Monday, 22 July 2019

Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? James 2:25

James now proceeds to his final example of being justified by works. Here, he uses the harlot Rahab as an example. Unlike Abraham, who is discussed in detail by Paul concerning being justified by faith alone, there is very little mention of Rahab in Scripture, and she is only mentioned three times in the New Testament.… Read the rest

Numbers 24:12-25
Balaam’s Fourth Oracle

I won’t lie to you. I almost broke my brain on each of these Balaam sermons. They have been complicated, difficult to determine what is being pictured, and scholarly comment on the verses, along with the many translations of them, are so divergent that it seemed almost hopeless to try to resolve what the text is actually saying.… Read the rest

Sunday, 21 July 2019

You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. James 2:24

James 2:24 is one of the most debated verses in the book of James, and even in the New Testament. It is in the indicative mood, and is likely a question, rather than a statement of fact.… Read the rest

Saturday, 20 July 2019

And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. James 2:23

James now goes to Scripture to support his claim concerning Abraham that “faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect.” He says, “And the Scripture was fulfilled.”

The word “fulfilled” is argued by some to mean “confirm” or something akin to that.… Read the rest

Friday, 19 July 2019

Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? James 2:22

James just cited the account of Abraham offering up Isaac on the altar to support his notion that “faith without works is dead.” With that in mind, he then says, “Do you see.” Translations are divided on this.… Read the rest