The book of James has suffered much persecution throughout the centuries. Martin Luther called it "an epistle of straw" in the sixteenth century. In the nineteenth century higher criticism hardly let up on this small letter to Jewish believers and "has left in its wake a general inclination to regard James as a product of an inferior Christian outlook in contrast to the strong meat of Pauline theology." In the twentieth century, however, James is regarded as inspired by the Holy Spirit as much so as the Pauline epistles. James has much to say to his audience, and he reflects much of what Jesus spoke in the Sermon on the Mount. Faith is a topic that James immediately begins with in his brief letter, and he has much to say about it. The word itself is used no less than sixteen times, but its implications and applications permeate the entire letter.

If a man says he has faith but does not have the works to back up that faith, according to James his faith is dead. A dead faith will obviously not produce any works because dead faith cannot produce faith that does in fact live. Faith must work, and it must reproduce. The mere mental belief that one has faith will not suffice. Throughout James’ epistle, which was addressed to the Jewish Christians, James integrates true faith and everyday practical experience by stressing that true faith must manifest itself in works of faith.

In James 1:3 the author begins by telling his audience to rejoice when trials and tribulations come into their lives. The should rejoice because these trials are designed to strengthen their faith. The fact that James makes such a quick entry into this subject after his introduction most likely means that it was foremost on his mind at the time of his writing. Since he is writing to Jewish believers he is concerned with the strengthening of their faith. This is because he himself was a Jew and an ardent follower of Jesus Christ.

It is likely that James himself had suffered greatly in the Christian faith. He believed that trials, when put in perspective, produce the staying power endurance that is needed for faith that actually lives and reproduces. As Dr. Ronald Blue has said, "Faith is like gold; it stands in the test of fire. Without this approved standard of faith, trials would not yield perseverance. There would only be ashes. True faith, like pure gold, endures no matter how hot the fire. True faith develops and ‘works.’"

In 1:6 James speaks of how Christians should petition God – asking in faith. "But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." This is possibly an allusion back to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, specifically, Matthew 7:7-12. Jesus told His listeners to ask, seek, and knock. James tells his audience to ask as well – but to ask in faith. Once again faith is at the center of asking, and James goes even further in verses 7 and 8 by calling anyone who asks without faith a "double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." James uses harsh language here, but his point is coming across in order to set the tone for what he will introduce later on in the epistle. James wants his audience to know that to receive God’s wisdom in the face of trials and tribulations the believer must be wise in asking because the answer from God depends on assurance in God. Anyone can ask God for something, but only the person of true and living faith can receive what God has for him.

After a few verses telling his audience not to abuse their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by judging others through showing favoritism James begins to make the most serious point about faith up to this time. In 2:14 he says, "What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him?" No particular kind of faith is actually mentioned here, and likewise, no particular kind of works either. The context seems to indicate that the faith being spoken of here is faith in the essentials of the gospel. As for the works being considered the most likely meaning is that of righteous behavior conforming to God’s revealed Word that is pleasing and acceptable to Him. These would include perseverance under trial (1:12), purity of life (1:21), obedience to Scripture (1:22-23), compassion for the needy (1:27), and impartiality (2:1-9).

James wants to know if that faith save him. The way in which the question is set up calls for an answer in the negative. The question is not offered to dispute the importance of faith, rather it is in opposition to the idea that any old faith will save a person (cf. Matthew 7:16-18). The bottom line here with regard to faith and works is that faith that has no works to back it up is a dead faith. The works do not save a person, but they do show evidence that a person has faith. Paul makes a similar argument in Romans 6 when he asks the question, "How can we who died to sin still live in it?" Paul is making the same point that James is making, but he is making it in a different fashion. A person cannot claim faith in Christ and still live in sin because they have died to sin. Similarly, James says that a person cannot just claim faith – he must live it, and that means a faith that has works to back it up. A faith that is genuine will produce good works, but a faith that is false will not even live before it dies because it was never alive to begin with.

James goes on to compare the works of Abraham and Rahab the harlot in order to illustrate the point he is making in verses 14-20. James is merely arguing for the proof of faith; Paul argued for the priority of faith. Both men make their points clear, and one does not contradict the other. Paul said that Abraham had faith while James said that Abraham’s faith was made manifest in his works (the near-slaying of his son Isaac). As Dr. Blue has noted, "Works serve as the barometer of justification, while faith is the basis for justification."

James makes his conclusion to the matter of faith and works in 2:26. Faith and deeds are to go hand in hand. Anyone can claim to have faith – and many do. However, when trials and tribulations come into one’s life it will be evident who truly has faith and who does not. James says to welcome these trials and see them as good. Then he makes his point clear concerning why Christians must endure – to show evidence of their faith. Faith without works is dead, and James makes it clear that Christians must have works of faith as evidence of their faith in Jesus Christ. They may already be justified by Christ, but the issue here is whether or not their faith is alive or dead. It is not salvation that is at hand, rather it is a question of living faith or dead faith.

Blue, R. 1983. The Bible Knowledge Commentary. Victor Books: USA, Canada, England,

Guthrie, D. 1990. New Testament Introduction. Intervarsity Press: Downers Grove, Illinois,

MacArthur, J. 1998. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: James. Moody Press:

 Nelson’s Complete Book of Bible Charts, 1993. The Book of James. Thomas Nelson, Inc.

New American Standard Bible.