James 4:2b-3

In James 4:2b-3 James goes on to answer the question of why we fight and quarrel and murder. He delivers the punch line: “You do not have, because you do not ask.” James tells us that we won’t have if we chase things with the wrong motivation. This is the tragic irony of the life lived after worldly and fleshly desires; it never reaches the goal it gives everything for. This fundamental dissatisfaction is not because of a lack of effort. This helps us to rationally understand the stupidity of living life after the lusts of the world and our personal appetites. You are tempted to fulfill a sinful desire because you think (or hope) that it may be satisfying, but that will never be the case. Why not accept your lack of satisfaction now, instead of after much painful and harmful sin?

The reason these destructive desires exist among Christians is because we do not seek God for our needs (you do not ask). James reminds us here of the great power of prayer, and why one may live unnecessarily as a spiritual pauper, simply because we do not pray, or do not ask when we pray. Spurgeon writes of the absolute power and need of prayer. “If you may have everything by asking, and nothing without asking, I beg you to see how absolutely vital prayer is, and I beseech you to abound in it… Do you know, brothers, what great things are to be had for the asking? Have you ever thought of it? Does it not stimulate you to pray fervently? All heaven lies before the grasp of the asking man; all the promises of God are rich and inexhaustible, and their fulfillment is to be had by prayer.”

After dealing with the problem of no prayer, now James addressed the problem of selfish prayer. These ones, when they did ask, they asked God with purely selfish motives. “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” We must remember that the purpose of prayer is not to persuade a reluctant God to do what we want. The purpose of prayer is to align our will with His, and in partnership with Him, to ask Him to accomplish His will on this earth. Spurgeon writes “When a man so prays he asks God to be his servant, and gratify his desires; nay, worse than that, he wants God to join him in the service of his lusts. He will gratify his lusts, and God shall come and help him to do it. Such prayer is blasphemous, but a large quantity of it is offered, and it must be one of the most God-provoking things that heaven ever beholds.”

Spend is the same verb used to describe the wasteful spending of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:14. Destructive desires persist, even if we pray, because our prayers may be self-centered and self-indulgent. Our human nature causes us to struggle with these two areas in regard to prayer:

1. We never ask because we can handle things on our own.
2. We ask for our own selfish reasons rather than to get aligned with God

There is power in prayer. Scripture is full of promises and examples throughout that show us the power of bringing things to God through prayer. But we have to ask, and we have to do it with the right motivation. If we do that, the things that divide us and cause us to fight and quarrel and even murder will be replaced with a heart aligned with the Father!

“Portions of this blog post have been taken from the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) has been taken from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

James 4:1-2a

In James 4:1-2a he asks a question that gives us a lot to think about. What is it that causes us to fight and quarrel with each other? “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?” And he quickly gives us the answer – it is our passions that we don’t control. James accurately described strife among Christians with the terms wars and fights. Often the battles that happen among Christians are bitter and severe. Barclay explains “He does not mean that they war within a man – although that is also true – but that they set men warring against each other.”

James goes on to describe the reason for these fights and quarrels and at an extreme – murder. It’s because of our desires and covetousness and the fact that we don’t get what we want. It’s the selfish drive within us that causes us to act out and cause harm. “You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel.” There is some root of being carnal, an internal war within us regarding the lusts of the flesh. No two believers who are both walking in the Spirit of God towards each other can live with wars and fights among themselves.

Almost all who have such a critical and contentious attitude claim they are prompted and supported by the Spirit of God. James makes it clear that this contentious manner comes from our desires. Morgan wrote “It is self-evident that the Spirit of God does not create desire which issues in envying.” The types of desires that lead to conflict are described. Covetousness leads to conflict (you covet and do not have). Anger and animosity lead to hatred and conflict (murder). Hiebert wrote “The word kill [murder] is startling and meant to startle; James sought to force his readers to realize the depth of the evil in their bitter hatred toward others.”

This is the tragic irony of the life lived after worldly and fleshly desires; it never reaches the goal it gives everything for. This fundamental dissatisfaction is not because of a lack of effort: Spurgeoun wrote “If the lusters fail, it is not because they did not set to work to gain their ends; for according to their nature they used the most practical means within their reach, and used them eagerly, too.” Living a life focused on satisfying ourself will never fulfill us. It’s why living as a Christ Follower day by day and hour by hour is so important. If we aren’t focused on that, we’ll tend to be pulled off the course into the ditch of self focus!

