FOLLOWING the Received Version and order of the New Testament, brings us to James as the next of its authors or writers.
That there were three disciples of the same name seems clear:
1. James (and John), son of Salome and Zebedee, called the greater.
2. James (and Joses), son of Mary and Cleopas, called the less.
3. James (and Joses, Simon, Judas), the Lord’s brother, called the Just.
It is with the last named that we have to do here, inasmuch as he is the author of the epistle called after him. He was not one of the twelve apostles. In John 7:55For neither did his brethren believe in him. (John 7:5), we read, “Neither did His brethren believe on Him,” showing that James was not among the followers of Jesus at that time. Many think that he only became a disciple after the crucifixion; perhaps, indeed, he is the James to whom the Lord appeared (1 Cor. 15:77After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. (1 Corinthians 15:7)) after His resurrection, an interview of which we have no other record.
That the Lord’s brethren had witnessed some of His mighty works (see Matt. 12:46; 13:5546While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. (Matthew 12:46)
55Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? (Matthew 13:55); Luke 8:1919Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. (Luke 8:19); John 2), and that they were at last really converted, is evident from the fact that they were gathered with the apostles at Jerusalem, awaiting the descent of the Holy Spirit.
In the upper room then we start with James (Acts 1:1414These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. (Acts 1:14)), and he seems to have made Jerusalem his abode until his death or martyrdom, which took place shortly before the seige of Titus. Perhaps James 5:66Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you. (James 5:6) is his own way of speaking of it. Josephus tells us that he was stoned to death by the Jews, and adds that this crime was punished by the destruction of the city. Others say that he was thrown down from the temple and afterward slain—so it seems clear that he was martyred.
James certainly occupied a place of power in the early Church in that city, and hence he has often been styled its bishop, or overseer. After the great persecution at Stephen’s death, believers were scattered from Jerusalem, except the apostles, among whom the Lord’s brother was chief. A great company of priests there were obedient to the faith, and thousands of Jews believed, but were still under the law of Moses, and had not given up frequenting the temple and the synagogue. It was a moment of transition or change, and it required time for a Jew to comprehend that Christ was the end of the law, and that God was no longer dwelling in their beautiful temple made with hands, and still standing.
Paul went to Jerusalem after his conversion, to visit Peter, and only saw James besides (Gal. 1). At the conference there later on, at which Paul and Barnabas were delegates, James could say, “My sentence is...,” etc. (Acts 15.) Paul calls him a pillar, and refers to his influence over Peter (Gal. 2). Then when Paul went again to Jerusalem (Acts 21), he declared to James what God had wrought by him, and received advice from him which may be questioned; but we must remember the influence the temple and Jewish observances exercised over the dwellers in that city.
These facts show us the place James occupied, and it is from this standpoint that he writes his epistle. His subject is — “The practical life of the poor of the flock, who still frequented the synagogue; the denunciations against the rich unbelievers.” He desires that the “external practical life should correspond with the inner divine life of the Christian,” which, indeed, we ought all to seek after. “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” James writes to the whole people of Israel, to whom the promises of God were being presented in the gospel.
ML-01/24/1960