Bible Dictionary
James, The General Epistle Of
The General Epistle of James is a practical New Testament exhortation to Jewish Christians scattered abroad. It emphasizes patience in suffering, control of speech, humility, prayer, and faith demonstrated by good works.
Definition
The General Epistle of James is a practical New Testament exhortation written in the name of James, probably James the son of Alphaeus and the Lord’s brother. Its principal concern is the moral life rather than the exposition of doctrine.
Biblical Usage
Written for Jewish Christians in Jerusalem or abroad, the epistle warns against sins to which they were especially liable and encourages them under sufferings endured as Christians. It emphasizes patience, obedience, and practical righteousness.
Historical Background
The letter was probably written from Jerusalem, where James is said not to have traveled, about A.D. 62, between Paul’s two imprisonments. James is presented as a moral teacher of the New Testament.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
The author of this epistle was in all probability James the son of Alphaeus, and our Lord’s brother It was written from Jerusalem, which St. James does not seem to have ever left. It was probably written about A.D. 62, during the interval between Paul’s two imprisonments. Its main object is not to teach doctrine, but to improve morality. St. James is the moral teacher of the New Testament. He wrote for the Jewish Christians, whether in Jerusalem or abroad, to warn them against the sins to which as Jews they were most liable, and to console and exhort them under the sufferings to which as Christians they were most exposed.