What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? James 2:14-20
“James addresses his readers as if they were standing before him and sets out to question and persuade them. He uses a concrete example to make his point: What should one do when faced with a brother or sister in need, lacking even the most basic necessities such as clothing or food? There were certainly many poor people in the churches to which James was writing. Fine-sounding words would not feed them, nor would good wishes. Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead… To drive this point home, James stops using the plural pronoun and changes to the singular, as if he were talking to only one person… The author contrasts faith characterized by nice words with the faith that produces works that can be observed. He emphasizes that such works are the result of faith. Faith that is not demonstrated by works is dead in that it is simply nominal belief, like that of the demons, who also believe in God but do not obey him. The author has good reason to say that the person who advocates such dead faith is a poor man! He is worth very little in spiritual terms.”
Solomon Andria in “James” in Africa Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006) 1538.
Andria makes a two points about faith and works from a familiar text to sober and stimulate hearers.
Firstly, the lack of sharing reflects nominal belief. It’s uselessness is rooted in it fruitlessness. The ironic result of nominal belief is poverty. The person lack of works shows that their faithlessness has made them poor.
Secondly, Andria highlights how James shifts from plural to singular language. This means that no one can escape the situation. Every person must demonstrate faith with deeds.
You notice a new header photo. It’s harvest season for the wineries in Grand Valley of Western Colorado. Those who have labored diligently can anticipate a fruitful crop. They have exerted work and will experience gain.
But those who give nominal effort will end up poor. How will you fare? What fruit will come from you faith? Will its nominal nature leave you poor or will your generosity actually demonstrate the richness of your faith?