The Epistle of James 1, verse 1, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad

 

Introduction

The Letter of James is called a General Epistle (letter) as it was not written to a particular person like Timothy, Titus, and Philemon or to particular churches like Romans or Corinthians. Many people believe it was written by James the Lord’s brother.

Galatians 1:19  But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.

It is believed by many to have been written between 40AD and 60AD. The oldest copy of any part of this letter is from the 3^rd century which is not unusual as these papyrus manuscripts were used and copied until they were lost to us. The oldest reference to this letter outside of the Bible that is widely accepted is from Origen of Alexandria in the 3^rd century. Other, older references are in dispute. That would be in the 200s. Its canonicity, that it should be in the Bible, was affirmed by several large church councils of which it is not important to go into here. It’s in our Bible and that is what is important. Martin Luther hated it, though, and we will see why later.

James, chapter 1

James 1:1 ¶  James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

James labels himself a servant of God the Father, who I have explained, is the soul of God, the seat of will and self-identity, and the Lord Jesus Christ, as has been shown by scripture previously, is the express image of God the Father’s person, by whom we are saved, the living embodiment of the Word of God by which all things were created. They are two parts of the same person; our Creator, Sustainer, Judge, and Deliverer from Judgement. You can read or watch my comments on Genesis and my sermon notes on my talks entitled, “Who is God?” and, “Who is Jesus Christ?” to get more detail and for review.

Scattered abroad, with possibly the exception of Genesis 11:4 referring to the Tower of Babel, typically refers to the Jewish people, Israelites, the Hebrews, and even early, mostly Jewish, Christians being dispersed.

Exodus 5:12  So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw.

Esther 3:8  And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them.

Matthew 26:31  Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

John 11:52  And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

Acts 8:1  And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles…4  Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

 There is a similar greeting in Peter’s first letter.

1Peter 1:1 ¶  Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2  Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

It is clear that while James is speaking to Jews, he must be, as we will see, be speaking to the Christians of the predominantly Jewish church of the early first century after Christ’s resurrection.