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James Chapter Two

 
Chapter Two General Review
 
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THE CHAPTER
 
1) To consider the sin and danger of showing personal favoritism
 
2) To note the folly of faith without works, how that faith without
 works is a dead faith
 
SUMMARY
 
In this chapter we first find a call to hold the faith of Jesus Christ
without partiality. Evidently some were displaying favoritism toward
the rich in their assemblies, while despising the poor. Showing respect
of persons made one a judge with evil thoughts, and James provides
several reasons why such prejudice was unbecoming of those who believe
in Jesus and worthy of condemnation (1-13).
 
James then addresses the relationship between faith and works,
especially the folly of professing faith when unaccompanied by works.
Using several examples to make his point, including those of Abraham
the friend of God and Rahab the harlot, James declares three times that
faith without works is dead (14-26).
 
OUTLINE
 
I. TRUE RELIGION DOES NOT SHOW PARTIALITY (1-13)
 
 A. SUCH AS SHOWING PREFERENCE TO THE RICH (1-3)
 1. The faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, is not
  to be held with partiality
 2. A case in point: showing preference with seating arrangements
 in the assembly
 
 B. REASONS NOT TO SHOW PARTIALITY TOWARD THE RICH (4-13)
 1. It makes one a judge with evil thoughts
 2. Has not God chosen the poor to be rich in faith and heirs of
 the kingdom?
 3. Have not the rich oppressed and blasphemed you?
 4. Does not the royal law call upon us to love our neighbor?
 5. Partiality will convict us as transgressors, even if we 
 stumble in only one point
 6. We shall be judged by the law of liberty, in which judgment
 without mercy is given to those who show no mercy
 
II. TRUE RELIGION SHOWS FAITH THROUGH WORKS (14-26)
 
 A. FAITH WITHOUT WORKS CANNOT SAVE ONE (14-19)
 1. What profit is there in faith without works?
 a. Can such faith save one?
 b. Is there any profit to tell a naked and destitute person to
 be warm and filled, and not give them what they need?
 c. Thus faith by itself, without works, is dead
 2. Faith is shown by one's works
 a. It is not enough to claim to have faith
 b. The devils believe in God, and tremble
 
 B. FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD (20-26)
 1. As exemplified by Abraham, the friend of God
 a. Who was justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on
 the altar
 b. His faith was working with his works, and by them perfected
 his faith
 c. By his works the Scripture was fulfilled that declared him
 faithful and righteous
 2. As exemplified by Rahab, the harlot
 a. Who was justified by works when she hid the spies
 b. Thus faith without works is dead, just as the body without
  the spirit is dead
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
 - True religion does not show partiality (1-13)
 - True religion shows faith through works (14-26)
 
2) With what is one not to hold the faith of our Lord Jesus? (1)
 - Partiality, or respect of persons (i.e., prejudice)
 
3) What example does James use to illustrate his point? (2-3)
 - Showing preference to a rich man over a poor man in the assembly
 
4) Of what is one guilty when they show partiality? (4)
 - Becoming a judge with evil thoughts
 
5) Why should one not show prejudice against the poor? (5)
 - God has chosen them to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom
 which He has promised to those who love Him
 
6) What had the rich been doing against those to whom James wrote this
 epistle? (6-7)
 - Oppressing them and dragging them into the courts
 - Blaspheming the noble name by which they were called
 
7) What would be well for them to do? (8)
 - To fulfill the royal law: "You shall love your neighbor as 
 yourself"
 
8) What is the consequence of showing partiality? (9)
 - Committing sin and being convicted by the law as transgressors
 
9) Of what is one guilty if they stumble in just one point of the law?
 (10-11)
 - Guilty of all; a transgressor of the law
 
10) How then should they speak and act? Why? (12-13)
 - As those who will judged by the law of liberty
 - Judgment is without mercy to one who shows no mercy, and mercy
 triumphs over judgment
 
11) What question does James address next? (14)
 - What does it profit if one says he has faith, but does not have
 works?
 
