James 2:21-26

February 22-29, 2008

Today’s “Chew On It” is a lot to digest all at once, so I recommend that we meditate on this passage for the next week. So, take a deep breath and enjoy the ride. Feel free to take your time on these verses and in answering the questions. There are two Bible characters that are mentioned that require us to go back to the Old Testament and read their stories of faith in God. Also, there are some things in this passage that need to be resolved with the whole context of Scripture. It’s comforting to know that God did not just intend for us to understand the easy passages of Scripture, but even the hard ones! With the Holy Spirit’s illumination and power, we are able to grasp these truths and live them out! If you are able to do so, discuss this passage with your family and study it together.


Since I will be gone on the TCS Senior Mission Trip from March 2-8, we will begin James 3 when I return. In the meantime, chew on James 2:21-26, and then go back and read over the James 1-2. You will be surprised at how much you will grow by reading God’s Word over and over so that it works itself into your mind, heart, and actions. Until then, keep on chewing on the Word!

As you read today's passage, look for these words or phrases: faith, works, Abraham, justified, and Rahab.

Passage for the day: James 2:21-26 (NASB)

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;
23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God.
24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.


Questions for thought: Take a few moments to answer these questions before you go on to the next section.

Take some time and read Genesis 22:1-18 and compare it to James 2:21. How is this a good example of faith producing works?



In light of this story, how would you have responded in Abraham’s situation? Would you have trusted God completely even though it did not make sense?



Read Romans 4:1-5 (below) and then answer this question: Why was Paul using the example of Abraham and why was James using it, for what purpose?

“Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God? If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way. For the Scriptures tell us, ‘Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.’ When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.” - Romans 4:1-5 NLT




How do you reconcile verse 24 in light of Ephesians 2:8-9? Is James promoting a works-based salvation?



How was Abraham “reckoned to God”? How can a sinner be called “the friend of God”?



Read Joshua 2:1-21 and Hebrews 11:30-31. How did Rahab live out her faith in midst of a culture that hated God and the Israelites? What made her different?



Chew on this:

James takes us now to an example of true faith showing itself in works. God regarded Abraham as righteous for offering up his son Isaac. By this time, Abraham was already a believer in God, since he had faith in God’s promise in Genesis 15:1-6. But at this point, Abraham’s belief in God was put to the ultimate test. Abraham obeyed the command of God that tested him by an extraordinary trial. By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son. What would go through your mind if you were Abraham, knowing that you were about to kill the promised son you had waited for? How would you respond as God asks you to go all the way with your faith in Him? You see, Abraham proved that he was justified and that he was a righteous man, based on the works that were produced.

We must look at this from the whole context of Scripture, so we can see clearly what the Apostle Paul and James wrote, and how they are not in conflict with each other. The difference of perspective rests in this: James looked to the Abraham story to show how genuine faith operates, while Paul looked to the Abraham story to show how God is willing to forgive sinners. In salvation, God must work in us (since we are dead in our sins) in order for us to believe and trust in Him as Savior. And, because of that working in our hearts, we are then able to respond in faith to God. Our justification by faith is seen in our actions, but those actions would not be present if it was not for God working in us.

After salvation, we see this process continue. In Philippians 2:12-13, we are told to work out our own salvation and then we discover that it is God who works in us to give us the desire and the ability to carry out His good pleasure for our lives. Here in James, we are told repeatedly that faith without works is useless and dead. But remember – you are dead in the water without God giving you the strength and grace to have faith in Him and see that faith lived out in your life.

Abraham’s faith was made complete by his actions, or literally, “his faith works.” James wanted it known that without action, faith cannot be complete. There is an important connection between deeds that complete faith and perseverance itself. Abraham’s actions were his perseverance in faith. It showed that his faith was genuine. True faith will always show itself in works.

James also gives us an unlikely example of “Rahab the prostitute” to emphasize that our faith must be real. Ironically, Rahab is mentioned in the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11, so evidently her faith was something God wanted us to learn from. As her title shows, she was not someone who had a great past. But, God saw her faith in Him by the way she mercifully hid the Israelite spies from her own countrymen and cared for their needs before the destruction of Jericho. She showed true faith in that she recognized the truth of God in his works of delivering Israel, and she demonstrated that faith, even though her life was in danger. This is a great reminder to us of the mercy of God – when we put our faith and trust in God, He will not reject us because of what we have done in the past.

James wraps up this passage by presenting an image of a body without a spirit. Without the spirit, the body has no life. Without works, faith is dead. Keep in mind that works do not justify you in God’s sight, but prove that your faith is real – toward others inside and outside the church. I pray that we would all have a growing and working faith!


For His Name,

Pastor Stephen