SUMMARY
Just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.
ANALYSIS
In an imaginary dialogue, the author argues against the false impression that it is possible to conceive of faith apart from faithful action in the world. Faith and works belong to a unified perception of the gifts of God through wisdomWisdom encompasses the qualities of experience, knowledge, and good judgment. The Old Testament book of Proverbs, which sometimes invokes a Woman as the personification of Wisdom, is a collection of aphorisms and moral teachings. Along with other biblical passages, it teaches, "The fear of the... More, which is intensely practical. God’s gifts are purposive, and God’s purpose is that the world be loved through those who are given birth through the implanted word as the “first fruits of creationCreation, in biblical terms, is the universe as we know or perceive it. Genesis says that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. In the book of Revelation (which speaks of end times) the author declares that God created all things and... More.” When it comes to the word of truth, there is no such thing as “hearers only”; there are only those who are “hearers and doers” (see James 1:22-23). To be any other is to be those who forget what God has created them to be. For James, even to speak of faith without its “completion” in works is “senseless” (verses 20, 22). The argument is sealed by the illustration of two “friends of God” whose faith was exhibited in righteousA righteous person is one who is ethical and faithful to God's covenant. Righteousness in the Old Testament is an attitude of God; in the New Testament it is a gift of God through grace. In the New Testament righteousness is a relationship with God... More action, AbrahamGod promised that Abraham would become the father of a great nation, receive a land, and bring blessing to all nations. More and Rahab (verses 23-25).
