📖 Biblical Definition
James the Lord's brother was a son of Mary and Joseph born after Jesus (Mt 13:55). He did not believe in Jesus during the public ministry (Jn 7:5) but became a leader of the Jerusalem church after Christ appeared to him post-resurrection (1 Cor 15:7). He presided at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15), authored the Epistle of James, and was martyred in AD 62 by stoning. Jewish historian Josephus records his death; the early church called him James the Just.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Christ's biological half-brother; leader of the Jerusalem church; author of the Epistle of James.
expand to see more
Mt 13:55 names him among Christ's brothers; Jn 7:5 says they did not believe Him; 1 Cor 15:7 says the risen Christ appeared to James specifically. Acts 12:17, 15:13-21, 21:18 show him in leadership at Jerusalem.
Authored the Epistle of James (James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, Jas 1:1). Jude's salutation (Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James) implies blood relationship to this James, making Jude another half-brother of Christ.
📖 Key Scripture
Galatians 1:19 — "But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother."
Acts 15:13 — "After they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me."
1 Corinthians 15:7 — "After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles."
James 1:1 — "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Catholic-Protestant divides debate whether Christ had biological siblings; the most natural reading of Scripture (and earliest Protestant view) is that James was Mary's biological son.
expand to see more
James's post-resurrection conversion is one of the great evidences for the resurrection: the unbeliever who became leader of the church and finally martyr. Christ appeared to him personally (1 Cor 15:7); the appearance changed everything.
His Epistle is one of the most pastoral in the New Testament. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world (Jas 1:27). The Lord's brother knew Christ's family ethics from inside.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek Iakôbos (from Hebrew Jacob).
expand to see more
Greek Iakôbos — from Hebrew Ya'aqov, Jacob.
Note: distinct from James son of Zebedee (apostle, martyr) and James son of Alphaeus (apostle).
Usage
"The unbeliever who became leader of the church and finally martyr."
"Christ appeared to him personally; the appearance changed everything."
"The Lord's brother knew Christ's family ethics from inside."