve, including St.Paul, himself. Judas the Betrayer was replaced by papal decree (Acts 1:15-22) by St. Matthias, completing again the Twelve. After this, our Lord called St. Paul as an Apostle, a title which he freely uses in his epistles. Sts. Barnabas and Silas are also called Apostles. History often refers to St. Apollos as an Apostle, though I know of no place where Scripture does. The point is, there are holy men in the New Testament beyond the Twelve who are given this title and office.

As for St. James, the author of the book of James, history informs us that this is St. James the Just, bishop of Jerusalem. It is known that St. James the Just was the brother (near relative) of our Lord. It is also suggested by Eusebius, author of The Ecclesiastical History, that this St. James was different from the Sts. James of the Twelve.

James (Hebrew Ya’akov) was a common name in first century Israel–as it is today since it translates to Jacob. It would.therefore, not be surprising to find three followers of Christ named James.

Hope this helps.

David Wall

 

[babs57]

Apostle as a title is applied to more than the Twelve, including St.Paul, himself. Judas the Betrayer was replaced by papal decree (Acts 1:15-22) by St. Matthias, completing again the Twelve. After this, our Lord called St. Paul as an Apostle, a title which he freely uses in his epistles. Sts. Barnabas and Silas are also called Apostles. History often refers to St. Apollos as an Apostle, though I know of no place where Scripture does. The point is, there are holy men in the New Testament beyond the Twelve who are given this title and office.

As for St. James, the author of the book of James, history informs us that this is St. James the Just, bishop of Jerusalem. It is known that St. James the Just was the brother (near relative) of our Lord. It is also suggested by Eusebius, author of The Ecclesiastical History, that this St. James was different from the Sts. James of the Twelve.

James (Hebrew Ya’akov) was a common name in first century Israel–as it is today since it translates to Jacob. It would.therefore, not be surprising to find three followers of Christ named James.

Hope this helps.

David Wall

AGREED. Thanks again!

 

[bitznbitez]

Why do people say that the James who wrote the epistle of James was not one of the Apostles? Paul seems to identify him as an apostle in Gal 1:18-19.

It seems relevant to observe that Paul though called an apostle, even by himself, was likewise not one of the 12 disciples/apostles.

Its been a good while since I pondered this but I would go with the traditional understanding from the earliest times.

 

[Qoeleth]

The letter of James is extremely close to the authentic teachings of Jesus. It emphasizes obedience to the law, and salvation being obtained through good works. It emphasizes the blessings of poverty, and the corruption of wealth.

Given that it so closely resembles the teachings of Jesus (unlike the letters of Paul), it seems reasonable that it was written by James, the ‘brother’ of Jesus, and the leader of the Jerusalem Church.

 

[babs57]

The letter of James is extremely close to the authentic teachings of Jesus. It emphasizes obedience to the law, and salvation being obtained through good works. It emphasizes the blessings of poverty, and the corruption of wealth.

Given that it so closely resembles the teachings of Jesus (unlike the letters of Paul), it seems reasonable that it was written by James, the ‘brother’ of Jesus, and the leader of the Jerusalem Church.

James does seem to expound on “the Law”, but in the terms of the new covenant now being revealed (we still need faith in Jesus). However, Jesus’ teachings go beyond what anyone thought the law could be or should be about, (healing on the sabbath, contact with sinners, the unclean, the dead), which is where Paul’s teaching comes in. I disagree with the idea that Paul’s letters go against the teachings of Jesus, or that they are somehow outside what Jesus would have wanted taught.

 

[Qoeleth]

James does seem to expound on “the Law”, but in the terms of the new covenant now being revealed (we still need faith in Jesus). However, Jesus’ teachings go beyond what anyone thought the law could be or should be about, (healing on the sabbath, contact with sinners, the unclean, the dead), which is where Paul’s teaching comes in. I disagree with the idea that Paul’s letters go against the teachings of Jesus, or that they are somehow outside what Jesus would have wanted taught.

True. Perhaps I should have specified, the ‘Matthean’ Jesus. A lot of the lines in James match almost word for word Jesus’ words in Matthew.

So, I offer the opinion (for what it’s worth), that given the ‘Jewishness’ of Matthew and James, combined with the reasonable probability that both Matthew and James personally knew Jesus, that they are probably the most faithful depictions of Jesus’ teachings.

 

[farpinho]

That’s because the word ‘apostle’ (‘one who is sent’) could mean anything depending on the user. While in a strict sense it could specifically refer to the inner circle of Jesus’ followers (the Twelve) only, the term could also be used in a more broader sense: Paul speaks of himself as an ‘apostle’ even though he was not one of the Twelve, and the author of Hebrews calls Jesus Himself an ‘apostle’.

While there is a tradition that ‘James brother of the Lord’, ‘James son of Alphaeus’ and the elusive ‘James the younger’ are one and the same, another tradition - one which many modern scholars seem to support - is that they are two (or even three) distinct individuals. Even today James Adelphotheos (‘brother of God’) is venerated separately from James of Alphaeus in the East (they have separate feastdays).

Same problem we have with identifying the Mark in Mark’s Gospel and Acts and the letters… what a pity nobody had surnames back that time with so many similar names…

 

[mercytruth]

That’s because the word ‘apostle’ (‘one who is sent’) could mean anything depending on the user. While in a strict sense it could specifically refer to the inner circle of Jesus’ followers (the Twelve) only, the term could also be used in a more broader sense: Paul speaks of himself as an ‘apostle’ even though he was not one of the Twelve, and the author of Hebrews calls Jesus Himself an ‘apostle’.

While there is a tradition that ‘James brother of the Lord’, ‘James son of Alphaeus’ and the elusive ‘James the younger’ are one and the same, another tradition - one which many modern scholars seem to support - is that they are two (or even three) distinct individuals. Even today James Adelphotheos (‘brother of God’) is venerated separately from James of Alphaeus in the East (they have separate feastdays).

Yes, your summation covers the issue well. There is an entry by Bishop Eusebius in his History of the Church which may explain Gal.1:19.

**Chapter 19. The Episcopal Chair of James.

The chair of James, who first received the episcopate of the church at Jerusalem from the Saviour himself and the apostles, and who, as the divine records show, was called a brother of Christ, has been preserved until now, the brethren who have followed him in succession there exhibiting clearly to all the reverence which both those of old times and those of our own day maintained and do maintain for holy men on account of their piety. So much as to this matter.** (Book VII, chapter 19).

If it is true that James the brother of the Lord received the episcopate of the church of Jerusalem from Jesus Christ and the eleven apostles, then Gal.1:19 may be saying that the apostle Paul saw none of the apostles except for Bishop James who was ordained by all the apostles. Thus, Bishop James was not an apostle, but represented the authority of the eleven apostles who ordained him.

God’s peace

micah