The context we have just studied raises the key question of James 2:14, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?” James is tackling a favorite excuse. How can a believer possibly be “guilty” (2:10)? After all, he has faith, which declares him “not guilty.” How can he be in danger of “judgment” that is “without mercy” (James 2:13)? Surely his faith saves him from judgment! James 2:15-26 gives the reply that corrects such excuses. In essence, James says that faith does save and justify us, but that faith is not merely any claim to faith. Real faith works at obeying. “Faith alone” is useless and cannot save you. True faith includes the essential ingredient of submission.
By “works” James means the obedience of real faith.
Yes, by “works” James means obedience. This is clear from each of his examples:
- The faith of words (James 2:15-16). How pointless to give a destitute man fine words, but no help! Mere claims to faith are useless in practical terms (to the starving man). Mere words are useless in spiritual terms (to the Lord, whose will for helping the poor has been disobeyed).
- The faith of demons (James 2:19). “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” Demons have the kind of faith that acknowledges facts. Yet their ‘faith’ is rebellious and disobedient, and they truly fear their coming judgment.
- The faith of Abraham (James 2:21-24). Why did Abraham offer up Isaac? Because God commanded it! His faith was active (as a simple matter of obedience, not as a matter of self-promotion). By inspiration James assures us that these obedient “works” justified Abraham (James 2:21, 24). Why? Because they made his faith alive and whole. “You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works” (James 2:22). This was how the famous statement of Genesis 15:6 could be “fulfilled” (James 2:23). Without obedience God could not reckon righteousness to Abraham, for his ‘faith’ would have been proved a fraud.
- The faith of Rahab (James 2:25). Rahab probably had no direct, verbal command from God. But as a Gentile she had the moral law of God in her heart (Romans 2). She believed in the Lord and recognized His will for Canaan (Joshua 2:9-14). Great though the risks were, she obeyed God’s will by helping His spies. By inspiration, James assures us these obedient “works” justified Rahab (James 2:25).
“You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24).
James’ point could not be stated more clearly. “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24). The context never suggests that these “works” are works of a legal system for earning salvation. To the contrary, James has been careful to identify Christ’s rule as “the law of liberty” (James 2:12). God is the giver of “more grace” (James 4:6). James is no legalist. These “works” are the believer’s submission at work. Why do they justify? Because they are integral to the true meaning of faith. Without them faith is empty and meaningless. Worse than meaningless, the absence of obedience makes ‘faith’ a stinking corpse.
For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead (James 2:26).
What would Paul say about all this? That is what we will consider next.