Category: Bible Study

Rahab

To illustrate what he means by faith and works going together, James points to two Old Testament characters.  The first and perhaps obvious one is Abraham (James 2:21-24). James reminds us of the statement that “Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness” from Genesis 15.  He argues that this was particularly… Continue reading Rahab

James’ issue is not with a bias against the poor

In James 2:3, those who leave the poor person standing and neglected are spoken to sternly.  However, the problem James has identified is not so much, or not just that believers are neglecting some because they are poor or because they have taken a disliking to them.  Rather, the reason that the bias is there… Continue reading James’ issue is not with a bias against the poor

Faith and works, hearers and doers

Central to James’ argument is that living faith results in transformed lives, particularly in the crucible of persecution and suffering. This transformation affects character (1:19-21) and attitudes (2:1-7) because it is about our lives being shaped by love for God and for neighbour (2:8-13).  This means that there should also be a change in behaviour… Continue reading Faith and works, hearers and doers

Can I choose between faith and works?

James continues to tease out the relationship between faith and works to show that the two go hand in hand together.  Having used a practical example, he now uses logic by setting up a hypothetical debating partner. A look at the text (Read James 2:18-26) The hypothetical interlocutor suggests that it is possible for one… Continue reading Can I choose between faith and works?