Commentary on James 2:14-26 (Read James 2:14-26) Those are wrong who put a mere notional belief of the gospel for the whole of evangelical religion, as many now do.
Full Answer
What is the message in James 2?
James 2 continues the theme of maturity presented at the beginning of the book. When James opens his letter, he challenges his readers to view trials as opportunities to grow rather than obstacles to lament. He asserts that every trial we overcome helps us mature as Christians.
What does James teach about faith and works?
(JAMES 1:2 -11; 2:14- 26) That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Teaching about faith and works, James said it does not profit a man if he said he has faith but lacks works because his faith can never save him.
What does God mean when he says I am the true vine?
The True Vine (Greek: ἡ ἄμπελος ἡ ἀληθινή hē ampelos hē alēthinē) is an allegory or parable given by Jesus in the New Testament. Found in John 15:1–17, it describes Jesus' disciples as branches of himself, who is described as the "true vine", and God the Father the "husbandman".
Who is James talking to in James 2?
James referred to Abraham and Rahab as two examples of people whose faith in Jesus Christ was made manifest by their works. James explained that Abraham and Rahab were “justified by works.” To be justified means “to be pardoned from punishment for sin and declared guiltless.
How do you put your faith into action?
Ten Practical Ways to Put Your Faith into ActionReceive the Sacraments. ... Limit your TV time. ... Pray for someone who has wronged you. ... Don't gossip, and stand up for someone. ... Donate used clothes, toys, kitchen items, canned food, whatever to charity, and do so with a heart for Christ. ... Read the Bible.More items...•
What the book of James teaches us?
The main theme of the book of James is receiving wisdom from God's Word. Wisdom from God results in a life that bears fruit. Wisdom from God's Word that affects every area of life and results in a life the is fruitful and thrives even in the face of trials.
What does the vine symbolize?
The wrapping and winding nature of the vine tattoo represents strength, progress, partnership, endurance, promise, survival and friendship. The vine was also viewed as being a sacred symbol in the Christian religion. Vines that bear fruit symbolize bounty and big harvests.
How do we stay connected to the vine?
1:345:08Remain Connected To The Vine - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd die i think what the lord is teaching us there is that we have to stay connected to we have toMoreAnd die i think what the lord is teaching us there is that we have to stay connected to we have to stay linked to the vine that is jesus.
What is the purpose of the vine?
The vine and branches contain the same essence, the same life. There is one plant, not a two-fold distinction. The function of the vine is to pump life to the branches and the function of the branch is to produce the fruit of the vine.
Are we saved by faith alone?
God's Word says that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus and not by our own efforts or works (Ephesians 2:8-9).
How would you describe the difference between belief and faith?
Nelson's Bible Dictionary defines faith as a belief in or confident attitude toward God, involving commitment to his will for one's life. Nelson also says belief is to place one's trust in God's truth. A person who believes is one who takes God at his word and trusts in him for salvation.
Why is the book of James relevant today?
The relevance of the book of James is found in its call for ethical living based on the Christian gos- pel. It is true that James emphasizes the ethical obligations rather than the theological basis of the Christian faith. He is not indifferent to theology; he assumes it.
What are the key words in James 2:14-26?
To correctly understand James 2:14-26, you must have accurately defined the words “save,” “dead,” “justify” and “perfect.” We will define these as we go through the text.
What does James 2:26 mean?
James 2:26. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Just as the spirit energizes and makes the body useful, so works energizes faith and makes faith productive and profitable.
What is the book of James called?
Martin Luther, for example, that great reformer who battled the Catholic church over the issue of how to receive eternal life, called the book of James, “a right strawy epistle” meaning that there was nothing in it but wood, hay and stubble.
Is James 2 justified by faith alone?
We have said that we are justified by faith alone, but James 2 clearly says that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone. This passage has caused so much confusion and controversy over the years, that some have even tried to remove it from Scripture.
What is the theme of James' epistle?
A major theme of James epistle is Christianity practically lived out in everyday life. In chapter one, he showed that trials test true faith. Perseverance in trials is an indicator that a person’s faith is real and that they are truly saved. Thus, response to trials is test number one. Test number two is works.
What does the Bible say about being justified?
Romans 3:28 – For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Romans 5:1 – Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. James 2:24 – You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Is James' book "The Mind is Most Important" practical?
Others have have said the mind is most important and physical actions aren’t. Therefore just believe and you will be OK. It’s a fundamental issue and one that James covers in detail here. Keep in mind that James is a practical book so it is natural he will emphasize the practical side.
Does James believe in salvation?
James himself acknowledges that salvation is a gift from God in James 1:17-18 and quotes Genesis 15:6, which says that “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.”. So it is clear that James does not believe in salvation by works and this passage as part of Scripture cannot be teaching that.
What does James say about faith without works?
James begins with a searching rhetorical question, clearly demanding a "no" answer. Faith without works cannot save a man. Therefore, right at the outset James raises the possibility that a man who claims to have faith may not be saved.
What is James' reply to the man whose life is devoid of works?
James’s reply, addressing the man whose life is devoid of works, is to challenge his claim to possess faith. Prove it, James says. The only way is to begin acting like a Christian. James continues by denying that he has works only. Far from it. He also has the only kind of real faith—a living faith manifest in works.
Why is James saying that no man is saved?
Even the devil and his angels, the demons, do not doubt God’s existence. Yet they are not saved. No man is saved just because he knows there is a God in heaven.
What does James say about the rich brother?
