James 1:1

About the Author and His Readers

Rather than relying upon his physical kinship with our Lord to get himself a hearing, James calls himself "a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ." The Greek word "doulos", which is translated servant, suggests the idea of one born into slavery. We are born into Christ by baptism (Romans 6:3-4), and should be his slave since he gave his blood to buy us (Acts 20:28; Titus 2:14). Woods says the word means, "one 'who gives oneself up wholly to another's will,' serving to the complete disregard of one's own selfish interests." Paul would certainly describe himself as such an one (1 Peter 1:21; Galatians 2:20), and would plead with others to join him (Romans 12:1-2).

The twelve tribes which were scattered abroad must be Christians, since James uses the word brethren nineteen times. They could be Jewish converts who were scattered throughout the world after the death of Stephen (Acts 8:1-4). However, it seems more likely James was addressing all of spiritual Israel. The kingdom was taken away from fleshly Israel (Matthew 21:43). The children of flesh were no longer recognized as the children of God (Romans 9:8). So, we conclude James must be speaking to Christians who were Gentiles as well as Jews (Galatians 6:15-16). God now looks on the inward circumcision of the heart instead of the outward circumcision of the flesh (Romans 2:28-29; 1 Peter 3:3). The children of promise are now Abraham's seed in Christ (Galatians 3:7; Galatians 3:16; Galatians 3:26-29). Christians are a holy nation, the people of God (1 Peter 2:9-10).