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Friday, July 24, 2015
Casa de La Biblia - Repair and Re-roofing Update for July
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Praise God for the Simplicity yet Depth of the Good News in Jesus.
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Tuesday, July 7, 2015
James 2:14-26
James 2:14-26
Context - In James 1:1, James is writing to the Jews in the dispersion. When the context of this verse is brought together with the context of James 2:1 we gather that James is writing to the Jewish believers in the dispersion. As we turn to the immediate passage at hand.
We find this passages of James 2:14-26 in the midst of James 1:26-2:26 which is a major section dealing on demonstrating one's faith. After this passage is James 3:1-18 where we see James teaching on how to teach your lived out faith.
The version of the Bible that is quoted throughout is the English Standard Version 2007.
James 2:14 - What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? James in using the phrase "What good is it," asks what is the advantage, the value or the good of the faith without works. James uses the word "brothers" which specifically points back to the Jewish believing brothers according to the context of James 1:1 and 2:1. James then goes on to present a possible discussion of someone who says they have faith but has no works (David H. Roper; Walter Bauer, The Law That Sets You Free (Word Books, Publisher, Waco, TX), Pg. 52-63). The following phrase "Can that faith save him?" is an important key in interpreting this passage. The word “can” has the idea of power or ability. In other words is that faith able, have the power, to save him? But save, preserve or rescue, the verbal believer, the person in the discussion who is saying, from what? This is a key question.
Context is crucial. James 2:8 has the context of fulfilling the royal law. James 2:12 warns us that as one under the law of liberty we must be careful to speak and act as one judged under the law of liberty. We can be brought into judgment under the law of liberty but not the judgement of eternal separation from God because this is impossible since James is talking to believers under the law of liberty. When will the believer be judged? When a believer has faith that has no works. This faith cannot save us from judgment. The context of James 2:12 of speaking and acting are crucial. The believer is not only to speak they must act, they must have an active faith.
There is a temptation to link the words “faith save him” in James 2:14 to salvation from eternal damnation. A couple notes on this. Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches that it is by grace through faith that salvation from eternal damnation happens. God through Jesus is the One who saves us from eternal separation. He uses the medium of faith but we must also remember that it is not our faith alone that saves us from eternal separation from God. God's grace is key. Here in James 2:14-26 the word “faith” in “faith save him” is referring to a way of life, meaning our religion (James 1:27), that faith should produce works lest we desire to be judged according to James 2:8-13. This is what that faith saves one from. That is being judged.
James 2:15-16 - If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? James continues on using another question which addresses the situation of a believer in need. The context in mind is “speak and act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.” (James 2:12) So James advises against being a verbal believer, that says "Go (you all must go) in peace, be warmed (you all must be warmed), and filled (you all must be filled)" the sense is the commanding of one in need to leave from the presence of the verbal believer without helping them physically, the acting part of James 2:12. This verbal believer's faith of what good, help or advantage is it? The believer in need did not receive help for their physical need. Nor did this verbal believer's faith show that the verbal believer was living as one under the law of liberty. This verbal believer should fall under judgment because he/she is not speaking and acting they are just acting.
James 2:17 - So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Faith, our way of life or our religion (James 1:27), needs to have works or it is dead. It still exists just like a body does even without the spirit (James 2:26). However it is not good or advantageous to those around (James 2:16). This idea is very similar to that found in 1 John we need to be maturing believers not verbal stagnant believers that talk but don't act.
James 2:18 - But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. James poses another possible discussion that a Jew who bases salvation in works of the Mosaic Law may ask of a Jew who believes in Jesus and is under the law of liberty. The Jew under the Law of Moses wants proof of the religion, of the faith, of the Jew under the law of liberty. This is the argumentation used here. Man is seeking evidence of the faith of another. This is key to James 2:14-26 it is not God but man seeking evidence. Which once shows the focus is not on salvation from eternal damnation but on being saved from judgment (James 2:8-13) through the outworking of one's faith, one's religion in their daily life. The verbal believer's faith, religion, can prove very little if anything by his words of hot air. However one who has been living out his faith as an active believer can say “look at this work and that work, etc.” as a testimony of their faith, their religion under the law of liberty. This should be a wake up call to the believing Jew that even though they are under the law of liberty they need to live for God which should be revealed through their active faith, way of life, religion (Hebrews 6:11-12).
