What is significant in James Chapter 1 verse 1?

Answer 1

The teaching of the General Epistle of James is not about the Christian faith, but about the importance of living a moral life. The arguments for doing so are set forth as common wisdom, with the source and authority for this wisdom are taken for granted by the author. Sayings reminiscent of the teachings of Jesus are not given special privilege and are not even attributed to him as their author or authority. In fact, Jesus is only mentioned twice in the entire epistle, possibly as later additions not even written in the original letter.

James verses 1:1 and 2:1 are the only references that acknowledge the existence of Jesus. In verse 1:1, the author identifies himself merely as the servant of Jesus, not as his brother or as an apostle who had been taught by Jesus himself. On this evidence, the letter could easily be pre-Christian.