James specifically designates his writing to “the twelve tribes in the Dispersion” (ESV, James 1:1). This can be taken as a figurative representation of the scattered Gentile church, however, as stated by Robert H. Gundry in A Survey of the New Testament, it is more likely to Jewish Christians living outside Palestine” (Gundry 518). This is defended by the overarching theme of Jewishness throughout the letter. Specific examples of this can be found in the language employed, James 5:4 refers to God using the Jewish idiom “Lord of hosts” (ESV, James 5:4). Additionally, the role of James as a church father supports the fact that he would want to encourage and help the Christians in Palestine. We see in Galatians that James asked Paul to take up
