James - Chapter 2, Part 2
JAMES 2:14-26
SAVING FAITH IS REVEALED IN WORKS
These 13 verses have long been discussed as scriptural contradiction between Paul and James. After our study and discussion I think we will conclude that the contradiction is a surface thought which when deeper views are seen, will be seen not to be a contradiction at all. We know that all scripture is for reproof & wisdom and that scripture does not contradict itself. God’s word is pure and complete. It is always our understanding, which can be incomplete.
The issue is salvation by Grace alone, freely gifted by God, and not of works by any man. We are aware that no man may save himself by doing good works as the best we can do here is described as “filthy rags”. The question through the ages seems to have been, “Are we saved by faith and justified in the same way or are we saved and then justified by faith with works?”
The key for Paul is how one gains right standing before God while for James it is how one demonstrates this right standing. Paul’s focus is inward, reflecting on the inner spirit of the one who is saved while the focus of James is outward. Paul writes about how one begins the Christian life while James writes about how one lives the Christian life.
We might properly say that the issue for Paul is Justification while the issue for James is closer to sanctification. If these two men were with us today it is sure that both would say that Christ saves men and women through faith for works, NOT THROUGH FAITH AND WORKS.
2:14
James begins a new section by the use of his phrase “my brethren”. Based upon what James had said earlier in 12 & 13, the implied answer to his question of faith saving a man is NO. The deeper connection is that the man described previously is not merciful toward others yet the hope is that he will change and mercy will rejoice against judgment. Simple belief but no action does not reflect the wisdom we are to ask of God. (1:5).
2:15
Now we are presented a specific and perhaps hypothetical case. If a brother or sister (in our assembly) is in need of clothing or daily food what should we do?
2:16
The teaching is that while it seems that one has the resources to help the needy one but rather than helping decides to send the needy one away with only words “… be ye warmed and filled…” but giving them nothing which will meet the needs. Here we find ourselves in the middle of the earlier teaching of James concerning hearing AND doing.
James asks the powerful question at the end of this verse that cannot be escaped, “… what doth it profit?” What has been gained by this neglect?
2:17
This concluding question is not original to James.
John the Baptist taught it in Luke 3:8. Paul taught it in Romans 2:6 & 14:12 & 1st Cor 3:8 & 2nd Cor 5:10. Jesus himself taught it in Matt 5:16 & Matt 7:15-21.
James is saying that if one acts in this manner, his faith is a sham and is not real. It is a make believe faith and he is playing at being a Christian.
(Rom 14:12 “So then every one of us shall give an account of himself to God”.)
2:18
James here makes the strong case to one who may say “you have faith; I have deeds”. James argues that faith is invisible without deeds. If faith does not make itself known in one’s lifestyle then it does not exist. Deeds are only a demonstration of inner faith. James disagrees that faith and deeds are unconnected. It is not a matter of either/or. It is both/and. We will see this again in verse 22.
2:19
James presses his argument onward in a most direct way. Remember that James was a strong Jew before he truly believed in Jesus. He refers now to what Jews call the Shema, a teaching of Deut 6:4-5:
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one…”.
After introducing this sacred scripture, James now powers home his point that even the demons believe this teaching. He also says that they tremble because they know that God is all-powerful and that their rebellion against Him was and always will be a defeat. Belief in one god does not automatically lead to godly action. One god faith is not necessarily proof of an obedient life and proven by the demons.
2:20
Now James uses harsh language toward the man who lacks complete faith (hearing + doing) by calling him a vain man. James is saying that this type of man is a fool and is empty of true and complete faith. Such language was not uncommon in the time of the apostles as even Jesus himself spoke in this manner in Matt 23:17:
“Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?”
2:21-25
James uses now specific examples to prove his point. He teaches that faith is demonstrated by concrete action. Here again, one who only hears the word, but does not do the word is incomplete and his faith is useless.
Without faith, Abraham would have never considered sacrificing his son. He was in perfect obedience as he sought to carry forward the awful command given by God and he had the knife raised over his son of promise when the Lord stopped the act.
Without faith would Rahab have defied her own king to provide help to the Hebrew spies?
Here is the heart of the argument by James. Faith and deeds work together in the life of one who is a true believer in Christ. James uses the word justified in the sense that God will declare someone righteous only if his faith is such that the person acts upon it and produces the required result, which is obedient action. Faith is brought into maturity by this process inside the heart of the believer.
2:26
James concludes with his most poetic verse. Just as our mortal body when dead no longer contains the spirit, so faith when found to be without works is dead as well.
CONCLUSION ON JAMES 2 (FAITH & WORKS)
Justification (right standing before God) is by faith alone but it is not by a faith that IS alone. We are not saved by a profession of faith but by the possession of faith within our heart.
When faith is truly present in our heart, it necessarily and surely bears fruit as good works for His kingdom here. These works we do as fruit of faith cannot merit us a right standing before God. All are unworthy no matter how many works are done if they are done without faith. However, if they are not present, and we are still living, neither is justifying faith. The lesson of James is that these works are faith’s demonstration.
There is no contradiction between Paul & James. Both faith and works are present in a Christian who seeks to find and do the will of God. When we are welcomed into the presence of the Lord with the words we all wish to hear, “WELL DONE MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT”, we can recall that it is in the service of the Lord we obtain our WELL DONE!
Reflections on 2:14-26:
What kind of faith does James condemn? (V14)
How does his illustration prove his point? (V15-16)
How does he summarize the argument? (V17)
What is the objection that responds? (V18)
What is the answer of James? (V18)
What is the lesson in Abraham’s experience? (V22-23)
What is the point of this example? (V24)
Do we understand the teaching in chapter 2 of faith vs. works?
