The book of James is the most commonly abused book in the Bible. And it isn’t even the entire book that is twisted. There is just one infamous verse that is used by every denomination under the sun to destroy the gospel. This verse is James chapter 2, verse 26: “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
This verse is always used, out of context, to introduce works as part of salvation. Arminian-based Christian denominations use the book of James to claim that salvation is attained by good works. They twist the text to say that you need faith, but you also need to work in order maintain your faith. Reformed traditions tend to interpret this to mean that works are the inevitable result of “true faith” or “saving faith”: That a believer will (not might or can, but will) produce good works. And if they do not, then their faith is invalid and that person is not saved. This is the most damaging heresy to have entered Christendom. There are people that refuse to come to Christ, because they know that they are not good enough. They know that they can never be good enough for God, which is the truth! But because these churches deliver a false message of grace + works, people go to Hell. People opt to believe in atheism as a way to get out of this dilemma, and they end up in Hell. This is deplorable, which is why I rail hard against works-based doctrines. A reformed life on Earth is never as important as the soul of a man. God would rather have “bad” children, than no children! “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). What is interesting, is that the book of James actually teaches the complete opposite of what these people preach. And James’ message aligns with the rest of scripture. I will show you how, in this chapter.
The first red flag that any believer should notice is how this doctrine of works is the same for all denominations: from Pentecostalism, Episcopalianism, and Catholicism, to Lutheranism, Protestantism, and Calvinism! They all include works as either part of salvation, or as evidence of salvation. Works is the common denominator among the vast sea of Christian denominations. Regardless of whether works are at the forefront of their doctrine, or emphasized less; if works plays any role whatsoever, it is heresy. Even the smallest amount of works added, will make salvation an impossible task to accomplish.
It’s funny how most denominations can agree on this core doctrine of works, but they split themselves over petty differences. In fact, there are cults that teach the exact same doctrines as Calvinism and Catholicism (Yes! Calvinism is works-based theology). The only difference is the heightened-level of commitment that cults exhibit, which is unmatched by their tamer Presbyterian counterparts. Yet their doctrine, mentality, and statements are the same! These cults are the natural byproduct of the doctrine of works. The only difference is that these crazies are actually more consistent with their belief system than mainstream Christianity. In fact, cults have the most rational response to works-based doctrine, given what’s at stake: eternity. If your eternity is based on your performance, then you had better be the best; and even then, you would have to hope for the best. But do not be fooled, no level of fanaticism will justify you in the sight of God. Your best works “are as filthy rags” in comparison to God (Isaiah 64:6).
Before I break down “faith without works is dead,” I want to point out that it is immediately stalemated with just 1, among a multitude of other verses that seem to contradict it.
Romans 4
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness
Therefore, as they sit, I charge anyone who is noble-minded to pick one, but not both. Either Romans 4:5 or James 2:26. You cannot claim both simultaneously, because they are contradictory statements. Remember, you cannot mix, you cannot have two masters.
Still, A lot of religious people take pride in their ability to mix. They take the 1 verse in James “faith without works is dead,” and use it to undermine whole bodies of scripture that explicitly state the contrary. They think that it takes discernment, sophistication, and godliness to “harmonize” these scriptures together. And they do it in only a few ways, as I’ve briefly mentioned in the introduction:
- You are saved by works.
- You are saved by grace, but your “relationship with God” is based on works.
- You are saved by faith alone….But not by faith that is alone! (faith + works)
All of the above is garbage. I wonder if these religious denominations actually fear God. Because it doesn’t take much discernment, growth, or spiritual maturity to know that God is higher than all of man. Look at this brief description of John’s encounter with God in Heaven.
Revelation 12
14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
John, the man who wrote the scriptures above, “fell at his feet as dead.” If you want to be saved by works and grace, and not by grace alone…. Good luck! I wonder at what point you plan on showing off your “good works.” Please enlightenment me. Did you write part of the new testament like John? No? Well, no worries, I am sure that you have some good works, somewhere. I am sure you have done great things that will allow you to stand before God… Oh, I forgot to mention that there are 4 cherubim: unfallen, angelic creatures that have never sinned. They fly around the glory of God and they “rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” The glory of God is apparently so intense, that they hide their eyes and dare not to look upon Him. Please do bring up your works in that solemn assembly. Be sure to mention to God that your faith must be validated by all of your “wonderful works” (Matthew 7:22). Because that is what you tell others to do right? I am sure all will be well!
