Ministry of Grace Church

You see that faith worked together with his works, and out of the works faith was perfected.

Truth to Learn

When we undergo trials in our Christian walk, our obedient works provide evidence of our faith.

Behind the Words

“See” is translated from the Greek word blepō, which literally refers to sight, but is often used metaphorically, as it is in English, meaning “to perceive” or “to understand.”

The words “working together” are translated from the Greek verb sunergeō. This word is made up of sun, meaning “together” and a form of ergon, meaning “work or toil.” Hence, the meaning is a reference to two or more things that work cooperatively together to achieve a common objective. In the current verse the word is in the imperfect tense indicating past continuous action.

Back in James 1:4 we looked at the noun teleion, which refers to “a state of completion.” The verb form of the same word is here translated as “was perfected.” James is saying that works demonstrate the finality or completion of faith. In other words, we could say that the final state of faith is good works.

Meaning Explained

When we accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior, we were saved by faith alone. But, as we walk through this life, like Abraham, we are constantly undergoing trials of our faith. Our responses to these trials, our works, are the proof of our faith. As we pointed out in the previous verse, Abraham’s salvation, his having been declared righteous by God, occurred some twenty to thirty years before he offered Isaac on the altar at Mt. Moriah. So what does James mean that Abraham’s faith was perfected by his works? The first thing we have to ask ourselves is, “What faith is he talking about?” Is he saying that Abraham’s salvation, his saving faith, was made complete by works? To answer that question, let’s look at what it says in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews:

By faith, being tested, Abraham offered up Isaac, and he having received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called," reasoning that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. (Hebrews 11:17-19)

It is clear from this passage that James is not talking about Abraham’s saving faith, but his walking faith; “for we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). When we believed in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ to save us from our sins, that was saving faith. As we walk through life, however, our faith is continually tested by trials. This is our walking faith. During these trials, our faith is tested, and it is proven when we obey through faith.

In response to James’ teaching here, John Calvin once said, “We are saved by faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone.”

Application

Is your faith being tested right now? Don’t despair! It doesn’t mean that God is mad at you. It means that God loves you and wants to make you more like His son. Give Him thanks for building your faith and show through your obedient works how much you love Him and that you truly believe Him!