“Portions of this blog post have been taken from the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) has been taken from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

James 3:16-18

In James 3:16-18 he reminds us that if we are jealous or selfish, we’ll have disorder and evil in our life. “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” This is the fruit of human, earthly wisdom. The wisdom of the world, the flesh, and the devil may be able to accomplish things, but always with the ultimate fruit of confusion (disorder) and every evil thing. God’s wisdom is completely different and is full of only positive outcomes to the world it is shared in. The worlds wisdom is full of the wrong fruit. God’s wisdom is filled with amazing fruit.

James describes God’s wisdom in detail. “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” Guzik put together a detailed explanation of these characteristics of God’s wisdom. The character of this wisdom is wonderful. It is full of love and a giving heart, consistent with the holiness of God.

i. “This wisdom is first pure: “The reference is not to sexual purity but to the absence of any sinful attitude or motive.” (Burdick)

ii. This wisdom is then peaceable: “This is one of the great words of character description in the NT. In the LXX it is used mostly of God’s disposition as a King. He is gentle and kind, although in reality he has every reason to be stern and punitive toward men in their sin.” (Burdick)

iii. This wisdom is gentle: “The man who is epieikes is the man who knows when it is actually wrong to apply the strict letter of the law. He knows how to forgive when strict justice gives him a perfect right to condemn… It is impossible to find an English word to translate this quality. Matthew Arnold called it ‘sweet reasonableness’ and it is the ability to extend to others the kindly consideration we would wish to receive ourselves.” (Barclay)

iv. This wisdom is willing to yield (open to reason): “Not stubborn nor obstinate; of a yielding disposition in all indifferent things; obsequious, docile.” (Clarke)

v. This wisdom is full of mercy: It does not judge others strictly on the basis of the law, but will extend a generous hand full of mercy. This wisdom knows that the same measure of mercy we grant to others is the same measure God will use with us.

vi. This wisdom is full of… good fruits: This wisdom can be seen by the fruit it produces. It isn’t just the inner power to think and talk about things the right way; it is full of… good fruits.

vii. This wisdom is without partiality: “Without partiality; or, without judging, i.e. either a curious inquiring into the faults of others, to find matter for censures.” (Poole)

viii. This wisdom is without hypocrisy (sincere): “Without pretending to be what it is not; acting always in its own character; never working under a mask. Seeking nothing but God’s glory, and using no other means to attain it than those of his own prescribing.” (Clarke)

This fruit is like a seed that will bear fruit as it is sown by those who make peace. “And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” Burdick wrote “Far from being theoretical and speculative, James’s concept of wisdom is thoroughly practical. It is the understanding and attitude that result in true piety and godliness.” When we live out God’s wisdom, we have an outcome that delivers righteousness and peace. Such a powerful outcome when we learn and live God’s wisdom in our patch!

“Portions of this blog post have been taken from the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) has been taken from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

James 3:13-15

In James 3:13-15 he asks a penetrating question. “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” Wisdom is not just head knowledge. Real wisdom and understanding translates into good conduct and living life God’s way. It’s like faith – invisible qualities on the inside that express themselves through the way we live. James tells us how we can judge others around their wisdom – it shows through the way they live. It isn’t about what we say or how we portray ourselves through our words. Our conduct displays our wisdom.

True wisdom is also evident by its meek manner. Those who do their good works in a way designed to bring attention to themselves show they lack true wisdom. Burdick wrote “Prautes is gentleness, but not a passive gentleness growing out of weakness or resignation. It is an active attitude of deliberate acceptance.” And he went on to write “James addresses the person who is ‘wise and understanding.’ The word sophos (‘wise’) was the technical term among the Jews for the teacher, the scribe, the rabbi. It appears that the author is still speaking to those who would be teachers; here it is not what they say that he is concerned with, but rather how they live.”

If we see jealousy and selfishness – we are seeing the opposite of meekness. These words actually refer to someone who has a critical, contentious, fight-provoking manner. “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.” Moffatt wrote  “Religious people may be extremely provoking, and defeat their own ends by overbearing methods; right views and sound counsels may lose their effect if they are expressed by men who are self-seeking partisans or unscrupulous controversialists.” It’s what’s in our heart that defines whether we have wisdom and understanding of God’s way.

