TEMPTATION IN THE CHURCH _Text 2:1-4_ 1. My brethren, hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2. For if there come into your synagogue a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, and there come in also a poor man in vile clothing; 3. and ye have... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER IV _OVER-RATED RICHES_ James 2:1-13 _Introduction_ The ability to accumulate riches, in the minds of many people, seems to qualify any man for any position. Even though the acquisition of riches usually goes with oppression of the poor, purchased political power, and arrogant flaunting of... [ Continue Reading ]
WHY OVER-RATING RICHES IS SIN _Text 2:5-9_ James 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world to be rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him? 6. But ye have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you, an... [ Continue Reading ]
GENERAL PRINCIPLES _Text 2:10-13_ James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is become guilty of all. 11. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou dost not commit adultery, but killest, thou art become a transgressor... [ Continue Reading ]
CAN FAITH-ONLY SAVE? _Text 2:14_ James 2:14. What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not works? Can that faith save him? _Queries_ 129. What is the difference between profitable and non-profitable? i.e., What would make a thing have profit? 130. Is there any pro... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER V. _THE DEVIL'S FAITH_ James 2:14-26 _Introduction_ Faith has come to mean some kind of magic word by which men shall do the impossible, even to the acquisition of heaven. The word really means to believe, and in most places in the scripture it could be so translated without doing violen... [ Continue Reading ]
FAITH-ONLY IS DEAD, BEING ALONE (EXAMPLE NO. 1) _Text 2:15-17_ James 2:15. If a brother or sister be naked and in lack of food, 16. and one of you say unto them, Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; and yet ye give them not the things needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17. Even so fai... [ Continue Reading ]
GODLY FAITH VS. THE DEVIL'S FAITH _Text 2:18-20_ James 2:18 Yea, a man will say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith apart from thy works, and I by my works will show thee _my_ faith. 19. Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well: the demons also believe and shudder. 20.... [ Continue Reading ]
FAITH-ONLY DOES NOT JUSTIFY (EXAMPLE NO. 2) _Text 2:21-24_ James 2:21. Was not Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? 22. Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect; 23. and the scripture was fulfilled... [ Continue Reading ]
FAITH MUST HAVE WORKS (EXAMPLE NO. 3) _Text 2:25-26_ James 2:25 And in like manner was not also Rahab the harlot justified by her works, in that she received the messengers, and sent them out another way? 26. For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead.... [ Continue Reading ]