Paul of Tarsus in Galatians 2:9 ( KJV ) characterized James as such : '' ... James , Cephas , and John , who seemed to be pillars ... '' He is described in the New Testament as a `` brother of Jesus '' and in the Liturgy of St James as `` the brother of God '' ( Adelphotheos ) He is sometimes referred in Eastern Christianity as `` James Adelphotheos '' , i.e. `` James the Brother of God '' , based on New Testament descriptions . The oldest surviving Christian liturgy , the Liturgy of St James , called him `` the brother of God '' ( Adelphotheos ) .