What are the main points of 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 the Bible say about James 2?
Bible Gateway James 2 :: NIV. My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Who is speaking in James 2?
James 2 is the second chapter of the Epistle of James in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The author identifies himself as "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ" and the epistle is traditionally attributed to James the brother of Jesus, written in Jerusalem between 48 and 61 CE.
What does the book of James teach 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.
Can we be 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). Grace Alone. Faith Alone. Grace alone means that God loves, forgives, and saves us not because of who we are or what we do, but because of the work of Christ.
What does Paul mean by justification by faith alone?
His righteousness becomes theirs, and his death becomes an offering to God in their place, to pay for all of their sins. According to Protestants this justification is by faith alone – not through good deeds – and is a gift from God through Christ.
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.
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 does the book of James say about faith?
True faith means our hearts have been changed, and a changed heart is demonstrated through action. Faith with no demonstrable action is no real faith at all. It's dead, James tells us, like a body without a spirit.
What is the spiritual meaning of James?
In fact, the name James means the same exact thing as Jacob—“supplanter” or substitute—and comes from the original Hebrew word for Jacob. Because of its connection to Jacob, James is a Biblical name (two of Jesus' apostles were named James).
How is the book of James a practical book?
The Epistle of James is the most practical book of the Bible. Every word in the epistle is directly relevant to contemporary living, offering lessons about life drawn from life—topics such as riches and poverty, speech and anger, faith and works, patience and hope.
What does James teach about wisdom?
James agrees that wisdom is not from our own efforts but is a gift from God (d. 1Cor 1:26--2:16; Phil 3:15). God gives wisdom" generously" (hap/os, a word found only here in the New Testament). The word means he gives straightforwardly, that is, with no strings attached.
What does James chapter 1 talk about?
Chapter 1 discusses several evidences of true faith (joy, patience, endurance, etc.). In the second chapter of this epistle James introduces the importance of “good works” as evidence of true faith as well. Let’s take a look at James 2 but before we do, keep in mind that this letter is addressed to fellow believers – specifically ...
What does James say in the closing verses?
In the closing verses James drives his point home by giving some examples of Old Testament people who “proved” their faith by works. He uses a great play on words in the ending verse “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also”.
What does the Household of Faith say about partiality?
The Household of Faith Shows no Partiality (vs. 1-9) In the opening verses to chapter 2 James appears to be admonishing the body of Christ to stop showing partiality based upon social status: (James 2:1-9) My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly ...
Does James contradict Paul?
Some might say that James totally contradicts what Paul teaches about faith and works. However when you study this in context with the closing verses it becomes very clear that the teachings of James and Paul are in total harmony, as they both teach that faith comes first and then works show evidence of faith.
Is the faith of a person between them and God?
It is true that the faith of a person is between them and God. That is to say that no one really knows if a person is truly a Christian but God and the believer. However, true Christianity produces fruit and that fruit is always to the glory of God. Question 6: James talks about showing his faith by works.
What are the teaching points of James?
Teaching Points. 1. James points out how illogical it is to strive so hard to please to the rich people while neglecting the poor. The poor were often the ones who were saved by God and belonged to God’s family while the rich often mistreated believers and mocked their faith.
What is a small group study of James?
These small group studies of James contain outlines, cross-references, Bible study discussion questions, and applications. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.
What does the Bible say about bribes?
Deuteronomy 16:19 – Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent. Galatians 5:1 – It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
What does Isaiah say about justice?
Isaiah 1:17 – Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. Matthew 9:10-13 – While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.
Where in the Bible does it say there is no Jew or Gentile?
Galatians 3:28 – There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 1 Samuel 16:7 – But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at.
Who did the Catholic Church look down on in the Middle Ages?
They looked down on women, Samarians, tax collectors, the uneducated, and all outsiders, basically everyone but a Jew, educated, male actively practicing Judaism. In the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church launched over ten crusades, most for the sole purpose of killing the heathen.
How honorably does James speak of Jesus Christ?
How honorably James speaks of Jesus Christ; he calls him the Lord of glory; for he is the brightness of his Father’s glory, and the express image of his person. 3. Christ’s being the Lord of glory should teach us not to respect Christians for any thing so much as their relation and conformity to Christ.
What does Mt 11:5 mean?
Mt. 11:5 , The poor are evangelized .’’. God designed to recommend his holy religion to men’s esteem and affection, not by the external advantages of gaiety and pomp, but by its intrinsic worth and excellency; and therefore chose the poor of this world.
What chapter does Matthew Henry write in the Bible?
Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete) /. James /. James 2. James 1. James 3. Chapter 2 In this chapter the apostle condemns a sinful regarding of the rich, and despising the poor, which he imputes to partiality and injustice, and shows it to be an acting contrary to God, who has chosen the poor, ...
What does mock faith mean?
Those who argue thus wrong God, and put a cheat upon their own souls; a mock-faith is as hateful as mock-charity, and both show a heart dead to all real godliness. You may as soon take pleasure in a dead body, void of soul, or sense, or action, as God take pleasure in a dead faith, where there are no works.3.
What will be passed upon impenitent sinners at last?