James 2:19 - You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe-and shudder! Perhaps in response to the question of the Jew living under the Mosaic Law the believing verbal Jew would respond but I do “believe that God is one” as Deuteronomy 6:4 teaches. James responds in this possible argument that this is good to believe that God is one but be warned! So do the demons believe that God is one. They don't do this for their salvation from eternal damnation for this is not an option for them but at least it does result in shuddering at what is to come. The believing Jew should not just be lazy under the law of liberty no, absolutely not, they must take heed lest they fall under judgment. There is a temptation to use this passage in regards to fighting intellectual versus heart salvation however this runs the danger of confusing many believer and unbeliever. Firstly demons cannot be saved so this is not a valid teaching based on this context. Secondly trust, belief or faith is a decision of the mind as seen over and over by the use of these words: trust, belief, and faith throughout the New Testament. Yes, we understand it is a reliance, a trust in Jesus Christ as taught in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. We absolutely must live out our faith, our religion, as James is teaching in 2:14-26. However we must be careful of incorporating works into salvation from eternal separation from God (Galatians 1:6-8). To use the word belief here in this passage as if its context is eternal separation from God does much damage to the understanding of many of the word belief throughout the Bible. Instead remembering the context of the discussion of a verbal Jewish believer with a Mosaic Law Jew who is asking for proof not for just words. Which comes to the next verse which brings us to the proof of one's faith, one's religion, in Jesus Christ.
James 2:20 - Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? James gets into the possible discussion at depth now. Stronger words are being used. The words "to be shown" can be translated as "to know." In other words "what more evidence do you need please just get it foolish, empty, person." However since the sense doesn't seem to be getting through James will now show the proof to the verbal believing Jew and perhaps even to the Mosaic Law Jew. Believing Jew your faith without works has no value, it is without worth. Some translations have the word "dead" here which can bring about a similar idea. A dead body still exists it just can't do anything for anyone it is not advantageous. As believing Jews under the law of liberty their faith needs to be lived out in their daily lives even in the midst of the trials, persecution, they are going through (James 2:2).
James 2:21-23 - Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”-and he was called a friend of God. James now uses an important father of the believing Jew's faith. The word justified is justification or being declared right before man in this context as the context from James 2:18 interprets for us. As noted by one commentator the men that went with Abraham perhaps saw the offering of Isaac on the altar. Also through James writing this very passage it has been noted down through history and read over and over as a work of Abraham's faith. This is evidence of his active faith. James then uses the idea of faith being active along with Abraham's works. Abraham does not just speak he acts with his faith (James 2:12). As Abraham was living out his faith, not a verbal stagnant faith (Hebrews 6:11-12) but an active, doing, faith which caused perfecting, completing, of his faith. His faith was lived out in his life not for salvation from eternal separation but for perfecting, completing of his faith. What an evidence of the faith that lived in Abraham which fulfilled Scripture. If one reads Genesis they will find as one commentator explained salvation in Genesis 15:6 and the sacrifice of Issac in Genesis 22. Abraham's belief, trust, faith, for eternal separation which brought about righteousness before God, not man, was much earlier in history than this work of his active faith. There is quite a span of time between these events. Abraham was called a friend of God because of his belief in God for salvation from eternal separation from God connected with his active faith. What a precious character quality that the believing Jew must strive for.
James 2:24 - You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. The evidence, the proof, of Abraham's active faith has been presented. Abraham was declared right before man by his works and faith not just his faith alone. Remember this word “justification” here that has been wrestled with down through Christian church history must be kept in light of James 2:18 the discussion, the scene, is before man not before God. God already knew Abraham as justified because of belief, trust, in God (Genesis 15:6). However man is much more visual in nature we do not know the hearts of man (Psalms 44:21).
James 2:25 - And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? James uses another evidence which is a woman the believing Jewish woman is not neglected in this evidence. Also this character is perhaps remember among the Jews as not the most pristine example but she is wonderful evidence that God can use any believer. Rahab salvation from eternal damnation is not in question here. She is being justified before man just as Abraham. The messengers, spies, could evidence this that Rahab's faith was active because God used it to save them from death. Rahab did not just speak. She also acted.
James 2:26 - For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. The body requires the spirit to be alive as some commentators indicate however the body does still exist it is just not useful or advantageous. Likewise faith can exist apart from works but it is a useless, of no value, to man. Remember the context eternal salvation is not in question here but usefulness to a believing a brother or sister as James 2:15 interprets.
Principle: The believer must have an active faith that is shown through works. This is not for salvation but for having a completed, perfected, faith as a believer.
Primary application: God through James wants the believing Jew in the dispersion to help those in need by living out their faith. Yes, they are now under the law of liberty as believers but they should not just send people on without helping them physically. They must live out their faith, their religion, in their daily lives. This living out of their faith will be evidence to the unbelieving Mosaic Law Jew living beside them.
