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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion: Greetings.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/james/1-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/59_Jas_01_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="James 1:1 - Greetings from James" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion: Greetings." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/james/1-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/james/1-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/james/">James</a> > <a href="/james/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 1</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/hebrews/13-25.htm" title="Hebrews 13:25">◄</a> James 1:1 <a href="/james/1-2.htm" title="James 1:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/james/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/james/1.htm">New International Version</a> James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. <a href="/nlt/james/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings! <a href="/esv/james/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. <a href="/bsb/james/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion: Greetings. <a href="/blb/james/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. <a href="/kjv/james/1.htm">King James Bible</a> James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. <a href="/nkjv/james/1.htm">New King James Version</a> James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. <a href="/nasb_/james/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings. <a href="/nasb/james/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings. <a href="/nasb77/james/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad, greetings. <a href="/lsb/james/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are in the Dispersion: Greetings. <a href="/amp/james/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve [Hebrew] tribes [scattered abroad among the Gentiles] in the dispersion: Greetings (rejoice)! <a href="/csb/james/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings. <a href="/hcsb/james/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the 12 tribes in the Dispersion. Greetings. <a href="/asv/james/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are of the Dispersion, greeting. <a href="/cev/james/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> From James, a servant of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ. Greetings to the twelve tribes scattered all over the world. <a href="/erv/james/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are of the Dispersion, greeting. <a href="/gwt/james/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> From James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. To God's faithful people who have been scattered. Greetings. <a href="/gnt/james/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> From James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: Greetings to all God's people scattered over the whole world. <a href="/isv/james/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> From: James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus, the Messiah. To: The twelve tribes in the Dispersion. Greetings. <a href="/msb/james/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion: Greetings. <a href="/net/james/1.htm">NET Bible</a> From James, a slave of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings! <a href="/nheb/james/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are in the Diaspora: Greetings. <a href="/wbt/james/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. <a href="/wey/james/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: to the twelve tribes who are scattered over the world. All good wishes. <a href="/web/james/1.htm">World English Bible</a> James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are in the Dispersion: Greetings. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/james/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are in the dispersion: Greetings! <a href="/blb/james/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. <a href="/ylt/james/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> James, of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ a servant, to the Twelve Tribes who are in the dispersion: Hail! <a href="/slt/james/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> James, servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion, health.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/james/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> James the servant of God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. <a href="/cpdv/james/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> James, servant of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes of the dispersion, greetings. <a href="/nabre/james/1.htm">New American Bible</a> James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion, greetings. <a href="/nrsvce/james/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/james/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> JAMES, a servant of God and of our LORD Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered among the Gentiles, greeting. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/james/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Yaqob the Servant of God and of our Lord Yeshua The Messiah to the twelve tribes which are scattered among the nations: Peace.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/james/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> JAMES, a servant of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes that are in the dispersion, greeting.<CM> <a href="/godbey/james/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> James, the servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are in the Dispersion, greeting. <a href="/haweis/james/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> JAMES, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are dispersed, greeting.