James did not contradict the apostle paul, who insisted that we are saved not of works ephesians 2. Read james 2 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. James takes up the topic of work in detail in the second part of chapter 2. Christians in the first century dispersion suffered persecution and lived under pharisaical selfrighteousness. The book of james is also a wonderful companion piece to jesus teachings as recorded in the four gospels. James 2 commentary commentary critical and explanatory. Today i decided to answer that question once again from the book of james, because the apostle james answers the question in a much straight forward manner. The members of a small group bible study gather to. Based on the context and purpose, i believe this is the best interpretation of james 2. Read james 2 commentary using commentary critical and explanatory on the whole bible.
In verse 17 he draws the inference from his illustration of a worthy sympathy which does nothing. The book of james, chapter 2 free bible commentary. James 2 bible commentary wesleys explanatory notes. Different bible translations of the letter of james and other bible study resources are available. The whole thrust of these letters of the new testament is to explain to us what faith is and how it works, and each letter makes its unique contribution to that theme. James stresses the work of the believer in relation to faith. James has a pastoral concern for the poor, but he is also looking for ethical integrity in the church and he seeks to hold the community to its professed ideals. 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. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith. 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. James 2 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the church of christ, presents a verse level look at the bible. 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. A last section, introduced by the book of hebrews is concerned with the single theme of faith. James does not contradict paul, who insisted that we are saved not of works ephesians 2.
James 2 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary is one of the most respected interdenominational commentaries ever written. James 2 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Chuck missler provides a versebyverse expositional teaching of james 2. So please turn your bible with me to james chapter 2. Moo, in his commentary on james, writes about the background of the epistle. James wrote during the time of transition in the early apostolic church. James 2 a living faith in the life of the church a.
Study james 2 using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better. I dont follow a specific system or purpose, but ive learned my hermeneutics from henry virkler, david. 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. The apostle having finished his discourse on respect of persons, and the arguments he used to dissuade from it, by an easy transition passes to treat upon faith and works, showing that faith without works, particularly without works of mercy, is of no profit and advantage. Therefore, he appeals to the sermon on the mount to show sin is an attitude controlled by a motive. Does not the presumption lie rather in favour of the poor man. 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 the bible online using commentary on james 2 and more.
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. James says, so, you dont believe that there is a connection between faith. James then addresses the relationship between faith and works, especially the folly of professing faith when unaccompanied by works. His point is that genuine faith in god naturally leads the believer to participate in good works. Zondervan illustrated bible backgrounds commentary of the new testament.
James 2 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Home group study book of james practical advice on living. My brethren, do not hold the faith of our lord jesus christ, the lord of glory, with partiality. I have also written a summary post of this sermon on james 2.
If a brother or sister be naked that is, illclothed. Partiality and discrimination in the family of god. James 2 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on the. But do you want to know, o foolish man, that faith without works is dead. His point is that genuine faith in god naturally leads the. It is true that god gives salvation through his merciful gift of grace. Hath not god chosen the poor that is, are not they whom god hath chosen, generally speaking, poor in this world. These small group studies of james contain outlines, crossreferences, bible study discussion questions, and applications. In chapter one, james dealt with the issue of temptation, saying that the testing of your faith produces endurance 1. The works james requires are not done apart from faith but done in faith, not done instead of faith but done because of faith. Home group study book of james practical advice on living the life lesson one james 1. Read and study james 2 with the versebyverse bible commentary.
James defines the nature of sin, that sin is more than an act. James is a book about the application of our faith and the importance to learn and grow in christ. Jamess focus on work has led to deep controversy about the letter. A mcnab the new bible commentary ivf r v g tasker james the tyndale new. Martin luther 1483 to 1546 was a german monk and religious reformer. The rest of the letter gives practical applications of the two underlying principles of trust in god and working to benefit others in need. Because of various theologies and dogmas, evangelical exegesis of james 2 has unfortunately maintained a fixed focus that has obscured its perception of the chapter. Paul stresses the work of christ in relation to faith. Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. There are six distinctions we need to understand in order to think clearly through the issues. James merely clarifies for us the kind of faith that saves.
