If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rehab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. --- James 2 :14 -26
Here is an important passage for discussion in terms of how we are to understand what James point is, and how it relates to Paul's discussion on faith alone, as many people see a contradiction between the two inspired writings, that of Romans 3-5, Ephesians 2 :1-10, and Galatians 1 -3,
and here in chapter 2 of James, but what appears to a difficulty in reality is not one, we shall begin.
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (vs 14 -17)
The first thing to note in this is James is discussing a faith that has no production value to it, we would do well in realising that it is a dead faith, not a true saving faith
also consider the many great teachings of Jesus Christ such as john 15 , which can be a useful understanding;
I am the true vine, and My Father is the vineyard keeper. Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me.“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples. john 15 :1-8
This section gives us some important information in relation to how one can understand James' word with Jesus own words. in that Jesus teaching us that because we are held in him by his powerful hand, which like him being a vine or the heart of of the church. and the originator of divine faith which shows in the one whom produces true ffruit, while the one who does not produces fruit is cut off by the father and shown as being a false faith.
there are two types of people with two kinds of faith, one is a true saving faith which produces good works (fruit) and the false faith which for all intents is a dead faith
James R White states on this section;
(1) The passage then makes a firm statement: a faith that exists only in words (one that is "claimed") but has no evidence of its existence in actions (deeds) is a faith that cannot save. It is non-salvific. It lacks the ability to save. As such the question can profitably be asked, "Does it follow that a faith that exists both in word and in deed can, in fact, save?" The answer would seem to be yes, it can and does in James understanding of the gospel. It should be remembered, the Protestant doctrine of sola fide has never meant "faith in isolation" but instead "faith alone without the addition of human works of merit." James is not addressing such a concept of faith here: his assertion is that this kind of words-only, deedless faith simply cannot save.--- The God who justifies, page. 336 ---
Moving along, the faith and works are not seen as partners, but the latter is the demonstration of the former, so work verify the true faith in a person, a faith which is divine in origin.. this is how we know it is true because if it is granted of God, and it has its origin in him then it will produce evidence
James then brings in a hypothetical situation to demonstrate his point ... that it is a dead faith which could be human born. in his word "go in peace be warm and filled" .. is only one half of the whole to a christian living, it is the good speech, but if it is not met with the same in action then it is useless, you are speaking in one fashion but are demonstrating it consistently
showing that faith (due to it not produce work, deeds or actions to which it is demonstrated as a true saving faith) is a false faith that is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?
(vs 18 -20)
James starts the next portion with another hypothetical situation in his words "you have faith and i have works" a kind of stand off .... in ways of seeing a dead faith is not able to produce works to vindicate itself
so now we get the important point, that separates Paul's discussion of how one is justified before God in light of Christ work we are declared to be right and James' issue of how a Christan is shown to be true by his demonstration of faith before men via his good works
to get these issue mixed up is to say you do not know the different point, you can not say that we determine a context by its word, we determine the word use by the context.
James white states on verse 18, the following;
(2) James calls for a demonstration that is (1) personal, and (2) observable, in James 2 :18 this challenge is in the form of an argument. James knows his opponent can not demonstrate the existence of his faith without external, observable actions. it is an argument based on the impossibility of the fulfilment of the challenge. "show me" is the challenge: it is place squarely in the human realm..... therefore, it must involve external an external demonstration , not merely the claim of existence of an internal reality.--- Ibid, page 341----We know that this is the case that James is speaking of a demonstration before men via the words of his pen "show me your faith apart from works" this is a dead faith, then he says "and i will show you my faith by my works" a true saving faith, as Paul state in Ephesians 2 :8-10 .. by grace you are saved through faith (a divine action) not of yourself (not of any for seen act on mans part) ...... and what is the reason for being saved. unto works that are prepared beforehand, agreeing with James that works are the thing which flow from faith and are identifier and validation mark. it is not a mere belief in one God, even the devil and his demons are aware of this fact but that one God is at work in you to produce a life to which he has called you, note another point James and Paul agree on ..
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2 :12-13
while in the sight of others we may be doing these works out of our own stead, the reality is that God is the one working in and through us to achieve his own desire purpose.
