Faith and Works

2:14-17 The Unity of Faith and Works

2:14 (Thesis)

This is the thesis for the passage of . What comes after in the following verses is given to prove and explain this point.

This passage can be divided up into four parts based on the repetition of the central thesis that James gives here.

This verse clarifies and provides context for the verses following.

First, there is a contrast between “says he has” and “does not have” that shows the inseparability of true saving faith from works in the mind of James.

Contrasts and Comparisons in the Bible heighten the connection between two ideas.

As will be shown true saving faith cannot be distinguished from works because true saving faith cannot help but produce good works.

Second, the type of faith being discussed is clarified to be referring to salvation. This is shown when James poses the question, “Can that faith save him?”

James begins and ends this section with the question, “what good is it?” This is intended to be answered rhetorically by the reader with the understanding that faith apart from works is no good.

2:15-16 (Example of the Unity of Faith and Works)

These verses provide an applicable illustration to the readers of James. Just as words that are not followed by action are meaningless, so James says is faith that is not resulting in works.

Thus, we can see that in James’ mind, faith and works are inseparable. If you have true faith you also naturally, as you grow in your faith, produce works.

These two verses form a strong connection with 2:14 and further establishes the connectedness of profession and action to confirm it.

This is seen in the contrast between “says to them” and “without giving them”.

This is to be compared with the contrast between “says he has” and “does not have” in 2:14.

2:17 (Restatement of Thesis Highlighting the Meaninglessness of Faith Without Works)

James ties the thesis and illustration together into one assertion of the interconnectedness of true saving faith and good works.

This is seen by the use of “so also” at the beginning of 2:17.

James clarifies that faith by itself is not dead. Faith if it does not result in works is dead.

The parenthetical phrase serves to clarify the statement.

The parenthetical phrase also serves to further prove that faith by itself inherently includes good works. There cannot be one without the other.

2:18-20 The Uselessness and Meaninglessness of Faith Apart from Works

2:18 (First Example Showing that Works Provide Evidence of True Faith)

The imaginary antagonist in his argument draws a distinction between faith and works that James rebuts.

The fact that this is a false distinction is made clear by the fact that James says he will show his faith by his works.

The use of the word “show” indicates that we are talking about evidencing our faith outwardly.

The use of the word “by” clearly shows that works are evidence of true saving faith.

2:19 (Second Example Showing the Difference Between Head Knowledge and Heart Knowledge)

The demons believe in God and even Christ’s atoning sacrifice. However, it is not saving faith because they refuse to submit to God and obey Him

The demons know that God exists and even recognize Christ’s atoning sacrifice.

This is not true saving faith because they refuse to submit to God and obey Him.

Serving God in humble submission out of love for Him is performing good works.

This is a natural product of a true Christian’s faith.

There is a difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge.

Head knowledge acknowledges what is true. However, it does not lead to a personal relationship with God, submission, or works.

Heart knowledge, which is true faith, is active in its demonstration of its devotion to God.

It changes a person’s life and shifts what an individual is trusting in.

It stems from a personal relationship based on humble submission and love.

It cannot help but act upon its new position in Christ and its new understanding.

Thus, it cannot help but produce good works.

These are the actions of a living and active faith, not one that is dead. Dead faith is simply head knowledge that does not result in change.

A man thoroughly believes that if he takes a certain mixture, prescribed for him by good medical authority, he will be recovered from his disease; but he gets no better; because, though he believed in the mixture, he did not take it. Can faith save him? Yet this is the very thing which people want to do with religion!

Fine geographical knowledge will never make a traveller. An exact knowledge of the chemical properties of water will never make a swimmer. You must bring your faith to a practical application.

2:20 (Restatement of Thesis Highlighting the Uselessness of Faith Without Works)

A profession of faith that is not evidenced by works is not useful to God.

Words are meaningless and useless if not followed by action. See 2:16.

As we see in this example, the words “be warmed and filled” to have any value whatsoever must be accompanied by coats and food. So it is with faith and works.

“Our usefulness to God is not determined by our ability or our opportunity, but by our humility.” Jim Berg

“James’ argument is not pro-works/anti-faith or pro-faith/anti-works. He has simply said that genuine faith is accompanied by good works. Spiritual works are the evidence, not the energizer, of sincere faith.” Bible Knowledge Commentary

2:21-24 The Roles of Faith and Works in Salvation

Background

The example of the offering of Isaac is taken from .

The example of Abraham’s belief is taken from .

Abraham was saved as he believed God’s promise a full seven chapters before the proof of his salvation, the sacrifice of Isaac, came.

This proves, chronologically, that James agrees faith saved Abraham and as a result he produced works that served as evidence.

This is seen in where the angel of the LORD said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing that you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”

2:21 (First Example of Abraham to Establish a Connection Between Justification and Works)

The key word in this verse to understand James’ meaning is “offered.”

Offering Isaac upon the alter was an evidencing work that Abraham did.

To understand this, however, we must compare with 2:23. In 2:23 we see that Abraham also believed God.

