Who Wrote James?
Quick Summary
The Letter of James identifies its author simply as “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1). Early church tradition consistently identified this James as James, the brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church. Internal evidence, early Christian testimony, and modern scholarship largely agree that James, the brother of Jesus, is the most likely author.
Introduction
The Letter of James is one of the most practical and challenging writings in the New Testament. It emphasizes lived faith, ethical consistency, and care for the poor, often confronting complacency within the Christian community. Unlike Paul’s letters, James contains little autobiographical detail and focuses instead on moral exhortation grounded in wisdom and Scripture.
Because the author identifies himself only by name, determining which James wrote the letter has been a central question in New Testament studies. The early church addressed this question carefully, drawing on leadership roles, historical context, and theological coherence.
(Davids, The Epistle of James, pp. 5–8)
Internal Evidence from the Letter of James
The author identifies himself as “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1). The absence of further qualification suggests that the author expected to be widely recognized among early Christian communities.
The letter reflects deep familiarity with Jewish wisdom traditions and the teachings of Jesus, particularly themes echoed in the Sermon on the Mount, such as concern for the poor, warnings against wealth, and the call to integrity of speech (James 2:1–7; 5:1–6).
(Davids, James, pp. 12–15)
James also assumes a position of moral authority. He issues direct commands, offers corrective instruction, and speaks as one whose leadership is already established rather than defended. This tone aligns well with the role of James as a prominent leader in the Jerusalem church.
(Johnson, The Letter of James, pp. 96–100)
Early Church Testimony
Early Christian writers consistently identified the author of James as James the brother of Jesus.
Origen refers to the letter as written by “James the brother of the Lord,” acknowledging both its authority and its distinctive voice within the New Testament.
(Origen, cited in Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 6.25.8)
Eusebius notes that James was widely accepted in many churches, even while acknowledging that it had been disputed by some early communities due to its limited circulation.
(Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 2.23.24–25)
Jerome later affirmed James, the brother of Jesus, as the author and described him as a pillar of the Jerusalem church.
(Jerome, On Illustrious Men 2)
Which James?
Several men named James appear in the New Testament, including James the son of Zebedee and James the son of Alphaeus. James the son of Zebedee was martyred early (Acts 12:2), making him an unlikely candidate.
James the brother of Jesus emerges as the strongest candidate. He became a leader in the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:13; Galatians 1:19) and was known for his piety and authority among Jewish Christians.
(Johnson, James, pp. 20–24)
Date and Historical Context
Most scholars date James between approximately 45–62 CE. The letter reflects an early stage of Christian development, with minimal reference to church hierarchy and a strong continuity with Jewish ethical teaching.
Its focus on trials, economic injustice, and faithful endurance fits well with the social realities of early Jewish-Christian communities in and around Judea.
(Davids, James, pp. 18–21)
Inspiration and Authority
The early church recognized James as Scripture not because of elaborate theological argument but because of its consistency with Jesus’ teaching and its apostolic leadership context. The authority of the letter flows from its rootedness in the earliest Christian community and its uncompromising call to faithful action.
James stands as a reminder that faith and obedience are inseparable expressions of allegiance to Christ.
(Johnson, James, pp. 121–124)
Conclusion
The weight of internal evidence, early church testimony, and modern scholarship supports James the brother of Jesus as the author of the Letter of James. His leadership in Jerusalem, his moral authority, and the letter’s Jewish-Christian character all point in this direction.
The Letter of James continues to challenge readers to live out a faith that is visible, active, and rooted in trust in God.
FAQ
Who wrote the Book of James?
The Book of James was most likely written by James the brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church.
Was James one of the twelve apostles?
James the brother of Jesus was not one of the twelve apostles but became a central leader in the early church.
Why was James questioned in early Christianity?
Some early communities questioned James due to its limited circulation, but it was widely accepted as Scripture by the fourth century.
Works Consulted
Collins, John J. Introduction to the Hebrew Bible. 3rd ed. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2018.
Longman III, Tremper, and Raymond B. Dillard. An Introduction to the Old Testament. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006.
Brown, Raymond E. An Introduction to the New Testament. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1997.
Attridge, Harold W. The Epistle to the Hebrews. Hermeneia. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1989.
Davids, Peter H. The Epistle of James. New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1982.
Koester, Craig R. Hebrews: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Anchor Yale Bible. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2001.
Eusebius of Caesarea. Ecclesiastical History.
Jerome. On Illustrious Men.
