The Book of James – Chapter 2:18-26

Verse 18

This is a hypothetical, used to amplify the principle of the previous verse, James 2:17:

The debater’s technique begins with, “Let’s say you have faith, and I say that I have works.” Show me means to exhibit, to demonstrate, to make known, or to teach. Showing your faith without good works is impossible. Faith cannot be seen but good works can be seen. I will show you my faith by my works means the demonstration of Christian faith is the production of divine good. So, faith without divine good works is dead or non-productive.

Verse 19

James demonstrated that the religion of Judaism did not have the correct object for their faith because they did not believe in Jesus Christ. There is only one Person, Jesus Christ, Who has done something by which mankind can be saved; and faith must have Him as the object of that faith to be effective for salvation. The religious Jews believed in God but rejected Jesus Christ as their Savior. While belief in the existence of God is a step in the right direction, it does not provide salvation. No one has ever been saved by believing in the existence of God. A person must have the correct object for their faith, for it to be effective for salvation. Since that object is Jesus Christ, Judaism has faith in God, but no means of salvation. (Acts 4:8-12)

According to verse 19, demons have faith also and they certainly don’t have salvation. They believe God exists, but they rejected Him and followed Satan in rebellion against God. The demons’ belief in God causes them to shudder because their judgment is certain. No one has ever been saved by believing in the existence of God only. (James 2:19; Matthew 25:41)

Demons have rejected God and have passed the point of no return. Once man’s history began, eternity began for the angels. Human history began with the creation of Adam and at that point, eternity had already begun for the angels. Their judgment is certain; the Lake of Fire is a reality to them. Once a human being dies without believing in Christ, there is no longer an opportunity for salvation. As long as a person is alive, they have the opportunity for salvation. But once death occurs for unbelievers, there is nothing waiting them but judgment. (Hebrews 9:27-28)

Verse 20

Foolish is the Greek word “kenos,” which means empty, fruitless, void of effect, without content, without doctrinal truth, non-productive (fruitless), and void of effect. This is a believer who has ignored or rejected Bible doctrine. The Greek word for useless is “argos,” meaning to be slow, to be idle, or to be barren. Therefore, faith without divine production is a useless faith. Without the application of Bible doctrine (the mind of Christ), the spiritual life is non-productive. We please God by obedience to His Word. (Hebrews 11:6; I Corinthians 2:16)

Verse 21

James gives us an illustration of how a believer demonstrates their faith by divine good works. (Genesis 22:1-5; Hebrews 11:17) Abraham, the founder of the Jewish race, was the illustration. James was writing to Jews who had been scattered throughout the world, according to Acts 8:1. This group, mostly from Jerusalem, was composed of mostly Jewish believers, therefore Abraham was a perfect illustration for them. Abraham believed in Jesus Christ/Jehovah for salvation, according to Genesis 15:4 and Romans 4:9.

After salvation, Abraham demonstrated his faith by following God’s instructions. In Genesis 22, Abraham demonstrated his faith when he offered his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice, according to Romans 4:1-16. “Justification by works” is the demonstration of faith in Christ, by applying Bible doctrine to experience, and not the means of salvation. The Greek word for justified is “dikaioo,” which means to vindicate, to treat as just, to pronounce righteous, to stand approved, or be accepted. Abraham was justified by faith alone in Christ for salvation. After salvation, he demonstrated His faith in Christ by following God’s instructions to sacrificing Isaac. And he became a perfect illustration for demonstrating your faith.

Verse 22-24

Perfected means to be completed which means the completion of faith is application of Bible doctrine. God expects every believer to complete his or her faith after salvation by learning and applying Bible doctrine, which is the mind of Christ. Being called “the friend of God,” means that Abraham was positive toward God and His Word and applied it to the circumstances of his life. (Philippians 2:12; Isaiah 41:8)

Verse 25-26

And in the same way means “just like Abraham.” Rahab was justified before people by a series of actions that began with the hiding of God’s messengers and ended with a rope out the window for their escape. Rahab, who was a believer, received her “justification” before others by demonstrating her faith in Christ.

This illustration of physical death means that as the body without a soul is dead; even so faith without divine production is dead/useless. The dead produce nothing. Therefore, our Christian faith is demonstrated by divine good works.