James, Epistle of

The Epistle of James is a New Testament letter addressed "to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad" (James 1:1), written by James the brother of the Lord and leader of the Jerusalem church, probably before 62 A.D. when James was martyred. It is intensely practical — often compared to Proverbs — addressing the challenges of Christian living: trials and perseverance (1:2–12), hearing and doing the word (1:22–25), avoiding partiality toward the wealthy (2:1–13), the relationship of faith and works (2:14–26), control of the tongue (3:1–12), conflict and prayer (4–5). Its famous teaching that "faith without works is dead" (2:17, 26) has sometimes been read in tension with Paul's emphasis on faith alone, but the two apostles address different opponents: James counters cheap faith that produces no fruit; Paul counters works-righteousness that excludes grace. Martin Luther's doubts about its canonical status did not prevent its widespread reception in the church. It was among the later books to receive universal canonical recognition.