The Epistle of James is a general epistle and one of the 21 epistles in the New Testament. It was written originally in Koine Greek.
Papyrus 20 (3rd century AD), with part of James 2 and 3
Memorial to Lajos Fülep, quoting James 3:17, "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."
1886 drawing by Jemima Blackburn, quoting James 3:3–6
An epistle is a writing directed or sent to a person or group of people, usually an elegant and formal didactic letter. The epistle genre of letter-writing was common in ancient Egypt as part of the scribal-school writing curriculum. The letters in the New Testament from Apostles to Christians are usually referred to as epistles. Those traditionally attributed to Paul are known as Pauline epistles and the others as catholic epistles.
Saint Paul Writing His Epistles, by Valentin de Boulogne or Nicolas Tournier (c. 16th century, Blaffer Foundation Collection, Houston, TX).
Opening of the Epistle to the Galatians, illuminated manuscript for reading during Christian liturgy.
The Kniga Apostol (1632), lectionary in Church Slavonic for use in the Divine Liturgy of the Russian Orthodox Church.