14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
READ + REFLECT + RESPOND
READ:
Read the passage slowly and carefully in your favorite version. Then do it again! Consider reading the verses aloud. Copying them by hand will also help you remember them better than just reading them.
REFLECT:
- Write the passage in your own words.
- What is the main point?
- What are the key words in the text?
- In the past, what have you already thought about the relationship between faith and deeds? How does this passage challenge your existing assumptions? Without looking, can you jot down phrases from verses in other parts of Scripture which offer either similar or different viewpoints on faith and deeds?
- A false dichotomy is a fallacy in which two ideas are unnecessarily placed in opposition to one another. The common structure for such a statement is either-or. However, the two ideas are not mutually exclusive. Both could be true, with a both-and statement. How does this apply to faith and deeds?
- Many people think that the only valid ministry is to preach and teach God’s word to help others grow spiritually. Jesus gave the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” But he also gave the Great Commandment in Matthew 22:37-40. “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Describe how the Great Commission and the Great Commandment work together rather than compete against one another. (I once assigned this as an essay for middle school students in a home school co-op. They came up with really good ideas.)
- In verse 16, what is significant about the word “Go” in this context? What word is the opposite of this, and what would change if we used it instead? (See Matthew 11:28.)
- How does verse 16 directly relate to the previous passage, James 1:1-13?
- Read 1 Timothy 6:8 and tell how it relates to this passage.
- Hypocrisy is pretending to be a certain way, but then not truly acting like it. How does this passage address the human tendency toward hypocrisy?
- The idea in verse 17 is most clearly restated in which other verse?
- Verse 18 confuses ; me. I would think that it would say, “You have deeds, I have faith,” instead of the other way around. Why do you think it is written as it is?
- What kind of faith do demons have?
- Read the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22. The verse James quotes about Abraham believing God (Genesis 15:6) is actually before this story. It is from when the Lord foretells the birth of Isaac. How was Abraham’s action in Genesis 22 an extension of his faith in Genesis 15? Can you think of situations in your life where you have needed to trust God in more than one chapter of the same story?
- Read the story of Rahab in Joshua 2 amd Joshua 6:17-25. Note that Rahab, though a foreign prostitute, is listed as the mother of Boaz (and hence the great-great-grandfather of King David) in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:5. She is also mentioned in the litany of faith-filled men and women in Hebrews 11:31. Rahab’s son Boaz was also an example of a kind man who showed compassion to the poor, which you can read about in the book of Ruth. It is interesting to note that both his mother and his wife were foreigners brought into the family of faith.
- How can you specifically apply the verses in your own life? I have listed some Action Ideas below.
- What are the potential benefits and challenges of your intended actions? How do you need to prepare to carry them out? Do you need help? If so, who?
- Write a short prayer based on the verses.
Action Ideas
In your own circle of friends and acquaintances, think about who could use a little help with rent money, groceries, a gift card for gas, clothes for their kids, clothes to start a new job, a computer for school work, child care, respite for caregivers, a ride to the doctor, a good deal on a used car, a meal during a crisis or illness, an invitation to dinner, a care package at college or on the mission field, Christmas presents for kids, or a place to stay temporarily. Write down your ideas and then ask discreetly if they need what you have to offer, or if something else would be more practical. Dignity and respect are so important here.
Donate non-perishable food, clothing, bedding, hygiene items, or other useful goods to a local charity such as a homeless shelter, domestic violence shelter, or children’s home. But first, ask what they need so that your gifts will be appropriate. Make sure everything is either new or in very good condition.
Consider starting a community service ministry in your local church to reach out to a local school. My church serves an elementary school in a disadvantaged area, stocking a food closet and providing clothes and shoes. My last church adopted the middle school where it meets. Members buy food gift cards at Thanksgiving and Christmas, and these are either given to needy families or used to purchase food to create holiday meal bags.
Are there many people without basic housing in your community? Coordinate with others in your area to provide regular events where people can share a meal, receive free hygiene products and clothing, and get information on where to go for further help. Or get in the habit of carrying healthy snacks and bottled water in your car for when you see someone on the street. You can also buy inexpensive blankets and ponchos during the cold or rainy seasons. I was involved in this kind of outreach for many years, partly because it had been my habit when my kids were younger, but also because my daughter and her husband started organizing events. (It's so fun to see your children pick up your passion in even bigger ways, and then you get to follow their example for a change.) Here are some links with ideas to get you started.
- 13 Ways to Help People Who are Homeless
- What Love Looks Like: Reaching Out to Those Who Have No Homes
- Thanksgiving Dinner in the Community
Donate to a charity which provides basic aid around the globe. Clean water is one huge need in dry areas, not only for drinking but for agriculture. Check out the site Africa Windmill Project | END HUNGER. GROW FOOD. This ministry was founded by a family I know; they use technology and local partnership to provide sustainable water sources for farmers in Malawi.
