James 2:15-17

Context

The Epistle of James has traditionally been attributed to James, the brother of Jesus. It is addressed to "the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad" (James 1:1). James 2:14-26 forms a unit that opens with the question "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works?" (2:14) and closes with the examples of Abraham and Rahab. Verses 15-17 are the first illustration in this unit. Merely saying "Depart in peace" to a fellow believer who lacks food and clothing does no good. James concludes that faith unaccompanied by works is likewise "dead, being alone." "Depart in peace" is understood to have been an ordinary Jewish farewell of the time.

Interpretation

• Reformation readings: Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Reformed traditions hold that faith alone is the ground of justification, yet true faith necessarily shows itself in works. John Calvin interpreted the "justification" of which James speaks as the demonstration of one's righteousness before others. The Westminster Confession of Faith (11.2) confesses that justifying faith is never alone in the person justified and "is no dead faith, but worketh by love."
• Wesleyan readings: Methodist, Holiness, and related churches, following Wesleyan theology, emphasize the sanctification (the life of growing in holiness) that follows justification (God's declaring the sinner righteous). This tradition regards works of mercy toward one's neighbor as the fruit of a living faith.
• Catholic readings: Since the Council of Trent, the Catholic Church has taught, on the basis of James 2, that both faith and good works have a part in justification. Protestant denominations do not accept this interpretation.
• Practical readings: Across denominational lines, many preachers read the passage as a call to meet the concrete needs of poor neighbors. It is frequently offered as a basis for almsgiving.

Debates and Issues

• Relationship to Paul: The passage has often been seen as apparently conflicting with Romans 3:28, which teaches justification by faith. In the preface to his 1522 German New Testament, Martin Luther called James "an epistle of straw." Many Protestant scholars today hold that the two writers used "faith" and "works" in different senses: the works Paul speaks of are works of the law, while the faith James criticizes is a merely verbal profession.
• "Being alone": The Greek expression means "alone" or "by itself." The phrase is therefore interpreted as referring to faith that stands alone, separated from works.
• Citation out of context: Some observe that using this passage to make good works a condition of salvation, or to judge the faith of others, does not fit its context.

In the Korean Church

The passage is frequently cited in sermons encouraging benevolence offerings, social service, and disaster relief. It is also used, both inside and outside the church, to criticize faith whose words and life do not match.

Related Passages

• James 2:21-24
• 1 John 3:17-18
• Romans 3:28
• Galatians 5:6