INTRODUCTION
The Epistle of James was one of the controversial writings of the NT, their canonicity was widely discussed. Martin Luther came to call it "epistle of straw", he argued that the letter should not include the NT canon, because of the apparent controversy between the "justification by works." One of the most instructive writings of the NT. Directed against particular errors of the season produced between the Jewish Christians, does not contain the same complete doctrinal statements of the other letters, it presents an admirable summary of the practical duties of all believers.
AUTHORSHIP
Even the letter has the name of its author does not state his real identity. The author of this letter does not give us hardly any information about yourself. James was a common name and very respected in the first century, corresponding to Jacob in the OT.
Who is this James?
"James, a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are in the Dispersion, greeting." (V. 1.1)
1) The "James (s)" of the New Testament: Five men in the New Testament are called James.
a) James the son of Zebedee. Brother of John (Matthew 10:2) which, together with him and Peter, formed trio that most intimate of Jesus (Mk 5.37, 9.2, 10.35, 14.33). In Acts we read that he suffered martyrdom by order of Herod (Acts 12:2), was the first of twelve to suffer martyrdom, probably in early 40 AD
b) James the son of Alpheus. One of the twelve disciples. His name is mentioned in the list of the apostles (Mt 10.3; Mk 3:18 and Lk 6:15). He was the brother of the evangelist Matthew (9.9 Mt and Mk 2:14), Matthew is a man named Alphaeus father and a brother by the name James.
c) James, the father of Judas. It is mentioned in Luke 6.16. He is the father of one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. This differs from Judas Iscariot, according to John 14:22, and probably is the same Thaddeus of 10.3 Mt and Mk 3:18.
d) James "the brother of the Lord" (Gal 1:19). The NT tells us that Jesus had a brother named James (Matthew 13.55). During the ministry of Jesus is clear that his family did not understand nor sympathize with him, and wanted to stop his work fulfilled (Mt 12, 46-50, Mark 3:21, 31-35; Jo from 7.3 to 9) . Therefore, during the earthly ministry of Christ, James, was his opponent (John 7:5). This James was probably married (I Cor 9.5) and was influential position in the Church of Jerusalem (Acts 12.17, 15.13, Gal 2:9). Paul called him the Apostle (Gal. 1:19).
e) James, "the minor". In Mark 15.40 he is called "James the less." The term can mean less "small" referring to short stature, or "junior" or "son". Nothing more is known about him.
Of these, only two have been seriously suggested as a possible author of this epistle, James son of Zebedee and brother of the Lord. As the son of Zebedee is the author discarded because Herod Agrippa I decided to "move the sword" in the early 40s, and the letter was written later. Given this, we are left with James, the brother of the Lord.
DATE
Probably AD 49, before the Council of Jerusalem in 50 AD James, who lived in Jerusalem, wrote this letter to the Christians of the churches that were outside of Palestine.
ADDRESSEE
James begins his letter with a salutation (1.1), throughout his epistle and frequently addresses his readers by calling them "my brothers (1.2)" my dear brothers (1.16, 19) ". He does not identify by name any of the recipients, not pointing any personal information about them, nor mention any personal details about himself.
Epistle is not addressed to the Church or particular persons;
The Epistle is included in the collection of Epistles Catholic or Universal or General Epistles. Eight New Testament epistles are gathered in this same collection, they are: Hebrews, James, Jude, Peter and two of three of John The main feature that makes these seven letters in a collection is due to the fact that most of them do not be addressed to communities or private individuals, but aims to Christians in general.
Letter addressed "to the twelve tribes which is in the Dispersion."
To the twelve tribes which are in dispersion in the Israeli antiquity, the term "dispersion" (Greek diaspora) designated Jews emigrated to Palestine (Ps. 147.2 and Jn 7.35). Here it is Christians of Jewish origin dispersed in the Greco-Roman world (Acts 2:5-11).
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