James the Lesser seems like an appropriate title because there’s hardly anything known about him. Most hold he is the same as James, son of Alphaeus. Some hold that he is the same as James, Brother of Jesus—but this is more debatable. The gospels typically list disciples in order of prominence—three groups: group one is the well-known ones, group two is the ones people know of, and group three are the most obscure ones. That’s not to say they weren’t important—or that people held them in lesser regard. 

We can assume that James was not a leader—he was a follower; he didn’t talk back—he listened.

James no doubt played a pivotal role in the growth of Christianity—he just wasn’t as vocal as others. Perhaps he played more of a servant role than a leader role? 

If you take the position that James the Lesser and James, Brother of Jesus were one in the same, then James became bishop of Jerusalem and was later martyred.

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