May 6, 2019
READ TIME: 2 MINUTES
James 2:14-26 – Part 6
“Dave, could you expand more on the word ‘save’ in James 2:14-16?”
Remember from previous posts that the original recipients were believers – they’re “brothers” (1:2) who have been “brought forth by the word of truth” (1:18) and who already have faith to hold on to (2:1). Also see 1:16, 19; 2:1, 5, 14; 3:1, 10, 12; 5:12, 19. Only believers will be at the Judgment Seat of Christ, to which James refers (2:13; 3:1; 5:9). James would never warn unbelievers to be cautious about becoming teachers in the church. Nor would he warn unbelievers of the need to be merciful to believers in the church.
Joseph Dillow does a good job of explaining the meaning of “saved” in James 2:14-16. “Saved” means the readers (who are believers) will be saved in the sense of finding deliverance from the spiritually impoverishing consequences of sin if they energize their faith by works of obedience (also see James 1:21, 5:15, 20). It is the salvation of “brethren” (regenerate believers) from the temporal, psychological, spiritual, or physical consequences (sin unto death) of a nonworking faith resulting in a negative assessment of one’s life at the Judgment Seat of Christ. James is stressing that genuine faith without works cannot save one from the trials, temptations, and unexpected storms of life and from the negative consequences of a lifestyle of sin leading to temporal death (i.e., separation from right fellowship with God; compare Luke 15:24; Romans 8:13; 1 Timothy 5:6; James 1:15). This temporal death can also involve for a believer a life of misery, depression, and defeat.
So, according to the context and flow of thought of James 2:14-26, this type of faith without works also cannot save him from God’s discipline of him as a believer and it cannot save him from the power of sin in present/practical/progressive sanctification. God’s intention for believers is that they abide in Him and walk in His Spirit which by His grace leads to a life of godliness and good works that is honoring to Him and beneficial to the brethren (see James 1:22-27).
Dennis Rokser makes an excellent point of how good works are related to eternal salvation when he says, “This is why the Bible underscores the place of good works in the believer’s life, not to be saved from Hell or to stay saved eternally, but because that believer has been saved from sin’s penalty and is now learning to live daily by faith through the power of the Holy Spirit issuing out in beneficial works to others.”
SOURCES USED
Anderson, David R. Triumph Through Trials: The Epistle of James. Grace Theology Press, 93, 103.
Bing, Charles C. Grace, Salvation, and Discipleship: How to Understand Some Difficult Bible Passages. Grace Theology Press, 211-216.
Constable, Dr. Thomas L. “Notes on James; 2019 Edition.” < https://planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/pdf/james.pdf.>
Dillow, Joseph. Final Destiny: The Future Reign of The Servant Kings: Fourth Revised Edition. Grace Theology Press, chapter 28.
Rokser, Dennis. Faith & Works: A Clarification of “Faith Without Works Is Dead” (James 2:14-26). Grace Gospel Press.
________. “Session 9: The Seven Deaths of Scripture Grace Institute of Biblical Studies Biblical Distinctions Class.” < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOn8notGIjY&list=PLkMUW_k3_Np7U130kwGGCpFFrLZZA3b9M&index=9>.
Wilkin, Robert. “Another View of Faith and Works in James 2.” Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society 15, no. 2 (Fall 2002): 20.