The book of james is a website dedicated to the study of the epistle letter of james in the new testament. 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. We believe that the bible is inspired by god 2 timothy 3. This paper will first demonstrate that there is no contradiction with pauls. 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. Take a good look at the reward of one who will be patient, of one who will commit to a faith walk despite the testing, of one who will take specific, practical action steps of discovering a faith that works. When gods people go through personal trials, they discover what kind of faith they really possess. Leading a bible study of james if you plan to lead a group in studying james, i recommend you look over the handout and scripture verses, and allow yourself some time to delve into the leaders guide. 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.
Great tool if you are leading a bible study, are preaching through the book of james or simply studying it on your own. That way, we can grow in faith and maturity so we can apply our christian character and conduct in how we are to others. Bob utley, retired professor of hermeneutics bible interpretation. We all know that the bible teaches that god gives eternal life.
The epistle of james has had a controversial history. The believers study bible states that luther, at least for a period of time, thought that the book of james contradicted what he believed was the apostle pauls teaching that justification came by faith alone article on the canonicity of the manuscript. Here james completes his case for an oftenmisunderstood teaching. J b mayor in dictionary of the bible, edited by j hastings. Study guide for james 2 by david guzik blue letter bible. However, james says that a persons faith is proved by his works james 2. Apr 23, 2017 based on the context and purpose, i believe this is the best interpretation of james 2. Luther famously disliked james because he read james 2.
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds. James 2 bible commentary matthew henry concise christianity. If a person has no works, he is actually proving that he has no faith. Verses 1426 matthew henrys commentary bible gateway. Laws, sophie, a commentary on the epistle of james london. 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. Paul in concerned that the object of faith be christ, unmixed with selfreliance or selfrighteousness. Paul had to do with those who depended on the merit of their works in the sight of god, and thus he might well make them of no manner of account. It is important to realize, however, that there are different kinds of faith, but only one that is truly saving faith 3. The bible knowledge commentary admits, in its preface to this biblical book, that it was well known that martin luther had problems.
We often say that mans problem is sin and gods solution is the gospel of christ. All professions of faith are vain, if not producing love and justice to others. James thrice reiterates his point in this passage, and each repetition closes a branch of his argument. James has a strong ethical emphasis thats consistent with the moral teachings jesus gave to his disciples. 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. Martin luther said that the epistle of james is an epistle of straw. No doubt, true faith alone, whereby men have part in christs righteousness, atonement, and grace, saves their souls.
James probably refers to that faith which simply took in the being and unity of god. At the risk of oversimplification, this elementary but dynamic principle is what pervades jas 2. The general epistles and work bible commentary theology. Faith that works the works james requires are not done apart from faith but done in faith, not done instead of faith but done because of faith. If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled.
What can studying the book of james teach us about faith. An integrated digital bible study library including complete notes from the niv study bible and the nkjv macarthur study bible is just a step away. These letters were sent out as circular epistles to be passed around and read in several locations. Faith is initiated and perfected by god, but believers volition and actions are also part of the equation. Using several examples to make his point, including those of abraham the friend of god and rahab the harlot, james declares. Obedience and keeping the law are prerequisites to true, living faith.
James begins his rebuttal by repeating what he said in verse 17. James james the half brother of jesus is the likely author of the book of james. In the first three chapters he is going to speak of the verification of genuine faith and give us some of the ways god tests faith. Hearken as if he had said, stay, consider, ye that judge thus. Ive found with my groups that each lesson or discussion takes about 45 minutes to go through. Luther was known for challenging the authority of the roman catholic church by holding that the bible alone stood as mans source of guidance in spiritual matters. Paul not only speaks of different works from those insisted on by james, but he speaks of a quite different use that was made of good works from what is here urged and intended.
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