1. AUTHOR. — James, “the Lord's brother, ”called “the just.” He was a leader in the church at Jerusalem, and prominent in the council held there. (Acts 15.) According to Josephus, he was killed by the Sanhedrin, 62 A. D.

2. DATE. — Uncertain. Some think abut 44 A. D., and some about 60 A. D.

3. TO WHOM WRITTEN. — To the Hebrew Christians generally.

4. HISTORICAL OCCASION. — At a time when the Jewish Christians were becoming in different to the spiritual character of Christianity, worldly in their tendencies, and were relying upon their creed rather than the manifestations of a Christ — like spirit.

5. LEADING TOPICS. — Exhortation to resist temptation; obedience to the truth; warning against relying upon faith without works; worldliness and covetousness; and the incitement to Christian virtues.

6. CHIEF PURPOSE. — To show that the Christian life should be manifested in the out ward conduct; that it is not mere belief, but faith that produces works.

7. GENERAL ANALYSIS.

(a) Need of patience and obedience to the Word of God, Ch. 1.

(b) Warning against partiality and dead faith, Ch. 2.

(c) Peaceful living and guarded speech, Ch. 3.

(d) Reproof, warning, and exhortation, Ch. 4, 5.

8. SPECIAL TEACHING OF THE BOOK. — God tempts no one; every good gift comes from him; the Christian should do as well as hear God's word; breaking one commandment incurs guilt of all; faith with out works is dead; true prayer is effective.

9. RELATION TO OTHER N. T. BOOKS. — In the order of time it belongs before the Epistle to the Hebrews. It is pre-eminently ethical in character.

10. TOPICS FOR SPECIAL STUDY. — The history of the author, and his possible identity with one of the twelve apostles; the relation of the doctrines of this book and those taught by Paul.