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"Faith was working together with his works..."

Text: James 2:22

A NEEDED CLARIFICATION

James went on to make a needed clarification in the following text.

“Do you see that faith was working together with his works,
and by works faith was made perfect?
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.
You see then that a man is justified by works,
and not by faith only.”
James 2:22-24

1. “Do you see that faith was working together with his works”

a) This was always James’ emphasis.

b) A genuine faith will be accompanied by works.

c) Abraham’s faith was not just in terms of a declaration of faith in God.

d) His faith was working together with his works.

2. “And by works faith was made perfect”

a) Faith does not exist in a vacuum.

b) True faith will express itself in works.

c) Works then may be understood in this way:

i) Works complement faith.

ii) Faith is made complete through works.

3. “And the Scripture was fulfilled”

a) First Abraham had faith in God.

b) His work of offering Isaac on the altar as a sacrifice to God was a complement of his faith.

4. “He was called the friend of God”

a) The genuine faith in God that Abraham had gained him a Friend in the Lord.

b) This faith was one that resulted in works.

5. “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only”

a) James was not contradicting himself.

b) He was merely emphasising what he had postulated earlier.

c) Faith and works complement each other. Faith will result in works. Works make faith complete (“perfect”).