The book of James is written by James, the brother of Jesus and one of the elders of the Jerusalem church along with Peter and John. The book compels and challenges us to demonstrate and give evidence to the true faith of which Paul writes about in his epistles. The book is essential to living out the fuller picture of what it means to follow Christ, thus proving the work done at the cross.
James addresses the readers as “the twelve tribes in the Dispersion (scattered):” (v.1) - Jewish Christians whose native tongue was Greek and found refuge in Greek-speaking countries north of Israel. After deacon Stephen’s death, the Jerusalem church was scattered throughout Judea, Samaria (Acts 8:1), and even as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch (Acts 11:19). From Acts, then, we know that the scattered Christians were Jews who had been driven from Jerusalem - dating the letter in the first part of the first century.
James wrote a pastoral letter to these scattered believers who, before the persecution, belonged to the church at Jerusalem. He knew that many of them were living in poverty while they were employed by rich landowners who exploited them - all experiencing hardship. James ministered to their needs by writing them a pastoral letter - urging them to hold the line. This is the word of God in times of immense difficulty when our flesh speaks bitter words, tempts us to withdraw, and abandon our call to practice our faith. The hard words of God may taste bitter to our flesh but it is much needed medicine for the soul. Do you accept this book as a letter from God for you? If your trials often speak bitter words to you and create distance between you and God or others, press into Christ and allow the word of God to wash over you and renew your mind.