In verse 1 the author introduced himself as James. Now within the 12 disciples of Jesus, there were two James. This author was not one of those James. But this James did have a close relationship with Jesus.
Church history tells us that this James was a brother of Jesus. He was one of Jesus’ earthly siblings. We don’t know how close in age they were but they very likely grew up together—grew up playing together, learning together, just being brothers together. It is significant that one of Jesus’ own brothers testifies to the divine nature of Jesus. James calls himself a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. One who grew up with Jesus as a brother now acknowledges him as Savior. That is an important testimony. James would go on to become an early church leader. James was also the brother of New Testament writer Jude.
The book of James is considered the first New Testament letter written. It was probably written about 10 to 15 years after the resurrection of Jesus. He writes these words during the beginning years of the early church.
James not only introduces himself in verse 1 but tells us who he is writing to. Verse 1 continues “to the twelve tribes in the dispersion.”
The 12 tribes (in this context) is a reference to Jewish Christians—Jews who have come to recognize Jesus as the Messiah and have placed their trust in Him for their salvation.
And more specifically, verse 1 tells us that James is writing to the Jewish Christians in the Dispersion. The word dispersion means “a scattering.” There was a time known as the dispersion where early Jewish-Christians living in Jerusalem were scattered because of persecution and they had to leave their homes and flee to wherever they could find refuge.
Acts 8:1 says, “On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered…”
And so that is the background to which this letter is written. James is writing to Jewish-Christians who knew the hardships, the suffering and the pain of being persecuted for the sake of Christ. He was also writing to Christians who knew the discomfort and loneliness of having to flee from their own homes.
In light of their suffering James begins this letter by addressing how to live in the midst of trials. It is this theme that has made James a popular book because we all understand what it means to experience trials and the challenges of navigating through them.
But for James his purpose in writing is not that we simply get through it but that we allow those trials to mature our faith and that we would allow those trials to shape and impact how we live as followers of Jesus in a fallen world.
You see, for James, he is concerned about seeing Christians have a faith that not only leads to salvation but he is concerned that we have an authentic faith that is lived out so that we may reflect Christ.