<CM> <a href="/mace/james/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a> James a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the TWELVE TRIBES dispers'd thro' the world, sends greeting. <a href="/wey/james/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: to the twelve tribes who are scattered over the world. All good wishes. <a href="/worrell/james/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are in the Dispersion, greeting. <a href="/worsley/james/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <bld>James</bld> a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in dispersion sendeth greeting. <a href="/parallel/james/1-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0xUBCzqsAGw?start=0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/james/1.htm">Greetings from James</a> 1<a href="/greek/2385.htm" title="2385: Iakōbos (N-NMS) -- The same as Iakob Graecized; Jacobus, the name of three Israelites.">James,</a> <a href="/greek/1401.htm" title="1401: doulos (N-NMS) -- (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave.">a servant</a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">of God</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2962.htm" title="2962: Kyriou (N-GMS) -- Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.">of the Lord</a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsou (N-GMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/5547.htm" title="5547: Christou (N-GMS) -- Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.">Christ,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Tais (Art-DFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">To the</a> <a href="/greek/1427.htm" title="1427: dōdeka (Adj-DFP) -- Twelve; the usual way in which the Twelve apostles of Jesus are referred to. From duo and deka; two and ten, i.e. A dozen.">twelve</a> <a href="/greek/5443.htm" title="5443: phylais (N-DFP) -- A tribe or race of people. From phuo; an offshoot, i.e. Race or clan.">tribes</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tais (Art-DFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">of</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1290.htm" title="1290: Diaspora (N-DFS) -- From diaspeiro; dispersion, i.e. the Israelite resident in Gentile countries.">Dispersion:</a> <a href="/greek/5463.htm" title="5463: Chairein (V-PNA) -- A primary verb; to be cheer ful, i.e. Calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation, be well.">Greetings.</a> 2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/acts/12-17.htm">Acts 12:17</a> Peter motioned with his hand for silence, and he described how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. “Send word to James and to the brothers,” he said, and he left for another place. <a href="/acts/15-13.htm">Acts 15:13-21</a> When they had finished speaking, James declared, “Brothers, listen to me! / Simon has told us how God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people to be His own. / The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written: ... <a href="/acts/21-18.htm">Acts 21:18</a> The next day Paul went in with us to see James, and all the elders were present. <a href="/galatians/1-19.htm">Galatians 1:19</a> But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. <a href="/jude/1-1.htm">Jude 1:1</a> Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who are called, loved by God the Father, and kept in Jesus Christ: <a href="/matthew/13-55.htm">Matthew 13:55</a> “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t His mother’s name Mary, and aren’t His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? <a href="/1_corinthians/9-5.htm">1 Corinthians 9:5</a> Have we no right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas? <a href="/john/7-2.htm">John 7:2-5</a> However, the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near. / So Jesus’ brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go to Judea, so that Your disciples there may see the works You are doing. / For no one who wants to be known publicly acts in secret. Since You are doing these things, show Yourself to the world.” ... <a href="/1_peter/1-1.htm">1 Peter 1:1</a> Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the elect who are exiles of the Dispersion throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen <a href="/romans/1-1.htm">Romans 1:1</a> Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God— <a href="/1_corinthians/1-1.htm">1 Corinthians 1:1</a> Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, <a href="/2_corinthians/1-1.htm">2 Corinthians 1:1</a> Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia: <a href="/philippians/1-1.htm">Philippians 1:1</a> Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: <a href="/colossians/1-1.htm">Colossians 1:1</a> Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, <a href="/1_thessalonians/1-1.htm">1 Thessalonians 1:1</a> Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.James.<a href="/matthew/10-3.htm">Matthew 10:3</a> Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;<a href="/matthew/13-55.htm">Matthew 13:55</a> Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?<a href="/mark/3-18.htm">Mark 3:18</a> And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,a servant.<a href="/john/12-26.htm">John 12:26</a> If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.<a href="/romans/1-1.htm">Romans 1:1</a> Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,<a href="/philippians/1-1.htm">Philippians 1:1</a> Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:to.<a href="/exodus/24-4.htm">Exodus 24:4</a> And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.<a href="/exodus/28-21.htm">Exodus 28:21</a> And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.<a href="/exodus/39-14.htm">Exodus 39:14</a> And the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the twelve tribes.scattered.<a href="/leviticus/26-33.htm">Leviticus 26:33</a> And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste.<a href="/deuteronomy/4-27.htm">Deuteronomy 4:27</a> And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you.<a href="/deuteronomy/28-64.htm">Deuteronomy 28:64</a> And 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.greeting.