Thus, faith and works are shown to be connected once again. Abraham was saved by his faith which led him to do the work of offering Isaac.

2:21 and 2:23 are put before and after the key to understand the whole passage. 2:21 and 2:23 also illustrate the point made in 2:22.

2:22 (Key to Understand the Passage - Faith and Works are Inseparable and Together Evidence Saving Faith)

We here see that faith allows Abraham to perform the good work. This is true of us as well.

The words “active along with” show clearly that to perform a good work you must have faith empowering it.

The words “completed by” show clearly that works show our profession to be genuine to ourselves, others, and God.

The wording of “completed by” gives the idea of faith being made real through action.

I can create architectural blueprints for a building, but the building is not real until I begin to build.

So it is with faith being completed by works. Faith is made real, faith is grown, and we are sanctified as we do good works.

Faith saves you. Faith is demonstrated and grown through works.

This can be seen in all of our lives. Since we have been saved we act differently, we have different desires, we look to God rather than ourselves or the world.

James is not arguing that we must be perfect or that if we stumble and do not produce good works for a time we are not saved. Rather James is saying that an active faith, one that is seeking out God and a closer walk with Him, cannot help but produce good works. It is our joy to do so.

Seeing how God has changed our lives since we were saved is evidence of our salvation. This is what James is getting at. As we have faith in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection for our sins, God will change us to be more and more like Him. As we become more and more like Jesus, we produce more and more good works. It is a natural result of our faith and relationship with God.

2:23 (Second Example of Abraham to Establish a Connection Between Justification and Faith)

2:23 and 2:21 provide examples before and after the key to understanding the passage. This key is the main explanation of the relationship between faith and works.

Abraham both believed and offered. He had faith first and then works.

“Believed” highlights faith while “offered” highlights works.

2:23 and 2:21 also provide two statements of Abraham’s salvation.

In 2:21 the statement highlights his works.

In 2:23 the statement highlights his faith.

This is easily reconciled by the order of events.

In Genesis Abraham’s salvation comes first as he believes.

In Genesis Abraham proves his faith later on at Mount Moriah.

As stated previously, this is shown by the statement, “for now I know that you fear God.”

James is simply showing that faith is “completed” by Abraham’s work. It is put into practice.

This is similar to when you get a driver’s license. You learn driving theory and when you take the test you put it into practice. So it is with faith. Doing good works is simply putting your faith into practice.

2:24 (Restatement of Thesis Highlighting Justification)

We must interpret this restatement of James’ thesis by what he has said above.

We cannot know if someone is saved apart from their outward actions.

Thus, we look to their works to make the judgment as to whether or not they are saved.

This tells us whether to treat them as a brother in Christ or a soul that needs the gospel for salvation.

At the moment of Abraham’s belief, God knew he was saved. However, God decided to give him a test so that he would grow in his faith and demonstrate his faith to all.

This ties back into what James says at the beginning of his letter.

1:2-4 shows that through trials our faith grows. When James says “producing steadfastness” he gives an example of faith under trial producing a good work. This is the same as what God did with Abraham.

So, when James speaks of being justified by works and not faith alone, he is speaking of outwardly demonstrating our faith to others so they see our new position in Christ.

2:25-26 Living Faith Produces Good Works

2:25 (Example of Rahab Justified Just as Abraham was)

Rahab was saved and grown in the same way as Abraham.

The text says “in the same way” which is key here because only her works are mentioned by James.

However, in the book of Joshua we see that it was her faith that led her to do good works.

2:26 (Final Restatement of Thesis Again Highlighting the Unity of Faith and Works)

But, it is actually unnecessary to look to Joshua. The use of “in the same way” tells us to look back to 2:22.

So we see once again that there is no separating active faith and the production of works.

The emphasis on active, living faith is brought out in 2:26.

2:26 (Final Restatement of Thesis Again Highlighting the Unity of Faith and Works)

James again restates his thesis in this final section.

All this means is that an active, living, growing faith cannot help but produce good works.

This is quite evident in all of our lives as Christians. We have great joy as we serve our God and bring honor and glory to His Name through our lives.

The metaphor that James uses provides great insight into faith.

Faith is alive. It lives and it requires food and exercise.

We feed it through reading the Bible and prayer. If we do not feed it, it starves and shrinks.

We provide it exercise through using it to empower us to serve God more and more. This is producing good works.

But, the works are based off of the faith.

Something dead is of no use to us or to God. This is why James is so adamant that believers use their faith, make it active and living, demonstrate and evidence it, through good works.

Conclusion

James is not saying you have to work to be saved. James is saying you are saved now go and work!

There are three things that I want you to takeaway today.

You are saved by faith, not by works.

Now that you are saved, go and do good works joyfully in service to our God.

As you face trials of your faith and you stumble, remember that you are still saved and God will still use that test of faith to grow you. Now, that you are saved you can never be loved any more or any less by God based on what you do. This is because God’s love for you is based on His love for Jesus Christ.