JAMES 2:14-26 — PART 10
May 13, 2019
READING TIME: 3-4 MINUTES
James 2:14-26: Part 10.
“Dave, what is the meaning of the illustration in James 2:26?”
James’ audience consists of saved people who are struggling with the sin of partiality (see 2:1-13), so he explains that faith alone after salvation is useless to solving the partiality problem.
I don’t agree with teachers who say that “faith without works is dead” means that true “saving faith” will always be accompanied by good works (see my Ask Pastor David posts from March 26, April 12, and 15, 2019); and if it isn’t, this is proof that you never had real “saving faith” and was never really saved or one of the elect.
The NT stresses the place of good works in the believer’s life, not to be saved from eternal condemnation in hell or to maintain eternal salvation (or to prove a person is saved), 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.
In chapter 2, James concludes with an illustration to explain the relationship between faith and works. He draws a parallel between works that are visible with invisible faith. David Anderson does a good job of explaining this final illustration when he writes, “James says the body without the spirit is dead. In other words, if we pull the spirit out of the body, the body goes limp, lifeless. If we want the body to show any life, we have to put the spirit back into the body, much as God breathed the spirit of life into the elements which went to make up Adam. How does this illustrate the relationship between faith and works? James parallels our faith to the body and our works to the spirit. In other words, if we separate works from our faith, it goes lifeless and limp. It is dead. If we want to bring our faith back to life, we must add works to our faith. Works act like a shot of adrenaline to our faith. They fire it up. They give it vim and vigor. They bring it to life. There is nothing here at all about that which is genuine and that which is false. The entire illustration of the body being brought to life by the spirit is meaningless if it speaks of a false faith becoming genuine when we add works to it.”
John Hart is correct when he writes, “James’ concerns are more practical than theological. The real issue for these believers is the absence of a freshness, vitality, and energy in their faith. When a Christian engages in practical deeds to benefit others, James says our faith comes alive.”
When believers do not animate their faith with works, James says that type of faith is useless (James 2:20), not vital, and is not profitable to help other believers who need practical assistance (not worthless platitudes) or help the believer at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
In conclusion, in 2:26, James is not saying that faith must result in works (though that is certainly desired), but that works make faith come alive, or useful, just as the spirit makes the body useful. The issue is not whether faith exists in a person but how faith becomes profitable or useful to others and themselves. The implication of “dead” faith is not that it’s nonexistent, but that it was once alive (for the same word, see Luke 15:24; Romans 8:13; 1 Timothy 5:6; and Revelation 3:1).
Sources Used
Anderson, David R. Free Grace Soteriology: Revised Edition. Grace Theology Press, Appendix A.
Bing, Charles C. Simply by Grace: An Introduction to God’s Life-Changing Gift. Kregel Publications, 90.
Chay, Fred, editor. A Defense of Free Grace Theology: With Respect to Saving Faith, Perseverance, and Assurance. Grace Theology Press, chapters 6-7.
Dillow, Joseph. Final Destiny: The Future Reign of The Servant Kings: Fourth Revised Edition. Grace Theology Press, chapter 28.
Hart, John F. “How to Energize Our Faith: Reconsidering the Meaning of James 2:14-26.” JOTGES 12, no. 1 (Spring 1999): 48.
Hawley, Grant. editor. 21 Tough Questions about Grace. Bold Grace.
Rokser, Dennis. Faith & Works: A Clarification of “Faith Without Works Is Dead” (James 2:14-26). Grace Gospel Press.