A Study of James 2:14-26
“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 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? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 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. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
(James 2:14-26)
This is James’ final argument that God-given faith is a living principle that is always followed by works. James is not arguing that one can look at a person’s works and conclude that the person has faith. He is arguing an absolute, a principle, a law, if you will, that faith works, and where no works exist, neither does faith. He is not addressing action. He is addressing understanding. As we consider the last verses in this chapter, we need to pay attention to the manner in which he sets forth his argument. Though in verse 18 he uses the first-person singular pronoun “I”, nowhere in this context does he point to himself or his works as proof that faith exists. In fact, the entire argument of this chapter is spoken in the third person. That is important because he is not seeking to prove he has faith, but rather that faith operates in a particular way. You will find this principle set forth throughout scripture. Writers never say look at me, for the simple reason that it smacks of self-righteousness and a lack of humility. Even when Paul pointed to himself as laboring more than others he prefaced and qualified those words with a double disclaimer (1st Corinthians 15:10). So, as we look at this final argument, do not look to yourselves to see if you meet the standard, rather consider that the subject is faith, and James would have you understand that where faith is, it is followed by works. In verse 14-17, James illuminates the principle that faith operates in mercy and love (Galatians 5:61). Again, he approaches the subject from a negative proof and on the basis of profession—“though a man say” (v. 14). He does not say “brethren, if you say” because the brethren are not the subject being addressed—faith is. These verses are a scenario about the general truth of what faith produces. Faith is followed by acts of mercy (James 2:13). The profit here is not that faith profits but that others profit where faith exists, otherwise faith does not exist, and no matter the profession of it, faith that does not help a brother in need is dead because true faith does not stand alone. It always works by love (1st John 3:16-18). Where mercy and love does not exist, neither does faith even though a man says he has it. The word “yea” that begins verse 18 means “moreover.” James is saying “for example.” This again is a scenario. He uses two men speaking to each other as an example. One says,“I have faith,” intimating his faith is sufficient though he has no works. The other says “I have works,” intimating his works are sufficient to show that he has faith. “Not so fast,” says James, “you can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works” (v. 18). Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove. Faith without works is nothing more that giving mental assent to historical truths. It is the same faith that devils possess, and in them, at least, produces fear (v. 19; Luke 4:3; Luke 4:41, Acts 19:15). In verse 20, James asks a question of the man who says he has faith without works. The question would read in today’s vernacular, “You who say that a person can have faith without works—Do you want proof that faith without works is dead?” His first example is Abraham’s faith. Again, remember that the subject is not Abraham, but rather Abraham’s faith as an example of faith being dead without works. “Was not Abraham our father justified by works?” We know that this does not speak of the justification of his person (Romans 4:22). This is also seen by the works that are revealed concerning Abraham. Abraham was accounted as righteous before Isaac was even born (Genesis 15:63). Abraham was a man of faith and that faith eventuated in works, namely obediently offering up his son. His faith was shown to be true faith because he obeyed the command to offer up his only son (v. 22).
Abraham offered up Isaac because he had faith, because he believed God (Herews 11:17-19). Abraham’s faith was justified by works, showing that faith without works is dead. Abraham was himself justified by faith (v. 23; Romans 4:5-8). So, we see this prime example of the truth that faith without works is dead. Abraham had faith and it was revealed in that he obeyed God. His works did not make him righteous; his faith did, but that faith was alive and real as exemplified by his works. If he had not willingly offered up Isaac, his faith would have been dead, standing alone (v. 24). The second example of faith without works being dead is the faith of Rahab. Rahab (her faith) was justified (shown to be true faith) when she took in the messengers. We conclude that Rahab had true faith because she acted upon faith (Hebrews 11:31). The final word is simple. It is a declaration of an absolute, a principle—a law (v. 26). A body that has no breath is dead. Faith that has no works is dead. This is not a test for you to begin to assess your faith by your works. This is merely a statement of fact concerning what is true faith. It is not a gauge to judge yourself or others; it is a description of true faith. Faith without works is dead, standing alone.
Related Verses
“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”
(1st Corinthians 15:10)
“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.”
(Galatians 5:6)
“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.”
(James 2:13)
“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”
(1st John 3:16-18)
“And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread…”
(Luke 4:3)
“And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.”
(Luke 4:41)
“And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?”
(Acts 19:15)
“For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.”
(Romans 4:2)
“And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
(Genesis 15:6)
“By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.”
(Hebrews 11:17-19)
“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.”
(Romans 4:5-8)
“By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.”
(Hebrews 11:31)
T. James
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