Matthew Henry Commentary James 2:14-26

"What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not works? can that faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked and in lack of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; and yet ye give them not the things needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself. Yea, a man will say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith apart from [thy] works, and I by my works will show thee [my] faith. Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and shudder. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect; and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God. Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith. And in like manner was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works, in that she received the messengers, and sent them out another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead." — James 2:14-26 (ASV)

Those who substitute a mere intellectual belief in the gospel for the entirety of evangelical religion, as many do today, are mistaken. Undoubtedly, true faith alone—by which people share in Christ's righteousness, atonement, and grace—saves their souls.

However, this true faith produces holy fruits and is shown to be real by its effect on their works, while mere agreement with any form of doctrine, or a simple historical belief in any facts, completely differs from this saving faith. A mere profession might earn the good opinion of godly people and, in some cases, obtain worldly benefits; but what profit will it be for anyone to gain the whole world and lose their soul?

Can this faith save him? All things should be considered profitable or unprofitable to us according to whether they promote or hinder the salvation of our souls.

This passage of Scripture clearly shows that an opinion, or agreement with the gospel, if unaccompanied by works, is not faith. There is no way to show that we truly believe in Christ except by being diligent in good works, motivated by gospel principles and for gospel purposes. People may boast to others and be conceited about what they do not truly possess.

In faith, there must be not only assent but also consent; not only an agreement with the truth of the word but also a consent to receive Christ. True believing is not merely an act of the understanding but a work of the whole heart. That a justifying faith cannot exist without works is shown by two examples: Abraham and Rahab. Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness.

Faith, producing such works, advanced him to special favors. We see then (James 2:24), how that by works a man is justified, not by a mere opinion or profession, or by believing without obeying, but by having the kind of faith that produces good works. And having to deny one's own reason, affections, and interests is an action suitable for testing a believer. Observe here the wonderful power of faith in transforming sinners.

Rahab's conduct proved her faith to be living, or possessing power; it showed that she believed with her heart, not merely by an agreement of the understanding. Let us then be careful, for the best works, without faith, are dead; they lack root and principle. By faith, anything we do is truly good when it is done in obedience to God and aims for His acceptance. The root is as if it were dead when there is no fruit. Faith is the root, good works are the fruits; and we must ensure that we have both.

This is the grace of God wherein we stand, and we should hold firm to it. There is no middle state. Everyone must either live as God's friend or God's enemy. Living for God, as it is the consequence of faith which justifies and will save, obligates us to do nothing against Him, but everything for Him and to Him.