James 2

[JustAsIam77]

Reconcile James 2 speaking of faith without works as dead with Sola Gratia, (grace alone).

 

[DeaconDean]

Reconcile James 2 speaking of faith without works as dead with Sola Gratia, (grace alone).

Martin Luther had it right back in the early 1500's.

There are no works that we can do/perform that merits God's grace or His salvation.

But, you also must understand that both Paul and James use Abraham as their examples.

Paul wrote:

"For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." -Rom 4:3 (KJV)

James wrote:

"Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?..Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." -Jas. 2:21, 24 (KJV)

Martin Luther wrote in his preface to James and Jude: “James does nothing more than drive a man to the Law and its works.” And this is apparent in some faiths teachings. However, Luther also admits that James wanted to guard against those who relied on faith exclusively but wasn’t quite up to the task.

Also compare what Martin Luther said in comparing Paul to James when it came to the law. James called the “Law” a “perfect law of liberty.” (cf. Jas. 1:25) Paul viewed it as a Law that brings slavery, (Gal. 5:3) wrath, (Rom. 4:15) sin, (Rom. 7:7) and death (Rom. 7:10).


Paul addresses the fact of how a man can be justified before God, and James addresses how a man can be justified before man. Paul addresses our justification of persons, while James addresses our justification of profession. The one is by faith alone, while the other worketh by love and produces obedience. (Pink)

Both men use Abraham as an example. And the supposition that James addresses the empty profession rests on the fact that when James says:

“Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?” –Jas. 2:21 (KJV)

Whereas Paul says:

“For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” –Rom. 4:3 (KJV)

A fact that most seen to overlook at are the differences between what Paul is quoting from, and what James quotes, rather, bases their statements on. Paul uses Gen. 15:6 as his basis in Romans 4, and James uses Gen. 22:1-19 for his basis. Abraham was seventy-five years old when he believed God in Genesis 15. However, Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born. (cf. Gen. 22:6) Tradition has it that Isaac was around twenty-five when Abraham took him to the mountain for the sacrifice. If the Catholics and Arminians are correct, then it logically means that Abraham had to wait twenty-five years in order to actually be justified! No! We merely point out that the offering of his son, gave evidence to Abraham’s faith in God.

James merely speaks of our faith showing by producing works, and if those "works" are absent, then their faith comes under suspision.

It does me no good to call myself a "Christian" and my "faith" is dead, if bellies are left empty, backs are left naked, etc.

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[Allectus]

^ Essentially that.

Look how James opens the chapter:

"Listen my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom . . . but you have dishonoured the poor man." James 2:5 Then he goes on to chastise them.


It is still by God's grace we're saved, or can do any good, for none is righteous, no not one. Romans 3:10 Good works are a product of grace given to us by God, and essential to a living faith.

 

[JustAsIam77]

Martin Luther had it right back in the early 1500's.

There are no works that we can do/perform that merits God's grace or His salvation.

But, you also must understand that both Paul and James use Abraham as their examples.

Paul wrote:

"For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." -Rom 4:3 (KJV)

James wrote:

"Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?..Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." -Jas. 2:21, 24 (KJV)

Martin Luther wrote in his preface to James and Jude: “James does nothing more than drive a man to the Law and its works.” And this is apparent in some faiths teachings. However, Luther also admits that James wanted to guard against those who relied on faith exclusively but wasn’t quite up to the task.

Also compare what Martin Luther said in comparing Paul to James when it came to the law. James called the “Law” a “perfect law of liberty.” (cf. Jas. 1:25) Paul viewed it as a Law that brings slavery, (Gal. 5:3) wrath, (Rom. 4:15) sin, (Rom. 7:7) and death (Rom. 7:10).


Paul addresses the fact of how a man can be justified before God, and James addresses how a man can be justified before man. Paul addresses our justification of persons, while James addresses our justification of profession. The one is by faith alone, while the other worketh by love and produces obedience. (Pink)

Both men use Abraham as an example. And the supposition that James addresses the empty profession rests on the fact that when James says:

“Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?” –Jas. 2:21 (KJV)

Whereas Paul says:

“For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” –Rom. 4:3 (KJV)

A fact that most seen to overlook at are the differences between what Paul is quoting from, and what James quotes, rather, bases their statements on. Paul uses Gen. 15:6 as his basis in Romans 4, and James uses Gen. 22:1-19 for his basis. Abraham was seventy-five years old when he believed God in Genesis 15. However, Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born. (cf. Gen. 22:6) Tradition has it that Isaac was around twenty-five when Abraham took him to the mountain for the sacrifice. If the Catholics and Arminians are correct, then it logically means that Abraham had to wait twenty-five years in order to actually be justified! No! We merely point out that the offering of his son, gave evidence to Abraham’s faith in God.

James merely speaks of our faith showing by producing works, and if those "works" are absent, then their faith comes under suspision.

It does me no good to call myself a "Christian" and my "faith" is dead, if bellies are left empty, backs are left naked, etc.

God Bless

Till all are one.

DeaconDean, please accept my sincere appreciation for such an enlightening answer, superb!

God bless.

 

[Allectus]

I have to agree with JustAsIAm here. specifically..

Paul addresses the fact of how a man can be justified before God, and James addresses how a man can be justified before man. Paul addresses our justification of persons, while James addresses our justification of profession. The one is by faith alone, while the other worketh by love and produces obedience.

 

[JustAsIam77]

^ Essentially that.

Look how James opens the chapter:

"Listen my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom . . . but you have dishonoured the poor man." James 2:5 Then he goes on to chastise them.


It is still by God's grace we're saved, or can do any good, for none is righteous, no not one. Romans 3:10 Good works are a product of grace given to us by God, and essential to a living faith.

I agree with you, many thanks for your reply.

 

[Allectus]

I agree with you, many thanks for your reply.

Your welcome, I think you're more experienced than me in the church. Thanks for giving me reason to read James!

 

[The Conductor]

I found a sermon by James White on this passage.

James 2:14-26

 

[JustAsIam77]

I found a sermon by James White on this passage.

James 2:14-26

Thank you.