It is essential we understand that in this section James is not
pitting works against faith. The faith that cannot save (2:14
"can that faith save him?"), is a certain kind
of faith. A faith that isn't active. The faith that James commends
in this section is the same type of faith that Paul praises, a
faith which is obedient that actively seeks to do the will of
God (Romans 4:18-22; 1:5). Neither is James saying that there
are things we must do to earn our salvation, for James believed
in the grace of God just as much as the other apostles (2:12-13;
4:6-8; 5:20). The "works" mentioned in this epistle
are simply another way of saying a faith that works or a faith
that is active. The works under consideration are not works of
the Law of Moses (Romans 4:2ff), or works of human invention (Titus
3:5). What James is discussing in this chapter could be seen
as a commentary on what Jesus said in Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone
who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven;
but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven").
Neither is James introducing a completely new topic at this
point. This section is simply one more way of illustrating the
vanity of merely being a hearer of the word and not a doer. They
are another example of "vain religion" (1:26). Woods
notes, "It should be apparent to the most casual reader that
Paul and James are discussing two different kinds of works in
these passages (Ephesians 2:8-9; James 2:21-22). Paul refers
to works which are excluded from God's plan to save; James discusses
works which are included in it" (p. 131).
2:14 "What use is it, my brethren,
if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith
save him?"
"What use is it"-"What
good is it" (Wey). Matthew 16:26
"if a man says he has faith"-"present
active subjunctive, 'if one keeps on saying'" Robertson p.
33). Once gain, what we profess with incredible confidence about
ourselves can be completely wrong. "Nothing in the context
suggests that the person is attempting to deceive others. He
claims to possess true faith, and one may assume that he was sincere
about the claim" (Kent p. 89).
"but he has no works?"-Which
will be illustrated in 2:15-16, i.e. a faith that isn't active.
"Can that faith"-James
isn't saying, "Can faith save him". Rather, can that
kind of faith, can mere intellectual belief save him? James clearly
believes in "faith" (5:15). The question isn't, "Can
faith save him", rather, "Can faith which is nothing
more than a verbal profession save him?" Of course the
answer is "no". Roberts notes, "It is noteworthy
that the verbs in the statement, "If a man says he hath faith
and have not works", are present active subjunctives, thus,
"If one keeps on saying he has faith, but keeps on not having
works
." Mere profession, without obedience to God's
commands, is worthless" (p. 132). It should be clear that
Paul never taught a salvation by mere mental assent. Paul often
emphasized the need for a faith that obeys, a faith that is active
(Romans 2:6; 6:13,16; 8:13; 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 15:58; Romans 10:9-10;
Colossians 2:11-12).
"save him?"-Remember
James is writing to Christians. This statement clearly reveals
that the Christian doesn't have an automatic ticket to eternal
life. The doctrine of once-saved-always-saved doesn't fit this
verse. In addition, neither does the Calvinistic idea that God
gives the believer his or her faith. This question would never
be brought up in a context in which the faith of every Christian
had been miraculously given them by God.
Point To Note:
The argument is at times made that while an active faith is necessary
to remain a Christian, faith-only is what enables one to become
a Christian. But the New Testament is clear that more than just
a mental belief in Jesus is necessary. Paul mentions confession
(Romans 10:9-10); repentance (Acts 17:30) and baptism (Colossians
2:12-13; Romans 6:3-5) as conditions which are all prior to salvation.
In addition, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense that there
is one type of faith that enables you to become a Christian and
another type of faith that is necessary to remain a Christian.
James is talking about a faith that results in salvation, the
same type of faith that is described in Romans 4 or Ephesians
2:8.
2:15 "If a brother or sister is
without clothing and in need of daily food,"
"without clothing"-"naked"
(KJV), "ill-clad" (Mof). Without sufficient clothing
(Matthew 25:36; Acts 19:16).
"in need of daily food"-"Indicates
that the person under consideration is in the greatest possible
destitution, in a condition of want that would (or should) touch
the hearts of all but the hardest" (Woods p. 133). And remember,
this is a fellow Christian in dire need. James had just dealt
with the fact that some of his readers were showing a definite
contempt for the poor (2:1ff). It may be that James is recording
something that had actually happened among his readers. Such
cases of need did exist in the early church (Acts 11:28-30; 1
Corinthians 16:1). " it must be describing someone in desperate
straits, whose clothing and food were not adequate, and who needed
prompt and substantial assistance" (Kent p. 91) A brother
or sister who needs help right now!
