The James Review

James 1:1b

To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.

This letter is written to people who have been scattered because of persecution. They were probably Jewish Christians. That’s why he greets them as the ‘twelve tribes’. Some of them might of even seen James the brother of John beheaded (Acts 12). Others might have been scattered after Stephen was killed (Acts 8:1-3).

Persecution reveals true faith and counterfeit faith. If persecution would come to you would you trust in Jesus Christ that He is Sovereign over all things? Would you trust Him because of all the stuff that goes ‘wrong’ in your life? (Romans 8:28). He works out all things to the good of the Christian. And that good might not be what you had in might at all. This has to be in your mind as we look at the next section of text in James, ‘Consider it all joy.’ Suffering is not out of God’s control. It is under His Sovereign and good hand.

God works all things according to the counsel of His will. (Ephesians 1:11).