Anyone who shows bitter envy and self-seeking should not deceive anyone – especially themselves – about how wise they are. They show a wisdom that is earthly, unspiritual (sensual), and demonic. Their wisdom is more characteristic of the world, the flesh, and the devil than of God. “This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.” Adam Clarke defines these three characteristics:

• Earthly: “Having this life only in view.”
• Unspiritual (Sensual): “Animal- having for its object the gratification of the passions and animal propensities.”
• Demonic: “Demoniacal- inspired by demons, and maintained in the soul by their indwelling influence.”

People may be able to put on a false front that appears to be wisdom, but it is not. True wisdom comes from God alone and will demonstrate itself in how we live.

“Portions of this blog post have been taken from the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) has been taken from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

James 3:9-12

In James 3:9-12 he continues to discuss the power of the tongue. The tongue can be used for the highest calling (to bless our God) and it can be used for the lowest evil (to curse men). In those who are born again, it shouldn’t be said that out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. “With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.” Peter’s tongue confessed Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the living God and denied Jesus with curses. John said, “Little children, love one another” and he wanted to say the word to bring down fire from heaven upon a Samaritan village.

There is much power in our tongue for good or evil. No debate on what is potential with the tongue, but much direction on what should roll off our tongue. “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” Peter’s tongue confessed Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the living God and denied Jesus with curses. John said, “Little children, love one another” and he wanted to say the word to bring down fire from heaven upon a Samaritan village. Scripture is full of the dichotomy of how people have struggled with controlling their tongue.

Like a spring of water, our mouths shouldn’t send forth fresh… and bitter from the same opening. “Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?” Moffatt wrote “This outburst of James suggests that he had suffered from the strife of tongues in the religious world… it reads like a transcript of bitter experience.” All of us have experienced this in our patch. But James points to the ultimate impossibility of such a contradiction. If bad fruit and bitter water continue to come forth, it means that there is no contradiction. The tree is bad and the spring is bad.

James cuts to the core of things with this question: “Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.” Spurgeon wrote “Unless you are regenerated, born from above by a new and heavenly birth, you are not Christians, whatever you may be called, and you cannot, produce the fruit which is acceptable to God any more than a fig tree can produce olive berries.” Guzik demonstrates this truth:

• You can label a fig tree “Olive Tree” and that will not make it an olive tree.
• You can trim a fig tree to look like an olive tree, and that will not make it an olive tree.
• You can treat a fig tree like an olive tree, and that will not make it an olive tree.
• You can surround a fig tree with many olive trees, and that will not make it an olive tree.
• You can transplant that fig tree to the Mount of Olives, and that would not make it an olive tree.

The truth is that what comes out of our mouth is a result of what is in our heart. We won’t bless and glorify God and treat our fellow man well unless we have Jesus in our heart. Our mouth demonstrates who we are and our relationship with Christ and the Father!

“Portions of this blog post have been taken from the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) has been taken from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

James 3:5-8

In James 3:5-8 he has just talked about the importance of being in control using a bit in a horses mouth and a rudder on a ship as examples of something seemingly small, but definitely controlling the direction. Now he continues by talking about the tongue as being in a similar position. “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!” Small but mighty. If the tongue is like a bit in the mouth of a horse or the rudder on a ship, it leaves us with the question: Who or what holds the reins, or who or what directs the rudder? Some people have no hand on the reins or rudder, and therefore say whatever comes into mind. Others direct their tongue from their emotions or from aspects of their carnal nature. James points us towards having the Spirit of God, working through the new man, set directing hands on the reins and rudder that is our tongue.

The tongue certainly has power. The fire of the tongue has been used to burn many. Children are told sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me. But that child’s rhyme isn’t really true; the bitter pain of a word spoken against us can hurt us for a lifetime, long after a broken bone has healed. “And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.” What others say to us and what we say to others can last a long time, for good or for evil. The casual sarcastic or critical remark can inflict a lasting injury on another person. The well-timed encouragement or compliment can inspire someone for the rest of their life.