2:16 "and one of you says to them,
"Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you
do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is
that?"
"and one of you says to them"-Let
the reader be impressed that the early church also had inactive
members. Hypocrites were found in their congregations also.
"Go in peace"-Which
was a common Jewish expression meaning "farewell" (Mark
5:34; Luke 7:50). "A formula of wishing well, blessing addressed
by the Hebrews to departing friends" (Thayer p. 182). Also
including the ideas of hope for your welfare and health.
"be warmed and be filled"-The
tenses here are interesting. Literally the verse would read,
"keep on going in peace, get yourselves warmed and filled."
"Those with insufficient clothing are bidden to 'Warm yourselves!'
Those in need of food to 'Fill yourselves!' And, with a wave
of the hand and a dismissal of all responsibility, the poor are
told 'Farewell!' Be off. Best wishes" (Woods p. 134).
Points To Note:
Be impressed that the Bible doesn't pull any punches. Note the
integrity of the Scriptures, the short-comings of professed Christians
are not hidden, but exposed in graphic detail. We might be shocked
by such a callous attitude towards those in need---but we are
at times guilty of the same thing. Maybe not so much concerning
physical needs, as spiritual needs. We see someone who is manifesting
spiritual weakness and yet we don't attempt to take the time to
encourage them, build a friendship, and so on. And yet physical
needs do pop up, maybe not with the Christians in this community,
but there are many Christians in the Philippines and other countries
who are truly in need of "daily food". But at times
our attitude is, "Someone else will take care of that, someone
else will give".
"what use is that?"-Which
clearly means, such warm words are completely useless and unprofitable.
Warm wishes cannot take the place of warm clothes and food.
But it is easier to talk than to help. We often think that we
are really accomplishing something by just talking about the problem.
2:17 "Even so faith, if it has
no works, is dead, being by itself".
"Even so"-Just like
mere words directed at a Christian in need are completely worthless,
so faith that isn't active is completely worthless.
"if it has no works"-Remember
we aren't talking about works of human merit or observing the
Law of Moses. Rather, we are talking about faith that does the
will of the Father (Matthew 7:21), faith that actively obeys the
will of God. The present tense here is used in the Greek, "it
if keep on not having works".
"is dead"-"destitute
of force or power, inactive, inoperative" (Thayer p. 424).
(2:20,26) Note that such a faith is presently useless, it isn't
in danger of dying, it is completely dead right at this very moment.
"being by itself"-"being
alone" (KJV), "by one's self, alone" (Thayer p.
163). Here is what so many religious people claim as being the
only condition for salvation, that is, faith that is alone, "faith
only". James makes it clear that "faith alone"
is completely worthless. Carefully note that if faith which says
something is dead ("be warmed and filled"), then how
much more is pure mental assent--- something which is absolutely
worthless! Clearly, we do not gain God's favor at the moment
we believe that He exists (John 12:42-43). Jesus notes that many
will end up lost who had "faith" that He is the Son
of God (Matthew 7:21-23).
2:18 "But someone may well say,
"You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without
the works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
"But someone may well say"-The
expression "someone may well say" is used in other places
as introducing a speaker who is objecting to what is being presented
(Romans 9:19; 11:19; 1 Cor. 15:35). The problem with this is
that the objector seems to be arguing that he has works and that
James has the faith only.
Points To Note:
2:18 "You have faith, and I have
works"-The person making this statement might be trying
(as Woods contends above), to argue that one man will be saved
by his "faith in itself" and another man by the result
of his faith. James will have none of this. And to this day
many people try to make a distinction between what a person believes
and what a person does. So many people, who do bad things, will
argue, "But I have a good heart".
Kent notes: " The
..church
has provided sanctuary for some whose connections with it are
merely external. To them the church differs little from a service
club
On the other hand, some people let works take the place
of faith. They may become so deeply involved in charitable works
and social service that little attention is given to the development
of a growing trust in God. In many cases, such works are not
the demonstration of faith at all but are merely humanitarian
impulses" (p. 99).
2:18 "show me your faith without
the works"-Some view this and the rest of verse 18
as the words of James and not the "someone" that he
has mentioned. At this point in the conversation James jumps
in and demonstrates that a distinction cannot be made between
a faith that saves and obedience to God. Woods notes, "It
follows, therefore, that one who disparages works must resort
to them to prove that he has any faith at all!" (p. 137).
