James 2:14

It is essential we understand that in this section James is not pitting works against faith. The faith that cannot save (James 2:14 "can that faith save him?"), is. certain kind of faith.. faith that isn't active. The faith that James commends in this section is the same type of faith that Paul praises,. faith which is obedient that actively seeks to do the will of God (Romans 4:18; Romans 1:5). Neither is James saying that there are things we must do to earn our salvation, for James believed in the grace of God just as much as the other apostles (James 2:12-13; James 4:6-8; James 5:20). The "works" mentioned in this epistle are simply another way of saying. faith that works or. faith that is active. The works under consideration are not works of the Law of Moses (Romans 4:2 ff), or works of human invention (Titus 3:5). What James is discussing in this chapter could be seen as. commentary on what Jesus said in Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven"). Neither is James introducing. completely new topic at this point. This section is simply one more way of illustrating the vanity of merely being. hearer of the word and not. doer. They are another example of "vain religion" (James 1:26). Woods notes, "It should be apparent to the most casual reader that Paul and James are discussing two different kinds of works in these passages (Ephesians 2:8; James 2:21). Paul refers to works which are excluded from God's plan to save; James discusses works which are included in it" (p. 131).

James 2:14 "What use is it, my brethren, if. man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him?"What use is it" -"What good is it" (Wey). Matthew 16:26"if. man says he has faith" -"present active subjunctive, 'if one keeps on saying'" Robertson p. 33). Once gain, what we profess with incredible confidence about ourselves can be completely wrong. "Nothing in the context suggests that the person is attempting to deceive others. He claims to possess true faith, and one may assume that he was sincere about the claim" (Kent p. 89)."but he has no works?" -Which will be illustrated in James 2:15-16, i.e.. faith that isn't active. "Can that faith" -James isn't saying, "Can faith save him". Rather, can that kind of faith, can mere intellectual belief save him? James clearly believes in "faith" (James 5:15). The question isn't, "Can faith save him", rather, "Can faith which is nothing more than. verbal profession save him?" Of course the answer is "no". Roberts notes, "It is noteworthy that the verbs in the statement, "If. man says he hath faith and have not works", are present active subjunctives, thus, "If one keeps on saying he has faith, but keeps on not having works…." Mere profession, without obedience to God's commands, is worthless" (p. 132). It should be clear that Paul never taught. salvation by mere mental assent. Paul often emphasized the need for. faith that obeys,. faith that is active (Romans 2:6; Romans 6:13; Romans 6:16; Romans 8:13; Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Romans 10:9; Colossians 2:11)."save him?" -Remember James is writing to Christians. This statement clearly reveals that the Christian doesn't have an automatic ticket to eternal life. The doctrine of once-saved-always-saved doesn't fit this verse. In addition, neither does the Calvinistic idea that God gives the believer his or her faith. This question would never be brought up in. context in which the faith of every Christian had been miraculously given them by God.

Point To Note:

The argument is at times made that while an active faith is necessary to remain. Christian, faith-only is what enables one to become. Christian. But the New Testament is clear that more than just. mental belief in Jesus is necessary. Paul mentions confession (Romans 10:9); repentance (Acts 17:30) and baptism (Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:3) as conditions which are all prior to salvation. In addition, it doesn't make. whole lot of sense that there is one type of faith that enables you to become. Christian and another type of faith that is necessary to remain. Christian. James is talking about. faith that results in salvation, the same type of faith that is described in Romans 4:1 or Ephesians 2:8.