Africa Study Bible Sampler - Flipbook - Page 79
J A M E S 2 : 1 9
African Touch Points
Abraham’s Active Faith
Cyril of Alexandria (ad 378–444) was the patriarch
of Alexandria, Egypt, when the city was at the height
of its influence and power. He wrote:
How are we to understand the relationship between faith and good deeds in our salvation?
On the one hand, James says that Abraham was
shown to be right with God by his actions, his good
deeds, when he bound his son Isaac and placed
him on the altar on a mountain in Moriah. On the
other hand, Paul says that Abraham was made right
with God not by his good deeds but by his faith
(Romans 4:1-4). These two statements appear to
be contradictory.
However, the Scriptures are to be understood
as meaning that Abraham believed God before he
was the father of Isaac. Isaac was given to him as
reward for his faith. Likewise, when he bound Isaac
and placed him on the altar, he did not merely do the
work that was required of him, but he did it with the
faith that in Isaac his seed would be as numberless
as the stars of heaven (Genesis 15:5-6). Abraham
believed that God could raise Isaac from the dead.
Abraham’s faith was an active one that resulted in
obedience to God.
say, “How can you show me your faith if you
don’t have good deeds? I will show you my
faith by my good deeds.”
19 You say you have faith, for you believe
that there is one God.* Good for you! Even
the demons believe this, and they tremble in
terror. 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith
without good deeds is useless?
78
2:19
Deut 6:4
Matt 8:29
2:20
Gal 5:6
Jas 2:14, 17, 26
2:21
Gen 22:9, 12
2:22
Heb 11:17
2:23
*Gen 15:6
Isa 41:8
Rom 4:3-5
2:25
Josh 2:4, 6, 15
Heb 11:31
2:26
Gal 5:6
Jas 2:14, 17, 20
3:1
Luke 12:48
Rom 2:21
3:2
Jas 1:4, 26
3:3
Ps 32:9
3:5
Prov 26:20
21 Don’t you remember that our ancestor
Abraham was shown to be right with God
by his actions when he offered his son Isaac
on the altar? 22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his
faith complete. 23 And so it happened just
as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed
God, and God counted him as righteous
because of his faith.”* He was even called
the friend of God.* 24 So you see, we are
shown to be right with God by what we do,
not by faith alone.
25 Rahab the prostitute is another ex
ample. She was shown to be right with
God by her actions when she hid those
messengers and sent them safely away
by a different road. 26 Just as the body is
dead without breath,* so also faith is dead
without good works.
Controlling the Tongue
Dear brothers and sisters,* not many
of you should become teachers in the
church, for we who teach will be judged
more strictly. 2 Indeed, we all make many
mistakes. For if we could control our tongues,
we would be perfect and could also control
ourselves in every other way.
3 We can make a large horse go wherever
we want by means of a small bit in its mouth.
4 And a small rudder makes a huge ship
turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even
though the winds are strong. 5 In the same
way, the tongue is a small thing that makes
grand speeches.
But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.
3
2:19 Some manuscripts read that God is one; see Deut 6:4. 2:23a Gen 15:6. 2:23b See Isa 41:8. 2:26 Or without spirit.
3:1 Greek brothers; also in 3:10.
P r o verbs & S t or i es
Words Are Like Eggs
The Tchabè people from Benin say, “Words are like eggs; if are destroyed by their own words” (Ecclesiastes 10:12). It
you let go of them, you cannot get them back.” A dropped is important to learn to “tame the tongue.” The tongue is a
egg will crack, spill, and be permanently lost. Words are the double-edged sword that we must learn how to use for good.
same. Once you say them, they cannot be taken back, and
Only divine wisdom can help us guard our tongue, handling
their effects are beyond your control.
it carefully like an egg so our words will edify and encourage
James says the tongue is like a flame of fire. Even though those who listen to us, rather than do harm. “Those who control
it is small, a spark from words it speaks can destroy a whole their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin
forest. Just as it is foolish to play with eggs or fire, “fools everything” (Proverbs 13:3).
Tongue Meat
Jesus Christ warned us about the words that we carelessly
Two married women were friends in the same village. One of
them had a hard life in her marriage, and the other had a good let out of our mouths (Matthew 12:36). James wants us to
marriage. When the unhappy wife asked her friend what she did speak only helpful words because we are saved by God. Sweet,
to make her marriage thrive, the happy wife explained that she good words are those that build up others’ souls so they can
gave her husband tongue meat. So the unhappy wife bought a see God and see how we see God. Our words can either be
cow tongue to prepare for her husband. But many days later her “tongue meat” or poison. To speak words that offend your
husband still had not changed. Then the happy wife explained fellow person who has been filled with the Holy Spirit is to
her secret: Marriages are preserved with sweet words.
blaspheme the One who is within them. To do this is to wrong
James 3:1-12 teaches us to control our words. That is the God and the Holy Spirit who lives within that person. Let us
critical element. Ask before we speak, “Will this be helpful follow the book of James: Good and bad speech cannot come
from one mouth.
or hurtful?”