James 1:1

King James Version (KJV)

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

Translations

James 1:1 - Amplified Bible

JAMES, A servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered abroad [among the Gentiles in the dispersion]: Greetings (rejoice)!

James 1:1 - American Standard Version

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are of the Dispersion, greeting.

James 1:1 - Bible in Basic English

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, sends words of love to the twelve tribes of the Jews living in all parts of the earth.

James 1:1 - Darby Bible

James, bondman of God and of [the] Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which [are] in the dispersion, greeting.

James 1:1 - English Standard Version

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.

James 1:1 - King James Version

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

James 1:1 - La Biblia de las Americas

Santiago (O, Jacobo), siervo de Dios y del Señor Jesucristo:
A las doce tribus que están en la dispersiòn: Saludos.

James 1:1 - The Message

I, James, am a slave of God and the Master Jesus, writing to the twelve tribes scattered to Kingdom Come: Hello! Faith Under Pressure

James 1:1 - New American Standard Bible

James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.

James 1:1 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy

Santiago (Jacobo), siervo de Dios y del Señor Jesucristo:
A las doce tribus que están en la dispersiòn: Saludos.

James 1:1 - World English Bible

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are in the Dispersion: greetings.

James 1:1 - Young's Living Translation

James, of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ a servant, to the Twelve Tribes who are in the dispersion: Hail!

James 1:1 - Additional Comments

This book very likely was the first one written in the New Testament. It was likely written before the gospels and the various other letters, which may explain its lack of doctrine and focus on how to live. It was even written before the Jerusalem Council that declared the gospel available to Gentiles, held around 50 AD (which James presided over) (Acts 15). Therefore, this book is written exclusively to the Jews (the twelve tribes), as a letter to be copied and distributed among the Synagogues.
See the notes on Mark 6:3 regarding Jesus' family.
There are 4 James mentioned in the New Testament:
1. James, the son of Zebedee, one of the 12 apostles - he was beheaded by King Herod Agrippa I in 44 AD.
2. James the son of Alphaeus, one of the 12 apostles
3. James the Less (Mark 15:40, Mark 16:1, Matt 27:56) - not much is mentioned of him
4. James, the brother of Jesus (Mark 6:3)
The James who wrote this letter was most likely James, the brother of Jesus. We are told his brothers did not believe in Him during his ministry, which shows it was not one of the 12 (John 7:5). Regarding James the Less, since there was not much mentioned of him, and only in one book, he probably was not involved as a Christian leader.
Also, it is not likely that the book was authored by a James who was not mentioned in any of the other New Testament writings or external writings.
So, that leaves the author to be James, the brother of Jesus. And this is substantiated in other passages:
1. James became a believer (before Jesus death) and Paul calls him an apostle (obviously not one of the 12) - Gal 1:19 (see also Gal 2:9, 2:12).
2. Jesus specifically visited James after his resurrection, before His ascension (1 Cor 15:7, Acts 1:14).
3. When Peter was miraculously freed from prison, he specifically wanted James to be told about it (Acts 12:17).
4. James became bishop (head) of the church in Jerusalem.
The High Priest Ananus ben Ananus assembled a Sanhedrin who condemned James "on the charge of breaking the law," then had him executed by stoning, around 62 AD.

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