12) What example is given to illustrate the futility of faith without
 works? (15-16)
 - Telling a naked and hungry person to be warmed and filled, but
 then do nothing to help
 
13) What is the condition of faith by itself, without works? (17)
 - It is dead
 
14) How does James challenge the person who only has faith? (18)
 - Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by
 works
 
15) What example does James use next to show the futility of faith 
 only? (19)
 - That of demons, who believe in God
 
16) How was Abraham justified? When? (21)
 - By works
 - When he offered Isaac his son on the altar
 
17) What was the relation between Abraham's faith and works? (22)
 - Faith was working together with his works
 - By works his faith was made perfect
 
18) What two things were the result of Abraham's works? (23)
 - The Scriptures were fulfilled which said he believed God and it
 was accounted to him for righteousness
 - He was called the friend of God
 
19) What point did the example of Abraham illustrate? (24)
 - A man is justified by works, and not by faith only
 
20) What final example does James appeal to? (25)
 - Rahab the harlot, who was justified when she hid the two spies
 
21) What is James' conclusion regarding faith and works? (26)
 - As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is
 dead also
 
The Sin Of Partiality (2:1-13)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In the first century, A.D., polarized conditions governed society;
 people were either rich or poor, slaves or free, Jew or Gentile,
 Greek or barbarian
 
2. However, part of the good news of the gospel was that in Christ
 Jesus social barriers lost much of their strength
 a. As Paul wrote to the Galatians: "There is neither Jew nor Greek,
 there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female:
 for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (Ga 3:28)
 b. Again, in writing to the Colossians: "Where there is neither
 Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian,
 Scythian, bond [nor] free: but Christ [is] all, and in all.
 (Co 3:11)
 
3. But it took a while for this truth to sink into the hearts of those
 who were Christians; even the apostle Peter had to be told this
 truth through a vision and then a special outpouring of the Holy
 Spirit - cf. Ac 10:34-35
 
4. From the second chapter of the epistle of James, it is apparent that
 showing partiality was still being practiced and its sinfulness
 needed to be pointed out
 
5. Because "The Sin Of Partiality" is still prevalent in some forms
 today, let's examine Ja 2:1-13 and consider what James has to say
 on this subject
 
[Consider, first of all, exactly what is...]
 
I. THE SIN OF PARTIALITY
 
 A. AS MANIFESTED IN JAMES' DAY...
 1. We know from other scriptures that Jewish Christians often
 showed partiality in regards to the Gentiles
 2. But in this epistle, the problem was one of showing partiality
 between the rich and poor - Ja 2:2-4
 
 B. TODAY, WE CAN ALSO BE GUILTY OF PARTIALITY...
 1. By showing partiality between rich and poor
 a. For example, giving preferential treatment to visitors at
 our assemblies based upon their apparel
 b. Or showing hospitality towards our rich friends, while
 ignoring those who are poor (sometimes, it is the poor who
 despise the rich)
 2. By showing partiality between people of different races (again,
 this can easily go both ways)
 3. Even by showing partiality between friends and visitors to our
 services
 
[Sadly, the sin of partiality (i.e., being biased, prejudiced, racist)
is probably just as prevalent if not more so than it was in the days
when James wrote his epistle!
 
This makes the words of James very relevant and worth our consideration.
Let's therefore notice...]
 
II. WHY CHRISTIANS CAN'T SHOW PARTIALITY
 
 A. JESUS CHRIST IS A "GLORIOUS" LORD! (2:1)
 1. It is possible that this point was being implied by James in
 using his appellation of Jesus to introduce the subject
 2. What does OUR partiality have to do with the LORD OF GLORY?
 a. As Christians, we profess to be Christ's disciples, or
 followers, whose goal is to imitate Him - Lk 6:40
 b. As such, our actions are likely to be considered by others
 as a reflection of what Christ teaches
 c. If we show partiality as Christians, we leave the impression
 that Jesus Himself is partial (prejudiced, biased, racist)
 3. Therefore, if we are not careful, the glory of the Lord can be
 tainted by OUR partiality!
 
