The Book of James – first New Testament book

James 1:1-8. Some say that the first New Testament book was written about AD45-AD50 by James the half-brother of Jesus.

In English, we use the name James, but his name in Hebrew was Jacob.

Others say that the first book is Matthew, written about AD37 while others say Matthew was written later after James. While others suggest the earliest book in the NT is most likely the book to the Galatians.

In the order of the Bible Matthew is the First New Testament book. The book of James is with Peter’s, John’s and Jude’s letters near the back of the New Testament, just before the book of Revelation, the last book in the Bible.

The book of James covers some really important topics on living right for God, including controlling the tongue, boasting, patience and prayer.

Background Reading:

The book of James – Greetings

1:1 From: James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus, the Messiah.

To: The twelve tribes in the Dispersion [living outside the land of Israel].

Greetings.

Responding Wisely to Life

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you are involved in various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 But you must let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to everyone generously without a rebuke, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith, without any doubts, for the one who has doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 Such a person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 He is a double-minded man, unstable in all he undertakes.

9 A brother of humble means should rejoice in his having been exalted, 10 and a rich person in his having been humbled, because he will fade away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun comes up with its scorching heat and dries up the grass. The flower in it drops off, and its beauty is gone. That is how the rich person will fade away in his pursuits.
James 1:1-11
The book of James 1:1-5:20.


Other slides in this module: