Dear Folks,

One of the things we see in Acts of the Apostles is the theme that being justified (in right relationship with God) comes though faithfulness to Jesus, not from works of the Law of Moses. This pivots around Acts 15 which describes the council of Jerusalem making that decision by the power of the Holy Spirit.  We can read more on that in the works of St. Paul, especially Romans and Galatians. Romans 4 argues that Abraham was justified before being circumcised, and so the uncircumcised can receive the gift too, and it is not dependent on following the precepts of the Law. 

There is some confusion here, and we must understand correctly. “By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac. He who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son (Hebrews 11:17).” “By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, for she had received the spies in peace (Hebrews 11:31).” James 2:14-26, especially 23-25: “Thus, the words of Scripture were fulfilled that say, ‘Abraham believed in God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he is called the friend of God. You can see, then that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. Likewise, Rahab the prostitute, was she not also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them away by a different road?”

If you look at Kittel’s Theological Dictionary of the New Testament you find a lot written on the Greek pisteuo which is generally translated “I have faith” in the Bible. It carries meanings like trust, hope, faithfulness, obedience, a personal relationship with Him, etc. (It’s a long section). 

I would suggest that what St. Paul and the author of Hebrews mean by “faith” James means by faith and works. The Jews thought more in terms of the whole person, while the Greeks thought in term of parts. We have been influenced by Greek thought. James was writing to the twelve tribes in the dispersion (v 1:1) and who would have been more Hellenized (Greek thinking) and so when they heard that righteousness comes with faith they would have thought “Great, all we have to do is believe.”  James corrects that. 

God offers us the gift of salvation. This is a free gift, all grace. Our acceptance of that gift is a total personal response to Him, choosing Him over the promises of the world. Even the ability to respond is only possible because of His grace. It does not depend on us accomplishing anything before He will accept us, but if we have the chance, we are called to use it in response to Him. God calls each of us. How will we respond?

Blessings,

Fr. Jim