Bible Question: I am a seminary student writing a paper on James 2:14-26. I am trying to find the reasons that led the NASB translators to render 2:18 as a long quote, rather than a short one. If any original translators, or those who have knowledge of their deliberations on this passage can respond, I would be grateful. |
Bible Answer: Greetings number7! Here is one thought on this from the Bible Knowledge Commentary "2:18. This may be one of the most misunderstood sections of the entire epistle. But someone will say, You have faith; I have deeds. An imaginary respondent, “someone,” was introduced. He did not object to James’ conclusion. He agreed that faith without works is dead. But he wrongly disparaged faith while stressing works (see comments on v. 19). What follows, Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do, may be the continuation of the respondent’s words. If so, they should be included within quotation marks. (If this were James’ response to a contender’s “I have deeds,” James would have written, “Show me your deeds without faith.”) Though recent translations do not include the second half of verse 18 in the quotation of the respondent (e.g., neb, niv, rsv), the nasb correctly considers this entire verse part of his remarks. The Greek, of course, does not include quotation marks, which accounts for the variations in English. It seems, however, that the respondent is throwing down the challenge, “Show me your faith apart from (choris, ‘without’) works, and I will show you my faith by (ek, ‘emerging from’) my works” (author’s trans.). —Bible Knowledge Commentary" God Bless and may the Lord God bless you in your studies! I pray He will use you to reach many for His glory!, Steve |
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