Contact Us At: thinksouls1@gmal.com

                                            Phone 303-888-76933

November 23, 2025   

JAMES - THE EPISTLE OF COMMON SENSE

INTRODUCTION:
1. Practical principles of Christianity are emphasized in this book.

A. James has been referred to as the “epistle of common sense.”

B. Also has been referred to as the “book of Proverbs of the New Testament.”

2. It is the first of seven books, which are known of as the general epistles.

A. These are not addressed to specific churches or individuals.

B. They are James, 1, 2 Peter, 1, 2, 3, John and Jude.

3. James has been referred to as being the most Jewish book in the New Testament.

4. In many ways it is similar to the Sermon on the Mount.

BODY:

1. WHO WROTE THE BOOK?

A. Three important men in the New Testament who bear the name James.

1. The son of Zebedee and brother of John who was one of the original apostles -   Matthew 4:21; Luke 5:10.

2. The son of Alphaeus, who was also one of the original apostles - Matthew 10:3; Mark   3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13.

3. The son of Mary and Joseph, the younger half-brother of Jesus - Matthew 13:55;   Mark 6:3; Galatians 1:18, 19.

B. James, the son of Zebedee and brother of John, was ordered to be killed by Herod Agrippa I a few years after the church was begun - Acts 12:1, 2.

1. It is not normally believed that this James is the author as it appears he died before   the  book was written.

C. So far as James the son of Alphaeus is concerned little is known about him.

1. The writer of the book bearing his name seems to have been well known.

2. Due to the obscurity of this James very few have suggested it could have been him.

D. It is James, the son of Mary and Joseph, who is believed to have authored this book.

1. He was one of the four fleshly brothers of Jesus - Matthew 13:55.

2. He, along with the other brothers, did not believe in Him until after His resurrection -   John 7:1-5.

3. The Lord appeared to him following His resurrection - 1 Corinthians 15:7.

4. He, along with the other brothers and Jesus’ mother Mary, assembled in Jerusalem   after Jesus’ ascension - Acts 1:13, 14.

5. He became a leader in the church at Jerusalem after it was established - Acts 15:13;   Galatians 2:9.

6. Two views are given concerning his death in early writings.

A. Josephus claims he was stoned at the order of the high priest.

B. Eusebius claims he was thrown down from the pinnacle of the temple and beaten to death with clubs.

2. TO WHOM WAS THE BOOK WRITTEN? 

A. “The twelve tribes which are scattered abroad” - James 1:1.

1. Term “twelve tribes” was a designation for Israel.

- Page 2 -

2. Jews were scattered throughout the world due to captivities and commercial reasons.

B. Reference is made to Christians who are the “Israel of God” - ans 6:16.

1. Many of them were scattered due to persecution - Acts 8:4.

3. WHEN AND WHERE WAS THE BOOK WRITTEN? 

A. James is one of the earliest books of the New Testament to be written.

1. Josephus indicates that James was killed around A.D. 62 or 63.

2. Since James makes no reference to Gentile Christians, it seems the book was written   before the Jerusalem meeting to discuss circumcision - Acts 15.

A. This would place the time of the writing of the book before A.D. 48.

3. Reference to “the worthy name by which ye are called” indicates it was written after   A.D. 40 when the name Christian was given - Acts 11:26; James 2:7.

4. Conclusion then is that the book was written between A.D. 40 and 48.

B. The numerous references to Palestine indicate James was writing from there.

1. Reference is made to the “early and latter rain” which occurs in Palestine - 5:7.

2. Reference is made to the scorching winds, which were known as the “simoon” and were common in Palestine - James 1:11.

3. Reference is made to fresh water and salt water springs of which both are found in   Palestine - James 3:11.

4. It is likely that the epistle was written from Jerusalem since James lived there.

4. WHY WAS THE BOOK WRITTEN? 

A. Due to the persecutions and unfair treatment the Christians were facing they were in need  of patience - James 1:12-15; 2:6, 7; 5:1-11.

B. There was the need for teaching concerning respect of persons of which the Christians   were guilty - James 2:1-10.

C. There was the need of correcting their understanding of faith - James 1:22-27; 2:14-26.

D. There was the need of correcting their attitudes concerning worldly thoughts, envy, and   covetousness - James 3:13-4:12.

5. LESSONS WE LEARN FROM JAMES

A. Prayers which lack faith will not be answered - James 1:6.

B. Source of sin is man’s lust - James 1:13-16.

C. The Christian is begotten by the Holy Spirit through the Word - James 1:18.

D. The Christian must learn to control his tongue - James 1:26; 3:1-12.

E. Showing respect of persons is sin - James 2:1-10.

F. Saving faith is a working faith - James 2:14-26.

G. Earthly life is short and should include God in all things - James 4:13-16.

H. Prayer that comes from a life of faithfulness is powerful - James 5:13-18.

CONCLUSION:

1. James describes himself as a servant of Jesus - James 1:1.

A. This goes beyond the fleshly kinship that many desire to have.

B. James realized that the spiritual relationship between God and man is most important -   Mark 3:31-35; Luke 11:27, 28.