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In support of James as the author, as the Epistle indicates, is its simplicity of introduction of the author (who would be familiar to all) and linguistic similarities between this Epistle and a speech given by James in [[Acts of the Apostles]] chapter 15.

In support of James as the author, as the Epistle indicates, is its simplicity of introduction of the author (who would be familiar to all) and linguistic similarities between this Epistle and a speech given by James in [[Acts of the Apostles]] chapter 15.

The quality of the Greek in the Epistle of James is higher than the Greek written by Apostles, which further suggests that this Epistle was written by a relative of Jesus rather than by an average disciple.  The only higher form of Greek in the New Testament is the [[Epistle to the Hebrews]], which may have been written by Jesus himself, although this has been disputed. (See [[Mystery:Did Jesus Write the Epistle to the Hebrews?]])

The quality of the Greek in the Epistle of James is higher than the Greek written by Apostles, which further suggests that this Epistle was written by a relative of Jesus rather than by an average disciple.  The only higher form of Greek in the New Testament is the [[Epistle to the Hebrews]], which was probably written by Jesus himself. ''See'' [[Mystery:Did Jesus Write the Epistle to the Hebrews?]])

== Martin Luther ==

== Martin Luther ==

[[Martin Luther]] had difficulty with the Epistle of James as it did not easily fit his concept of ''justification by faith alone'' as James also seems to stress the importance of works.  Nevertheless, he kept it as a part of the New Testament canon in [[Protestant]] Churches. Luther's tirade against James's Epistle parallels contemporary slanders propagated by apostate Protestantism which brands any emphasis on law-keeping alongside faith as "legalism" and "denying grace."

[[Martin Luther]] had difficulty with the Epistle of James as it did not easily fit his concept of ''justification by faith alone'' as James also seems to stress the importance of works.  Nevertheless, he kept it as a part of the New Testament canon in [[Protestant]] Churches. Luther's tirade against James' Epistle parallels contemporary slanders propagated by apostate Protestantism which brands any emphasis on law-keeping alongside faith as "legalism" and "denying grace."

Martin Luther wrote in his 1599 preface that the St. James Epistle is really "''an epistle of straw''" compared to [[Apostle John]]'s [[Gospel of John|Gospel]] and his first epistle, to St. Paul's epistles, especially Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians, and to Apostle Peter's [[I Peter|first Epistle]], because of its insistence on works as a requirement for justification to life and its rejection of faith alone without works (''sola fide''). He afterward removed the "straw" statement, insisting that the Epistle was good.

Martin Luther wrote in his 1599 preface that the St. James Epistle is really "''an epistle of straw''" compared to [[Apostle John]]'s [[Gospel of John|Gospel]] and his first epistle, to St. Paul's epistles, especially Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians, and to Apostle Peter's [[I Peter|first Epistle]], because of its insistence on works as a requirement for justification to life and its rejection of faith alone without works (''sola fide''). He afterward removed the "straw" statement, insisting that the Epistle was good.

{{New Testament Books}}

{{New Testament Books}}

[[Category:Biblical Books]]

[[Category:Biblical Books]]

[[Category:New Testament Books]]

[[Category:New Testament Books]]

[[Category:Deuterocanonical Books of the New Testament]]

[[Category:Deuterocanonical Books of the New Testament]]