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Therefore, just as the body without breath is dead,1 so also, conviction without works is dead.
| 1 | As the body without breath is dead: Literally, PNEUMA. Or, KJV: without spirit. Compare Psalm 146:4 and Ecclesiastes 3:19-21. For details on spirit and soul see Nazarene Commentary© under Where Are the Dead? |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
We choose James 2:26 as the theme verse of chapter two – Inactive Belief. Chapter two of James is about partiality and favoritism in the Church. [1-4] The rich members are favored while the poor ignored and oppressed. God chose the poor. [5-9] If the rich break the law of loving a neighbor then they have become transgressors of all the Law of Moses. [10-13] Conviction or faith in God is proven by works of charity. [14-17] James uses the examples of Abraham and Rahab, both pronounced righteous by their works. [18-26] Like the body without breath, faith without works is dead.
Abba our Father bless those with works of faith.
[26 August 2002]
Some have thought, among these Luther, that Paul and James were not in agreement on the subject of faith. Those who thus conclude mistake both these inspired men of God. Paul shows that works without faith will not justify, and hence lays the emphasis on faith; James shows that faith without works will not justify, and lays the emphasis on works. Neither teaches that faith alone, or works alone will justify. Paul, indeed, shows that faith alone is worthless (1Co 13:2), and in Heb 11:1-40, he emphasizes works as the demonstration of faith. The two writers are in agreement, and all seeming disagreement is due to the fact that they are seeking to correct different errors, and hence look at the matter from different points of view.