I am being sarcastic, of course. No. Anyone who really fears God knows that their works do not play a role in salvation. You couldn’t hold a candle to an infinite God, nobody can. “A little leaven leavens the entire lump” (Galatians 5:9). Thus, if after reading James you come to the conclusion that you must do works, you do so by undermining the whole of the new testament. This is foolish. “The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom,” because it teaches you to rely only on God, and not on yourself (Proverbs 9:10). Only a man who does not really know God would think that his works could help to secure him a seat in Heaven.
Now, on to the commentary of James 1.
James 1
9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
James begins the first chapter by explaining how that everyone is brought low, or high, unto equal ground. The brother of low degree is exalted and the rich is made low, because both are saved in the same way, by grace through faith. Before God, they are all the same.
James 1
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Every perfect gift, such as eternal life, is given from above. The Father of lights is described as having “no variableness nor shadow of turning.” This is to say that God is the same, he doesn’t change: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8). He is no respecter of persons and he gives gifts freely, and “upbraideth not” (James 1:5).
James 1
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
You are to receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your soul. The word is able to save your soul. What word? The gospel: John 3:16.
He goes on to say that you have to be a doer and not a hearer only. What does the gospel ask us to do? It tells man to believe on Jesus Christ. So, with humbleness, receive the gospel which says: “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21). Remember, there is no variableness nor shadow of turning with God. You ought to keep in memory what was preached, never change your doctrine by what other thing you may misinterpret (1 Corinthians 15:2). This can be demonstrated in the next few verses.
James 1
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
This parable is talking about a man that views his natural face in the mirror. His natural face is the flesh. The law is the glass\mirror that points out flaws with the flesh. The law tells man “what manner of man” he is. And what manner of man are we, according to the law? In Romans it says, “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” and that “God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all” (Romans 3:23; 11:32). James says that someone who is a hearer of the word and not a doer of it, straightway forgetteth what manner of man he is. He straightway forgets that as “many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death” (Romans 6:3). If a man goes about to establish his own righteousness, after he hears the law, he forgets that his righteousness are as filthy rags in the eyes of God. That is why you are to be baptized in Christ’s death and raised in newness of life, by faith and not by works. Otherwise, you are a hearer and not a doer of the word.
James 1
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Knowing that a man is not justified by works, we are to now look at the perfect law of liberty and do the work that it demands. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2). What is the law of the spirit of life? “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” and “this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (Romans 4:5; 1 John 5:11-12). This is the law of life in Christ. Therefore, we must do the work. Lord Jesus Christ, what is the work that we must do? “Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:29). Therefore, a doer of the work of the perfect law of liberty is a man that believes the gospel.
We now move on to the notorious, James chapter 2.
James 2
1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
James 2 starts by talking about not having the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons. Because “scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe” (Galatians 3:22). So, if all people are under sin, we cannot have preference one for another. The problem is that these brethren were steeped in Judaic thought. They believed that God blesses those who are good, and curses those who are bad. Much like Christ’s example of the men upon whom the tower of Siloam fell; all men will be damned, if they do not believe the gospel. Outer appearance\ease of life is no indicator of blessing from God. But poverty to the brethren is thought to be a marker of God’s curse. They assume the poor are people of much sin. But James refutes all of this by saying, “are ye partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?” (James 2:4).
James 2
9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Again, James points out how the law is the ministry of death and condemnation. It is impossible for works to bring forth anything good. The law requires perfection. Nobody can be justified by the law. And nobody is any better or worse, because if you offend in 1 point, you offend in all points (James 2:10). Therefore, everyman is guilty of the whole law. “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20). Not only that, but works of the law can only create more death. “Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression” (Romans 4:15). Therefore, the law was designed to minister death to all men, so that all men may have opportunity to believe. “How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory” (2 Corinthians 3:8-9). The ministration of righteousness is the gift of eternal life that is given without regard to works, “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference” (Romans 3:22). “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty” (James 2:12). Those that are judged by the law of liberty cannot have respect of persons, because the gospel removes all differences between persons. Anyone can be saved, and everybody could be saved.
