James 2:25-26 ASV

The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:20-26

Justification by faith and works. The meaning of this notable passage has been much contested, because its teaching seems to many minds to contradict the doctrine of justification by faith. It was this apparent antagonism which led Martin Luther for a time to denounce the whole Epistle of James as a mere handful of "straw." Since his day, however, good men have been coming more and. more to see that Paul and James, so far from opposing one another, are in reality presenting different sides... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:25

(4) Fourth point : Proof from the case of Rahab the harlot of justification by works (cf. Joshua 2:1-24 .; Joshua 6:25 ). Rahab is mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament in Hebrews 11:31 , where she also appears as ῥαὰβ ἡ πόρνη , and is spoken of as having "received the spies," δεξαμένη τοὺς κατασκόπους cf. ὑποδεξαμένη τοὺς ἀγγέλους here. There, however, she is regarded as an instance of faith (see above in preliminary note). The only other place where her... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:26

Conclusion of the whole matter : "As the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead." read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 2:25

Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works? - In the same sense in which Abraham was, as explained above - showing by her act that her faith was genuine, and that it was not a mere cold and speculative assent to the truths of religion. Her act showed that she truly believed God. If that act had not been performed, the fact would have shown that her faith was not genuine, and she could not have been justified. God saw her faith as it was; he saw that it would produce acts of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 2:26

For as the body without the spirit is dead - Margin, “breath.” The Greek word πνεύμα pneuma is commonly used to denote spirit or soul, as referring to the intelligent nature. The meaning here is the obvious one, that the body is animated or kept alive by the presence of the soul, and that when that is withdrawn, hope departs. The body has no life independent of the presence of the soul.So faith without works is dead also - There is as much necessity that faith and works should be united to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - James 2:25-26

James 2:25-26. Likewise also, &c. After Abraham, the father of the Jews, the apostle cites Rahab, a woman and a sinner of the Gentiles, to show that in every nation and sex true faith produces works, and is perfected by them; that is, by the grace of God working in the believer, while he is showing his faith by his works: see note on Hebrews 11:31. “Rahab’s faith consisted in her attending to, and reasoning justly on, what she had heard concerning the dividing of the waters of the Red... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - James 2:14-26

Proof of genuine faith (2:14-26)The Christian faith is not merely a mental belief, but something that is practised. Those who say they have faith must give evidence of it by their behaviour. In the case of the poor Christians just referred to, it is useless to talk sympathetically to them but not give them food and clothing. A professed faith must produce a corresponding change in behaviour, otherwise it is dead and useless (14-17).Genuine faith will prove itself by good deeds. The simple... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - James 2:25

also . Should follow "harlot". sent . . . out . App-174 . another . App-124 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - James 2:26

the . Omit. spirit . App-101 . See Authorized Version m., and compare Genesis 2:7 . so, &c . = so faith also. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - James 2:25

And in like manner was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works, in that she received the messengers, and sent them out another way?In like manner ... In view of this introductory phrase, one must look for some correspondence between the cases of Abraham and Rahab, which appears to be this, that both alike performed works which in themselves would have been illegal or sinful, unless they were undertaken in direct consequence of being understood as the will of God. In the instance of Rahab,... read more