A Living Faith Evidenced in Works of Obedience: Part 2 (James 2:14–26)
The meaning of James 2:14–26 must be understood by a careful understanding of the words and phrases in context. The passage may be outlined as follows:
- An Inoperative Faith is Useless (James 2:14–19)
- The Key Question (James 2:14)
- The Illustration (James 2:15–16)
- The Answer (James 2:17)
- The Challenge (James 2:18a)
- The Response (James 2:18b–19)
- Genuine Saving Faith Must Be Evidenced by Works (James 2:20–25)
- Exhibit A Scriptural Support: Abraham (James 2:21–24)
- Exhibit B Scriptural Support: Rahab (James 2:25)
- Concluding Summary (James 2:26)
An Inoperative Faith is Useless (James 2:14–19)
James questions the validity of what someone says if there is no evidence to back up his empty claim. We all know that actions speak louder than words. In fact, unbelievers are quick to challenge Christians’ truncated presentation of the gospel (the legal realities of justification absent from the necessary transformation of regeneration followed by sanctification). It’s not necessarily that they’re incredulous at the simplicity of the gospel (grace alone through faith alone) but at the ethical implications that someone gets a free ticket to heaven when that person has lived or can still live a wicked life during the whole of life on earth. They’re repulsed from a poor presentation of the gospel or a false gospel—as they should be.
(This is not to deny that the gospel can rescue a wicked person at the end of life, but that is an exceptional example rather than the norm that takes place after years of a person’s heart hardens more and more after rejecting the gospel repeatedly. Most exceptions are due to someone finally hearing a clear presentation of the gospel at the end of life.)
For example, Mormons often claim that Bible-believing Christians teach a false gospel that allows people to go on living sinful lives. If you present a truncated gospel, then can you blame them for coming to such a conclusion? But is that what the true gospel allows for—continuing to live in sin? No! Galatians 2:16 is followed by Galatians 2:20–an inward transformation. This aspect of the gospel must be emphasized just as much as the free grace of the gospel in order to persuade folks like Mormons.
James is not advocating for faith plus works = salvation. James is arguing true faith and not false faith = salvation. And a true faith is a faith that must be transformative. It must result in, evidence, or produce works. Two well-known commentators clarify:
“Critical to the understanding of the argument of the section and integrating it successfully into a broader biblical perspective is the recognition that James is not arguing that works must be added to faith. His point, rather, is that genuine biblical faith will inevitably be characterized by works.”1
James illustrates his point about a useless faith. What good are empty words? We all know that well-wishes are not sufficient to meet a real need. And someone who has the resources to meet that need as well as the relationship that would warrant granting that help (a fellow believer in the body) ought to provide those resources rather than go on their way with some empty well-wishes. The point then should be obvious that faith without works is dead; it is a useless faith that is not living or genuine.
Nevertheless, James must address the challenge from those who boast in a faith apart from works (as an overreaction to the Pharisees works-based approach). James responds with a challenge of his own: show me your faith (apart from works). How could you do so? You can’t. All you have is an unfounded claim. True believers must know better. They really will have works of obedience that are motivated and enabled by their faith. James insists that one must show true faith by one’s works.
Yet, the challenger seems to continue the argument that all that is necessary is belief in God—that alone saves. James refutes such foolish thinking—even the demons believe in the one true God; they know who He is. But they shudder because they have not submitted their lives in obedience to Him and thus remain under His judgment. Anyone who has not submitted their lives in obedience to God will face the same end regardless of a professed knowledge of who God is.
In the next post we’ll wrap up James’ argument and the comparison between James and Paul.
Kevin Collins has served as a junior high youth leader in Michigan, a missionary in Singapore, a Christian School teacher in Utah, and a Bible writer for the BJU Press. He currently works for American Church Group of South Carolina.
Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash
- Douglas Moo, James, Pillar NT Commentary, p. 120.)
James insists that “works are not an added extra to faith but are an essential expression of it.” In this passage James is echoing the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 7:21-27. ((Hiebert, James, p. 158. Moo cites Peter H. Davids, The Epistle of James, A Commentary on the Greek Text, p. 121. [↩]