And here comes the tricky part. Please keep the context of this chapter in memory: The first chapter talks about everyone falling short, and about how a doer of the perfect law of liberty is nothing more than a man that is saved by the gospel. James Chapter 2 continues this train of thought by telling Christians to not have the faith of Christ with respect of persons. He shows how by evil works, everyone is guilty of the whole law equally, regardless of what anyone has done individually. And so now we must interpret the rest of this chapter in context.
James 2
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
This portion of scripture clearly says that faith without works is dead. The question now becomes: What kind of works are required? Because it gives examples of Abraham, and Rahab. Note how Abraham’s works were his willingness to perform a killing (of his only son, no-less) and Rahab’s works were basically treason, espionage, and lying. So, their works are contrary to the law: Thou shalt not kill and Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. And if that second law doesn’t seem to apply in Rahab’s case, Revelation 21:8 says that “all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.” Therefore, the works that justify her faith are worthy of Hell. And even by our modern, subjective ethics, their works are not good works at all. Also notice how James refers to Rahab as: “Rahab the harlot,” which is an unnecessarily derogatory title to give to her, especially if James were trying to paint her actionable works in a positive light. These clues give us some insight into the real meaning of the so-called works James is pointing us toward.
Some Christians read these verses and conclude that in order to be justified in the sight of men, we need to have works. Like Abraham, who, if his works were not done, they would not have been written down. And we would not have known that “the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness.” Same idea as Rahab, who, had she not hidden the spies, would have perished with her town. But because she did hide them, she was justified in the sight of the Israelites.
You can understand these passages in this manner and this reading\understanding isn’t completely fallacious or heretical. It does not do an about-face to the rest of scripture. I believe this to be one correct reading of James chapter 2. That our works need to jive with our faith. And when our works match our faith, men can see that we believe on Jesus Christ. Just remember, that our faith is that a man is saved by grace and not by works. “For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” (Romans 4:2-3). And so, a lot of grace only Christians believe James 2 to mean that our works justify us before men, but not before God.
Even so, I have a more thorough understanding as to what the latter half of James 2 says.
First off, note that we are not saved by the virtuousness of faith itself. Faith, on it’s own, is not meritorious. Faith can be easily misplaced. I could have faith in Buddha, in Hindu, or in any other god, and that type of faith would not do me any favor. I could even have faith in what Paul said is “another jesus” and “another gospel.” And if I were to misplace my faith in them, it would not profit me (2 Corinthians 11:4). That is why James says: “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble” (James 2:19). The devils know that God is one, and yet they are not saved.
Why? Because God did not pay for their sins. And faith without works is dead. So, a Demon’s faith in God, without God dying for them, is dead. If a man were to have faith that God is one, yet does not believe in Jesus Christ, his faith is dead. But if a man were to believe that Jesus Christ paid for his sins, and not for his only, but for the sins of the whole world; that faith saves (1 John 2:2). Therefore, it follows that Jesus Christ is the works that is required for salvation.
I do not want to go on a tangent here, but also notice that James recognizes their knowledge of a fact, as faith. James acknowledges that mental assent to a fact is faith. James says that the faith the devils have is an acknowledging of the fact that God is one. The point I am making is that we are saved by simple knowledge of the gospel. There are a lot of people who like to redefine faith as a change in lifestyle, or a change in behavior, or some kind of visible manifestation of the power of God. This is heretical, as the Bible makes no such requirement of faith for salvation. We are not saved by some kind of “hardcore faith” that makes us do miracles, and that sacrifices all, to prove itself. Nor do we interpret faith to be elusive, ethereal, or ill-defined. No, instead, the Bible calls faith in God as merely an “acknowledging of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:25). And this faith can be the size of a “mustard seed” (Matthew 17:20). It stands to reason that the object of our faith is all important. Jesus Christ is the justification, strength, and works of our faith.
To really hammer this home, notice how the demons do not believe in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, as applied to them. No, they believe that God is one. Just as it is written in Mark 1:24 “Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.” They know the triune God is one, yet they are not saved. They are not saved because they do not believe in Jesus Christ for salvation. They have faith, which is knowledge of God, but they do not have any “works” to justify them. They do not have Christ who died for them. They do not have any works to justify them. So, you see how that Jesus Christ is the works. And even if a demon did believe that Jesus Christ paid for their sins, that faith is still dead. Because Jesus Christ did not, in fact, pay for their sins.