James isn’t telling us to never speak or to take a vow of silence; in many ways that would be easier than exercising true self-control over the tongue. The bridle, the rudder, and the fire can all do tremendous good when they are controlled properly. There aren’t many sins that don’t involve talking in some way. Burdick wrote “It is though all the wickedness in the whole world were wrapped up in that little piece of flesh.” Each of us have a tongue as it is an important part of our life. But how it is used, or controlled, can change the course of our life and the lives of those we interact with. There is much power in our tongue and we need to use it wisely.

Almost all of the rest of God’s creation can be tamed and controlled. But not the tongue. It can quickly go astray if we attempt to manage it in our own strength and power. “For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”  The tongue can be brought under the power and the control of the Holy Spirit. We might say that only God Himself is mightier than the human tongue! Poole wrote “The poison of the tongue is no less deadly, it murders men’s reputations by the slanders it utters, their souls by the lusts and passions it stirs up in them, and many times their bodies too by the contentions and quarrels it raiseth against men.” We need to realize the impact and take responsibility for the words that come off our tongue.

“Portions of this blog post have been taken from the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) has been taken from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

James 3:1-4

In James 3:1-4 he warns that we need to think carefully about being teachers in the church. They must take the responsibility seriously, because their accountability is greater and they shall receive a stricter judgment. “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” It is easy to take the position of teacher lightly in the church, without considering its cost in terms of accountability. The words of Jesus and James remind us that being among the teachers in God’s church is more than a matter of having natural or even spiritual gifts; there is an additional dimension of appropriate character and right living.

Clarke writes Therefore, teachers were both tested more and would be judged more strictly. “Their case is awful; they shall receive greater condemnation than common sinners; they have not only sinned in thrusting themselves into that office to which God has never called them, but through their insufficiency the flocks over whom they have assumed the mastery perish for lack of knowledge, and their blood will God require at the watchman’s hand.” When we have influence over others, we have to take that responsibility very seriously. God certainly does, and we’ll give account for our actions someday.

None of us are perfect. James acknowledges that. After all, we all stumble in many things. The ancient Greek word translated stumble does not imply a fatal fall, but something that trips us up and hinders our spiritual progress. “For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.” James included himself among those who stumble. Yet he did not excuse his or our stumbling. We know that we all stumble, but we should all press on to a better walk with the Lord, marked by less stumbling. James provided a way to measure spiritual maturity for teachers and for all Christians. Jesus demonstrated in Matthew 12:34-37 that words are the revelation of the inner character. Our speech reveals our maturity.

A small bit in the mouth controls a strong horse. A small rudder turns a large ship. “If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.” You don’t solve the problem of an unruly horse by keeping it in the barn, or the problem of a hard-to-steer ship by keeping it tied to the dock. In the same way, even a vow of silence is not the ultimate answer for the misuse of our tongue. James deals with the tongue in the next verses.

“Portions of this blog post have been taken from the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) has been taken from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

James 2:20-26

In James 2:20-26 he continues to drive home the importance of works as a defining part of living faith. “Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?” James will now use the Old Testament to demonstrate what he has already said about the character of a living faith, showing that a faith that is not accompanied with works is a dead faith that cannot save. “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?” Abraham was justified by faith long before he offered Isaac (Genesis 15:6). But his obedience in offering Isaac demonstrated that he really did trust God.

Faith and works cooperated perfectly together in Abraham. If he never had believed God, he could have never done the good work of obedience when asked to offer Isaac. As well, his faith was proven true – was completed, was made perfect – by his obedient works. “You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.” Clarke wrote “Here is a proof that faith cannot exist without being active in works of righteousness. His faith in God would have been of no avail to him, had it not been manifested by works.”

The faith only that will not justify a man is a faith that is without works, a dead faith. But true faith, living faith, shown to be true by good works, will alone justify. “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” Trapp wrote “It is faith that justifieth the man; but they are works that justify faith to be right and real, saving and justifying.” Works must accompany a genuine faith, because genuine faith is always connected with regeneration – being born again, becoming a new creation in Jesus. If there is no evidence of a new life, then there was no genuine, saving faith.

James gives another example of living faith from an unlikely place. “And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?” Rahab demonstrated her trust in the God of Israel by hiding the spies and seeking salvation from their God. Her faith was shown to be living faith because it did something. James gives us his closing thoughts on faith and works – they have to go hand in hand. “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” Burdick explains “Therefore, if no deeds are forthcoming, it is proof that the professed faith is dead. Notice that James does not deny that it is faith. He simply indicates that it is not the right kind of faith. It is not living faith, nor can it save.”

