Exegetical Paper of James 2 18 26
Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary
An Exegetical Paper of James 2:18-26
Submitted to Professor Dr. Steve Waechter
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Course “Greek Language Tools” – NGRK505
By
Steven B. Darden
Burleson, TX
March 8, 2015
Contents
Introduction 4
Context 5
Historical-Cultural Context 5
Literary Context 6
Analysis of Text 7
James 2:18-19: Objections to False Faith 7
James 2:20-24: Examples of Faith 9
Verses 2:25-26: Rahab 11
Conclusion 11
Appendix A: Block Diagram of James 2:18-26 Using the ESV Bible 13
Introduction Throughout the history of the Bible, few words have had more controversy than the words, faith, works, and justification. James’ uses a powerful interrogative to pose the rhetorical question about helping those in need. However, James’ apparent statement concerning these acts has led many to argue that “good works” equals “faith”. Paul expounds on the belief that justification is produced solely by faith in Jesus Christ. James makes a statement in 2:16-26 that many people believe rationalizes faith as equal with good deeds. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the context and to provide a thorough exegesis of the passage of scripture located in James 2:16-26. James’s use a type of koine Greek that indicates an educated writer with a greater than average familiarity with the language of that era’s culture.1 While doubtful a scholar, the writer of James, none the less, describes a faith that is exemplified by the desire, or perhaps even the need, to do good works as a projection of an inward drive to validate one’s love of God. This scripture is divided into three outline sections:
1. Faith that is not activated is dead (2:16-17)
2. Fake faith comes in two forms (2:18-19)
a. a faith that is lacking works
b. a faith that is nothing more an academic exercise
3. Two illustrations of genuine faith (2:20-26)
a. Abraham
b. Rahab
Context
Historical-Cultural Context
James is a book that began its battle
An Exegetical Paper of James 2:18-26
Submitted to Professor Dr. Steve Waechter
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Course “Greek Language Tools” – NGRK505
By
Steven B. Darden
Burleson, TX
March 8, 2015
Contents
Introduction 4
Context 5
Historical-Cultural Context 5
Literary Context 6
Analysis of Text 7
James 2:18-19: Objections to False Faith 7
James 2:20-24: Examples of Faith 9
Verses 2:25-26: Rahab 11
Conclusion 11
Appendix A: Block Diagram of James 2:18-26 Using the ESV Bible 13
Introduction Throughout the history of the Bible, few words have had more controversy than the words, faith, works, and justification. James’ uses a powerful interrogative to pose the rhetorical question about helping those in need. However, James’ apparent statement concerning these acts has led many to argue that “good works” equals “faith”. Paul expounds on the belief that justification is produced solely by faith in Jesus Christ. James makes a statement in 2:16-26 that many people believe rationalizes faith as equal with good deeds. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the context and to provide a thorough exegesis of the passage of scripture located in James 2:16-26. James’s use a type of koine Greek that indicates an educated writer with a greater than average familiarity with the language of that era’s culture.1 While doubtful a scholar, the writer of James, none the less, describes a faith that is exemplified by the desire, or perhaps even the need, to do good works as a projection of an inward drive to validate one’s love of God. This scripture is divided into three outline sections:
1. Faith that is not activated is dead (2:16-17)
2. Fake faith comes in two forms (2:18-19)
a. a faith that is lacking works
b. a faith that is nothing more an academic exercise
3. Two illustrations of genuine faith (2:20-26)
a. Abraham
b. Rahab
Context
Historical-Cultural Context
James is a book that began its battle
Bibliography: Barry, John D. James: Simply the Gospel. Not Your Average Bible Study. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014. Blomberg, Craig L., Jennifer Foutz Markley. A Handbook of New Testament Exegesis. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2010. Cranford, Lorin L. "An exposition of James 2." Southwestern Journal Of Theology 29, no. 1 (September 1, 1986): 19-30. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, EBSCOhost (accessed February 12, 2015). Davids, Peter H. The Epistle of James: A Commentary on the Greek Text. New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1982. Ellsworth, Roger. Opening up James. Opening Up Commentary. Leominster: Day One Publications, 2009. Greenlee, J. Harold. An Exegetical Summary of James. 2nd ed. Dallas, TX: SIL International, 2008. Harrison, Paul V., and Robert E. Picirilli. James, 1, 2 Peter, & Jude. Edited by Robert E. Picirilli. First Edition. The Randall House Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Randall House Publications, 1992. Heath, Jane. "The Righteous Gentile Interjects (James 2:18-19 and Romans 2:14-15)." Novum Testamentum 55, no. 3 (2013): 272-95. Accessed March 8, 2015. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, EBSCOhost (accessed March 8, 2015). Kistemaker, Simon. "The theological message of James." Journal Of The Evangelical Theological Society 29, no. 1 (March 1, 1986): 55-61. ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials, EBSCOhost (accessed February 12, 201 Knowles, Andrew Laws, Sophie. The Epistle of James. Black’s New Testament Commentary. London: Continuum, 1980. Lange, John Peter, Philip Schaff, J. J. van Oosterzee, and J. Isidor Mombert. A Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: James. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2008. Lea, Thomas D. Hebrews, James. Vol. 10. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999. Loh, I-Jin, and Howard Hatton. A Handbook on the Letter from James. UBS Handbook Series. New York: United Bible Societies, 1997. Lucado, Max. Life Lessons from the Inspired Word of God: Book of James. Inspirational Bible Study Series. Dallas, TX: Word Publishing, 1996. Mounce, William D., Greek for the Rest of Us Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing, 2003 Richardson, Kurt A Robert James Dr. Jesus’ Half-Brothers Speak: James and Jude. Vol. Volume 11. Study Guide Commentary Series. Marshall, TX: Bible Lessons International, 2000. Robertson, A Stulac, George M. James. The IVP New Testament Commentary Series. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993. Walters, J. Michael. James: A Bible Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. Indianapolis, IN: Wesleyan Publishing House, 1997.