Secondary application: For us to apply
Context - In James 1:1, James is writing to the Jews in the dispersion. When the context of this verse is brought together with the context of James 2:1 we gather that James is writing to the Jewish believers in the dispersion. As we turn to the immediate passage at hand.
We find this passages of James 2:14-26 in the midst of James 1:26-2:26 which is a major section dealing on demonstrating one's faith. After this passage is James 3:1-18 where we see James teaching on how to teach your lived out faith.
The version of the Bible that is quoted throughout is the English Standard Version 2007.
James 2:14 - What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? James in using the phrase "What good is it," asks what is the advantage, the value or the good of the faith without works. James uses the word "brothers" which specifically points back to the Jewish believing brothers according to the context of James 1:1 and 2:1. James then goes on to present a possible discussion of someone who says they have faith but has no works (David H. Roper; Walter Bauer, The Law That Sets You Free (Word Books, Publisher, Waco, TX), Pg. 52-63). The following phrase "Can that faith save him?" is an important key in interpreting this passage. The word “can” has the idea of power or ability. In other words is that faith able, have the power, to save him? But save, preserve or rescue, the verbal believer, the person in the discussion who is saying, from what? This is a key question.
Context is crucial. James 2:8 has the context of fulfilling the royal law. James 2:12 warns us that as one under the law of liberty we must be careful to speak and act as one judged under the law of liberty. We can be brought into judgment under the law of liberty but not the judgement of eternal separation from God because this is impossible since James is talking to believers under the law of liberty. When will the believer be judged? When a believer has faith that has no works. This faith cannot save us from judgment. The context of James 2:12 of speaking and acting are crucial. The believer is not only to speak they must act, they must have an active faith.
There is a temptation to link the words “faith save him” in James 2:14 to salvation from eternal damnation. A couple notes on this. Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches that it is by grace through faith that salvation from eternal damnation happens. God through Jesus is the One who saves us from eternal separation. He uses the medium of faith but we must also remember that it is not our faith alone that saves us from eternal separation from God. God's grace is key. Here in James 2:14-26 the word “faith” in “faith save him” is referring to a way of life, meaning our religion (James 1:27), that faith should produce works lest we desire to be judged according to James 2:8-13. This is what that faith saves one from. That is being judged.
James 2:15-16 - If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? James continues on using another question which addresses the situation of a believer in need. The context in mind is “speak and act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.” (James 2:12) So James advises against being a verbal believer, that says "Go (you all must go) in peace, be warmed (you all must be warmed), and filled (you all must be filled)" the sense is the commanding of one in need to leave from the presence of the verbal believer without helping them physically, the acting part of James 2:12. This verbal believer's faith of what good, help or advantage is it? The believer in need did not receive help for their physical need. Nor did this verbal believer's faith show that the verbal believer was living as one under the law of liberty. This verbal believer should fall under judgment because he/she is not speaking and acting they are just acting.
James 2:17 - So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Faith, our way of life or our religion (James 1:27), needs to have works or it is dead. It still exists just like a body does even without the spirit (James 2:26). However it is not good or advantageous to those around (James 2:16). This idea is very similar to that found in 1 John we need to be maturing believers not verbal stagnant believers that talk but don't act.
James 2:18 - But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. James poses another possible discussion that a Jew who bases salvation in works of the Mosaic Law may ask of a Jew who believes in Jesus and is under the law of liberty. The Jew under the Law of Moses wants proof of the religion, of the faith, of the Jew under the law of liberty. This is the argumentation used here. Man is seeking evidence of the faith of another. This is key to James 2:14-26 it is not God but man seeking evidence. Which once shows the focus is not on salvation from eternal damnation but on being saved from judgment (James 2:8-13) through the outworking of one's faith, one's religion in their daily life. The verbal believer's faith, religion, can prove very little if anything by his words of hot air. However one who has been living out his faith as an active believer can say “look at this work and that work, etc.” as a testimony of their faith, their religion under the law of liberty. This should be a wake up call to the believing Jew that even though they are under the law of liberty they need to live for God which should be revealed through their active faith, way of life, religion (Hebrews 6:11-12).
