This is a difficult passage because it seems to contradict other Scriptures that said we are not saved by work but by faith (Eph 2:8-9).
(1) Repeated phrase
"What good is it" v.14, 16;
"if someone claims...can this kind of faith save him?" v.14, "One of you says to them [the poorly clothed and lacks daily food], 'Go in peace..."
2:17 So also faith, if it does not have works, is dead being by itself.
v.18b I will show you faith by my works.
v.18b I will show you faith by my works.
v.20b faith without works is useless?
Summary: The context is not about salvation by work alone, but it discusses someone who claimed to have faith or they said they have something but they had not. Faith does not come alone. Faith has to come with work. Real faith always comes with work.
Summary: The context is not about salvation by work alone, but it discusses someone who claimed to have faith or they said they have something but they had not. Faith does not come alone. Faith has to come with work. Real faith always comes with work.
(2) Difficult passage
2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?
v. 23a And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Now Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness,”
.Was Abraham justified by works or by faith? Abraham was counted as righteousness (James 2:23) in Genesis 15, and he offered his son on the altar (James 2:21) later in his life in Genesis 22. That's why James said, "his faith was perfected by works v.22b"
.Was Abraham justified by works or by faith? Abraham was counted as righteousness (James 2:23) in Genesis 15, and he offered his son on the altar (James 2:21) later in his life in Genesis 22. That's why James said, "his faith was perfected by works v.22b"
Summary: Works were the evidence of faith. We are justified by faith, but this faith will certainly show its evidence. When we saw the works we could be sure the faith is genuine.
Reflection: Do you hate the hypocrite brother/sister who told the poor brother/sister to go in peace v.16? I think God will have the equal kind of hate on us if we just claim to have faith but we never show the evidence of our faith.
Audrey
Comments