Point To Note:
The above point needs to be taken seriously. Today, those who
advocate salvation by faith-only, still find themselves pointing
to something which "proves" that they have accepted
the Lord. Whether such alleged proof is the "sinners prayer",
"coming forward at some rally" or a feeling. In the
end, no one really believes in salvation by faith alone or a salvation
at the point of mental assent.
"and I will show you my faith by
my works"-Just as repentance has deeds which naturally
follow it (Acts 26:20; 2 Corinthians 7:10-11), so faith has works,
deeds or natural fruits (Luke 6:46; Matthew 21:25; Luke 7:30).
What this is saying is that if you really believe, then the lifestyle,
the obedience will naturally follow.
Points To Note:
James isn't done yet, he continues to press the issue, "But
James wants to close even more avenues of escape" (Davids
p. 125).
2:19 "You believe that God is one.
You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder."
"You believe that God is one"-"there
is one God". One of the basic truths which one must accept,
is that there is one God (Deut. 6:4). In the Jewish religion,
the confession that God is one was repeated twice each day. This
was one of the basic distinctions between Christianity and all
the surrounding pagan religions. Let us remember, that the statement
"God is one" was never meant to imply that "God"
is only one person (Genesis 1:26; John 1:1; Acts 5:3-4). "In
the plural form of the Hebrew word Eloheem (God) appearing
in Genesis 1:1: 'In the beginning God ( Eloheem , the
plural form of El, God), created the heavens and the earth'"
(Woods p. 139). The "oneness" under consideration
is a oneness of purpose, belief and unity (John 10:30).
"You do well"-Immediately
James makes it clear that he isn't downplaying the importance
of believing the right doctrines. But rather, doctrinal soundness
is meaningless if we don't practice what we believe. One can
believe everything about God, Jesus, the Bible, what to do to
be saved, the church---and still be lost because they have put
none of it into practice. Believing the truth about baptism doesn't
save you---salvation happens when you act upon that belief (Mark
16:16 "and is baptized").
"the demons also believe, and shudder"-
Points To Note:
"also believe"-also
believe that God is one. So much for depending upon mental acceptance
of the truth. The demons are very orthodox and sound in their
beliefs! They realize fully that Jesus is the Son of God, they
don't have any doubts about what their fate will be (Luke 8:31;
Mark 1:24). They realize that God isn't going to change His mind.
Unlike some denominational leaders---the demons believe in hell!
"and shudder"-"struck
with extreme fear, to be horrified" (Thayer p. 658). "to
be rough, to bristle, then to shiver, tremble, indicating
a cognizance of their appointed doom' (Vine p. 26). "The
problem was not that their faith was insincere. On the contrary,
they believed so completely in the coming doom that God has promised
that they shuddered at the prospect" (Kent p. 97). This
word rendered "shudder" is an interesting word. It
means "to bristle". "It pictures one's hair standing
up on end. The devil believes in God so strongly that his hair
stands right up on end!" (Draper p. 89). Once again let
us be impressed with the fact that without application, believing
all the right doctrines will not save us!
2:20 "But are you willing to recognize,
you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?"
"But are you willing to recognize"-Inferring
the previous truths had been clear, plain and simple to understand.
James conclusion is so clear that he calls upon all who disagree
with him to abandon their foolishness and admit the obvious.
"you foolish fellow"-literally
an empty-headed fellow. The person who would even attempt to
argue that mere belief can save a person is lacking reason and
the truth. Notice that James doesn't say, "Let's agree
to disagree" or "your point is just as valid as mine".
"that faith without works is useless?"-Draper
gives a good illustration when he says, "If I tell my wife
I love her and never go home or provide her with any of the necessities,
do you think she would believe me?
..We have created a entire
culture of Christianity in America where we say we believe things
that we are not practicing" (p. 90). But the real tragic
thing is that there are people in this country who would argue
that they love their mate or their mate loves them, even when
they are treating each other in a horrible manner. There are
a good number of people who would disagree with Draper's above
point. James calls such people "foolish" and "empty-headed".
2:21 "Was not Abraham our father
justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?"
