What Does James 2 Say About 'Faith Only?'

Let's explore the passage, and see what James has to say about faith only. He tells us eight things about faith only:

First, it does not profit (illustrated, 15-16). Certainly this tells us something about compassion; about generosity or charity. James says that just telling somebody to be alright, but not giving them the help we are able to give, betrays a lack of compassion. That is nothing but empty symbolism. When I just walk by and say, "be ye warmed and filled" it does not help me, and it certainly does no real good for the person who is suffering. But that also illustrates faith without works: if I say I have faith, but there is no expression of it, it does not profit. It is nothing but religious symbolism or lip service, to say we have faith, when there is no expression of it in our behavior. Jesus taught this, in Matthew7:21-23. Listen to what He said: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 'Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 'And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'" Jesus and James agreed that faith, even when confessed and claimed, without works does not profit.

Second, faith only does not save (Verse 14). "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?" The obvious and implied answer to this is - faith without works does not save. Does the Bible say anything about "faith only?" It does. It says faith only does not save. Any questions? Now, you may pick up a religious tract or magazine and over and over it is affirmed that we are saved by faith only. You may turn on your television and watch and hear a preacher say this. What is your impression when you compare what these men preach to James 2:14? My conclusion is they are wrong, and James is right. Faith only does not save.

Third, faith only is dead (vss. 17,20,26). Verse 17 - "Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." Verse 20 - "But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?" Verse 26 - "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." One wants to ask James, "How many times do you need to say this?" Three times in one paragraph James tells us that faith without works, faith only, is dead! Here is something that is written into denominational creeds. This is the mantra of the modern evangelical church. You hear this on religious radio programs all the time. We are constantly told we are saved by faith only. James says faith only is dead! Can you think of any way the Holy Spirit could have worded this to make it plainer?

Fourth, it cannot be shown. "But someone will 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" (Jas. 2:18, NKJV). The meaning of this verse seems plain. Faith is shown, is expressed or made real by action. Faith always discovers its existence in obedience. Faith is shown by works.

Fifth, it is no more than the demons have. "You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe-and tremble!" (19). I have had occasion to talk to people about religion, about God and their duty, and often in such discussions somebody will say "Well, I believe in God!" The implication is that is really all that is necessary to be saved. I have not obeyed the gospel; no repentance, I don't go do anything, my life is pretty well lived as I see fit, and I have my vices. However, because I believe in God I will be saved. Really? Then expect to see demons in heaven because James says the demons have faith only!

Sixth, it did not justify Abraham (21,22). All through the life of Abraham it is apparent, he heard, believed and obeyed God. He made mistakes, without any doubt. His mistakes are openly documented on the pages of Genesis. But the general tendency and direction of his heart and life was to believe and obey God. Here in James 2:21-22 James makes reference to a particular event: when Abraham "offered Isaac his son," and this takes us back to Genesis 22. Read that chapter and notice the verbs, the words indicating action.

So Abraham becomes the classic example of faith that produces works. At this point in this discussion someone might want to ask about Romans chapter four. All right, read Romans 4:19-21. Pay attention to how Paul describes the faith of Abraham and ask yourself this: is Paul describing a disobedient man? Read it carefully. Abraham was "not weak in faith ... he did not waver ... he was strengthened in faith and was fully persuaded." Is this a description of a man with dead faith?

Seventh, faith only is imperfect. Verse 22 - "Do you see that faith was working together with this works, and by works faith was made perfect?" Here it is. If by works, faith is made perfect it necessarily follows that when there are no works, the faith is imperfect.

Eighth, it is not accounted as righteousness. Verse 23 "And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.' And he was called the friend of God." Abraham was considered righteous, and was called the friend of God by what kind of faith? In verses 24-26 James states his conclusions about faith only. "You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only," (24). Verse 25: "Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?" James does not approve of being a harlot, and he doesn't comment on her methods. Instead, he gives her as an example of believing something, and then acting on that belief. This is an illustration of faith that responds, not a model of behavior in every respect. Verse 26 - "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

Finally it is important to understand that what James teaches in chapter 2 not only agrees perfectly with Paul in Romans 4 but also with Simon Peter in Acts 10. There Peter says "God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him" (Acts 10:34,35, NKJV). ?

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