James 2:14-26
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A hypothetical question!
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?
What is your first response to this question?
Why is this question essential that we answer?
15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
What do you think James means by declaring this faith as dead?
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
How does this verse add clarity about this subject?
19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?
How do demons demonstrate the uselessness of faith without works?
Examples of Faith:
Abraham
21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
What was it that resulted in Abraham being “credited” with righteousness?
The verse quoted in vs. 23 is from Genesis 15:6 and is 7 chapters before the account of the sacrifice of Issac. How does this help us understand the relationship between faith and works?
3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them.
How does Paul’s view of Abraham’s faith differ with James?
How is it the same?
Rahab
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?
How could a prostitute be considered righteous?
In what ways is Rahab similar to Abraham?
26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
How would you explain this comparison?
Why do you think James considers faith without deeds as being dead?
