Faith Works and James Two (Part 5)

In chapter 2 verses 20-26, James used two Old Testament characters, Abraham and Rahab, to illustrate and prove his point. James interspersed these two illustrations by stating his conclusion three times. First, in verse twenty, before the Abraham illustration James stated his conclusion negatively.

(James 2:20 NASB) But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?

Second, in verse 24, after the Abraham illustration and before the Rahab illustration James stated his conclusion positively.

(James 2:24 NASB) You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone.

And finally, in verse 26, after the Rahab illustration James again states his conclusion negatively.

(James 2:26 NASB) For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

It is important to remember two things here. First, a proper understanding of James’ point in these two Old Testament illustrations must go to prove what is stated in his conclusions. We must not draw any conclusion from these illustrations other than James’ conclusion. Secondly, and conversely, whatever meaning we draw from James’ conclusion statements must be supported by the illustrations that the inspired writer provided. We must not force James’ conclusion to mean something that the illustrations do not support.

To begin let’s consider the first conclusion statement.

(James 2:20 NASB) But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?

Are you willing to recognize? Are you willing to be convinced by the evidence? We should note two things here. First, James is asking if this “foolish fellow” is willing to look at the evidence. People, even religious people, reject biblical truth. They reject the truth, not because there is no evidence for the truth, but because they are unwilling to receive it. Secondly, when James set out to prove his point he cited God's revealed Word. He provided evidence from the biblical stories of Abraham and Rahab. The Bible is the final authority for the Christian.

“Faith without works is useless” is the negative side of James’ conclusion. Saying “I have faith” is insufficient if it is not the kind of faith that results in a changed life and good works. Even believing true things about God and Christ is insufficient if it is not the kind of faith that results in a changed life and good works. The kind of faith that James wrote about is useless and dead. The solution to the problem James is addressing is not to add works to this merely said faith or intellectual faith. Jesus addressed those who had these kinds of faith and also had “good works.”

(Matthew 7:21-23, 26, 27 NASB) "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' ..."And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall."

Adding ‘good works’ to flawed faith does not turn the flawed faith into genuine faith.

The solution is to abandon this useless and dead faith and replace it with complete confidence and trust in the Person and work of Jesus Christ alone for eternal life. This kind of faith is neither useless nor dead. This kind of faith is the sole and sufficient means of coming into a right relationship with God. And this kind of faith always results in a changed life and good works.

(II Peter 1:5-11 NASB) Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge; and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

Having stated his conclusion, James offered Abraham as the primary proof that the kind of faith that produces a right relationship with God also results in a changed life and good works.

(James 2:21-23 NASB) Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God.

We really need to think clearly as we go through this section. We need to answer this very important question. Was James actually saying that Abraham was made right with God by the act of offering his son on the altar? Some Bibles paraphrases make it sound that way.

Think of Abraham, our ancestor. Wasn't it his action which really justified him in God's sight when his faith led him to offer his son Isaac on the altar. (Phillips)

How was our ancestor Abraham put right with God? It was through his actions, when he offered his son Isaac on the altar. (Today’s English Version)

The most striking difference between these paraphrases and the New American Standard Bible is the inclusion of the words "in God's sight," or "with God". The fact is the word for God is nowhere in the original text of this verse.

But it still remains that James did ask, "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?” The implied answer is that Abraham our father was justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar. But the real question to be asked is this. Before whom was Abraham justified by works? If we answer, Abraham was justified by works before God, then James is in clear contradiction with the teaching of the Apostle Paul.

(Romans 4:2 NASB) For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God.

The justification that came by works "when he offered Isaac his son on the altar" was a justification before men. It was Abraham’s claim to have saving faith that was justified by his works. Abraham was tested. He was given an opportunity to demonstrate that his faith was genuine. Hebrews 11:17-19 parallels James’ point.

(Hebrews 11:17-19 NASB) By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac; and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; it was he to whom it was said, "IN ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE CALLED." He considered that God is able to raise men even from the dead; from which he also received him back as a type.

Abraham's faith was being tested when God called him to sacrifice his only son. Abraham passed the test and showed the world that his faith was genuine. Abraham’s faith found its fulfillment and in his works.

(James 2:22 NASB) You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;

Justification before God is not accomplished by a co-operation between faith and works. Faith alone saves. But genuine faith finds its expression in “good works.” Faith and works must be distinguished, but they can never be separated.

In verse 23, James said that Abraham's actions proved and confirmed what God had already said. Abraham's works confirmed what God had declared years earlier.

(James 2:23 NASB) and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God.

James cited two passages from Genesis and the life of Abraham. First he said, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?” (James 2:21 NASB). Then he said, “and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,"” (James 2:23 NASB).

Let’s consider these two passages in the context of Genesis. First we will go back to Genesis 15.

(Genesis 15:5 NASB) And He took him outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be."

God promised a childless 80-year-old man that he would of have multitudes of descendants. Let’s go back to the beginning of the chapter.

(Genesis 15:1-4 NASB) After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great." And Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what wilt Thou give me, since I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" And Abram said, "Since Thou hast given no offspring to me, one born in my house is my heir." Then behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "This man will not be your heir; but one who shall come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir."

(Romans 4:20, 21 NASB) yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what He had promised, He was able also to perform.

God promised Abraham that he would have multitudes of descendents, and Genesis 15:6 says, “Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.” There it is. God declared Abraham to be righteous based on his faith.

It is important to note that God’s declaration that Abraham was righteous was wholly unrelated to what he did “when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar.” (James 2:21 NASB). The passage that James cited concerning the offering of Isaac on the alter is not found in Genesis 15. We have to go forward seven chapters to Genesis 22 to find the offering of Isaac. And we have to go thirty-something years into the future. When God declared that Abraham was righteous because of his faith Isaac wasn’t even born and he wouldn’t be born for another twenty years. God declared Abraham to be righteous because Abraham had genuine faith. He had the kind of faith that lead him to obey God when thirty-something years later God said,

(Genesis 22:2 NASB) "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah; and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you."

Abraham was justified before God by genuine faith alone. Abraham's genuine faith resulted in obedience to God. Abraham's claim to have genuine saving faith was justified before men by his obedience to God. God's declaration is confirmed and fulfilled by Abraham's obedience.

(James 2:23 NASB) and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God.

So, as I said above, Abraham's actions proved and confirmed what God had already said. Abraham's works confirmed what God had declared years earlier.

We say we have faith in God, and that God, therefore, declares us righteous in His sight. Do our actions confirm and corroborate our claim that God has called us righteous, or do they contradict it?

Finally, James follows his first Old Testament illustration by reiterating his point.

(James 2:24 NASB) You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone.

Again, this conclusion statement must be supported by the passages in Genesis. Allow me to paraphrase and expand a bit on this conclusion based on the illustration of Abraham.

You see that a man is justified [even Abraham provided evidence to men that he was in a right relationship with God] by works, [that is, by his non-meritorious action which he did after and as a result of coming into a right relationship with God] and not by [saying, I have] faith alone.

Now tell me, Doth this offend you?