Christians, on the other hand, do have works, and not just faith. Our works is Jesus Christ. We have reason to believe that we are saved, because Jesus Christ rose from the dead, and promised that anyone who believes on him is saved (1 Corinthians 15:4). Furthermore, it is written that we are saved by grace through faith. We are not saved by faith alone. No, we are saved by GRACE through faith.
Ephesians 2
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Faith and grace go hand in hand. Our faith is not unjustified as it may be with a devil. No, our faith is coupled with Jesus Christ who is the grace of God. And if Jesus is the works, then we ought not to judge others by their actions.
That is why James says “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” He is removing their reliance on the merit of just any faith. Faith in a creator won’t save, faith in Krishna won’t save, faith in the works of your own hands won’t save. The basis, the root of the faith is tantamount.
That is why he says, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”
“Faith without works is dead” is synonymous with: “faith without Jesus Christ’s work on the cross is dead.”
That is why Paul says,
1 Corinthians 15
12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
James further leverages the example of giving food to the hungry and destitute. If you say, “be ye warmed and filled,” do you really mean it, if you do not actually help the person?
Likewise, if you say that you have faith in Christ (that he saves all those that come to him) do you really mean it if you show partiality and “become judges of evil thoughts”?
You actually need to do the work that faith demands. Which is to believe the gospel. You actually have to believe that anyone can be saved by grace.
That is why James says: “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” Your actions have to jive with your belief, they must go hand-in-hand. Saying that you have faith in a “Jesus” means nothing, because there are many false Jesus’s and false gospels (1 Corinthians 11:4). Your actions must coincide with the gospel. Therefore, you must do works meet for repentance. And what is the work that we must do? “Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:29). Therefore, the works of James is to really believe the gospel. The gospel that says, “every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life” (John 6:40). In order to believe the gospel of Christ, you cannot have respect of persons. Because this is mutually exclusive to the gospel. Your faith has to agree with your actions.
And so, we have come full circle, because the thesis of James 2 is to “not have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons.” Because we cannot have respect of persons if we believe in the grace of God, they are mutually exclusive. It’s just as mutually exclusive as holding to works and grace at the same time. It’s impossible. You cannot believe that you are saved and unsaved, these states are contradictory.
That is why the first four books of the new testament each begin by quoting John the Baptist, who quotes Isaiah, saying:
Luke 3
4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;
This parable says to “make straight” the path of the Lord. This means to consider everyone the same in the eyes of the Lord. That is why every high look will be abased, and everyone who humbles himself will be exalted (Luke 14:11). He is talking about not having respect of persons, because God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). That is why James began chapter 1 saying that the rich is brought low and the poor is exalted, unto equal ground. Everyone is the same. And everyone could be saved, if only they would believe.
That is why when you go to John 3, Jesus says:
John 3
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Notice how the condemnation is that people love darkness rather than light, because they do not want to be reproved. Men would rather hide the fact that they are sinners than to humble themselves and see their need for salvation. Like the Pharisees, they want to have respect of persons. They would like to think themselves better than others because of their fleshly works, or comportment. But Christ says that he that doeth truth comes to the light. Jesus did not say: he that doeth “good,” or he that doeth “good works.” No, he says he that doeth truth. The man who does truth is a man who acknowledges the truth of the gospel. So, we come to “the light,” Jesus Christ, and receive the free gift of salvation that is offered to all mankind.
That is why James says: “Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?” Your faith is made perfect if you actually, really do believe the gospel. Faith that is placed in a lie, or a false gospel, is dead faith. Your faith is made perfect, like Abraham’s, when you do things in accordance to your faith. In this case, you cannot have respect of persons, like the brethren James is critiquing. Because again, Jesus Christ is able to save to the uttermost, all them that come to him in faith (Hebrews 7:25). If you believe this, you won’t have respect of persons. If you judge others based on their works rather than on their faith, then your own faith comes into question, your own faith may be dead. Because when you do\say things like that, the root of your faith is suspect.
That is why James says, “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?” He is saying that your faith must produce actions that are not contradictory to your faith. You would not judge others, or have preferences for others, because that is contrary to the truth.