  B. WE BECOME JUDGES WITH EVIL THOUGHTS (2:4)
 1. God has always hated unjust judges
 2. Jesus Himself warned about:
 a. The dangers of judging - Mt 7:1
 b. The need to make righteous judgment - Jn 7:24
 3. If we judge against the poor due to our prejudice against them,
 we will find ourselves fighting against God! - Ps 109:31
 
 C. WE DESPISE THOSE GOD HAS HONORED (2:5)
 1. Both then and today God has chosen to honor the poor
 a. The gospel was proclaimed to the poor - Lk 7:22
 b. The majority of those who responded were from among the poor
 - 1 Co 1:26-29
 2. Both then and today God has chosen to honor ALL men - Ac 10:
 34-35
 a. Therefore, when we show partiality because of a person's
 race...
 b. Or because they are a stranger we do not know...
 ...then we despise those whom God has honored by His offering
 to them salvation through the gospel!
 3. Do we want to face God on the Day of Judgment guilty of such
 a crime?
 
 D. WE HONOR THOSE MOST CAPABLE AND LIKELY OF OPPRESSING US (2:6-7)
 1. The rich were doing this to the Christians in James' day
 2. Who are the ones most likely to oppress Christians today if it
 ever came down to "push and shove"?
 a. Those who have the resources to do so
 b. And most likely that would be the "majority" and the 
 "affluent"
 
 E. WE BREAK "THE ROYAL LAW" (2:8-11)
 1. Which is "You shall love your neighbor as your self"
 2. This is one of the most fundamental laws that God has ever
 given!
 a. As proclaimed by Christ - Mt 22:36-40
 b. As taught by Paul - Ro 13:8-10
 3. And, as emphasized by James, by breaking one law, we become
 guilty of ALL the Law!
 a. I.e., to show partiality is to make one as guilty as if they
 committed adultery or murder!
 b. This illustrates just how terrible any sin is!
 
 F. WE WILL ONE DAY BE JUDGED BY "THE LAW OF LIBERTY" (2:12-13)
 1. This refers to the law of Christ, or the gospel
 a. A law that has set us free from the bondage of sin through
 the mercy shown in Christ - cf. Jn 8:31-36
 b. And a law that sets us free from man-made restrictions 
 - cf. Co 2:20-22
 2. But if we:
 a. Apply man-made restrictions upon others (like showing
 partiality)
 b. Do not show mercy toward others
 ...then NO MERCY will be shown toward us! - cf. Mt 6:14-15
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. In view of all these things, we can understand why James would say:
 
 "My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, [the
 Lord] of glory, with respect of persons." (Ja 2:1)
 
2. We can also better understand Peter's reasoning why he had to accept
 the Gentiles:
 
 "Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as [he did] unto us,
 who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could
 withstand God?" (Ac 11:17)
 
3. And we are more likely to heed the prayer and admonition of KPaul:
 
 5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be
 likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye
 may with one mind [and] one mouth glorify God, even the Father of
 our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as
 Christ also received us to the glory of God. (Romans 15)
 
Brethren, we serve A GLORIOUS LORD, we serve to do things to His glory;
may we NEVER allow the sin of partiality, bias, prejudice, or racism to
taint that wonderful glory in any way!
 
[And a concluding word for the NON-Christian:
 
 1) Notice that in our text James speaks of:
 a) The terribleness of even one sin (2:10)
 b) The fact of judgment (2:12)
 
 2) Won't you accept the mercy God offers to you in the gospel of His
 Son Jesus Christ?
 a) Remember, God is not a partial judge - cf. Ro 2:4-11
 b) Why should He show mercy to you when you despise His mercy
 just as much as the vilest sinner?
 
Accept His mercy in obedience to the gospel today!]

