Robertson Word Pictures - James 2:18 - 2:18

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Robertson Word Pictures - James 2:18 - 2:18


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

Yea, a man will say (all' erei tis). Future active of eipon. But all' here is almost certainly adversative (But some one will say), not confirmatory. James introduces an imaginary objector who speaks one sentence: “Thou hast faith and I have works” (Su pistin echeis kagō erga echō). Then James answers this objector. The objector can be regarded as asking a short question: “Hast thou faith?” In that case James replies: “I have works also.”

Show me thy faith apart from thy works (deixon moi tēn pistin sou chōris tōn ergōn). This is the reply of James to the objector. First aorist active imperative of deiknumi, tense of urgency. The point lies in chōris, which means not “without,” but “apart from,” as in Heb 11:6 (with the ablative case), “the works that properly belong to it and should characterise it” (Hort). James challenges the objector to do this.

And I by my works will shew thee my faith (kagō soi deixō ek tōn ergōn mou tēn pistin). It is not faith or works, but proof of real faith (live faith vs. dead faith). The mere profession of faith with no works or profession of faith shown to be alive by works. This is the alternative clearly stated. Note pistin (faith) in both cases. James is not here discussing “works” (ceremonial works) as a means of salvation as Paul in Gal 3; Rom 4, but works as proof of faith.