James 2:14-26

14–26. The relation between πίστις and ἔργα:—a subject suggested by the preceding paragraph, but also probably by one of the questions referred to St James for solution. Such questions were frequently put to Rabbis as to our Lord (see Matthew 18:21; Matthew 19:3; Matthew 22:17; Matthew 22:36). So St Paul decides the relations between πίστις, ἐλπίς and ἀγάπη 1 Corinthians 13, assigning the leading position to ἀγάπη which is closely akin to ἔλεος.

Probably as a reaction from justification by works of the law a fallacy had sprung up among the Jewish Christians that faith in Christ existing as an inactive principle, a mere speculative belief, would suffice without works. St James shews what an impossible position this is. ἔλεος is regarded as the practical result and test of πίστις as it is in Matthew 25:34-40, a passage probably in the Apostle’s mind here. The works of which St James speaks are works of πίστις not of the Mosaic law. Such ἔργα Christ himself sets forth as required in the Christian life in the Sermon on the Mount and in such passages as Matthew 7:20, ἀπὸ τῶν καρπῶν αὐτῶν ἐπιγνώσεσθε αὐτούς; Matthew 26:10, γνοὺς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, Τί κόπους παρέχετε τῇ γυναικί; ἔργον γὰρ καλὸν ἠργάσατο εἰς ἐμέ, and others. It is noticeable also that when our Lord enjoins keeping of the commandments Matthew 19:18-20 the instances of observances are taken from the second table only, comp. with this Romans 13:8 ὁ γὰρ�. St James’s teaching here is the teaching of Christ and of St Paul.