James

James, the brother of Jesus, is the likely author of James. James was a leader of the Jerusalem church who spoke with Peter at the Council of Jerusalem (about 49 AD) to refute claims that Gentile Christians needed to live under Jewish laws to be considered Christian. Instead, he instructed Paul and Barnabas to tell Gentiles to abstain from anything associated with worshipping idols and from sexual immorality.

James wrote his letter to encourage Jewish Christians who were suffering and persecuted. The stress of their trials took its toll on the believers. James encouraged them to stop quarreling, reign in their tongues, and stop showing favoritism to the rich over the poor. He admonished the rich who were rich at the expense of their unpaid workmen. He told the exploiters, misery awaited them. James encouraged Christians to live righteously with examples of holy living versus unholy living. James is probably best known for practical advice on living during trials and suffering, taming the tongue, combining faith with works of action, and praying for the sick.