"Was not Abraham our father"-James
introduces a Biblical example (an approved example) which would
immediately catch the attention of all Christians. Abraham was
the father of the Jewish race, but especially the father of all
the faithful (Romans 4:12; Galatians 3:26-29). He is the spiritual
ancestor of all Christians. "These to whom James wrote
included many Jewish people; and those who were not would, as
Christians, be interested in, and would soon acquire a knowledge
of, one who occupied such a prominent place in the history of
the Lord's people in earlier dispensations; and his example would,
therefore, be most impressive. Further Abraham is the spiritual
ancestor of all "who walk in the steps of " his faith
today (Romans 4:1-25)" (Woods p. 143) The example of Abraham
would be impressive to Christians from a Jewish background, but
also very impressive to Christians from a Gentile background,
who have now become the spiritual children of this great man of
faith (Galatians 3:29).
"justified"-"to
deem to be right, to declare, pronounce to be righteous"
(Vine p. 285). "To be acquitted, be pronounced and treated
as righteous" (Arndt p. 197). Remember, the context is
dealing with a faith that results in salvation (2:14). Hence,
justified here must mean accounted right in the sight of God.
"by works"-Not works
of human invention, merit-nor works of the Law of Moses. The
"works" are defined in the next statement:
"when he offered up Isaac his son
on the altar?"-Abraham was justified when he obeyed
what God had commanded. It wasn't Abraham's idea to sacrifice
Isaac, rather it was a command from God (Genesis 22:1-2).
Points To Note:
James 2:21 "Was not Abraham our father justified by works"
Romans 4:2 "For if Abraham was justified
by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God".
Points To Note:
Abraham's faith was reckoned as righteousness---on other occasions
besides Genesis 15:6. It was viewed as righteous when he left
his homeland (Hebrews 11:8; Genesis 12:1-3; Romans 4:13). Romans
4:22 "Therefore also it was reckoned to him as righteousness".
But this conclusion is based on verses 17-21, which refers not
to Genesis 15:6, but to some 15 years later in Genesis 17 when
Abraham is about 100 years old.
The statement in Romans 5:1 "Therefore having been justified
by faith", must be kept in context. The faith of the previous
verses, the faith of Abraham is an obedient and active faith (4:12,
17-21). A faith by which one lives. Paul has demonstrated that
all down through the life of Abraham, his obedient faith had resulted
in being accounted as righteous---and much of this was before
being circumcised and definitely before the Law of Moses was given.
Paul's point is not than one is saved at the point of mental
acceptance. Rather, that circumcision and observing the Mosaic
Law are not and were not eternal conditions for salvation. Therefore,
it is false to argue that circumcision and observance of the Law
of Moses are eternal conditions for salvation.
Paul and James agree that the faith that results in acceptance
with God is a faith that continues to act. Justification isn't
a one time event that covers us all our lives. We must continue
to manifest our faith, "But the righteous man shall live
by faith" (Romans 1:17).
2:22 "You see that faith was working
with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;"
"faith was working with his works"-"It
was easy to see, in this historic incident, that Abraham's faith
wrought (exercised itself) with his works" (Woods p. 145).
The phrase "working with", means to cooperate with
and the tense is imperfect. Hence, faith and the results of an
active faith kept cooperating with each other. Abraham's convictions
and his actions were operating in perfect harmony. Note: Abraham
didn't journey to the land of Moriah and proceed to offer up Isaac
out of anger, bitterness, resentment, self-pity or fear. Abraham
was doing what God commanded from the motive of faith!
There is a tremendous lesson here! There are many people who
do what God commands, but the motive behind their obedience isn't
faith. Some even try to argue that as long as you do the right
thing---motivation doesn't matter. Paul and James both disagree
with that point of view (1 Corinthians 13:1-4).
"as a result of the works"-Or
couldn't we just as well say, "as a result of such obedience,
as a result of obeying what God has said"?
"faith was perfected"-"to
bring to an end by completing or perfecting, of bringing to completeness"
(Vine p. 174). Which means that there can be such a thing as
an imperfect faith. And James has already described an imperfect
faith, a faith that lacks obedience to the Divine will (2:14).
"Neither works nor faith operating alone can justify"
(Woods p. 145). The right act-was to obey what God commanded,
the right motive, was to do it because God can be trusted.
2:23 "and the Scripture was fulfilled
which says, "And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned
to him as righteousness", and he was called the friend of
God."
