james-2:14-17,-1-john-3:11-18

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 2:15-16

2. James’ illustration 2:15-16As he did before (James 2:2-4), James provided a concrete situation to illustrate his point (James 2:15-16). He envisioned a situation that may very well have taken place in his church in Jerusalem where there were many poor saints (Romans 15:25-31; 1 Corinthians 16:3). All the people in the illustration seem to be genuine Christians in view of the terms James used to describe them (cf. "brethren" in James 1:2; James 2:1; James 2:14; James 3:1). The situation he... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 2:17

3. James’ restatement of his point 2:17James was not saying that a person who responds to another Christian’s need, as in James 2:15-16, shows that he has failed to exercise saving faith and is devoid of eternal life. He was saying that faith, if work (i.e., obedience to the Word of God) does not accompany it, is dead (i.e., inactive)."We can make statements in all sincerity of mind and emotion: ’I feel sorry for the poor; I don’t condone racism.’ But James will say, ’What good is that if you... read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - James 2:16

2:16 filled; (c-15) Or 'warm and fill yourselves.' 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

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 2:14

(14) What doth it (or, is the) profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works?—Some allusion here is made most probably to the Shema, the Jewish creed, “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord” (Deuteronomy 6:4). It was the daily protest of the devout Israelite in the midst of idolaters, and the words of his morning and evening of life, as well as of the ordinary day. A similar utterance of faith is held to be the test of the true believer in Islam, when the two... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 2:14-26

(14-26) FAITH AND WORKS.—We now enter on the most debatable ground of the Epistle; a battle-field strewn with the bones and weapons of countless adversaries. It is an easy thing to shoot “arrows, even bitter words”; and without doubt, for what seemed to be the vindication of the right, many a hard blow has been dealt on either side—so many, indeed, that quiet Christian folk have no desire to hear of more. The plain assertions of holy Scripture on this matter are enough for them; and they... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 2:15

(15) But (the word should be added, for it continues an argument) if a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food—i.e., the food for each day, not that which suffices for one, or for a present distress; the case is rather of worst and direst want, so that the heart untouched by the spectacle of such misery must be hard indeed. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 2:16

(16) And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled.—Is it unlikely, knowing as we do the style of the rugged Apostle, that he was drawing other than from the life? Perhaps it was a scene in his own experience during that very famine foretold by Agabus (Acts 11:28-30).There would, however, seem to be a worse interpretation of the words, beginning so softly with the Eastern benediction: namely, “Ye are warming and filling yourselves.” It is the rebuke of cool prosperity... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 2:17

(17) Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.—Better, like the margin, is dead in its own self. If to be childless among women were a curse in Israel, so to be barren among God’s graces is the condemnation of faith in Christendom. And St. Paul, in substantial harmony with this assertion of his brother Apostle, declares (Romans 2:13) “Not the hearers of the Law are just before God, but the doers of the Law shall be justified.” There had been no lack of charity under the earlier... read more

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

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 2:15-16

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 2:17

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - James 2:16

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

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 2:14

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 2:14-26

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 2:15

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 2:16

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 2:17

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