Just like Rahab. How do we know that she believes in the God of Israel? She would hide the spies and lie to the guards. Because if she actually believed that the town was going to be destroyed the next day, it makes no sense to out the spies and seal her own fate. Instead, she would hide them and lie, because the town was going to be destroyed anyways, and this was her only escape. Likewise, a man who actually believes the gospel, cannot have respect of persons, because the gospel Is fundamentally against partiality.
That is why when you get to James 3, James says that “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” These brethren were being partial, speaking evil of the poor. And this is against the truth. This is against the gospel, which justifies the poor and even the ungodly (Romans 4:5).
He continues to give an example of how the tongue boasts of great things:
James 3
9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
We ought not curse men according to their works, seeing that God wants to justify the ungodly (Romans 4:5). God wants to save sinners. We ought not to judge them according to their works. Instead, we ought to offer them the truth (1 Corinthians 5:12). And James says that we curse men who are made after the similitude of God, and this ought not to be. The Bible only uses the word “curse” in reference to the law. “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them” (Galatians 3:10). And “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Galatians 3:13).
That’s why James says a wise man will explain the gospel of Jesus Christ, who is the good works set for us. By not cursing men based on their works, and by not being partial, our comportment in this world aligns with the truth of the gospel. Because, just as it says in Proverbs 11:30, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15).
Jesus Christ is the fruit of the righteous, because he is the tree of life.
James 3
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
That is why at the end of chapter 3, James says “And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” When the gospel is preached coherently, we are able to “convince the gainsayers” (Titus 1:9) and show how man can have peace with God. Just as it says in Isaiah 53:5, “chastisement of our peace was upon him.” Christ, “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace” (Ephesians 2:15). “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation” (Isaiah 52:7).
Ultimately, our goal is not to strive against people. We already have all things. We are already made rich in God. And we will inevitably inherit all things. Now, while we are here, we ought to preach the gospel of peace without partiality, without hypocrisy; to save as many as are willing to be saved. Because we are not against anyone. “For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them” (Luke 9:56). “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesisans 6:12). And the only way to not be a hypocrite is to be impartial and judge by the law of life and liberty (the gospel). Because to judge based on carnal laws is hypocritical; because if you offend in 1 point, you offend in all points. Just the same as whoever you are judging.
In conclusion, James is ultimately engaging in wordplay when he claims that we are saved by “works.” Same with Jesus in John 6:29. His followers asked how is it that they may work the works of God, and Christ gave them a smart aleck answer, redefining so-called works of God as simply believing in Christ. Really, there is no work to do. The only real work, is the work that Christ has rendered for the whole world, on the cross. Jesus Christ is the good works.
If this sounds heretical, then please note that Jesus has been called many things for us:
Jesus Christ is Grace (1 Peter 5:10) and He is the gift (John 4:10). He is also “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). He is also called pure light (1 John 1:5), eternal life (John 6:54), the door of the sheep (John 10:9), and the good shepherd (John 10:11). He is also the foolishness of God, which is greater than the wisdom of men; and also the weakness of God, which is greater than the strength of men (1 Corinthian 1:25). He is also called the alpha and the omega, the first and the last (Revelation 1:8). He is a mighty shield and buckler (Psalm 91:4), he is the light and strength of life (Psalm 27:1), he is the physician that heals the sick (Mark 2:17). And he is also our righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).
God is so many things to the believer, that if I were to write them all here, I would do better to just copy the entire Bible.
And so, James is making the claim that He is also our works. You can have all kinds of faith in all kinds of things, but without the grace of Jesus Christ, it is useless.
Therefore, we have him as our works. Faith is not alone, we have proof of our salvation, we have works. “the works were finished from the foundation of the world.” (Hebrews 4:3). Jesus Christ is the lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). “The grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many” (Romans 5:15). And the prints in his hands and feet, and the hole in his side are proof of the works (John 20).
It is not unbiblical to understand James’ statements as a figure of speech. When he is speaking of works, the context is in regard to faith in Christ. He is redefining “works,” as Jesus Christ, who is the grounds of faith. If we have this as our works, we ought not to consider our own works, nor judge the works of anyone else. We should not have respect of persons, as it says in the very first verse of chapter 2.
In Jesus name,
Amen.