*The reading of Genesis 15:3-6, 22:5-12, Joshua 2:1-14, and Romans 4:1-8 are essential for a proper understanding of the context of James 2:21-26
James makes a final plea to a correct understanding of faith and works. He could not make the point any simpler than how he does in verses 21-26. The accounts recorded about Abraham and Rahab will be the main focus of this text.
Some Initial Observations
Abraham was justified (v.21)
Abraham was not saved because of his works (Romans 4:2). Justification in this context or in Rahab’s does not refer to salvation. Justified in this context means that Abraham is proven to be with God.
Justification seen in...
The offering of Isaac does not give higher priority compared to the others. However, it is the most notable. Hence, I believe the author using it in this context.
Romans 4:1-8 is helpful in understanding the coming together of faith and works. Its been mentioned before that James sees works as a result of salvation and Paul sees salvation preceding the works. They are saying the same thing in different ways. Scripture does not say that because Abraham obeyed Yahweh’s command to offer his son that he was redeemed. If that were the case, the pattern of the potential offering of the firstborn would have followed. Further, the need for the firstborn Son of God, Jesus Christ, would not be as emphasized/important if we still needed to present our firstborn the way Abraham did. Abraham has nothing to boast before the Lord as Romans 4:2 says. James 2:21 must be understood in that context.
Abraham’s faith was perfected (v.22)
Again understanding the context, perfect faith is not what we think of on the surface.
Perfect faith is...
Faith and Works in connection with Righteousness and Friendship (v.23)
James combines faith, works, and righteousness. In other words, to prove righteousness is to have faith and works. Seen in Abraham and also in Jesus. Jesus trusted the Father until the crucifixion and He proved His divinity with the many works He did that could only be done by One who is Divine.
Abraham’s believed God and his works backed it up (Hebrews 11:8, 17). This further indicates the friendship that Yahweh God and Abraham had. For example, not every person experienced the appearing of Yahweh as Abraham did on multiple occasions (Genesis 12:7, 17:1, 18:1).
Abraham is remembered by many titles including a friend of God as Isaiah 41:8 writes, “But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, Seed of Abraham My friend.”
Abraham is the chief example of what a friend of God looks like. A friend of God is one of faith and works. Further, Abraham and this account is relatable to Jew and Gentile. Why? Because it is Abraham who was initially blessed of Yahweh God to have an inheritance that is immeasurable that would make up the Jew (Romans 11:25-27) and the Gentile (Romans 15:7-13).
Abraham, clearly, is the most obvious example of a person who possessed both faith and works.
Verse 24 is the hinge verse that connects the examples of Abraham and Rahab together.
Notice… works is written in the positive and faith in the negative.
Why? The allegory of verse 18 is why. There was regardless of allegory an issue with the elevation of faith over works, hence verse 18 being written. James shoots down any notion that faith is elevated over works post salvation. Again, Romans 4 is critical!
In James, nor Scripture at all, is it ever mentioned that works alone is for salvation or sanctification. Faith is always included in that equation, but works in the minds of these people (and some today) were not of thought.
This is important because of the antinomian heresy. “The word antinomian literally means “against law.” It describes someone who believes that a Christian is someone who is free from the demands of God’s law” (Barry Cooper). In other words, man does not have to obey the law of God because He is under grace. It is in complete contradiction to Romans 6:1–2 which reads, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” Abraham and Rahab clearly show us that works must back up our faith. This is summarized in James 2:24.
Further, our Lord Jesus was in favor of good works (Matthew 5:16 ““Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” And, Matthew 25:34–35 ““Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom, which has been prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in.”) These two statements from our Lord prove the point.
Rahab is the Gentile account that mimics Abraham’s. There is only one deed of Rahab’s compared to the many that are found with Abraham.
What Is
Rahab is identified as a harlot for several reasons...
All of these come from the Greek to describe who she would have been in the days when the walls of Jericho came down. In fact, one writer notes that the Greek in this case makes the Hebrew a little clearer.
The similarities between Rahab and Abraham are...
What Is Not
God uses men/women, boys and girls at any time for His purposes. This is said of Rahab and it is just as true as the hardening of Pharaoh's heart in Exodus 4:21. God is not limited too, nor bound by the mistakes of men nor men’s hatred of Him. God can use ANY and EVERY circumstance to glorify His name. This helps us get through challenging passages like Rahab and Pharaoh.
If there was anyone who would not relate to Abraham and Rahab, James provides one more that every person can relate too.
Every person has a body and a spirit (or soul). This is a statement of fact that leads to another statement of fact that directly follows.
Body and spirit = Faith and works — Without having one or the other it is impossible to have both.
Examples are...
