This is the earliest inspired epistle in the New Testament, written around A.D. 45. At that time, the Church was predominantly comprised of Jewish believers; Gentiles were just beginning to be saved and added to their number. As far as the apprehension of the full truth of Christianity is concerned, the Church was in a period of transition. Believers at that time had not entered into a full understanding of the faith that they had embraced, largely because the Apostle Paul's teachings, which sets forth "all the counsel of God" (Acts 20:27; Col. 1:25), had not been given to them yet. Consequently, they were not fully separated, in practice, from the Jewish order, of which the writer of Hebrews calls, "the camp" (Heb. 13:13). That epistle, which insists on a complete separation from Judaism, was not written until later—about A.D. 63. Jewish believers on the Lord Jesus had not entered into the meaning of His teaching in John 10:1-9, which speaks of being led out of the Jewish "fold" into the full light and liberty of Christian privilege and service in His "flock" (John 10:16).
Hence, these Jewish Christians were understandably still very much attached to their synagogues and that Jewish order of things. They clung tenaciously to the Law of Moses (Acts 21:20), not knowing the heights of the heavenly position, calling, and destiny of the Church. They viewed themselves as a faithful and enlightened remnant of the Jewish people (i.e. Dan. 11:35; 12:3) who had new hopes for the nation, centered in the Lord Jesus Christ, Israel's Messiah. Their hope was to see the kingdom of Christ established on earth according to the teaching of the Old Testament Prophets. This, they believed, would happen shortly.
We must keep this in mind in reading the epistle of James; things are viewed very much on a Jewish level of things, though they were believers on the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Purpose of the Epistle
This epistle is one of the Jewish-Christian epistles in our Bibles (Hebrews, James, 1st and 2nd Peter). These epistles were written to establish Jewish converts in various aspects of Christianity that they would naturally have problems with, in coming out of Judaism. In this epistle, James deals with certain Jewish questions, idiosyncrasies, and tendencies that were ingrained in their thinking and ways. Such "graveclothes" clung to these Jewish converts and were a hindrance in their Christian liberty and service. Thus, they needed to be put off. However, oftentimes those who are saved out of Judaism do not see those hindrances clearly and need the help of others in taking those things off. This was the case with the graveclothes that were on Lazarus. The Lord said to His disciples, "Loose him, and let him go" (John 11:44). Essentially, this is what James and Peter (who were ministers to the circumcision) do for their Jewish brethren in their epistles (Gal. 2:7-9).
While the things that James addresses have specific application to those with a Jewish background, the practical principles he touches on apply to all Christians from every era—whether Jew or Gentile. The practical character of the book is like “salt” that preserves the saints in separation from the world and from the temptations that press upon every Christian (Matt. 5:13). The book, therefore, is intensely practical, containing very little doctrinal truth. It is significant that there is not one reference to the Lord's work of redemption on the cross. Instead, James focuses on practical issues that were confronting his brethren.
The Importance of Living by Faith
James’ main purpose in writing the epistle was to emphasize to his fellow countrymen, who had received the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour, the importance of living by faith. Having come from the system of Judaism which was largely governed by sight and sound, they needed to learn to walk by faith and not by sight, which is an essential element of Christianity (2 Cor. 5:7; Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38). The epistle, therefore, focuses on the need for living by faith in the everyday circumstances of life.
Realizing that there was a high possibility that there were some among them who were not real at all, James addresses his audience as a mixed company of believers and mere professing believers. He emphasizes the importance of each proving the reality of their faith with conduct that befits a true Christian. He exhorts them to a practical walk that would manifest their faith and thus show that they were real believers. The key verse in the book is chapter 2:18—"I will show thee my faith by my works." Brother Nicolas Simon said that James was essentially saying, "Would the real believers please stand up!" In other words, it was time for those who truly had faith in our Lord Jesus to identify themselves among the mass of merely professing Christians by showing it in their lives. Since there are more merely professing Christians connected with Christianity today than ever before, this epistle has never been needed more than at this present time.
True faith will manifest itself in a believer's conduct in the everyday circumstances of life. This being the case, James touches on situations that we all encounter in our daily lives, and shows how they are to be used as opportunities to validate our faith in Christ. In a sense, James is building on the teachings of the Lord Jesus who said, "By their fruits ye shall know them" (Matt. 7:20).
Outline of the Epistle
As mentioned, James touches on a number of areas of Christian living wherein faith is required and should manifest itself. If these situations in everyday life are met with faith, we will prove the reality of our faith to be real; the moral graces and virtues of Christianity will be seen in our lives as evidence of our faith.
FAITH proved by how we handle trials—with cheerful submission and confidence in the goodness of God (chap. 1:2-18).
FAITH proved by how we receive and respond to the Word of God—with obedience (chap. 1:19-27).
FAITH proved by how we treat others—with grace and kindness (chap. 2:1-26).
FAITH proved in our speech—with self-control (chap. 3:1-18).
FAITH proved by not being governed by the flesh, the world, and the devil—with holiness (chap. 4:1-17).
FAITH proved by how we handle injustices—with patience (chap. 5:1-13).
FAITH proved by our care for the sick (physically and spiritually)—with love (chap. 5:14-20).