Next, James make a comment which further back this exegesis and distinction, note his words "Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?" ... he is pushing the person into a corner
where there is no escape from the truth that the faith he boasts of is not a true saving faith, but one that is dead
James white again, states on vs 20;
(3) verse 20, then is an introduction to the illustrations that will follow, James offers evidence of his thesis deedless faith is not salvific. this verse follow inexorably on the heels of verse 14-19 in spirit and topic, so that the deedless faith of 2:20 is the same"said" or "spoken" faith of 2:14. this provides the overriding interpretive statement for the illustrations that follow :each, in James mind, proves the truth of his argument. faith that exists only in the realm of words (deedless faith) is useless--- Ibid, pages 334-345 ---
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?
You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;
and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. (vs 21-23)
James' first example is Abraham ... which is a further point on the card ..... while it is true that Paul uses Abraham twice for his teaching of justification by faith in Gods sight, here it is before men ...
specifically the 2 who were there, his son, and the young men in genesis 22 :4-6, and now to every single believer down through the ages..
here is the context of Genesis 22
When they arrived at the place that God had told him about, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” He replied, “Here I am.”Then He said, “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from Me.” Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught in the thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son. And Abraham named that place The Lord Will Provide,so today it is said: “It will be provided on the Lord’s mountain.”Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, “By Myself I have sworn,” this is the Lord’s declaration: “Because you have done this thing and have not withheld your only son, I will indeed bless you and make your offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your offspring will possess the gates of their enemies. And all the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring because you have obeyed My command.” -- vs' 9 -18
Here is the first example of person of great faith. and yes it is about faith, a true saving faith in God where resulted in the deed of offering his son, for one time time which is a last and true faith has previously resulted in another act. which is the act of circumcision.
we can know one thing about this God already knew Abraham's faith and had know where this would lead as the creator who knows it from beginning to the end, but man can not know a person faith and its truthfulness til' they are shown.
First, this reveal the fact man has to be regenerated unto a true divine saving faith that produces the works that are the identifier of truthfulness. Secondly, Abraham was the first person to reveal this as being the true manner of Gods work, he elects upon the basis of his will and not anything in man. Thirdly, this is the same connection that James White makes upon this text as a whole, that true faith is one that is active and produces works
(4) even God's own words point to this demonstration of faith in the act of obedience for surely what else could God mean when he says, "For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from Me" then that Abraham has given evidence of the faith he possessed decades earlier in genesis 15 :6. surely God knew the reality of the faith that is Abraham's when he declared him to be righteous. but it is the demonstration of that faith in Abraham that draws James attention and application.--- ibid, page 347----
Here James starts with an interesting statement; "You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;" .... this would put the nail in the coffin so to speak, on the subject of how a person is saved, he is saved by faith alone and that faith due to its origin will result in works as its demonstrative factor revealing it is true, a key in this is to understand that Abraham did not do the mighty work of the offering to be saved but he done it in order for us to know God had already saved him, and this was the result of his unseen faith
James R White makes the following observation;
(5) Ironically, James says "you see that" showing the demonstrative element he is pushing into the forefront. the verb is singular, addressed to the interlocutor of the proceeding verses. James wish for his listeners to see something from the example of Abraham's obedience to God in the offering of Isaac... Here the abnormality seen in the previous verse is not present: the harmony living faith and faithful deeds is summed up in the verb "συνήργει". this is something James desires the readers to see. the necessary definitional synergism that exists between a living faith and the deeds that flow therefrom. --- ibid, page 348 ---
And in the same light our works of righteousness are a sign of God having already secured us in Christ atonement (blood sacrifice) ... and faith that is divine ultimately produces fruit as its evidence.
