James the Less: Larger than his Nickname
By: Leo Percer, M.A., M.Div., Ph.D. |June 2, 2024
Have you ever noticed how many people named “James” there were in Jesus’ circle? Here is a short list: James (the brother of John) who was part of the inner circle; James the son of Alphaeus; and Jesus’ own brother named James. There was even one disciple who was the son of a person named James. But the one person named “James” who stands out in this note is “James the Less.”
Some people think that “James the Less” and “James the son of Alphaeus” are the same (some even equate James the Less with James the brother of Jesus, but the evidence isn’t good). Church tradition tells us that he lived in Galilee. He may also have preached in Palestine and Egypt and killed in Egypt (some traditions say he was cut into several pieces). Some scholars think he was a brother of Matthew.[1] Mark 15:40 gives the primary mention of this fellow.
How Did James the Less Get His Name?
How did he get the nickname “the Less”? The Greek word used can mean either “small” or even “little” as in size or quantity. It can even mean “young” in age, or even “short” with regards to time. So, James was called “the Less,” “the Youth,” or even “Shorty.”
Let that sink in for a minute. This James was known either for his stature (he was short), or for his age (he was young). Little is known about him (pardon the pun), and his life is overshadowed by James the brother of John and James the brother of Jesus. The details of his life and ministry are lost for the most part. Maybe you can identify?
How James the Less Must Have Felt
Did James “the Less” feel like he lived in the shadow of other disciples? Did he feel invisible? Was he a middle child? The narrative of his life offers little evidence to answer, so here is some speculation. Maybe James “the Less” spent a good portion of his life expecting to be or to do something great, but instead, he ends up in a group with several people named “James” and he isn’t even the best known! Things didn’t work out as expected. He grew up with great expectations. James was going to be or to accomplish something great. He became a disciple-student of an itinerant rabbi named Jesus. This rabbi from Nazareth had an unorthodox style. He didn’t have the credentials and the papers of the Pharisees, but he spoke with authority and did some amazing feats.
So, James tied himself to the school of this rabbi Jesus. Shortly (pardon the pun) after joining, he found out he wasn’t the only James following Jesus. Since they had to distinguish, they called him “the Less” due to his youth or stature.
James the Less . . .
What Do We Know About James the Less?
He wasn’t known for his leadership of the early church. James didn’t compete with John to sit at the right hand of Jesus. He didn’t go to the mount of Transfiguration or to the depths of the Garden when Jesus prayed. Yet this James, “the Less,” loved Jesus. He would die a martyr’s death out of love for Messiah. He would give his life serving others.
Even though he was never known as one of the better known or more popular disciples. Though he was called “Shorty” or “Kid.” Even though he would always be “that other James.”
He gave his life as a love offering to Jesus.
Still, for most people, James didn’t stand out. He was “the less.” He walked in humility and served Jesus and others. No, his life may not have lived up to expectations, but he became everything God wanted him to be. He was “more” in his service to God, he didn’t come up short.
Application
Maybe you feel like “the Less.” You feel unrecognized; your life hasn’t turned out as you had hoped; and disappointment is a constant companion. The lesson is hard, but service without expectation of recognition is the call of each Christian. Remember James “the Less” and take heart.
God knows you, just like Jesus knew James the Less and called him alongside all those OTHER people named James. One among many, and yet not exactly like any of them. Unrecognized, but known by God.
Today, perhaps you think of yourself as “less.” Life didn’t work out as hoped. Disappointment sets in quickly. Maybe you think you are done. Hear this truth: If Jesus called you, you have service to render. Whether anyone else notices or not, God sees and knows your love for him and your love for others. The present age worships prestige, position, and power, but the kingdom of heaven esteems humility, service, and selfless living. May we all learn to serve without recognition. In God’s kingdom, the way up is down and a life without recognition may be noteworthy to God. Will we risk it? Like James the Less, may our lives show humble service that imitates Jesus (Philippians 2:5-8). May our service be larger than our nickname.
About the Author
Leo Percer, Ph.D.
Leo Percer grew up in Millington, Tennessee, northeast of Memphis, when he first received his call to teaching ministry. He has been involved in numerous ministerial activities, including serving as an elder at Forest Community Church in Forest, Virginia. Dr. Leo Percer graduated with a Ph.D. from Baylor University, an M.A. from Western Kentucky University, and M.Div. from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a B.A. from Union University.
After graduating with his Ph.D., Dr. Percer taught at Baylor University, McLennan Community College, and Liberty University, where he served as the Director of the Ph.D. in Theology and Apologetics program for years. His area of expertise is in Second Temple Judaism, the Epistles of Paul, and apocalyptic literature. Dr. Percer is an active member of the Evangelical Theological Society, the Society of Biblical Literature, and is on the board of directors at Ratio Christi. Dr. Percer resides in Lynchburg, VA with his wonderful wife, Lisa, and two children. He loves reading, collecting comic books, and is a coffee connoisseur.
Notes
[1] See the following for more information on James the Less: Donald A. Hagner, “James (Person),” ed. David Noel Freedman, The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (New York: Doubleday, 1992), 616; Horst Robert Balz and Gerhard Schneider, Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1990–), 169; F. L. Cross and Elizabeth A. Livingstone, eds., The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 2005), 862; and Richard R. Losch, All the People in the Bible: An A–Z Guide to the Saints, Scoundrels, and Other Characters in Scripture (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2008), 186.
