If James, the Lord's brother, is the author, then he probably wrote it in Jerusalem. This would make it the first book of the New Testament written. 48-50 is the date commonly given for this epistle. 49), and the use of the word "synagogue" (assembly, Jam 2:2), A.D. TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING: With no mention of the Jerusalem conference recorded in Acts 15 (A.D. Because it was not addressed to a single church or individual, it has been categorized a "General" or "Catholic" (universal) epistle along with 1 and 2 Peter, 1 John, and Jude. The letter indicates that most were poor, and some were being oppressed by the rich ( Jam 2:6-7). As Jewish Christians, they would also be rejected by many of their own countrymen. Being Jews, they would often be rejected by the Gentiles.
It appears many of these Jewish Christians were poor and oppressed. Nineteen times James calls them "brethren" and at least one time he definitely means those who were brethren "in the Lord" ( Jam 2:1). While Jews, the epistle makes it clear that they were also brethren in the Lord, i.e., they were Jewish Christians. Since the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities, many Jews were scattered throughout different nations ( Ac 2:5-11). This naturally leads one to think of Jews ( Ac 26:6-7) living outside the land of Palestine. RECIPIENTS: The epistle is addressed to "the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad" ( Jam 1:1). It is reported that as he died, he prayed as did Jesus, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
He was martyred in 62 A.D., either by being cast down from the temple, or beaten to death with clubs. It was said that he prayed so much, his knees were as hard as those on a camel. Tradition describes James as a man of prayer, which may explain the emphasis on prayer in his letter. "James, the Lord's brother" ( Ga 1:19) is most likely the author of this epistle. James also played an important role in the conference at Jerusalem ( Ac 15:13-33), and Paul brought him greetings upon arriving at Jerusalem ( Ac 21:18-19). As evidence of his prominence, Peter sent him a special message following his own release from prison ( Ac 12:17). He became a disciple following the resurrection ( 1 Co 15:7 Ac 1:14) and gained prominence in the church at Jerusalem ( Ga 2:9). James, the brother of our Lord - A half-brother of our Lord ( Mt 13:55), who did not believe in his brother at first ( Jn 7:5). James, father of Judas the apostle - Even more obscure, one of the few references to him is Lk 6:16. In Jn 19:25, this Mary is called the wife of Cleophas, perhaps to be identified with Alphaeus. He may be "James the younger," whose mother, Mary, was among the women at Jesus' crucifixion and tomb ( Mt 27:56 Mk 15:40 16:1 Lk 24:10). James, son of Alphaeus - Another one of the apostles ( Mt 10:3 Ac 1:12), about whom very little is known. Together with John, they were nicknamed "Sons of Thunder" because of their impulsiveness (cf. James, son of Zebedee and brother of John - A fisherman called by Christ ( Mt 4:17-22) who later became an apostle ( Mt 10:2). There are four men who bear this name in the New Testament: AUTHOR: James, who identifies himself as "a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ" ( Jam 1:1).