<a href="/acts/15-23.htm">Acts 15:23</a> And 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:<a href="/acts/23-26.htm">Acts 23:26</a> Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.<a href="/2_timothy/4-21.htm">2 Timothy 4:21</a> Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_thessalonians/1-8.htm">Abroad</a> <a href="/philemon/1-16.htm">Bondman</a> <a href="/titus/1-1.htm">Bondservant</a> <a href="/titus/1-1.htm">Bond-Servant</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-21.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/9-9.htm">Dispersed</a> <a href="/john/7-35.htm">Dispersion</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-26.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-21.htm">Good</a> <a href="/titus/3-15.htm">Greeting</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-24.htm">Greetings</a> <a href="/acts/23-26.htm">Hail</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-8.htm">James</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-21.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/titus/1-14.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-5.htm">Love</a> <a href="/2_timothy/4-17.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/hebrews/1-1.htm">Parts</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/9-9.htm">Scattered</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-6.htm">Sends</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-38.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/acts/26-7.htm">Tribes</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-5.htm">Twelve</a> <a href="/philemon/1-21.htm">Wishes</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-24.htm">Words</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-38.htm">World</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/revelation/16-14.htm">Abroad</a> <a href="/jude/1-1.htm">Bondman</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-1.htm">Bondservant</a> <a href="/jude/1-1.htm">Bond-Servant</a> <a href="/james/2-1.htm">Christ</a> <a href="/genesis/10-18.htm">Dispersed</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-1.htm">Dispersion</a> <a href="/james/3-7.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/james/1-17.htm">Good</a> <a href="/2_john/1-10.htm">Greeting</a> <a href="/1_peter/5-13.htm">Greetings</a> <a href="/2_john/1-10.htm">Hail</a> <a href="/jude/1-1.htm">James</a> <a href="/james/2-1.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/revelation/2-9.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/james/2-5.htm">Love</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-12.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/james/3-6.htm">Parts</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-1.htm">Scattered</a> <a href="/1_peter/5-13.htm">Sends</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-1.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/revelation/1-7.htm">Tribes</a> <a href="/revelation/7-5.htm">Twelve</a> <a href="/james/4-4.htm">Wishes</a> <a href="/james/1-19.htm">Words</a> <a href="/james/1-27.htm">World</a><div class="vheading2">James 1</div>1. <a href="/james/1-1.htm">James greets the twelve tribes among the nations;</a> 2. <a href="/james/1-2.htm">exhorts to rejoice in trials and temptations;</a> 5. <a href="/james/1-5.htm">to ask patience of God;</a> 13. <a href="/james/1-13.htm">and in our trials not to impute our weakness, or sins, to him,</a> 19. <a href="/james/1-19.htm">but rather to hearken to the word, to meditate on it, and to do thereafter.</a> 26. <a href="/james/1-26.htm">Otherwise men may seem, but never be, truly religious.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/james/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/james/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/james/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ James identifies himself as a servant, which in the original Greek is "doulos," meaning bondservant or slave. This term indicates humility and total devotion. James is traditionally understood to be James the Just, the half-brother of Jesus (<a href="/matthew/13-55.htm">Matthew 13:55</a>, <a href="/mark/6-3.htm">Mark 6:3</a>), and a leader in the Jerusalem church (<a href="/acts/15-13.htm">Acts 15:13</a>). Despite his familial connection to Jesus, he emphasizes his role as a servant, highlighting his submission to divine authority. This reflects the early Christian understanding of leadership as service (<a href="/mark/10-43.htm">Mark 10:43-45</a>). The dual mention of God and the Lord Jesus Christ underscores the early Christian belief in the divinity of Jesus, aligning with the doctrine of the Trinity.To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion The "twelve tribes" refers to the people of Israel, symbolically representing the entirety of God's chosen people. The term "Dispersion" or "Diaspora" historically refers to Jews living outside of Israel, scattered due to various exiles, such as the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities. By addressing the twelve tribes, James is speaking to Jewish Christians who are dispersed throughout the Roman Empire. This reflects the early church's mission to reach both Jews and Gentiles (<a href="/acts/1-8.htm">Acts 1:8</a>). The dispersion also symbolizes the broader scattering of believers in the world, emphasizing the universal nature of the Christian message.Greetings The Greek word for "greetings" is "chairein," a common salutation in Greek letters, but it also carries the connotation of joy. This greeting sets a tone of encouragement and goodwill. It is notable that this same word is used in <a href="/acts/15-23.htm">Acts 15:23</a> in the letter from the Jerusalem council, suggesting a formal and respectful communication. The use of "greetings" here may also reflect James's intent to connect with his audience on a personal level, acknowledging their trials and encouraging them to find joy in their faith despite their circumstances (<a href="/james/1-2.htm">James 1:2</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/james.htm">James</a> The author of the epistle, traditionally identified as James the Just, the half-brother of Jesus and a leader in the early Jerusalem church. Known for his wisdom and leadership, James played a crucial role in the early Christian community. 2. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The one true God of Israel, whom James serves. This reflects the monotheistic belief central to Jewish and Christian faiths. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord_jesus_christ.htm">The Lord Jesus Christ</a> The Messiah and Son of God, whom James acknowledges as Lord, indicating his divine authority and role in salvation. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_twelve_tribes.htm">The Twelve Tribes</a> Refers to the Jewish people, symbolically representing the entirety of Israel. In the context of the New Testament, it can also represent the spiritual Israel, including both Jewish and Gentile believers. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_dispersion.htm">The Dispersion (Diaspora)</a> The scattering of the Jewish people outside of Israel, often due to persecution or exile. In the New Testament context, it can also refer to Christians living outside of their spiritual homeland, facing trials and challenges.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/s/servanthood_in_leadership.htm">Servanthood in Leadership</a> James identifies himself as a servant, not by his familial connection to Jesus, but by his commitment to serving God and Christ. This teaches humility and service as key aspects of Christian leadership. <a href="/topical/i/identity_in_christ.htm">Identity in Christ</a> The reference to the "twelve tribes" reminds believers of their identity as part of God's chosen people, called to live out their faith in diverse and challenging environments. <a href="/topical/f/facing_trials_with_faith.htm">Facing Trials with Faith</a> The mention of the Dispersion sets the stage for the themes of perseverance and faith amidst trials, encouraging believers to remain steadfast in their faith journey. <a href="/topical/u/unity_in_diversity.htm">Unity in Diversity</a> Addressing both Jewish and Gentile believers, James emphasizes the unity of the church despite cultural and geographical differences, a call for unity in the body of Christ today.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_james_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from James 1</a> <a href="/q/who_is_the_author_of_the_book_of_james.htm">Who is the author of the Book of James?</a> <a href="/q/why_use_'james',_not_'jacob',_in_the_bible.htm">Why is "James" used instead of "Jacob" in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'ask_not,_have_not'_mean.htm">What does "You have not because you ask not" mean?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'bondservant_of_christ'_mean.htm">What does "bondservant of Christ" mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/james/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(1) James, a servant (or slave, or bond-servant) of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.--Bound to Him, i.e., in devotion and love. In like manner, St. Paul (<a href="/romans/1-1.htm" title="Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God,">Romans 1:1</a>, et seq.), St. Peter (<a href="/2_peter/1-1.htm" title="Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ:">2Peter 1:1</a>), and St. Jude brother of James (<a href="/james/1-1.htm" title="James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.">James 1:1</a>), begin their Letters. The writer of this has been identified (see Introduction, ante, p. 352) with James the Just, first bishop of Jerusalem, the brother of our Lord.To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad.--Or, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion. To these remnants of the house of Israel, whose "casting away" (<a href="/romans/11-15.htm" title="For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?">Romans 11:15</a>) was leading to the "reconciling of the world;" whose "fall" had been the cause of its "riches;" "and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles" (<a href="/james/1-12.htm" title="Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love him.">James 1:12</a>). Scattered abroad indeed they were, "a by-word among all nations" (<a href="/deuteronomy/28-37.htm" title="And you shall become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations where the LORD shall lead you.">Deuteronomy 28:37</a>), "a curse and an astonishment" (<a href="/jeremiah/29-18.htm" title="And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations where I have driven them:">Jeremiah 29:18</a>) wherever the Lord had driven them. But there is something figurative, and perhaps prophetic, in the number twelve. Strictly speaking, at the time this Epistle was written, Judah and Benjamin, in great measure, were returned to the Holy Land from their captivity, though numbers of both tribes were living in various parts of the world, chiefly engaged, as at the present day, in commerce. The remaining ten had lost their tribal distinctions, and have now perished from all historical record, though it is still one of the fancies of certain writers, rather pious than learned, to discover traces of them in the aborigines of America, Polynesia, and almost every where else; most ethnologically improbable of all, in the Teutonic nations, and our own families thereof. But long before the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus, and even the preaching of Christianity, Jewish colonists were found in Europe as well as Asia. "Even where they suffered most, through their own turbulent disposition, or the enmity of their neighbours, they sprang again from the same undying stock, however it might be hewn by the sword or seared by the fire. Massacre seemed to have no effect in thinning their ranks, and, like their forefathers in Egypt, they still multiplied under the most cruel oppression." (See Milman's History of the Jews, vol. i., p. 449, et seq.) While the Temple stood these scattered settlements were colonies of a nation, bound together by varied ties and sympathies, but ruled in the East by a Rabbi called the Prince of the Captivity, and in the West by the Patriarch of Tiberias, who, curiously, had his seat in that Gentile city of Palestine. The fall of Jerusalem, and the end therewith of national existence, rather added to than detracted from the authority of these strange governments; the latter ceased only in the reign of the Emperor Theodosius, while the former continued, it is said, in the royal line of David, until the close of the eleventh century, after which the dominion passed wholly into the hands of the Rabbinical aristocracy, from whom it has come down to the present day. The phrase "in the dispersion" was common in the time or our Lord; the Jews wondered whether He would "go unto the dispersion amongst the Gentiles" (<a href="/john/7-35.htm" title="Then said the Jews among themselves, Where will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go to the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?">John 7:35</a>, and see Note there). