Ministry of Grace Church

And in the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

Truth to Learn

Even heathen people perform works of faith, once they believe God’s truth and are converted.

Behind the Words

“In the same way” is translated from the adverb homoiōs, a derivative of the word meaning “having the same features or characteristics,” like in the English word homogenized. Hence, it is translated, “in the same way,” “similarly,” or “likewise.”

The word “received” is from hupodechomai, made up of hupo (or hypo), meaning “under” and dechomai, meaning “to readily receive something from someone else.” So we see that the literal meaning is “to receive under,” that is, “to receive under one’s roof” or “to welcome inside.”

Ekballō is the Greek word translated “sent … out.” It is made up of ek, meaning “out” or “out of” and ballō, meaning “to throw” or “to drive.” Hence, this word literally means “to throw out” or “to drive out.” It is clear from the Greek text that Rahab openly welcomed the two messengers and that she hurriedly sent them out the back door, as it were.

Meaning Explained

James now finishes his treatise on the works of faith with one more example of faith demonstrated through works. The reference is to the events of Joshua chapter 2. When the Israelites were about to enter into the Promised Land, they sent in two spies to scope out Jericho and these two were protected by Rahab. She was a Gentile, probably a worshiper of pagan gods, and an enemy of the Jews. Nonetheless, when confronted with the truth of Almighty God, she believed, saying:

for the LORD your God, He is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. (Joshua 2:11b)

And, she demonstrated that faith by her actions, which put her own life in danger at the hands of the people of Jericho. She welcomed the spies into her home and hid them when the people of Jericho came searching for them, helping the spies escape.

Her act of faith is forever recorded in Hebrews 11:31. This eleventh chapter of Hebrews is sometimes referred to as the Hall of Faith since it recounts numerous individuals who demonstrated their faith by their actions.

By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with the disbelieving ones, having received the spies with peace. (Hebrews 11:31)

James claims that her works justified her just as Abraham’s did. Not in the place of faith, but empowered by it! And, she was further honored by God for her faithfulness in action by becoming the great-great-grandmother of David, king of Israel, according to the first chapter of Matthew’s gospel.

Application

It doesn’t matter whether you grew-up in a Christian family, hearing the gospel truth from the time you were born, or in a faithless home where God’s name was only used as a swear word. Once you believed the gospel message, you became a child of God by faith and your works of faith began, and they will continue until you leave this earthly life.