Justification by Faith: The main issue James deals with in this passage is one of salvation (2:14). Salvation comes by faith (though misconceptions of faith exist[1]). He now bolsters this with two OT examples: Abraham and Rahab. The former was a fornicator and a liar[2] and the latter a harlot (2:25). Yet God declared them righteous,[3] not on the basis of their own righteousness, but on the basis of faith. They believed and trusted God, and based upon this humble dependence on God, He showed them mercy and covered their sins through the blood of Christ and declared them righteous.[4] And having been justified by faith, they entered into peace with God (Rom. 5:1), and Abraham is called “the friend of God,” signifying a true reconciliation with the holy God.
Completed Faith: Now, James addresses the lack of integrity among those who possess a dead faith (2:26) that produces no works. According to James, faith is incomplete[5] until it is proven by corresponding actions (“works”). Thus, he sees Abraham’s faith as completed only when he trusted the promise of God by obeying God and offering up Isaac on the altar.[6] Similarly, Rahab’s faith was completed when she took action to join the people of God by protecting the two spies. Trust in God always becomes evident through deeds. A faith that is all words with no action neither saves nor justifies.
[1] Misconceptions of saving faith was his central concern but his underlying soteriology is salvation by faith.
[2] His fornication via concubines is in Gen. 25:1-6 (cf. also 1 Chron. 1:32) and his lies in Gen. 12:10-13; 20:1-2.
[3] God imputed righteousness on the basis of faith. “Reckoned” is lo-gi-zo-mai (λογίζομαι, used here and Gen. 15:6 [LXX]) which means “to impute.” God’s righteousness was put into Abraham’s account based on faith.
[4] God passed over the sins committed in the OT only to have them be paid for by Jesus’ death (Rom. 3:23-26).
[5] “Perfected [te-lei-o-ō (τελειόω)]” means to reach the end/purpose. Like fruits to a tree, so are works to faith.
[6] Abraham believed God will produce a progeny from his body (Gen. 15:4-6) even if Isaac were dead and thus he offered him up as God commanded (Heb. 11:17-19).