Gal 1:19, 2:9 Paul tells us James is the brother of the Lord (Yeshua)
He originally was not a disciple/follower of Yeshua
John 7:1-5
He became a follower after Yeshua’s resurrection
Acts 1:14
1 Cor 15:7
Leader of the congregation in Jerusalem
Acts 12:17, 15:13, 21:18; Gal 2:9,12
Acts 15:13 James makes a decision on new believers
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BOOK OF YA’ACOV
YA’ACOV (Hebrew), IAKOBOS (Greek), JAMES
Who was he?
According to Eusebius: Ecclesiastical History Book II, CH 23
James the just or Ya’acov HaTzaddik
James died from stoning and beaten to death (Martyrdom)
His death attributed to H.P. Ananus according to Josephus
James Epistle was detested by Martin Luther (1483-1546) in which he labeled James epistle as ‘the epistle of straw’
More later on this…
James was martyred in 62 CE according to Josephus
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BOOK OF YA’ACOV
YA’ACOV (Hebrew), IAKOBOS (Greek), JAMES
WRITTEN TO WHO?
Gentiles? Pagans? NO
Written to the 12 Tribes in the dispersion. Gal 3:29, Eph 2:12-13
Differences between this Hebrew version and that of the Greek translation that we have in our Bibles
In our Bibles: James mentions Job one time in CH 5:11
In the Hebrew version- Job is quoted verbatim in: James 1:11 (Job 14:2), James 1:12 (Job 5:17), and later in James 5:5 (Job 21:12)
After the theme of Job is established, James mentions Job by name in CH 5:11.
In James Epistle, The theme of ‘Joy’ (Simcha) is lost in most bible translations- especially in 1:25 and 2:12 where Joy is interpreted as Liberty
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BOOK OF YA’ACOV
The law of Joy that was misinterpreted as the law of liberty has caused several church fathers and Bible teachers to conclude that we are ‘Liberated’ from keeping God’s Law (Torah)
This Hebrew Version of James supports the view of the LAW OF JOY which can be found in several places in the Tanakh!
Psa 112:1 Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments!
Jer 15:16 Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.
Psa 19:7-8 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
Psa 119:77 Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.
The “Law of Joy” = obeying YHWH’s Torah- his law! It is a JOY to KEEP/FOLLOW TORAH !
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BOOK OF YA’ACOV -EXTRAS
James 1:1-2 Joy (Simchah)!
James 1:5-6 See Proverbs CH 2
James 1:9 Low/Lowly. Better word HUMBLE
James 1:11 Quoted from Job 14:2
James 1:19 Shema ‘Hear and do’
James 1:24(25) Alternate reading
James 2:1-7 Similar to Yeshua’s saying
James 2:8 Taken right out of the Torah: Lev 19:18
James 2:13 Yeshua Mt 9:13 “…I desire mercy, not sacrifice…
James 2:25 For as a body without spirit is dead, so the faith without works is dead (Remember Eze 37 dry bones?)
James 3:13 ‘His good walk’ (Halach) aka Halachah. Your ‘walk’ is to live out and do YHWH’s commandments
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BOOK OF YA’ACOV -EXTRAS
James 4:5 This principle is found in Psa 78:8-10
Psa 78:8 and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.The Ephraimites, armed with the bow, turned back on the day of battle.They did not keep God's covenant, but refused to walk (Halak) according to his law (TORAH).
James 5:5 [Job 21:12]
James 5:7 Future coming prophecy
James 5:8-9 Future coming
James 5:11 – the endurance of Job
James 5:11 the purpose of the Lord – or – the end goal of the Lord
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SUMMARY
Letter written to those in the diaspora
Consider it a pure joy when facing trials as the testing of your faith develops perseverance
Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry
Shema- hear and do YHWH’s commandments. Faith is not only hearing the word, but doing it! Faith without works is dead. Show your faith by what you do!
Yeshua’s sayings are spread throughout this epistle and teachings of the Torah (Lev 19:18)
Be careful what you say- the tongue is a dangerous and boastful part of the body.
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective
The future coming of the Lord Yeshua is NEAR
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SUMMARY
James tells us that no fruit of righteousness will come out of a christian who continues living in sin.
Some scholars believe (wrongly) that this epistle was written in response to Paul’s teaching on faith- in which we are free from O.T. LAW which they equate to ‘legalism’ (Paul hard sayings 2 Pet 3:16)
This is where Martin Luther failed to recognize that James’ teaching on works (doing/ performing [shema] YAH’s commandments, His Word) complemented Paul’s teachings on faith.
Paul’s teachings concentrate on our justification with Elohim whereas James teachings concentrate on the works and gives examples to that justification