Bible Commentary

James 2:20

The Pulpit Commentary on James 2:20

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Faith without works is dead. The Received Text, followed by the A.V., reads νεκρά, with א, A, C3, K, L, Syriac, Vulgate (Clementine). The Revisers, following B, C1, if, read ἀργή, "barren" (so Vulgate Amiat.

by a correction, otiosa).

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commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on James 2:1-26EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on James 2:14-26Those are wrong who put a mere notional belief of the gospel for the whole of evangelical religion, as many now do. No doubt, true faith alone, whereby men have part in Christ's righteousness, atonement, and grace, save…Matthew HenrycommentaryFaith and Works. (a. d. 61.)FAITH AND WORKS. (A. D. 61.) In this latter part of the chapter, the apostle shows the error of those who rested in a bare profession of the Christian faith, as if that would save them, while the temper of their minds a…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on James 2:14-26WARNING AGAINST RESTING CONTENT WITH A MERE BARREN ORTHODOXY. Preliminary note: This is the famous passage which led to Luther's depreciation of the whole Epistle, which he termed a "right strawy" one. At first sight it…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on James 2:14-26Faith and works. I. THE HOLLOWNESS OF PROFESSION WITHOUT PRACTICE; of a mere orthodox creed without the deeds of love, which are as the fruits by which the tree is known. There is no reason to think that the Pharisee of…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on James 2:14-26Faith and works. The supposed antagonism between Paul and James. Misapprehension. Paul's great argument is that, not by seeking to fulfill an impossible righteousness do we make ourselves just before God, but by acknowl…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on James 2:20-26Justification by faith and works. The meaning of this notable passage has been much contested, because its teaching seems to many minds to contradict the doctrine of justification by faith. It was this apparent antagoni…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on James 2:20-24(3) Third point: Proof from the example of Abraham that a man is justified by works and not by faith only. In Genesis 15:6 we read of Abraham that "he believed in the Lord; and he accounted it to him for righteousness"…Joseph S. Exell and contributors