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NASB | James 2:14 ¶ What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | James 2:14 ¶ What is the benefit, my fellow believers, if someone claims to have faith but has no [good] works [as evidence]? Can that [kind of] faith save him? [No, a mere claim of faith is not sufficient--genuine faith produces good works.] |
Bible Question: The common reconciliation for the apparently different view of justification from Paul and James is to say 1 Paul doesn't disapprove James' view, vice versa, 2 James only talks about how to substantiate faith. Would like to hear, can a distinction really be drawn on 1 works that substantiate faith and 2 works done with intention to gain God's justification? Any practical examples? Is it the motive for the acts that counts at the end of day? |
Bible Answer: Careful study reveals that there is no disagreement between a Pauline statement like Eph 2:8-10 and the declaration of Jas 2:24. You need to read the passage as a whole (James 2:14-26), it divides itself into three sections: the proposition James 2:16-17; the argument James 2:18-25; and the concluding statement James 2:26. In short, real faith will bring out works proving our salvation, but one can not work for their salvation. |