Noteworthy Facts:

• The letter of James is addressed “to the 12 tribes that are scattered about,” that is, to those who make up spiritual Israel. (Jas 1:1) Therefore, James’ audience included all Christian congregations, regardless of geographical location.

• This letter was evidently written by James the half brother of Jesus Christ. (See study note on Jas 1:1.) Although Jesus did have two apostles named James, it is unlikely that either of these men wrote the letter. (Mt 10:2, 3) James the son of Zebedee was martyred about 44 C.E., and the contents of the letter suggest that it was written much later. (Ac 12:1, 2) The other apostle James, the son of Alphaeus, is not prominent in the Scriptural record, and very little is known about him. On the other hand, Jesus’ brother James was considered one of the “pillars” by Paul and appears to have had a prominent role in the first-century governing body. (Ga 2:9, 12; Ac 12:17; 15:13 and study note) James’ record and reputation surely reinforced the strong message in this letter.

• James was probably in Jerusalem when he wrote his letter, for that is where he lived.​—Ac 15:2, 13; 21:17, 18; Ga 1:18, 19.

• The time of writing is most likely before 62 C.E. The following factors support this conclusion: James addresses his letter “to the 12 tribes that are scattered about.” (Jas 1:1) That phrase suggests that Christianity had spread out considerably since the congregation was founded in 33 C.E. Also, James indicates that the congregations were organized, with mature elders serving their fellow believers. So some time must have passed since then. (Jas 5:14) Additionally, it likely required time for the alarming conditions mentioned in the letter to develop. (Jas 2:1-4; 4:1-3) However, the letter gives no indication that the destruction of Jerusalem (in 70 C.E.) had yet taken place. Further, the Jewish historian Josephus says that High Priest Ananus (Ananias) had James stoned to death and that this happened after the Roman procurator Festus died but before his successor, Albinus, arrived. (Jewish Antiquities, XX, 197-203 [ix, 1]) If the details from Josephus and the sources placing the death of Festus at about 62 C.E. are correct, then James must have written his letter sometime before 62 C.E.

• The style of James’ letter is forceful and dynamic. The letter contains many figures of speech, such as similes and metaphors. Thus, it resembles some of the discourses of James’ older brother, Jesus Christ, such as the Sermon on the Mount. Like Jesus, James often illustrates points by referring to physical things, including the sea, vegetation, animals, ships, a farmer, and the earth. (Jas 1:6, 9-11; 3:3-12; 5:7) Also, James uses many pointed questions (Jas 2:2-7, 14; 4:1, 4, 12) and more than 50 imperatives (a verb form that functions as an exhortation or a command) in this relatively short letter (Jas 1:16; 4:7-10; 5:7-9).

• Both James and Jesus exhort God’s servants . . .

  • to rejoice in trials.​—Jas 1:2; Mt 5:10-12.

  • to keep praying to Jehovah, confident that he answers.​—Jas 1:5, 6, 17; Lu 11:9-13.

  • to be not only hearers but also doers of the word.​—Jas 1:22; Mt 7:21-27.

  • to love their neighbor as themselves.​—Jas 2:8; Mt 22:39.

  • to be separate from the world.​—Jas 4:4; Joh 17:14.

  • to refrain from judging others.​—Jas 4:11, 12; Lu 6:37.

  • to let “Yes” mean yes and “No” mean no.​—Jas 5:12; Mt 5:33-37.

• James gives practical warnings and admonition in his letter. He warns against selfish desires and undesirable qualities (Jas 1:13-15; 3:14-16; 4:1-3), misuse of the tongue (Jas 1:26; 3:2-12), and friendship with the world (Jas 1:27; 4:4). He exhorts his readers to keep enduring (Jas 1:2, 3; 5:7, 8), to keep asking Jehovah for wisdom (Jas 1:5-7), to back up their faith with works (Jas 1:22-25; 2:14-26; 3:13, 17), to remain humble (Jas 4:6, 10, 13-15), and to pray for other Christians (Jas 5:13-18).

• The letter of James is included in the Codex Sinaiticus, the Codex Vaticanus, and the Codex Alexandrinus. It is also found in ancient Bible translations, such as the Syriac Peshitta and the Latin Vulgate. Moreover, it is listed in at least ten ancient catalogs of the books of the Christian Greek Scriptures. Additionally, some early writers, such as Origen (third century C.E.), quoted from the letter.