James 2:19 - You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe-and shudder! Perhaps in response to the question of the Jew living under the Mosaic Law the believing verbal Jew would respond but I do “believe that God is one” as Deuteronomy 6:4 teaches. James responds in this possible argument that this is good to believe that God is one but be warned! So do the demons believe that God is one. They don't do this for their salvation from eternal damnation for this is not an option for them but at least it does result in shuddering at what is to come. The believing Jew should not just be lazy under the law of liberty no, absolutely not, they must take heed lest they fall under judgment. There is a temptation to use this passage in regards to fighting intellectual versus heart salvation however this runs the danger of confusing many believer and unbeliever. Firstly demons cannot be saved so this is not a valid teaching based on this context. Secondly trust, belief or faith is a decision of the mind as seen over and over by the use of these words: trust, belief, and faith throughout the New Testament. Yes, we understand it is a reliance, a trust in Jesus Christ as taught in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. We absolutely must live out our faith, our religion, as James is teaching in 2:14-26. However we must be careful of incorporating works into salvation from eternal separation from God (Galatians 1:6-8). To use the word belief here in this passage as if its context is eternal separation from God does much damage to the understanding of many of the word belief throughout the Bible. Instead remembering the context of the discussion of a verbal Jewish believer with a Mosaic Law Jew who is asking for proof not for just words. Which comes to the next verse which brings us to the proof of one's faith, one's religion, in Jesus Christ.
James 2:20 - Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? James gets into the possible discussion at depth now. Stronger words are being used. The words "to be shown" can be translated as "to know." In other words "what more evidence do you need please just get it foolish, empty, person." However since the sense doesn't seem to be getting through James will now show the proof to the verbal believing Jew and perhaps even to the Mosaic Law Jew. Believing Jew your faith without works has no value, it is without worth. Some translations have the word "dead" here which can bring about a similar idea. A dead body still exists it just can't do anything for anyone it is not advantageous. As believing Jews under the law of liberty their faith needs to be lived out in their daily lives even in the midst of the trials, persecution, they are going through (James 2:2).
James 2:21-23 - Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”-and he was called a friend of God. James now uses an important father of the believing Jew's faith. The word justified is justification or being declared right before man in this context as the context from James 2:18 interprets for us. As noted by one commentator the men that went with Abraham perhaps saw the offering of Isaac on the altar. Also through James writing this very passage it has been noted down through history and read over and over as a work of Abraham's faith. This is evidence of his active faith. James then uses the idea of faith being active along with Abraham's works. Abraham does not just speak he acts with his faith (James 2:12). As Abraham was living out his faith, not a verbal stagnant faith (Hebrews 6:11-12) but an active, doing, faith which caused perfecting, completing, of his faith. His faith was lived out in his life not for salvation from eternal separation but for perfecting, completing of his faith. What an evidence of the faith that lived in Abraham which fulfilled Scripture. If one reads Genesis they will find as one commentator explained salvation in Genesis 15:6 and the sacrifice of Issac in Genesis 22. Abraham's belief, trust, faith, for eternal separation which brought about righteousness before God, not man, was much earlier in history than this work of his active faith. There is quite a span of time between these events. Abraham was called a friend of God because of his belief in God for salvation from eternal separation from God connected with his active faith. What a precious character quality that the believing Jew must strive for.
James 2:24 - You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. The evidence, the proof, of Abraham's active faith has been presented. Abraham was declared right before man by his works and faith not just his faith alone. Remember this word “justification” here that has been wrestled with down through Christian church history must be kept in light of James 2:18 the discussion, the scene, is before man not before God. God already knew Abraham as justified because of belief, trust, in God (Genesis 15:6). However man is much more visual in nature we do not know the hearts of man (Psalms 44:21).
James 2:25 - And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? James uses another evidence which is a woman the believing Jewish woman is not neglected in this evidence. Also this character is perhaps remember among the Jews as not the most pristine example but she is wonderful evidence that God can use any believer. Rahab salvation from eternal damnation is not in question here. She is being justified before man just as Abraham. The messengers, spies, could evidence this that Rahab's faith was active because God used it to save them from death. Rahab did not just speak. She also acted.
James 2:26 - For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. The body requires the spirit to be alive as some commentators indicate however the body does still exist it is just not useful or advantageous. Likewise faith can exist apart from works but it is a useless, of no value, to man. Remember the context eternal salvation is not in question here but usefulness to a believing a brother or sister as James 2:15 interprets.
Principle: The believer must have an active faith that is shown through works. This is not for salvation but for having a completed, perfected, faith as a believer.
Primary application: God through James wants the believing Jew in the dispersion to help those in need by living out their faith. Yes, they are now under the law of liberty as believers but they should not just send people on without helping them physically. They must live out their faith, their religion, in their daily lives. This living out of their faith will be evidence to the unbelieving Mosaic Law Jew living beside them.
Secondary application: For us to apply
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Praise God for the Privilege to Share
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