Lesson 7 – James 2:14-26 New King James

1 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? ¹⁷ Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! ²⁰ But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? ²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? ²² Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? ²³ And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. ²⁴ You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

²⁵ Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

²⁶ For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

First Impression?

Every time I read this, I get irritated with the English language. I 100% believe only faith is required for salvation. But in this passage, James is muddying the waters with talk of justification and works to prove faith.

What good? What profit?

The good or profit of faith without works is salvation. That is pretty good. It may not help anyone else, but it is still invaluable.

Can faith save without deeds?

Absolutely.

Encounter someone with needs: if you do not help, is good done?

Post salvation, good comes of following God for His glory. If you do not help them, there is nothing to glorify God.

Faith is dead: so?

This is where I get irritated. Faith is saving. Serving comes from obedience which has nothing to do directly with salvation. Faith can grow, but you cannot be unsaved, in my opinion.

You have faith. I have deeds. What is the basis for this “discussion”?

I do not believe James was trying to say that anything more than works was required for salvation. I do think he was trying to say that not doing anything for others past salvation is not the ideal. Many do not act like Christ and think it is acceptable. They miss the opportunity.

Show me? What is the point?

We are not supposed to judge others, but we do. James recognizes this and tries to use it to point this out and reach his goal. I think the idea is that if you want to be judged to be a Christian by those around you, you actually have to obey the Holy Spirit and do something for others to glorify God.

Foolish person? Why is he attacking someone who wants to learn?

The person does not really want to learn. That is kind of the point.

Evidence faith without deeds is useless?

I do not believe it exists. (odd question in reading it again and an even worse answer, but if you tack “for others” onto the sentence…)

A person is considered righteous: who is doing this considering?

Others. Those who need God and who you should want to display His love to or those who need support and who you could help by being an example.

What is wrong with a dead faith?

No glory for God.

 

Note on Easter Sunday, we should celebrate as a way to give God glory for sending His son to save us.