James 1:1

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

Ἰάκωβος James G2385
Ἰάκωβος James
Strong's: G2385
Word #: 1 of 15
jacobus, the name of three israelites
θεοῦ of God G2316
θεοῦ of God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 2 of 15
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 3 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κυρίου of the Lord G2962
κυρίου of the Lord
Strong's: G2962
Word #: 4 of 15
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Ἰησοῦ Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦ Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 5 of 15
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Χριστοῦ Christ G5547
Χριστοῦ Christ
Strong's: G5547
Word #: 6 of 15
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus
δοῦλος a servant G1401
δοῦλος a servant
Strong's: G1401
Word #: 7 of 15
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
ταῖς G3588
ταῖς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 8 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δώδεκα to the twelve G1427
δώδεκα to the twelve
Strong's: G1427
Word #: 9 of 15
two and ten, i.e., a dozen
φυλαῖς tribes G5443
φυλαῖς tribes
Strong's: G5443
Word #: 10 of 15
an offshoot, i.e., race or clan
ταῖς G3588
ταῖς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 11 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐν which G1722
ἐν which
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 12 of 15
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
τῇ G3588
τῇ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 13 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διασπορᾷ are scattered abroad G1290
διασπορᾷ are scattered abroad
Strong's: G1290
Word #: 14 of 15
dispersion, i.e., (specially and concretely) the (converted) israelite resident in gentile countries
χαίρειν greeting G5463
χαίρειν greeting
Strong's: G5463
Word #: 15 of 15
to be "cheer"ful, i.e., calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well

Cross References

Ezekiel 12:15And they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall scatter them among the nations, and disperse them in the countries.1 Peter 1:1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,John 7:35Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?Acts 8:1And 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.Acts 26:7Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.Acts 15:23And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:Deuteronomy 28:64And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone.Galatians 2:9And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.Titus 1:1Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;Acts 21:18And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.

Analysis & Commentary

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. This opening verse establishes the author's identity and audience with profound theological significance. The Greek word doulos (δοῦλος, "servant") literally means "bond-slave," denoting complete ownership and submission to a master. James identifies himself not by his earthly relationship to Jesus (his half-brother) but by his spiritual position as Christ's slave—a mark of humility and devotion.

The dual designation "of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ" places Jesus on equal footing with God the Father, affirming Christ's deity. The phrase "Lord Jesus Christ" combines His lordship (κύριος, kyrios), His humanity (Ἰησοῦς, Iēsous—Savior), and His messianic office (Χριστός, Christos—Anointed One). This threefold title encapsulates the full Christian confession.

"The twelve tribes scattered abroad" (tē diaspora, τῇ διασπορᾷ) refers to Jewish believers dispersed throughout the Roman Empire, likely due to persecution (Acts 8:1, 11:19). The term "dispersion" carries echoes of Israel's exile, yet these believers are now the true spiritual Israel, the church composed of both Jew and Gentile united in Christ (Galatians 3:28-29). The simple "greeting" (chairein, χαίρειν—"rejoice") hints at the letter's dominant theme: joy in trials.

Historical Context

James wrote this epistle around AD 45-50, making it possibly the earliest New Testament document. The recipients were Jewish Christians scattered after Stephen's martyrdom (Acts 7:54-8:4) and Herod's persecution (Acts 12:1-3). These believers faced both external persecution from Roman authorities and internal pressure from Judaizers who insisted on maintaining Mosaic ceremonial law.

As leader of the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:13-21, Galatians 1:19, 2:9), James had unique authority to address practical Christian living among Jewish believers. His letter combats early distortions of Paul's teaching on justification by faith, which some twisted into antinomianism (license to sin). James doesn't contradict Paul but complements him, emphasizing that genuine faith inevitably produces righteous works.

The historical context of diaspora Judaism informs the letter's themes: maintaining faithfulness under persecution, resisting worldly compromise, caring for the poor and oppressed, and living as distinctive communities of faith. Archaeological evidence shows these early Christian communities often met in homes and synagogues, facing economic hardship and social marginalization.

Questions for Reflection

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