The reader might protest that the rich brother was simply a hypocrite, mouthing words he did not believe . The reader might say, "That’s not me. My faith is not dead. I really believe in God and in God’s Word." Therefore, James continues by showing that a purely intellectual belief in God has no value. Even the devil and his angels, the demons, do not doubt God’s existence. Yet they are not saved. No man is saved just because he knows there is a God in heaven. A man whose belief is limited to intellectual assent may be entirely honest in his belief. But his belief is not saving faith.
What does verse 14 mean in the Bible?
We may observe that verse 14 begins with supposing the case of a mere lip ‘faith,’ while verse 17 widens its conclusion to include not only that, but any ‘faith,’ however real, which does not lead to works.
How does James combat the above delusion?
In combating the above delusion, James adopts his characteristic mode of first stating in clear and well-defined language the fundamental thought on which all the rest depends, and he does so by the introduction of brief interrogative sentences which reject that false opinion.
What was St James's belief in faith?
The summary of his remarks is fairly this:—According to St. James, Faith was moral conviction, trust, and truth; and yet such a theoretical belief only that it might be held by devils.
Who urged the need of works as evidences of faith?
Paul urged as strongly as James the need of works as evidences of faith, especially in the later Epistles, when many were abusing the doctrine of faith (Tit 2:14; 3:8). "Believing and doing are blood relatives" [Rutherford].
Was James a metaphysicist?
James was no metaphysician, and he does not stop to put precisely what he means by’ faith.’. Clearly he meant by it the full evangelical meaning of trust when he used it in the earlier part of the letter {Jam 1:3; Jam 1:6; Jam 2:1-5}.
What is the significance of James in the New Testament?
This means that the earliest Christians considered Jesus to be God, and said so in strong, unmistakable words. b.
What does James mean by the word "Jesus Christ"?
James used strong words to refer to Jesus Christ: The Lord of glory. Moffatt comments: “The Christian religion [is here called] more explicitly belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the divine Glory – a striking term for Christ as the full manifestation of the divine presence and majesty.
What does it mean when the Lord does not see as man sees?
God looks at the heart, and so should we. ii. To show partiality shows that we misunderstand who is important and blessed in the sight of God.
Why is James calling a synagogue a synagogue?
The fact that James calls a Christian meeting place a synagogue shows that he wrote before Gentiles were widely received into the church. At the time James wrote, most all Christians came from a Jewish heritage. This is the only place in the New Testament where an assembly of Christians is clearly called a synagogue.
Context of James 2
James 2:14-26 in Detail
The Profitable Christian Life
Caring For Our Christian Brethren
The Objection to James
The Response of James to The Objection
- This passage hinges on correctly understanding four key terms. Correctly defining terms is the key to understanding the grammatical context of any passage. To correctly understand James 2:14-26, you must have accurately defined the words “save,” “dead,” “justify” and “perfect.” We will define these as we go through the text.
Conclusion
- James begins in James 2:14 by asking two questions. First, James 2:14. What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? So right from the start, the issue is not eternal life, but profit. The question is, “What is profitable? What is beneficial? What will help most in your Christian life? Faith or works?” And then we come to the second question: Can fait…
The Basic Issue
- Now, James is a very practical pastor, and so he sets out to illustrate and apply this for his readers in James 2:15-16. James 2:15-16. If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? James says, “Look, one of yo…
Verse 14
- Now the problem here is what exactly the objector says. There is much disagreement here on how far we should take the objector’s quotes. And I’ll tell you right now, you cannot tell just by looking at the quotation marks in your Bible. You see, Greek does not have punctuation like we do. They do not have quotation marks. When we want to show what a person says, we bracket it with quo…
Verse 15
- But let us get to the rebuttal of James in James 2:20. James 2:20. But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? James begins his rebuttal by repeating what he said in verse 17. He said there that faith without works is dead. Works empowers and energizes faith. Works make faith profitable. James says, “So, you don’t believe that there is a connection betwe…
Verse 16
- What place do works have in the life of the Christian? They don’t get us eternal life. They don’t help us keep eternal life. They don’t prove we have eternal life. But they do make our faith profitable for that day when we stand before the Bema seat, and they do help us have better fellowship with other Christians and they do help our faith mature and grow as God wants it to. Can a person bel…
Verse 17
- In the closing portion of chapter two, James continues with his attack on empty religion. As throughout his epistle, he is firm and uncompromising in his estimate of any nominal believer whose life is devoid of good works. He says bluntly, "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" (v. 20). To comprehend the full force of t...
Verse 18
- James begins with a searching rhetorical question, clearly demanding a "no" answer. Faith without works cannot save a man. Therefore, right at the outset James raises the possibility that a man who claims to have faith may not be saved.
Verse 19
- He then shows a kind of faith that is unprofitable. He imagines a scene where two believers meet. One is a brother or sister living in a poverty so severe that he lacks basic necessities. He is "naked," a term that might describe someone wearing only an undergarment, or having only rags to cover an undergarment. The poor brother is also hungry. The phrase "destitute of daily food" …
Verse 20
- The rich brother is full of pompous compassion, effusive in showing concern, but heartless in withholding assistance. In a charade of Christian piety, he intones a blessing on his brother, wishing him peace when he really needs food, and commanding him to depart when he really needs to stay and receive help. And the rich brother covers up his callousness with a sweet voic…
Verse 21
- Even worse, his faith is dead. The Greek word rendered "dead" means nothing else but dead. If the man has no living faith, then he has no faith at all. Therefore, he is not saved, for faith is the prerequisite for salvation.
Verse 22
- Now James considers an objection. Someone says, "Thou hast faith, and I have works." To interpret this correctly, we must understand that in James’s mind, the objector is a third party seeking to mediate between James and the person who lacks works although he professes faith (v. 14); also, that James treats the works-deficient person as one of his readers. He is "one of yo…