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/james/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 1. - SALUTATION. James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. (On the person who thus describes himself, see the Introduction.) It is noteworthy that he keeps entirely out of sight his natural relationship to our Lord, and styles himself simply "a bond-servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ." That, and that alone, gave him a right to speak and a claim to be heard. Δοῦλος is similarly used by St. Paul in <a href="/romans/1-1.htm">Romans 1:1</a>; <a href="/philippians/1-1.htm">Philippians 1:1</a>; <a href="/titus/1-1.htm">Titus 1:1</a> by St. Peter in <a href="/2_peter/1-1.htm">2 Peter 1:1</a>; and by St. Jude ver. 1. It is clearly an official designation, implying that his office is one "in which, not his own will, not the will of other men, but only of God and of Christ, is to be performed" (Huther). To the twelve tribes, etc. Compare the salutation in <a href="/acts/15-23.htm">Acts 15:23</a>, which was also probably written by St. James: "The apostles and the elder brethren unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia, greeting." (1) Ξαίρειν is common to both, and not found elsewhere in apostolic greet-tugs. (It is used by Ignatius in the opening of all his epistles except that to the Philadelphians.) (2) The letter in the Acts is addressed to Gentile communities in definite regions; St. James's Epistle, to Jews of the dispersion. So also his contemporary Gamaliel wrote "to the sons of the dispersion in Babylonia, and to our brethren in Media, and to all the dispersion of Israel" (Frankel, 'Monatsschrift,' 1853, p. 413). Ταῖς δώδεκα φύλαις (cf. δωδεκάφυλον in <a href="/acts/26-7.htm">Acts 26:7</a>; Clem., 'Rom,' l, § 55; 'Prefer. Jacob.,' c.i.). Such expressions are important as tending to show that the Jews were regarded as representing, not simply the tribes of Benjamin and Judah, but the whole nation, including those so often spoken of as "the lost tribes" (cf. 1 Esdr. 7:8). Διασπορᾷ. The abstract put for the concrete. It is the word used by the LXX. for the "dispersion" (2 Macc. 1:27; Jud. 5:19; cf. <a href="/deuteronomy/28-25.htm">Deuteronomy 28:25</a>, etc.), i.e. the Jews "so scattered among the nations as to become the seed of a future harvest" (Westcott on St. <a href="/john/7-35.htm">John 7:35</a>). (On the importance of the dispersion as preparing the way for Christianity, see the 'Dictionary of the Bible,' vol. 1. p. 44:1.) It was divided into three great sections: (1) the Babylonian, i.e. the original dispersion; . . . <a href="/commentaries/james/1-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>James, Ἰάκωβος (Iakōbos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2385.htm">Strong's 2385: </a> The same as Iakob Graecized; Jacobus, the name of three Israelites. a servant δοῦλος (doulos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1401.htm">Strong's 1401: </a> (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave. of God Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. of [the] Lord Κυρίου (Kyriou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. Jesus Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. Christ, Χριστοῦ (Christou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5547.htm">Strong's 5547: </a> Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. To the Ταῖς (Tais) Article - Dative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. twelve δώδεκα (dōdeka) Adjective - Dative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1427.htm">Strong's 1427: </a> Twelve; the usual way in which the Twelve apostles of Jesus are referred to. From duo and deka; two and ten, i.e. A dozen. tribes φυλαῖς (phylais) Noun - Dative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5443.htm">Strong's 5443: </a> A tribe or race of people. From phuo; an offshoot, i.e. Race or clan. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. the τῇ (tē) Article - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Dispersion: Διασπορᾷ (Diaspora) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1290.htm">Strong's 1290: </a> From diaspeiro; dispersion, i.e. the Israelite resident in Gentile countries. Greetings. Χαίρειν (Chairein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_5463.htm">Strong's 5463: </a> A primary verb; to be 'cheer'ful, i.e. Calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation, be well. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/james/1-1.htm">James 1:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/james/1-1.htm">James 1:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/james/1-1.htm">James 1:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/james/1-1.htm">James 1:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/james/1-1.htm">James 1:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/james/1-1.htm">James 1:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/james/1-1.htm">James 1:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/james/1-1.htm">James 1:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/james/1-1.htm">James 1:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/james/1-1.htm">James 1:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/james/1-1.htm">NT Letters: James 1:1 James a servant of God (Ja Jas. 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