James 2:14-26

Bible Study at Gospel Light Christian Church, Singapore
by Pastor Dr Paul Choo

v. 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? - The previous two verses spoke of salvation by faith - and just in case any had the wrong idea that one could be saved by faith and then continue in pursuing sin, James teaches what true saving faith is, namely, it is a faith that produces Christlike works. The hypocrite mentioned in this verse does not have true faith, but 'says he hath faith". We must have true faith because "what doth it profit" to have a false faith. True faith is evidenced by "works" because the Holy Spirit moulds a believer into Christlikeness so that "he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Since man is so prone to claim to have faith, we must be careful to examine it for evidence of Spirit-generated works.

The phrase "can faith save him" - should have been translated "can that faith save him?", I e, can that so-called faith which this hypocrite claims to have save him?

v. 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food - James illustrates false faith using the example of false charity (which like false faith is a virtue commonly claimed by religious hypocrites). This verse describes a fellow Christian who is really in desperate need of charity - lacking even necessary clothing and food.

v. 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled - notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? - The religious hypocrite, instead of giving (or sharing his) food and clothing, merely says "Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled" and does not provide help. It is not wrong to say these words of charity, so long as they are accompanied by works of charity. But if a man says these words to give the impression that he is a charitable man, but does not follow it up with charitable works - then, in spite of his claim of charity, it is obvious that he is not charitable. This empty claim "doth not profit" either the destitute man who remains hungry, or the hypocrite who will be identified as a hypocrite.

v. 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone - James calls this false faith 'faith" since the hypocrite claims it to be so. But he describes it as "dead faith" - since it does not have the works that accompany faith. It is likened to a dead man (v.26) or a dummy of a human, which appears to be a man but does not breathe nor move. This corpse or dummy is "alone", ie, without accompanying evidence of fife. Though we are saved by faith alone, we are not saved by faith which is alone!

v. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will skew thee my faith by my works - This verse is not comparing the virtue of faith against works for salvation (as many are mislead to believe), but rather it is comparing a true believer who has faith that works, and a hypocrite who professes to have faith but is void of works. In other words, there is no dispute that it is faith alone that saves a man, but the question is what kind of faith saves? In this verse, the true believer challenging the hypocrite to prove his faith. Jesus often challenged his hearers to check whether they were hypocrites (Matthew 7:24-27, 25:1-13 etc). Works are not the basis of our faith, but the evidence of it.

v. 19 Thou believest that there is one God, thou doest well.- the devils also believe, and tremble - There is a mental assent or knowledge and belief in God which is not true saving faith. The devils have seen the power of God and believe in His existence and power so much so that they tremble at the thought of God. All mankind believes in the existence of God (whether they will admit it or not) "because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made" (Romans 1: 19,20). But this mental awareness of God can be differentiated from saving faith in that it does not produce Christlike works, but rather a slavish fear of God that avoids Him instead of glorifying Him (by works). James acknowledges that this mental assent of God is a good first step in knowing Him (ie, "thou doest well") - but it is of no value unless it progresses to saving faith in Christ.

v.20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? - James does not mince his words with the hypocrite - "But wilt thou know, O vain (empty vesseled) man". Hypocrites have been so busy deceiving others that they usually end up deceiving themselves, and therefore have to shaken out of their self-delusion. Notice, James says faith without works is dead, and not "faith is dead without works", because the foundation of faith is not works but the Holy Spirit. Similarly, it is right to say that "a man without motion is dead", but not "a man is dead without motion" (because this implies that his motion is the cause of him having life!).

v.21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? - Abraham is chosen as an example because he was revered by the Jews to whom this epistle was particularly addressed, and because he was the 'father of faith to us all" (Romans 4:16). There appears to be a contradiction between what Paul writes of Abraham (eg. "For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God"', Romans 4:2) and what James writes of him - though there is no contradiction at all if we realise that Paul was describing Abraham's justification before God, while James was describing Abraham's justification before men. How would we ever know of Abraham's faith (which was in his heart) unless it was 'justified by works". Even Abraham could not be so sure that his faith was genuine unless it was evidenced to himself by this act of supernatural faith of offering up Isaac his son.

v.22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? Romanists teach this verse to mean that faith alone is insufficient for salvation, but it must be accompanied with works. Christians believe it is solely faith ("sola fide") that saves ("therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law", Romans 3:28; "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the 1aw: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified, Galatians 2:16). Romanists teach that Paul was referring to the first justification of how a sinner is made just, and James was referring to the second justification of how the sinner is made more just by works. They mix up justification with sanctification.

Paul teaches how we are justified, while James teaches us how to distinguish between true justification from false.

Though "by works faith is made perfect" before self and others, in that it evidenceth itself before men. Before works faith was "imperfect" before men - because it still not evident. Remember, that this whole passage is about "justifying" our faith to men. Works also make our faith perfect because as we work our faith is strengthened - because we see God helping us in our work.

v. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God - Abraham was justified before God (in Genesis 15:6) thirty years before his faith was justified before men when he offered Isaac (in Genesis 22). It was only after Abraham justified his faith before men that the "scripture was fulfilled" regarding Abraham's faith - before both God and men.

v.25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? - Since Abraham was strong in faith, man might argue that only those who are strong in faith will have works. Therefore, Rahab is chosen because she was weak in faith - yet her faith was one that worked (see Joshua 2). Even an infant breathes. It was said of the newly converted Paul: "he prayeth" (Acts 9:11).