The doom which will be passed upon impenitent sinners at last will be judgment without mercy; there will be no mixtures or allays in the cup of wrath and of trembling, the dregs of which they must drink. (2.) Such as show no mercy now shall find no mercy in the great day. But we may note, on the other hand, (3.)
What does Maimonides say about the poor?
Manton) "That is was expressly provided by the Jews’ constitutions that, when a poor man and a rich plead together, the rich shall not be bidden to sit down and the poor stand, or sit in a worse place, but both sit or both stand alike.’’.
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 .
What was the unity and openness of the early church?
The unity and openness of the early church was an astonishment to the ancient world. But this unity didn't come automatically. As this command from James shows, the apostles had to teach the early church to never hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ … with partiality . 2.
What is the fallacy of faith without works?
The fallacy of faith without works is demonstrated by the demons, who have a "dead" faith in God. The demons believe in the sense that they acknowledge that God exists. But this "faith" does nothing for the demons, because it isn't real faith, proved by the fact that it doesn't have works with it. 4.
What does "faith only that will not justify a man" mean?
c. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only: The faith only that will not justify a man is a faith that is without works, a dead faith. But true faith, living faith, shown to be true by good works, will alone justify. i.
Why are they chosen?
They are chosen … heirs of the kingdom, because Jesus said that being rich made it harder to enter into the kingdom of heaven ( Matthew 19:24 ). b. Has not God chosen: In the sense that the poor more readily respond to God in faith, having fewer obstacles to the kingdom, we can see how God has chosen the poor.
Does James contradict Paul?
c. James does not contradict Paul, who insisted that we are saved not of works ( Ephesians 2:9 ). James merely clarifies for us the kind of faith that saves. We are saved by grace through faith, not by works; but saving faith will have works that accompany it.
Is the faith of Jesus Christ partial?
The glorious faith we have, the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, should never be associated with partiality (discrimination). The Lord of glory Himself shows no partiality ( Deuteronomy 10:17, Acts 10:34 ), so neither should those who put their trust in Him. b.
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.
What are some examples of Abraham and Rahab?
II. The examples of Abraham and Rahab (21-26) 1 Does verse 21 contradict with the rest of the teachings in the Bible of justification by faith alone? 2 Is this passage teaching faith by works? 3 Then how can we reconcile the Scriptural teaching of justification by faith with this passage? 4 What is James’ main point in this passage? 5 Which came first, Rahab’s faith or works? 6 How do we know she had faith? 7 Would her belief in the God of the Hebrews saved her if she didn’t act on it?
What is Paul's justification?
Paul was setting forth the doctrines of Christian faith. Doctrinely speaking, justification is by faith alone. James is setting forth the principles of daily living. In daily living, our salvation, which is by faith alone, is borne out by our good deeds.
How was Abraham's faith proven?
Abraham’s faith was proven through his works (21-24) – In verses 21-24, James uses another case study to prove his point, this time focusing on Abraham. Interestingly, this is the very example used by Paul in Romans to teach the principle of justification by faith (Romans 4).
What is the illustration in the Bible that shows that faith without works is dead?
The example is this. A person in need comes to you for help. With smooth words you bless the person and wish them well, sending them on their way.
What does Ephesians 2:8-10 mean?
Ephesians 2:8-10 – For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith— and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Why does James say we stumble in many things?
James notes that we all stumble in many things (3:2). He notes that our stumbling occurs because we are enticed through the bait of human desire (1:14). But he tells us that if we receive and do the word of God, it is able to save our souls (1:21).
How many times does James use the word "Lord" in the Bible?
To James, the readers were brothers, a term he uses 19 times in the book. The word “Lord” occurs 15 times in the book. In many ways the book is an exposition on the Sermon on the Mount of Christ found in Matthew 5-7. Compare the following: The themes developed in the book are all set forth in the first chapter.
Who is the brother of John?
There are four possibilities from the New Testament. There is James the brother of John, the son of Zebedee, an apostle, James the son of Alphaeus (Mark 3:18), James the father of Judas (not Iscariot — Luke 6:16) and James the half brother of the Lord (Galatians 1:19).
Is James the apostle a candidate for the Epistle?
The author does not identify himself as an apostle and James the apostle died early in the history of the church (Acts 12:2) therefore he is not a likely candidate. The second and third James are too little known to have the authority to give such an epistle.
The Household of Faith Shows No Partiality
The Law Or Faith?
- Verse 10 of James 2 is one of the most popular verses that people cite when considering how difficult it is to keep the law. To understand this more we need to remember the purpose of the law. The law is there to show us our need for a Saviour so that we may be justified by faith. Once we are saved by grace through faith, we are no longer under the...
Works as Evidence of Faith
- This section of Scripture is one that many misunderstand and even misinterpret. Some might say that James totally contradicts what Paul teaches about faith and works. However when you study this in context with the closing verses it becomes very clear that the teachings of James and Paul are in total harmony, as they both teach that faith comes first and then works show evidence of …
Faith Produces Good Works
- As we saw in the previous passage anyone can have faith, but faith without works is dead. We need faith to believe and please God (Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 11:6) but faith also produces fruit (Galatians 5:22-25) and the things that we do as a believer should show evidence of that fruit in our life. It is that fruit (works) that continually add to our faith, growing it. When we quench the H…