Looking for opinions on James 2:18

[Chesster]

RSV
But some one will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith.

NASB
But someone may {well} say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

I know that quotation marks were not in the original Greek manuscripts so translators must figure out where the quote ends.

I’m curious to see if anyone has opinions on where “Someone’s” quote ends.

 

[tobinatorstark]

RSV
But some one will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith.

NASB
But someone may {well} say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

I know that quotation marks were not in the original Greek manuscripts so translators must figure out where the quote ends.

I’m curious to see if anyone has opinions on where “Someone’s” quote ends.

I would toss the NASB out the window as it is not approved by the Catholic Church. As for James 2:18 take this in account from the Haydock Bible Commentary

Ver. 18. Some men will say: Thou hast faith, and I have works. Shew me thy faith, &c. He confutes the same error, by putting them in mind that one can shew that he has faith, which is an interior virtue, only by good works, and that good works in a man shew also his faith; which is not to be understood, as if good works were merely the marks, signs, and effects of faith, as some would pretend, but that good works must concur with faith to a man’s salvation by an increase in grace. (Witham)

 

[Chesster]

So, does that mean that the Haydock Bible Commentary agrees with the way the NASB has ended the quote over the RSV?

 

[SHW]

The Navarre Commentary (Catholic) uses the RSV usage of quotation marks and it states that James uses the conversational tone typical of Greco-Roman debate since he uses three instances of faith as examples.

The rhetorical question is asked in James 2:14 “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?” This concept is explained further:

James 15-17 “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Faith without works is dead.

James 2:18 “But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ James answers this by saying:
Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

First, James gives a negative example in the demons:

James 2:19-20 “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” The demons do no good works and so they are not saved.

Next, he contrasts this with the faith of Abraham, who is a model for believers:

James 2:21-24 “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 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. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” Abraham obeyed God as proof of his faith.

Finally, he mentions the faith of a sinful woman (Rahab the prostitute) whose works brought her salvation:

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

The closing sentence repeats the essential idea of the passage:

James 2:26 “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

This passage (James 2:14-24) summarizes the theme of Jame’s whole letter: faith that produces no works is dead faith, and it will not save you. (1 John 3:17-18, 1 Corinthians 4:20)

We must “walk the walk,” and not just “talk the talk.” The kingdom of God consists in action (power) not in talk. Works are the standard by which the authenticity of Christian life and belief will be judged.

Taken from Navarre Bible.

Pax,
SHW

 

[tobinatorstark]

So, does that mean that the Haydock Bible Commentary agrees with the way the NASB has ended the quote over the RSV?

No my point is being Catholic, why are you relying on a non approved version of the Bible?? I am suggesting that you rely on Catholic version and leave a side Protestant versions. Obviously this quote as no Protestant doctrine in, but other quotes do.

 

[Chesster]

No my point is being Catholic, why are you relying on a non approved version of the Bible?? I am suggesting that you rely on Catholic version and leave a side Protestant versions. Obviously this quote as no Protestant doctrine in, but other quotes do.

I think you misunderstand; I only used the NASB to show the difference in where the quote ends, nothing more.

 

[Marycruz]

The Navarre Commentary (Catholic) uses the RSV usage of quotation marks and it states that James uses the conversational tone typical of Greco-Roman debate since he uses three instances of faith as examples.

The rhetorical question is asked in James 2:14 “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?” This concept is explained further:

James 15-17 “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Faith without works is dead.

James 2:18 “But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ James answers this by saying:
Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

First, James gives a negative example in the demons:

James 2:19-20 “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” The demons do no good works and so they are not saved.

Next, he contrasts this with the faith of Abraham, who is a model for believers:

James 2:21-24 “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 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. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” Abraham obeyed God as proof of his faith.

Finally, he mentions the faith of a sinful woman (Rahab the prostitute) whose works brought her salvation:

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

The closing sentence repeats the essential idea of the passage:

James 2:26 “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

This passage (James 2:14-24) summarizes the theme of Jame’s whole letter: faith that produces no works is dead faith, and it will not save you. (1 John 3:17-18, 1 Corinthians 4:20)

We must “walk the walk,” and not just “talk the talk.” The kingdom of God consists in action (power) not in talk. Works are the standard by which the authenticity of Christian life and belief will be judged.

Taken from Navarre Bible.

Pax,
SHW

Wow, thanks for your post! It makes much more sense now

 

[SHW]

You’re welcome. I learned, too, when I looked it up!

Pax,
SHW