james-2:23,-genesis-15:1-6-niv

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - James 2:1-26

RESPECT OF PERSONS ; FAITH AND WORKS We next have some admonition concerning respect of persons, or the relation of the rich and the poor (James 2:1 ; James 2:13 ). This would seem to be connected with the trials of the poor mentioned in chapter 1. It not infrequently happens that the people who complain of the abundance of the rich, are the most obsequious in their conduct, as if they expected something from them as a result. Perhaps it was so here. Or it may be, that this instruction... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - James 2:10-26

The Broken Law Jam 2:10-26 That seems to be hard. James is hard. He cuts like a diamond. Now and then he melts a little in his feeling, and then he says some gracious words; says indeed some of the most gracious words that can be found in the New Testament; then presently he straightens himself again as if he had never stooped to dry a tear. It seems unreasonable that, if a man be good in nine points, all the nine points should go for nothing because he is wrong or bad in the tenth point.... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - James 2:14-26

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? (15) If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, (16) And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? (17) Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. (18) Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - James 2:14-26

14-26 Those are wrong who put a mere notional belief of the gospel for the whole of evangelical religion, as many now do. No doubt, true faith alone, whereby men have part in Christ's righteousness, atonement, and grace, saves their souls; but it produces holy fruits, and is shown to be real by its effect on their works; while mere assent to any form of doctrine, or mere historical belief of any facts, wholly differs from this saving faith. A bare profession may gain the good opinion of pious... read more

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - James 2:1-99

James 2 THESE EARLY JEWISH Christians were far too much controlled by the ordinary thoughts of the world, and as a consequence of being spotted by the world, they despised the poor. They should have been controlled by the faith of the Lord Jesus, and not by the standards and customs of the world. Though he was the Lord of Glory yet He ever stooped to the poor and the fatherless. Poverty and need may be incompatible with human glory, but they are quite compatible with Divine glory. As a... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - James 2:21-26

The example of Abraham and Rahab: v. 21. Was not Abraham, our father, justified by works when he had offered Isaac, his son, upon the altar? v. 22. Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? v. 23. And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God. v. 24. Ye see, then, how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. v. 25. Likewise... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - James 2:1-26

V. THIRD ADMONITION WITH REFERENCE TO THE THIRD FORM OF TEMPTATION. EBIONITE CONDUCTCAUTION AGAINST JUDAISTIC PARTIALITY, AGAINST FAVOURING THE RICH (THE JUDAIZING CHRISTIAN) AND DEPRECIATING THE POOR (THE GENTILE CHRISTIAN) IN THEIR CHURCH-LIFE. CONSISTENT PROOF OF FAITH DEMANDED IN THE WORK OF CHRISTIAN BROTHERLY LOVE AND IN THE ACKNOWLEDGING OF UNITY OF FAITH IN THE FAITH-WORK OF ABRAHAB THE PATRIARCH AND IN THE FAITH-WORK OF RAHAB, THE GENTILE HARLOT. DEAD AND LIVING FAITHJames 2:01My... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - James 2:14-26

Deeds the Evidence of Faith James 2:14-26 The Apostle is speaking here of a faith that does not result in a changed life. It is the faith which believes about Jesus Christ, as distinguished from that which believes in Him. We may believe about Him as we do about Luther or Washington, but such faith will not avail, either here or hereafter. It can no more affect our condition than the pious wish that a shivering beggar may be warmed, and fed will make him either one or the other. The... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - James 2:1-26

Proceeding, James dealt with the effect of faith on conduct. It makes it impossible to show any respect of persons on the ground of the possession of worldly wealth. To show such respect shows that the faith of Jesus Christ is not held. In His eyes wealth or poverty is nothing. The corrective, therefore, for such failure is to be found in the exercise of a faith like that of Christ, which, seeing God, respects men, and gives them the place of honor according to their relationship to Him. In... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:14-26

The Reply Comes, ‘But Surely If We Have Faith That Is Enough. Will We Not Be Seen To Be Righteous Because We Have Faith In Christ? Then Surely It Does Not Really Matter How We Behave Towards Others’. The Reply Is That Faith Will Certainly Enable Us To Become Acceptable To God, But That The Only Way In Which It Will Be Seen That We have Been Made Acceptable To God Is By Our Subsequent Lives Which Demonstrate Godlikeness (James 2:14-26 ). James is aware that some who have been reading his words... read more