James 2 - Introduction

CHAPTER II.

ANALYSIS.

A disposition existing among all people to give honor to persons of wealth, and those occupying stations of more or less prominence, not extended to the poor, intruding itself into the assemblies of the saints, meets the reprobation of the apostle in the first few verses of this chapter. Faith in Christ recognizes no such distinctions. It is having a respect for persons which God does not approve, and when observed elsewhere than in the church meets with no less favor by the Father of lights. To prevent this partiality in the future, the apostle recommends to the brethren the close study and observance of the rule to love one's neighbor as he loves himself, and this he calls the royal law. This he presents as a sure remedy for all such distinctions and partialities. The excuse that might be offered for unjust judgments in the claim that in observing the most important of the precepts which are enjoined, then we are excused in neglecting those not so important, the apostle shows to be unsatisfactory from the fact that the failure to perform any one of the precepts, however insignificant, was equally a disregard of the authority of the Lawgiver, and therefore just as culpable as if all were disobeyed. Authority in each case is set at defiance. Therefore one is as bad as the other. One must offend in nothing to be approved. Another mistaken idea is next corrected. Some seemed to have fancied that the simple belief of a doctrine was all that was requisite in order to insure salvation. This idea is prevalent at the present day. The apostle shows the error of this position by a course of reasoning and by sundry illustrations, which, taken together, are simply irrefutable. One having the faith here condemned is like one who says to a person needing clothing and food, "Be clad and be fed," and offers nothing to either clothe the one or feed the other. The question would naturally arise, Does the simple remark of belief and sympathy supply the wants of the sufferer in such case? The apostle argues so it is with faith if it acts not. This kind of faith which does nothing is also entertained by the devils. The cases of Abraham and Rahab are exhibited to show how they were saved. They both had faith that acted. They showed their faith by what they did. Had either simply said, "I believe," and disregarded the things enjoined, their faith would have been unavailing. The conclusion from the whole premises is then drawn as follows: "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." This conclusion seems to be overwhelming. At all events, so argues the apostle in this chapter.