Faith Shown by Works James 2:18

The people within the “twelve tribes scattered abroad” were exhorted by James to have “faith” that “works”. He used the example of merely “saying words to” and not “providing for” a person who is destitute of food and clothing to demonstrate how “faith” without any “activity” would be worthless. In chapter two and verse eighteen of his letter, James declared how his “faith” is “shown by” his “works” where we read:

Yes, a man may say, You have faith, and I have works:

show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

The verse begins, “Yes, a man may say, You have faith, and I have works:” James began with the word, “Yes” or “nevertheless, notwithstanding, rather and moreover”, “a man may say” which means “a person whether male or female utters, speaks and tells”, “you have faith” or “the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ and a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God ”, “and I have” which means “the person speaking holds, owns, possesses and is closely joined to” “works” or “business, employment, enterprise and undertakings”. James referred to a person who defends their “works” position by separating “faith” from“works” in another individual.

The verse goes on to say, “show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” James continues, “show me” or “James desired for the person with this position to expose, give evidence to and proof of” “your faith” which refers to “the person's conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ and a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God ” “without your works” or “by not having business, employment, enterprise and undertakings”, “and I will show you” which means “James would expose, give evidence to and proof of” “my faith” which refers to “his own conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ and a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God ” “by my works” or “out of and from his business, employment, enterprise and undertakings”. James declared his “faith” in Jesus Christ was demonstrated by the “works” he employed.

When we consider these words of James, we notice once again James' intent to be certain his readers knew that “faith” is shown by the “works” someone does. When a person comes to believe in, trust in, cling to and rely upon Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, their “actions” and “activities” will be aligned with their speech and declaration. These traits are complementary to one another, and the evidence that a person has “faith” is easily seen by the way they act. In other words, when people believe in Jesus, those around them will know it because their lives will reflect what they believe.

Next time James tells his readers “the devils believe, and tremble”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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