Search The Scriptures —Study 4 — James 2:14-26

Study 4 From the Book of James is: James 2:14-26

James has already warned against an empty religion which is impure (1:26-27), here he warns against an inactive faith which is impotent.

1.     Verses 14:20. Empty faith is word without action, profession without performance. Cf. 1 Jn 3:18. How profitable is my faith by the test of James’ illustration? How does my faith differ from that of the demons?

2.     Verses 21-26. James illustrates his argument by reference to two very different people. How was the principle of verse 22 demonstrated in their lives? Is the principle at work in my own life?

Notes

1.     Verse 14.  This sense is: ‘Can (that sort of) faith save him? i.e.’ from condemnation.

2.     Verse 18. The objection that some have faith and some have works is specious because without corresponding moral action faith is empty and barren, like that of the devils (verse 19).

3.     Verse 25. ‘Justified by works’: cf. Rom. 3:20, 28; Gal. 2:16. Paul and James seem to contradict one another. But, in fact, Paul says, ‘Faith can save apart from works of the law’, and James says, ‘Faith cannot save without the works of faith. ‘The two are therefore complementary.

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