James 2:25-26 ASV

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - James 2:26

For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead.See under James 2:17, above, for elaboration of the meaning of the comparison here. Ward warned against "pressing the parallelism too far";[56] but it is not apparent to this student how that would be possible. Certainly all of the faith in the world without works has exactly the same efficacy in providing salvation as a dead body.The conclusion of this section on James' refutation of the solifidian perversion... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - James 2:25

James 2:25. Was not Rahab—justified by works,— It ought to be observed, that Rahab is not here celebrated for "lying, and betraying her country to its enemies," as some have objected. With respect to lies, they are every where condemned in the Holy Scriptures, and the truth is represented as sacred and inviolable: and as to the inhabitants of her country, they were devoted to destruction because of their idolatry and other great vices, and she appears to have been assured of this by a divine... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - James 2:26

James 2:26. For as the body, &c.— "And on such principles must all others expect justification and salvation; for as the body, without the spirit, is but a dead carcase, how fair and entire soever it may appear, and will at length fall into putrefaction and dissolution; so such a faith as remains without the substantial fruits of good works, which ought ever to attend it, is also dead: it now appears as a carcase in the sight of God, and as such will ere long perish." Inferences.—The... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - James 2:25

25. It is clear from the nature of Rahab's act, that it is not quoted to prove justification by works as such. She believed assuredly what her other countrymen disbelieved, and this in the face of every improbability that an unwarlike few would conquer well-armed numbers. In this belief she hid the spies at the risk of her life. Hence :- names this as an example of faith, rather than of obedience. "By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not." If an instance of obedience... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - James 2:26

26. Faith is a spiritual thing: works are material. Hence we might expect faith to answer to the spirit, works to the body. But James reverses this. He therefore does not mean that faith in all cases answers to the body; but the FORM of faith without the working reality answers to the body without the animating spirit. It does not follow that living faith derives its life from works, as the body derives its life from the animating spirit. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 2:14-26

B. The Importance of Vital Faith 2:14-26Some have seen this section as dealing with a new subject, the relationship of faith and works, whereas the previous one dealt with partiality (James 2:1-13). It seems to me and to others, however, that this section relates to the preceding one in the same way James 1:19-27 relates to James 1:2-18. It deals with a larger, more basic issue that connects with and underlies the practical problem just discussed."In this section St. James proceeds to enlarge... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 2:24-26

6. James’ final argument 2:24-26 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 2:25

James could have ended his argument about the "revered patriarch" Abraham, but he chose to add the illustration of Rahab, the "redeemed prostitute." [Note: Blue, p. 826.] "Rahab . . . is superbly suited to tie the strands of his thoughts together. This passage had begun, as we have seen, with an allusion to his theme of ’saving the life’ (James 2:14; James 1:21). Not surprisingly, therefore, Rahab is selected as a striking example of a person whose physical life was ’saved’ precisely because... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 2:26

Faith without works is as dead as a body without a human spirit. It is of no practical value. This is James’ final illustration and affirmation on the subject. Our faith becomes only dead orthodoxy when we stop obeying God. Vital faith then becomes dead faith. Both a dead body and dead faith were alive at one time."Does James then contradict Paul’s doctrine of full grace, or John’s insistence on faith as the single condition for eternal life? Far from it. But neither does he offer support to... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:1-26

Warnings Against Respect of Persons. Belief and Practice1. Another instance of inconsistency. Jesus Christ the Lord of glory] better, ’Jesus Christ the glory,’ or ’the glorious one,’ One of the rare passages in which St. James breaks through his habitual reserve in speaking of the Master, and shows us something of his devotion to Christ. Such reserve was natural to a Jew. 2. In the Jewish-Christian Church the place for worship is still the synagogue (Hebrews 10:25). At first strangers would be... read more

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - James 2:26

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - James 2:25

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - James 2:26

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - James 2:25

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - James 2:26

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 2:14-26

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 2:24-26

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 2:25

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 2:26

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:1-26

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