Comments on James 2 This chapter through 4:12 discusses lack of unity, both between people and within a person. We know from repeated statements by Christ that unity is very important in the Kingdom, cf. John 17:20-23, 3 Ne. 11:27-36, D&C 38:27. Herein, James addresses two types of disunity: the lack of unity, or contention, among groups of people, in this case the ecclesia; and, the lack of unity of character in an individual, namely hypocrisy in word and deed. v1-13 James warns the ecclesia off from being respecters of persons. This lack of unity is between people because it places one ahead of another based upon appearances. But, he goes a step further to point out that those who are respecters of persons are that way because they are seeking to v1 The IV/JST differs from the KJV, as follows: KJV IV --- -- My brethren, My brethren, have not the faith ye cannot have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. and yet have respect to persons. Having respect to persons is clearly contrary to pure religion. v4 The IV/JST differs from the KJV, as follows: KJV IV --- -- Are ye not then Are ye not then in yourselves partial in yourselves, partial judges, and are become and become judges of evil thoughts? evil in your thoughts? The IV/JST makes it clear the person who is a respecter of persons is "evil in [their] thoughts". What is the evil? They are out for gain, hoping they will be promoted in the world by paying special attention to those who are powerful in the world. v6-8 James points out to us that it is the wealthy and powerful of the world who are commonly the ones who are profane and oppressive (v. 6-7). Why then should one give them preferential treatment of they act so? We shouldn't. Rather, we should love all men as ourselves (v. 8). v10-11 The point being made here is you don't have to break all of the commandments of the Law in order to be a sinner, you only need to break one of them. I would assume the implication is that if people are respecters of persons then they are not loving their neighbors as themselves because the poor are being treated as second class. They are therefore breaking the Law, and are sinners even if they keep other commandments of the Law. v14-26 The subject here is hypocrisy in religion, or a lack of unity within a person in that they don't do what they say. These verses are also commonly used as a foil against the "Saved by Grace" contingent, which is unfortunate because then it simply contentious contradiction. James' primary intent here is not to discuss Doctrine of Salvation, it is to emphasize that if one's walk does not match one's talk then they need to reconcile the two. The justification being referenced herein (v. 21, 24) in the sense of the Doctrine of Salvation's definition of "Justification" (note the capital "J") meaning having one's sins expiated via Jesus' Grace. Rather, James is talking about having a godly walk and therefore being righteous, or justified, in that you do good and are therefore guiltless in doing so. Strictly speaking, this falls under the Doctrine of Salvation's definition of "Sanctification", or the cleansing of the individual by repentance. When discussing the "faith v. works" issue as far as Doctrine of Salvation goes, it is much better to keep the discussion internal to Paul's writings and avoid meaningless contradiction. v14-22 The IV/JST differs from the KJV, as follows: KJV IV --- -- 14 What doth it profit, 14 What profit is it, my brethren, my brethren, though a man say for a man to say he hath faith, he hath faith, and have not works? and hath not works? can faith save him? can faith save him? 15 Yea, a man may say, I will show thee I have faith without works; but I say, Show me thy faith without works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. 15 If a brother or sister 16 For if a brother or sister be naked, be naked and destitute of daily food, and destitute, 16 And one of you say and one of you say, unto them, Depart in peace, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; be warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give notwithstanding he give them not those things not those things which are needful which are needful to the body; to the body; what doth it profit? what profit is your faith unto such? 17 Even so faith, 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, if it have not works is dead, being alone. is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 18 Therefore wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead and cannot save you? 19 Thou believest 19 Thou believest that there is one God; there is one God; thou doest well: thou doest well; the devils also believe, the devils also believe, and tremble. and tremble; thou hast made thyself like unto them, not being justified. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham 20 Was not Abraham our father our father justified by works, justified by works, when he had offered when he had offered Isaac his son Isaac his son upon the altar? upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith 21 Seest thou how works wrought with his works, wrought with his faith, and by works and by works was faith made perfect? was faith made perfect? Substantial changes are made to clarify ambiguities in the KJV. v15-16 James points out that words do not feed the hungry, and if you only say you will help the poor and don't actually do anything about it then they remain as hungry as ever. The symbolism employed here is interesting, it is that of food. The Jewish mind equates the Torah, or the Law of Moses, with food per Deut. 8:3. Just as one would physically starve to death without food, so would they spiritually starve to death without the word of God. In this case James may be insinuating that those who teach the word of God without having a godly walk are in fact teaching words which leave the listeners empty, cp. Amos 8:11-12. It is an academic exercise rather than a spiritually enlightening one. Clearly, James' primary point is that we should literally care for one another's physical needs, but we also have to care for one another's spiritual needs as well. v19 "the devils also believe", the adversary and his angles know of the reality of God and the confess that Jesus is the Christ (cp. Matt. 8:29, Luke 8:28), yet they oppose Them and promote evil at every opportunity. And, so, to believe is simply not enough, one must also behave accordingly. Copyright © 2002 by S. Kurt Neumiller . All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced in any form or by any means for commercial gain without the express written consent of the author. Digital or printed copies may be freely made and distributed for personal and public non-commercial use.