Wisdom and Prayer (James 1:1-8)

James, half-brother of the Lord Jesus, wrote to Jewish believers. He was a known leader in the Jerusalem Church. However, James identified himself as a bond-servant of the Lord (v.1). He wrote to Jewish believers who lived in different places. Persecution could be the leading cause of their dispersion. Many of the dispersed Jewish believers suffered persecution, which may include economic oppression. Thus, James encouraged them to count it all joy when they encounter different kinds of trials, because trials build endurance (vv.2-4). Moreover, he wanted them to live their faith.