An easyenglish commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the letter of james. Though we begin by being faithful in little things, we begin to develop the absolute trust required to submit our lives to our sovereign and provider without. Recorded at first baptist church, west monroe, louisiana. This paper will first demonstrate that there is no contradiction with pauls. Martin luther said that the epistle of james is an epistle of straw. Any declaration of faith that does not result in a changed life and good works is a false declaration. A closing simile of much force, as the body without the spirit, so faith without works. In short, it has been thought that james teaches the doctrine of justification by the merit of good works, while paul asserts this to be insufficient, and that man is justified by faith. We often say that mans problem is sin and gods solution is the gospel of christ. James 2 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. His point is that genuine faith in god naturally leads the believer to participate in good works.
He who breaks one command of god is guilty of the whole, james 2. Study guide for james 1 by david guzik blue letter bible. I recently finished reading gods children, one of rutledges books, at the suggestion of margaret reagan. A free bible commentary on the letter of james in easy english.
Introduction the members of a small group bible study gather to discuss personal evangelism, none of whom have ever persistently shared their faith. Jamess focus on work has led to deep controversy about the letter. It is true that god gives salvation through his merciful gift of grace. James introduces the next big idea using a rhetorical question what good is it. Partiality and discrimination in the family of god. The book of james a detailed commentary basic training bible ministries page 2 introduction to james background of the book the epistle of james is one. Believing that his faith is all it should be, any christian may become overconfident. In chapter one, james dealt with the issue of temptation, saying that the testing of your faith produces endurance 1. The epistle of james has had a controversial history. By these few scriptures alone, we know that anyone who says the law is done away has not yet made contact with the true god and has no basis for faith toward him. Martin luther knew and taught exactly what the book of james teaches. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. Faith is initiated and perfected by god, but believers volition and actions are also part of the equation. All professions of faith are vain, if not producing love and justice to others.
Sep 15, 2000 james throughout the book of james sets forth a chain of tests whereby we can evaluate how genuine our faith truly is. Verses 1426 in this latter part of the chapter, the apostle shows the. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Visit our library of inductive bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the bible you can use in your small group. These letters were sent out as circular epistles to be passed around and read in several locations. James 2 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. I cannot emphasize enough that james 2 has nothing whatsoever to do with the gaining, keeping, or proving of eternal life. Ellicotts commentary for english readers 26 as the body without the spirit. His point is that genuine faith in god naturally leads the. Bob utley, retired professor of hermeneutics bible interpretation. I dont follow a specific system or purpose, but ive learned my hermeneutics from henry virkler, david. Verse 3 and ye have regard to him that weareth the fine clothing, and say, sit thou here in a good place. However, james says that a persons faith is proved by his works james 2. If you do not show this by doing good things, what you say is no use at all.
The book does not have the fullorbed doctrinal scope that later new testament authors develop since he stands at the beginning of the new testament chronologically. Moo, in his commentary on james, writes about the background of the epistle. The not bridling the tongue, readiness to speak of the faults of others, or to lessen their wisdom and piety, are signs of a vain religion. Some of the wrong thinking about works is derived from martin luthers teaching that salvation is by faith alone, a statement that does not appear in the bible. His question draws our attention to the key thought for what follows. Most of the uses of faith and works are related to each other. They should act as those who shall be judged by the law of liberty. This verse begins a controversial passage, one often misunderstood. Here, james will begin to make the case that genuine faith in christ results in genuine change in the actions of believers. James is concerned that the outcome of faith be fruit 2. Listen to pastor robert furrow as he continues his commentary on the book of james picking up today in chapter 2, verse 14. Study hints for thinking further, a study guide for teachers, discusses the five questions below to help with class preparation and in conducting class discussion. James omitted from some early lists of new testament books that belong in the bible.
The book of james, chapter 2 free bible commentary. Our initial faith toward god has to expand from a tender trust to fullblown conviction. James thrice reiterates his point in this passage, and each repetition closes a branch of his argument. Study the bible online using commentary on james 2 and more. The book of james was to pass cyclically from one group to another. I have also written a summary post of this sermon on james 2. The force of his meaning thus builds and intensifies.
James takes up the topic of work in detail in the second part of chapter 2. Along with 1 and 2 peter, 1, 2 and 3 john, and jude, it belongs to that category of new testament epistles called general or catholic in the sense of universal see catholic epistles. My brethren, do not hold the faith of our lord jesus christ, the lord of glory, with partiality. Three times in this passage, james emphasizes that faith without works is dead jm 2. In another place he wrote of the book of james, i think highly of the epistle of james, and regard it as valuable it does not expound human doctrines, but lays much emphasis on gods law. The members of a small group bible study gather to. Luther famously disliked james because he read james 2. James 2 commentary commentary critical and explanatory on. In verse 17 he draws the inference from his illustration of a worthy sympathy which does nothing. James 2 bible commentary matthew henry concise christianity. Paul in concerned that the object of faith be christ, unmixed with selfreliance or selfrighteousness. Since christ questions whether even the elect will have the kind of faith he requires, it should be obvious we must grow in faith. These small group studies of james contain outlines, crossreferences, bible study discussion questions, and applications.
If a person has no works, he is actually proving that he has no faith. James chose this third term for summation and climax in 2. Recorded at first baptist church, west monroe, louisiana, on feb. Zebedee the father of the disciples james and john. As we develop this and study and talk to our friends, it is necessary to focus on faith and especially the response of faith that is essential to be saved.
But according to james chapter 2, there is such a thing as faith that doesnt save. Much of the material for this outline was adapted heavily from the bible exposition commentary, volume 2, by warren w. Read james 2 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. What doth it profit though a man say he hath faith we now come to a part of this epistle which has appeared to some eminent men to contradict other portions of the divine records. James 2 my brothers, show no partiality as you hold the. James 2 a living faith in the life of the church a.
Based on the context and purpose, i believe this is the best interpretation of james 2. Obedience and keeping the law are prerequisites to true, living faith. There are six distinctions we need to understand in order to think clearly through the issues. James throughout the book of james sets forth a chain of tests whereby we can evaluate how genuine our faith truly is. James closes his argument with an analogy from our body in james 2. A bible scholar explains faith without works in james 2. James stresses the work of the believer in relation to faith. The book of james a detailed commentary basic training bible ministries page 2 introduction to james background of the book the epistle of james is one of the general epistles, including 1 and 2 peter, 1, 2 and 3 john, and jude. Study james 2 using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better. Paul stresses the work of christ in relation to faith. Apr 23, 2017 based on the context and purpose, i believe this is the best interpretation of james 2. Here james completes his case for an oftenmisunderstood teaching. As we develop this and study and talk to our friends, it is necessary to focus on faith and especially the response of faith that is.