You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
And in the same way was not also Rehab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. (vs 24-26)
Now lets deal with the next line .. "You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. " here is one verse which trips many people up . they will immediately go to the tail end "not by faith alone" and see your wrong and so is Paul and in doing this they have shown a great dishonour to the holy spirit who authored it, and the writers he was working through
For you have disconnected one little portion from the whole (eisegesis) here is an important point brought up by James R White;
(6) If the passage was found in a context that is soteriologically prescriptive (I.E HOW TO BE SAVED) it would be a direct, unquestionable contradiction of Paul's teachings. The similarity in the language immediately cause the careful interpreter to leap from the context and interpret it in light of Paul's theology. but if we can resist the temptation for a moment, the meaning is clear...... an alone faith can not demonstrate righteousness. in context the phrase πίστεως μόνον, "faith alone" refers back to the deedless faith for James has made it clear that living faith cannot, be separated from the deeds of faith. so when James says "not by faith alone," he is saying "not by that anomalous, abnormal, words-only claim of faith that I have already demonstrated to be dead, useless, and empty
---- ibid, page 351 ---
The correct way is to not that in front of other people, as James has consistently shown .. faith on its own is not good enough, you have to demonstrate it is a true saving faith via works which if it is true it will produce (key: in other peoples sight)
it is a different situation when it comes to how one is justified before God and the role faith plays in that situation ... for it is not by works of our own but by Christ works and Christ obedient life we are justified, it is a divine work of faith in Christ
And in the case of rehab ... the prostitute .. it was here divinely granted faith which lead to her works in this case hiding the spies in Joshua chapter 2
Before the men fell asleep, she went up on the roof and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and everyone who lives in the land is panicking because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings you completely destroyed across the Jordan. When we heard this, we lost heart, and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on earth below. Now please swear to me by the Lord that you will also show kindness to my family, because I showed kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father, mother, brothers, sisters, and all who belong to them, and save us from death.” The men answered her, “We will give our lives for yours. If you don’t report our mission, we will show kindness and faithfulness to you when the Lord gives us the land.” vs 8-14
Based on the above passage which demonstrates the same unique divinely granted faith which once was given to Abraham had now been granted of another non - Jew ,. this time a women little less favourable than usual, considering the traditional kind of response the one like her got from the apostles of our lord
consider it as an example of divine blessing in Luke 7 :36-50 these examples of women who had great faith deserve to be seen as the testimony of Gods love for sinners. more so for those who are looked down upon by the society
Finally, we have these words .. "for the body apart from the spirit is dead, just as faith apart from works is dead" the first part could refer to the whole thing, initially the fact that human body with out the God breathed soul / spirit is nothing but a shell or dead, or more specifically it could referring to Christ body the church who without the spirit would not exist,
just as faith that produces no sign of its existence via works is a dead faith, what is the logical inference made here .. the spirit is the one who illuminate the body, and divine faith illuminates the person and produces works
This point I believe James R White illustrates with great care for the verse;
(7) yet the positive aspect of this assertion must be recognised as wee. the body and spirit form a single unit-man. while distinguishable, they are not separable in the sense that result of such a separation is not properly called "a human being." as this is true, the same must be be said of faith and works. by definition, they are a single whole as we have seen in Paul. divine faith, the gift given to the elect, is a unitary whole in that the fiduciary element never exists separately from and to the exclusion of the changed nature of the one to whom it is given. saving faith, which by nature includes a life that results from that nature. --ibid, page 153 ---
This makes the whole point very clear James is not attack the faith which Paul is actually speaking, which is a true living faith, a divine action which results in works of righteousness Ephesians 2 :8-10 but is in fact, decrying a dead faith that has no proof of its existence, it is nothing more a name claim
conclusion
this exegesis has provided us with opportunity to consider the passage as a whole and to allow it to define its own ground. it has also provided us with strong evidence that James and Paul were, in fact, in line on the doctrine of justification by faith .. and we have seen that James is address how one demonstrates his faith with consistency on the matter of his daily living and deeds, which is not the point behind Paul's teaching on this. the error of how it becomes a battle lies not with the bible nor with the apostles who were led by the same spirit but in the persons understanding of the bible as whole
notes
1-7, the God who justifies, pages 329-354.
For a more fuller discussion on the topic of Justification i recommend this work, not just for this 24 page exegesis on James 2:14-26, but for a majorly documented and thorough examination of Justification by faith alone. the historic reformed doctrine that is one of the major point of the reformation.
