Category Archives: James

“Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?” (James 2:21, KJV).

Remember a few verses earlier, James says “show me your faith.” He is now giving an example of how it can be shown.

In the third and forth chapters of Romans, Paul says that works do not justify. He speaks of the works of the Law of Moses, and mere performance without faith. James is speaking of works that are different, works that stem from a faith in Christ and the gospel. So he, by saying Abraham “was justified,” shows that by his works Abraham proved that he was justified already.

By itself, offering Isaac on the alter would have been an evil act. What was it that justified Abraham? God told him to do it, and without doubting or questioning, but following the command of God in faith, he was willing. He believed that “God was able to raise him up, even from the dead” (Hebrews 11:17-19). The work was a result of faith (believing and obeying). This is obvious considering that Abraham never completed the work to begin with. It was in his heart to obey, and in God’s eyes that was the same as accomplishing the act. Therefore, faith is the root of the justification. At the same time, Abraham exhibited his faith by his work, not only to God, but also to man. This work justified Abraham in the sight of men; they could not see his faith without it.

We know that James is not saying that this act justified Abraham. How do we know this? Because James points out that before it ever took place the scriptures declared Abraham as justified and righteous. Abraham believed God, which showed his faith (Genesis 15:5-6) and was called “righteous.” He wasn’t circumcised until many years later. Like Baptism, it was a sign of justification that had already taken place rather than a cause of it. Again, it was much later in life (over 30 years) that Abraham had Isaac and was willing to sacrifice him on the altar. It was a test, and it was proof of faith which was already present.

“You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works” (James 2:22, ESV).

In the mixture of the faith and the work “faith was completed.” The faith that Abraham had 30 years earlier was shown or proven to be true and complete in his act.

The reformers said that “Faith alone saves, but the faith that saves is not alone.” Faith and works go together, so Abraham’s works (or display of faith) completed his faith.

Works perfect faith in the same way that apples perfect an apple tree.

“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” (James 2:23, KJV).

The scripture mentioned is found in Genesis 15:5-6, and is what we mentioned that took place 30 years earlier: “And he brought him forth abroad, and said, look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, so shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” By believing the Lord, Abraham showed his faith. This is how we show our faith, by believing God and accepting His word as truth.

Paul in Romans 4:1-5 uses the same passage to show that Abraham was justified by faith. Here, James uses it to show how faith and works go together. Paul and James were not in dispute; they were friends standing back to back fighting different enemies.

15: If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16: 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? (James 2:15-16, KJV)

How would it help someone to tell them, “be warm and full,” yet we didn’t give them clothes or food? We would not be showing kindness or love; we would just be full of empty words. It is an empty, false love that produces no charity, just as it is an empty, false faith that produces no works. And in both instances, nothing is profited. We are only insulted by the one who says, “I’m praying for you, brother. May the Lord supply your need,” yet they don’t do anything to help.

False love and false faith are despicable.

“As, then, he who sends away a poor man with words, and offers him no help, treats him with mockery, so they who devise for themselves faith without works, and without any of the duties of religion, trifle with God” – John Calvin.

17: Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

By saying that faith is dead, we are led to think of Jesus’ teaching on the same subject. “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits” (Matt. 7:19-20, ESV). Why would a tree not bear fruit? It is either not the right kind of tree, or it is dead. An apple tree that shows no sign of life is dead, just as a profession that shows no sign of life is dead.

The Lord goes on to say more about empty professions of faith. In the next passage He shows that they can even be accompanied by what appears to be fruit. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name:’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness’” (Matt. 7:21-23, ESV).

Let’s examine our hearts to be sure that our works spring from faith rather than a desire to be seen. Do we love Christ and desire to follow and obey Him? This is the question. Do we want to be made like Jesus, and conformed to Him, and live with Him, or do we want to merely escape hell and look good to those who know us?

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? (James 2:14, KJV).

We need to look at the next few verses carefully. Many have misunderstood them to contradict the teachings of Paul. A close look will show that this is not the case. “James and Paul were friends who were fighting two different theological errors. James fought against a type of antinomianism. Paul opposed legalism” – Thomas D. Lea, The New Testament, Its Background and Message.

James asks, “Can faith without works save?” Can a faith that doesn’t produce works be a true faith? We know that true faith is given by God. “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). The faith that saves is of grace, a gift. With this gift also comes sanctification, or the Holy Spirit working in us to produce good works. “Both are to be found in the same persons. Those who are justified are always sanctified, and those who are sanctified are always justified. God has joined them together, and they cannot be put asunder” – J.C. Ryle, Holiness.

To this Paul agrees. He goes on to say in Ephesians 2:10 that “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” So the faith that doesn’t produce works is not true faith, but merely words.

Notice that James does not say, “though a man HAVE faith,” but, “though a man SAY he hath faith.” Consider 1 John 3:18: “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” Just as love in word only is not love, faith in word only is not faith. So we are not talking about different types of faith, but the difference between false faith, which is common, and true faith.

Notice that some translations follow the original more closely by asking, “Can that faith save him?” “That” points to “that faith which produces no works.” By leaving out the word “that,” the KJV is a little more confusing.

Though Martin Luther had some problems with the epistle of James, he agreed with the truth that James is teaching here: “True faith, of which we speak, cannot be manufactured by our own thoughts, for it is solely a work of God in us, without any assistance on our part. As Paul says to the Romans, it is God’s gift and grace, obtained by one man, Christ. Therefore, faith is something very powerful, active, restless, effective, which at once renews a person and again regenerates him, and leads him altogether into a new manner and character of life, so that it is impossible not to do good without ceasing” –Martin Luther, “Justification by Faith.”

To be continued, God willing.