Question about Bible study web site? [moved]

[Levi]

I recently read James 1:1 , website / URL below, where it mentions James "was the half-brother of Jesus".

I thought to myself - wow this is big news, why have I not heard about this.

I asked my counselor / teacher about it, she read it over for a minute and told me it's an opinion and not backed up by scripture.

I'm trying to ask about the general reputation of website bible-studys.org? It seems the site has a good reputation but my counselor seems to be right too? Anyone?

James Chapter 1
.

 

[hedrick]

I'm not sure what is surprising you. Paul refers to James as Jesus' brother in Gal 1:19. Mat 12:47 refers to Jesus' brothers. Mat 13:55 specifically says that James is his brother.

Normally this would be read straightforwardly. However a tradition developed in the early church that Mary remained a virgin after Jesus' birth, although this isn't referred to in the NT. Because of that, the reference to brothers is understood by some to mean cousins or half-brothers. Presumably this is why a site referred to James as his half-brother rather than simply his brother.

As far as I know, this web site isn't a major site, and thus wouldn't have a widespread reputation whether positive or negative.

 

[Levi]

Hedrick,

My apologies as much of this is new to me.

If I'm understanding then . . James would be an older half brother of Jesus?

 

[Levi]

So sorry - obviously James would be younger than Jesus. I get it ha

 

[hedrick]

Hedrick,

My apologies as much of this is new to me.

If I'm understanding then . . James would be an older half brother of Jesus?

I don't think anything in the NT says. If he's an actual brother he would be younger, since the Gospels say Jesus is Mary's first child. If he's a half-brother, presumably it is from a previous marriage by Joseph. In that case he would be older. If he is a cousin, he could be either older or younger.

Personally I think the term brother in Matthew and Galatians is pretty obviously used in its normal sense. That would make him a younger brother.

 

[JCFantasy23]

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[Citizen of the Kingdom]

James the brother of Jesus may not have been a disciple of Jesus during His lifetime.
James, Christ’s original disciple and the brother of John was the first to be martyred, receiving that cup by which their mother asked.
James the brother may have been the one mocking Jesus to go to Jerusalem and Jesus’ reply stated he was not of the same mindset.
It’s rumoured that the James that wrote the epistle had knees like a camel from praying so much.
The brother of Jesus would have had a lifetime of witnessing, which makes him an interesting guy whether he were older or younger. But I haven’t seen any clues as to that in the bible. Which makes me think that’s irrelevant.