Three Kinds Of Faith (2:14-26)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. Faith is certainly an essential element in the Christian life:
 a. Without faith, it is impossible to please God - He 11:6
 b. The Christian is saved by faith - Ep 2:8
 c. The Christian is to walk (live) by faith - 2 Co 5:7
 d. Whatever we do apart from faith is described as sin - Ro 14:23
 
2. It is important to realize, however, that there are different kinds
 of faith, but only one that is truly "saving faith"
 
3. In James 2:14-26, we find James discussing the different kinds of
 faith, with an emphasis upon that faith which works to the saving of
 the soul
 
[Beginning with verses 14-17, we notice the first kind of faith. We
might call this kind of faith...]
 
I. DEAD FAITH (14-17)
 
 A. THIS KIND OF FAITH...
 1. Substitutes words for deeds (consider James' example)
 a. People with this kind of faith:
 1) Know the correct vocabulary for prayer and sound doctrine
 2) Can even quote the right verses from the Bible
 b. But their "walk" does not measure up to their "talk"!
 2. Is only an INTELLECTUAL faith
 a. In one's mind, he or she knows the doctrine of salvation
 b. But they have never really submitted themselves to God and
 trusted in Jesus for salvation
 c. They know the right "words", but they do not back up their
 words with their "works"!
 
 B. CAN THIS KIND OF FAITH SAVE?
 1. NO! Three times in this passage, James emphasizes that "faith
 without works is dead" - Ja 2:17,20,26
 2. Any declaration of faith that does not result in a changed life
 and good works is a false declaration: A DEAD FAITH!
 3. Dead faith is counterfeit faith and lulls the person into a
 false confidence of eternal life
 
 C. DO WE HAVE THIS KIND OF FAITH?
 1. We do, if our WALK does not measure up to our TALK!
 2. We do, if our WORKS do not measure up to our WORDS!
 
[We need to beware of mere intellectual faith. As Warren Wiersbe said,
 
 "No man can come to Christ by faith and remain the same, anymore than
 he came into contact with a 220-volt wire and remain the same."
 (compare this to 1 Jn 5:12)
 
The next kind of faith is found discussed in verses 18-19...]
 
II. DEMONIC FAITH (18,19)
 
 A. PERHAPS TO SHOCK ANY COMPLACENT READERS, JAMES REMINDS US THAT
 EVEN "DEMONS" HAVE A KIND OF FAITH!
 1. They believe in God (no atheists or agnostics here!)
 2. They even believe in the deity of Christ - cf. Mk 3:11-12
 3. They also believe in the existence of a place of condemnation
 - cf. Lk 8:31
 4. And they believe Jesus will be the Judge! - Mt 8:28-29
 
 B. WHAT KIND OF FAITH DO "DEMONS" HAVE?
 1. We saw that the man with "dead faith" was "touched only in his
 intellect"
 2. The demons are "touched also in their emotions" (note that they
 "believe and tremble")
 3. This is one step above a "dead faith" - it involves both
 INTELLECT and EMOTIONS
 
 C. CAN THIS KIND OF FAITH SAVE?
 1. NO! A person can be enlightened in his mind and even stirred
 in his heart and still be lost forever!
 2. True saving faith involves something more, something that can
 be seen and recognized: a changed life! (cf. Ja 2:18)
 3. Being a Christian involves trusting Christ and living for 
 Christ!
 a. You first RECEIVE the life...
 b. Then you REVEAL the life!
 
 D. DO WE HAVE THIS KIND OF FAITH?
 1. We do, if we just BELIEVE the right things and FEEL the right
 things
 2. We do, if our service to God does not go beyond...
 a. Intellectually adhering to the right doctrines
 b. Emotional experiences while attending services
 
[Thus, James has introduced us to two kinds of faith that can NEVER 
save: DEAD faith (involving the intellect alone), and DEMONIC faith 
(involving the intellect and the emotions, but stopping there).
 
He closes this section by describing in verses 20-26 the only kind of
faith that can save...]
 
