James, the Lord's brother
Israelite / Jew Jewish, of Nazareth; leader of the church in Jerusalem · Early Church · New Testament
- Also called
- James
- Name means
- James: Greek form of Jacob
- Role
- Leader of the Jerusalem church; traditionally the writer of the Epistle of James
- When
- c. AD 30-60s
What they did
Named among the brethren of Jesus, he saw the risen Lord, became a pillar of the Jerusalem church, and at the Jerusalem council gave the judgment that Gentile believers should not be troubled with circumcision.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
His counsel at the council helped confirm that God was taking out of the Gentiles a people for his name, saved by grace without the burden of the law.
Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: Acts 15:19 (KJV)
Bible references
Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? Matthew 13:55 (KJV)
After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 1 Corinthians 15:7 (KJV)
But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother. Galatians 1:19 (KJV)
And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. Acts 15:13-14 (KJV)
Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: Acts 15:19 (KJV)
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. James 1:1 (KJV)
Family
- Brothers / sisters
- Called the Lord's brother (Galatians 1:19); named with Joses, Simon and Judas (Matthew 13:55); traditions differ on the exact relationship