The Strand Study Bible

Written From Jerusalem (See Acts 12:25)

JAMES 2:14  3:17

2085

A mature Christian has a faith that works 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath 1 faith, and have not 2 works? can faith save him? 15 3 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so 4 faith, if it hath not 2 works, is 5 dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may 6 say, Thou hast 4 faith, and I have 2 works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is 7 one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that 4 faith without 2 works is 5 dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father 8 justified by works, 9 when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how 1 faith wrought with his works, and by works was 1 faith made 10 perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, 11 Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the 12 Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by 2 works a man is 8 justified, and not by 4 faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot 8 justified by works, 13 when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the 14 spirit is dead, 15 so faith without works is dead also. James 3 A mature Christian will watch what he says Date Written - c. AD 45 1 My brethren, be not many 16 masters, knowing that we shall 17 receive the greater 18 condemnation. P 2 For in many things 19 we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a

10 perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the 20 governor listeth. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And 21 the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it 22 defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Fa- ther; and therewith curse wemen, 23 which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. 13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, 24 sensual, devilish. 16 25 For where envying and strife is , there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and 26 easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

1. that is, “a faith that is worth something; a professing faith ” 2. that is, “works that will back up a profession of faith” 3. I Jn 3:17-18 4. or, “a professing faith” 5. that is, “it profits no one” 6. or, “profess” 7. meaning, “there is not one God for the Jews and one for the Gentiles - Deut 6:4 & Jn 10:30 & Rom 3:30 8. or, “vindicated in the sight of men;” 9. Heb 11:17-19 10. or, “mature” 11. Quoted from the OT - Gen 15:6 (See - Rom 4:3 & Gal 3:6) 12. II Chro 20:7 & Isa 41:8 & Jn 15:14 13. Heb 11:31 14. that is, “the human spirit; what drives a man” 15. that is, “so one’s professing faith without the driving factor of one’s works is dead also” 16. or, “teachers” 17. Fulfilled - Rev 4:2 (NT Rewards) (See - II Cor 5:10-11 ) 18. or, “judgment; chewing-out” 19. that is, “we all stumble” 20. that is, “a captain who directs the ship” 21. Prov 16:27 & Mt 23:15 22. Mt 15:11,18 23. Gen 1:26 24. that is, “natural; unregenerate”- I Cor 2:14 & Jude 19 25. I Cor 3:3 26. or, “compliant”

2:14 a Sadly, there are some religious movements that have tried to use this Scripture to prove that “good works” are essential to salvation and thus part of the saving Gospel ( Mt 19:17 c ). However, this verse is speaking to believers ( my brethren ) who already have salvation, not to unbelievers who are in need of salvation ( Phil 2:12 ). James is reminding Christians here that what they do speaks louder than what they say (Mt 21:28-32). THE ADAGE IS TRUE: How we live speaks so loud that people can’t hear what we’re claiming