III. DYNAMIC FAITH (20-26)
 
 A. WHAT KIND OF FAITH IS THIS?
 1. We know from other passages that such faith is based upon the
 Word of God - cf. Ro 10:17
 2. Dynamic faith involves the WHOLE MAN
 a. DEAD faith touches only the intellect
 b. DEMONIC faith involves both the mind and the emotions
 c. DYNAMIC faith involves the intellect, the emotions, AND the
 WILL!
 1) The MIND understands the truth
 2) The HEART desires and rejoices in the truth
 3) The WILL acts upon the truth
 3. True, saving faith, then, LEADS TO ACTION
 a. It is not intellectual contemplation
 b. It is not emotionalism
 c. It is that which leads to obedience in doing good works
 
 B. TO ILLUSTRATE, JAMES REFERS TO TWO WELL-KNOW PERSONS IN THE
 BIBLE: ABRAHAM & RAHAB
 1. You could not find two more different persons!
 a. Abraham was the father of the Jews; Rahab was a Gentile!
 b. Abraham was a godly man; Rahab had been a sinful woman, a
 harlot!
 c. Abraham was the friend of God; Rahab had belonged to the
 enemies of God!
 2. What did they have in common? Both exercised saving faith in
 God!
 a. Abraham demonstrated his saving faith by his works - 20-24
 b. Rahab demonstrated her saving faith by her works - 25-26
 3. We learn from this passage that:
 a. Faith without works is a DEAD faith - 20,26
 b. That "faith only" (the only time this phrase is found in the
 Scriptures) cannot justify one - 24
 c. That PERFECT faith necessitates works - 22
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. It is important that each professing Christian examine his or her own
 heart and life, and make sure that they possess true saving faith,
 which is a dynamic faith
 
2. Satan is the great deceiver; one of his devices is imitation
 a. If he can convince a person that counterfeit faith is true
 faith...
 b. ...then he has that person in his power!
 
3. Here are some questions we can ask ourselves as we examine our faith:
 
 Was there a time when I honestly realized I was a sinner and admitted
 this to myself and to God?
 
 Was there a time when my heart stirred me to flee from the wrath to
 come? Have I ever been seriously worked up over my sins?
 
 Do I truly understand the gospel, that Christ died for MY sins and
 then rose again? Do I understand and confess that I cannot save
 myself?
 
 Did I sincerely repent of my sins, making the decision to turn from
 them? Do I now hate sin and fear God? Or do I secretly love sin
 and want to enjoy it?
 
 Have I trusted Christ and Him alone for my salvation by responding
 to the commands He has given? Have I confessed my faith in Christ
 and then been baptized for the remission of my sins as He and His
 apostles commanded?
 
 Has there been a change in my life? Do I maintain good works, or
 are my good works occasional and weak? Do I seek to grow in the
 things of the Lord? Can others tell that I have been with Jesus?
 
 Do I have a desire to share Christ with others? Or am I ashamed
 of Him?
 
 Do I enjoy the fellowship of God's people? Is worship a delight to
 me?
 
 Am I ready for the Lord's return? Or will I be ashamed when He
 comes for me?
 
4. To be sure, not every Christian has the same degree of faith; those
 who have had more time to grow should be stronger in faith
 
5. But for the most part, the spiritual inventory can assist a person
 in determining his or her true standing before God
 
May our prayer be similar to that of the Psalmist's:
 
 "Search me, O God, and know my heart;
 try me and know my anxieties;
 "And see if there is any wicked way in me,
 and lead me in the way everlasting."
 
 -- Psalms 139:23-24
 
Note: Much of the material for this outline was adapted heavily
from The Bible Exposition Commentary, Volume 2, by Warren W. Wiersbe,
pages 353-357.

－－《Executable Outlines》

Faith and actions

Fine clothes

Shabby clothes

I. Don’t value the rich over the poor

1. Show favoritism

2. Keep the law in love

3. Mercy triumphs

II. Faith without action is dead

1. Deeds without faith

2. Faith without deeds

3. Faith contradicts actions

III. Testimony of faith and actions working together

1. Abraham

2. Rehab the prostitute

3. Faith complements actions

－－ Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》