“Portions of this blog post have been taken from the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) has been taken from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

James 2:17-19

In James 2:17-19 he makes a bold statement that gives us a picture of the kind of faith that saves us. Here he talks about a dead faith – one without the evidence of works. That is in contrast to a living faith which is the kind of faith that saves us. “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” This is the first time James speaks of a dead faith. Faith alone saves us, but it must be a living faith. We can tell if faith is alive by seeing if it is accompanied by works, and if it does not have works, it is dead. The works don’t save us, but they validate that our faith is alive and real within us.

A living faith is simply real faith. If we really believe something we will follow through and act upon it. If we really put our trust and faith on Jesus, we will care for the naked and destitute as He told us to do. Poole explains “He doth not say, faith is dead without works, lest it should be thought that works were the cause of the life of faith; but faith without works is dead; implying, that works are the effects and signs of the life of faith.”

Guzik defines the marks of saving faith?

• It is faith that looks not to self, but to Jesus Christ.
• It is faith that agrees with God’s word, both inwardly and with words.
• It is faith that in itself is not a work that deserves reward from God; in this sense it is simply refusing to think God is a liar, and that in itself is not a good work, simply the absence of a sinful work.
• It is faith grounded in what Jesus did on the cross and by the empty tomb.
• It is faith that will naturally be expressed in repentance and good works.
• It is faith that may sometimes doubt; yet the doubts are not bigger than the faith nor are they more permanent than the faith. This faith can say, “Lord I believe; help my unbelief.”
• It is faith that wants others to come to the same faith.
• It is faith that says more than “Lord, Lord” as in Matthew 7:21-23.
• It is faith that not only hears the word of God but does it, as in Matthew 7:24-27.

Real faith will be demonstrated by works. Some might try to say that some have the “gift” of works and others have the “gift” of faith. “But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” The appeal of James is clear and logical. We can’t “see” someone’s faith, but we can see their works. You can’t see faith without works, but you can demonstrate the reality of faith by works.

“You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” The fallacy of faith without works is demonstrated by the demons, which have a “dead” faith in God. The demons believe in the sense that they acknowledge that God exists. But this kind of faith does nothing for the demons, because it isn’t real faith, and that is proved by the fact that it doesn’t have works along with it.

“Portions of this blog post have been taken from the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) has been taken from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”

James 2:14-16

In James 2:14-16 he tackles the question of whether one can have faith but no works. James thought it impossible that someone could genuinely have saving faith with no works. “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?” James wrote to Christians from a Jewish background that discovered the glory of salvation by faith. They knew the freedom from works-righteousness which was how salvation happened under the law – by keeping and doing the works. But they then went to the other extreme of thinking that works didn’t matter at all.

James does not contradict the Apostle Paul, who insisted that we are saved not of works (Ephesians 2:9). James merely clarifies for us the kind of faith that saves. We are saved by grace through faith, not by works; but saving faith will have works that accompany it. If we are truly saved, works will be a result of that salvation. As a saying goes: faith alone saves, but the faith that saves is not alone; it has good works with it. Paul also wrote of the necessity of works as an outgrowth of faith in his letter to the church at Ephesus and his letter to Titus. Works don’t save us, but they do happen as a result of our salvation.

James gives an example of how our faith should be demonstrated by serving those in need. “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?” Wishing them well is not an adequate outcome from our faith. To fail in the most simple good work towards a brother or sister in need demonstrates that one does not have a living faith, and we can only be saved by a living faith in Jesus. In this example, you know these people are in need but all that is offered is hollow religious words.

Real faith, and the works that accompany it, are not made up of only spiritual things, but also of a concern for the most basic needs – such as the need for comfort, covering, and food. When needs arise, we should sometimes pray less, and simply do more to help the person in need. We can sometimes pray as a substitute for action. Clarke wrote “Your pretending to have faith, while you have no works of charity or mercy, is utterly vain: for as faith, which is a principle in the mind, cannot be discerned but by the effects, that is, good works; he who has no good works has, presumptively, no faith.” Real faith will compel us to action – to be doers of the Word.

“Portions of this blog post have been taken from the Enduring Word commentary, (c) 2023 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com“

“Scripture (bold and italicized) has been taken from the English Standard Version, © ESV.org – www.esv.org”