"the Scripture was fulfilled"-The
Scripture under consideration is Genesis 15:6, the same verse
that Paul quotes in Romans 4:3. "Fulfilled"-"was
actually and fully realized" (Vincent p. 745). "In
God's sight his faith was fully approved
and the statement
that Abraham believed God was shown to be true beyond any possibility
of doubt, and was fully realized to the utmost limit"
While the text of Genesis 22 doesn't mention the word "justified",
the idea of being approved in the sight of God is present, when
God re-states His promises to Abraham (Genesis 22:16-18). The
word "reckoned" means to pass to one's account, "credit
someone with something" (Arndt p. 476). In other words,
Abraham was viewed by God as being innocent and just. This Scripture
in Genesis 15:6 was not fulfilled until many years after it was
stated. It demonstrates that justification, rather than being
a one time act for all time, is a continual process. A continued
course of living by a faith that is active is necessary.
Woods makes a good observation on Genesis 15:6: "there was
nothing more, at the moment, for Abraham to do but to accept,
without hesitation the assurances of such from God
It is
a violent perversion of this passage and historic incident from
it to assume that because Abraham's faith was accepted as an act
of righteousness when there was nothing else required of him at
the time that in our case faith will suffice without the performance
of those conditions which are required of us now" (p. 146).
In the book of Romans the faith that results in OUR justification
includes confession (Romans 10:9-10) and baptism (6:1-5).
"he was called the friend of God"-"loved
by God" (Alford p. 1608). (2 Chron. 20:7 "Abraham thy
friend forever"; Isaiah 41:8 "the seed of Abraham thy
friend"). "To this day it is said that Abraham is known
among the Arabs as "El Khalil" equivalent to "the
Friend" (Pulpit Commentary p. 32).
2:24 "You see that a man is justified
by works, and not by faith alone".
"You see"-A conclusion
that James believes that all should be able to see clearly-this
isn't hard to understand or comprehend.
"justified by works"-"Works"
in the context are obedience to the commands of God (2:21). The
works under consideration are not----- following human traditions,
rules or the Law of Moses (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). There
are various commands that must be obeyed before we can be accounted
as righteous or forgiven: The command to believe that Jesus is
the Son of God (John 8:24); the command to repent (Acts 17:30);
the command to express our belief in a confession (Romans 10:9-10);
the command to be baptized (Mark 16:16).
"not by faith alone"-"merely,
only, alone" (Thayer p. 418). The same truth is presented
in James 1:22, 2:17 and 2:20. Note, that James never says that
a man is not justified by faith, but the faith that results in
justification is active and responsive to the commands of God.
But faith that doesn't act, conviction that doesn't express itself---never
has saved anyone. Obedience to the commands of God without the
proper motive doesn't save---and mere mental assent doesn't save
either.
"The illustration of Rahab utilized a person who was in stark
contrast to Abraham in virtually every way except as illustrative
of an energetic faith. Rahab was a woman, a Gentile, a pagan,
and a prostitute. Yet, by naming her, James was effectively making
the point that the only faith that God accepts is a faith that
works-----whether from a respected Abraham or an unlikely Rahab"
(Kent p. 108).
By using the example of Rahab, James is also teaching: 1. Anyone,
from any background can manifest this type of faith, therefore
whoever wants to be saved, can be saved. 2. Culture, upbringing,
and so on are not insurmountable barriers to salvation. 3. People
can change overnight. 4. The accounts in the Old Testament are
historically true!
2:25 "And in the same way was not
Rahab the harlot also justified by works, when she received the
messengers and sent them out by another way?"
Points To Note:
2:26 "For just as the body without
the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead".
Points To Note:
1. Men and women have a dual nature, spirit and body. 2. Here
is a good definition concerning at what point a person is dead,
i.e. when the spirit has departed (Ecc. 12:7). 3. This illustration
once again stresses that an inactive faith, a faith that doesn't
respond to Divine directives, is a useless thing. 3. This verse
also reveals that if life is present, then the spirit is present.
Therefore it would seem reasonable to conclude that human life
begins at conception, at conception the spirit or soul is present
(Zechariah 12:1). We must reject the idea that one isn't a human
being until they exit the birth canal. 4. Remember, this
also applies to a person who is already a Christian. If our faith
ceases to be active, we are spiritually dead! 5. Note the
graphic nature of the illustration. Faith, by itself, is like
a dead body.