James 3:17-18 states:
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (ESV)
The author of the Book of James is traditionally understood to be James, the brother of Jesus. From an evangelical Christian perspective, several key points are often highlighted about James as the author:
1. **Background**: James is considered one of the four brothers of Jesus mentioned in the Gospels (Mark 6:3, Matthew 13:55). Initially, he did not believe in Jesus’ messianic identity during Jesus’ earthly ministry (John 7:5), but he later became a prominent leader in the early church, particularly in Jerusalem.
2. **Leadership Role**: After the resurrection of Jesus, James became a significant figure in the early Christian community. He is mentioned in the Book of Acts (Acts 15) as a leader during the Jerusalem Council, where early church leaders gathered to discuss the Gentile inclusion in the faith.
3. **Wisdom Literature**: The Book of James is often categorized as a piece of wisdom literature, similar to the books of Proverbs and Sirach. The verses you mentioned reflect themes of divine wisdom, contrasting it with worldly wisdom, and advocate for peace, gentleness, and righteousness.
4. **Practical Christian Living**: Evangelicals often emphasize that the Book of James focuses on the practical outworking of faith. It encourages believers to live out their faith through action, demonstrating that true faith is evidenced by good works and moral conduct.
5. **Authorship Debate**: While traditional views hold that the author is James, the brother of Jesus, some modern scholars debate this based on stylistic and thematic elements. However, many evangelicals maintain the traditional attribution due to historical acceptance and theological continuity.
6. **Theological Insights**: The mention of “wisdom from above” in James 3:17-18 is often seen as a call to cultivate a Christ-like character. This wisdom emphasizes purity, peace, and humility, traits that are foundational in evangelical teachings about discipleship and the Christian life.
In summary, from an evangelical perspective, James, the brother of Jesus, is regarded as the author of the Book of James, with his teachings in passages like James 3:17-18 focusing on the importance of wisdom, character, and living out one’s faith authentically in the community.