How did James prove that `faith apart from works, is dead'?

Answer Details

How James proved that 'faith apart from works is dead' (James 2:14-26)

• James began with a searching question: What good is it if a man says he has faith but has no works? Can that faith save him?
• He gave a practical illustration: if a brother or sister is naked and lacking daily food, and one merely says, Go in peace, be warmed and filled, without giving them what they need, such words are useless. So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
• He anticipated an objection, You have faith and I have works, and replied, Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
• He argued that mere belief is not enough: Even the demons believe that God is one, and they shudder. Bare intellectual belief does not save.
• He appealed to Abraham, who was justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar. His faith was active along with his works, and by works his faith was completed; thus the scripture was fulfilled, Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness, and he was called the friend of God.
• He also cited Rahab the harlot, who was justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way.
• He concluded with a memorable comparison: As the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead.

Thus James proved his point by argument, by everyday illustration, and by the concrete examples of Abraham and Rahab, showing that true, living faith must express itself in obedient action and good deeds.