James 2:20-26 – The principle of faith and work

The manner in which James aggressively addressed his hearers in verse 20, suggests that there could be some resistance to what he was saying. He used the words foolish fellow to address some of his hearers, suggesting that they were shallow and not using their head. He asked them if they were willing to recognize that work had to accompany faith. To seal his argument, he then engaged them in two case studies on the experiences of two persons: Abraham and Rahab. 

In verses 21-23, James illustrated with the life of Abraham who demonstrated his faith in God through his actions. These three verses cover a long span of thirty over years of happenings in Abraham’s live. To understand James’ argument, we need to go back to the account in Genesis to have the backdrop. Isaac was promised to the patriarch after he had defeated the four kings narrated in Genesis 15. In that incidence, Abraham was discouraged because he did not have an heir up till then. He was telling God that perhaps his descendants could come through his servant, Eleazer. God did something that Abraham did not expect. He brought him out to look into the open sky and promised him that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. That event led to the landmark promise found in Genesis 15:6 and quoted here in verse 23.

However, it was only about thirty years later that Isaac was born. And when he had come of age God told the patriarch to offer him up. Abraham could had easily argued with God that Isaac was His promised seed to him. Nonetheless, he obeyed God unquestioningly and took Isaac up to Mount Moriah to be offered. We are told in Hebrews 11:19 that Abraham believed that God would resurrect Isaac from the dead, even if he had offered him up to God. The point here is this: Abraham’s faith in God caused him to act in obedience to Him. It was his action that pleased God, Who then reckoned him righteous.

To further concretize his argument, James brought in Rahab. In contrast to Abraham, the father of faith, this was a harlot, as well as a foreigner and a female. To be exact, we are talking about a commoner. Her faith in Jehovah God was demonstrated in her deed. She placed her life on the line by shielding the spies sent by Joshua. It was her faith and work that justified her. So here, James rounded up with a very firm statement that faith without works would be like a dead decaying corpse.

Genuine faith means translating our belief into action even when it appears unlikely to happen in the natural. It is pressing on and trusting in God, even when it seems incredulous and impossible. Many a times, it even means holding on even when it is downright threatening and risky and hazardous. That’s the boundary of genuine faith!