James 2:25

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

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

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

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

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

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

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