The article by Thomas Manton on James Chapter 2:15-16 addresses the critical relationship between faith and works, emphasizing that genuine faith is always accompanied by action. Manton argues that mere verbal expressions of goodwill towards those in need are insufficient and do not represent authentic faith; true faith manifests itself through deeds that meet the physical needs of others. He supports this argument with scriptural references, notably James 2:15-16, which critiques empty wishes in the face of tangible needs, alongside related passages like 1 John 3:18 and Matthew 10:42. The practical significance of this commentary lies in the reminder that faith without works is dead, urging believers in the Reformed tradition to demonstrate their faith through love and charity, thus fulfilling their Christian duty.
Key Quotes
“The stomach is not filled with words or the back clothed with wishes.”
“Mere words will not discharge duty. Good words are good in themselves and do become a Christian but they are not enough.”
“Words are but a cold kind of pity. The stomach is not filled with words but meat.”
“Will you serve God with what costs nothing? Words are cheap compliments; they cost nothing.”
Supposeabrotherorsisteriswithoutclothesanddailyfood.Ifoneofyousaystohim,“Go,Iwish youwell;keepwarmandwellfed,”butdoesnothingabouthisphysicalneeds,whatgoodisit?In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Supposeabrotherorsister. The apostle compares faith and good deeds and shows that phony faith avails no more than phony good deeds. By brotherorsister he means Christians, united together by the bond of the same profession.
Iswithoutclothes [naked, KJV]. That is, badly clothed; “nakedness” is often used in this way: see 1 Corinthians 4:11 (KJV).
Anddailyfood. They have not enough to sustain life for a day. Christ calls this “daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). Under these two headings of nakedness and hunger James includes all the necessities of the human life, for these are the things absolutely necessary. Therefore Christ says, “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ … or ‘What shall we wear?’” (Matthew 6:31). “But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that” (1 Timothy 6:8). And Jacob promised to worship if God gave him “food to eat and clothes to wear” (Genesis 28:20).
Ifoneofyousaystohim. That is, someone who does not do them good in any way; otherwise good wishes are not to be despised, and some can only give a small amount of money, prayers, and advice.
“I wish you well.” A solemn form of greeting. See Mark 5:34; Luke 7:50 and 8:48.
“Keepwarm.” That is, be clothed; this is in contrast with withoutclothes. Thus in Job 31:20 we read, “warming him with the fleece from my sheep.”
“Andwellfed.” Some translate this, “Be filled”; that is, may you have food to sustain your hunger.
Butdoesnothingabouthisphysicalneeds. That is, when you are able to; otherwise good wishes are acceptable. So “a cup of cold water” is welcome (Matthew 10:42). James’s chief aim was to shame the rich, who tried to do their duty with a few cheap words and charitable wishes. This was a common offense, as is clear from 1 John 3:18, “Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”
Whatgoodisit? That is, for the poor. The stomach is not filled with words, or the back clothed with wishes. This is like the mad person who tried to pay his debts with the noise of money and instead of opening his purse shook it. The poor will not thank you for good wishes, and neither will God for saying you have faith.
Notes on Verses 15-16
Note1. An excellent way to discover our deceitful dealing with God is to compare it with our own dealings with one another. Christ made the Pharisees judge themselves (Matthew 21). Those who despised, abused, and persecuted the messengers killed the son; so Christ says to them, “What will he do to those tenants?” They reply, “He will bring those wretches to a wretched end … and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants” (verses 40-41). So will God do to you, says Christ (verse 43). God appealed to the Jews with a parable: “Judge between me and my vineyard” (Isaiah 5:3). We shall soon see the irrationality of our inferences in divine matters when we apply the case to human affairs. It is like saying, “My master is good; therefore I will offend him and displease him.”
Note 2. Suppose a brother or sister. God’s own people may be destitute of the necessities of life: “the world was not worthy of them” (Hebrews 11:38). It is true that David says, “I was young and now I am old; yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread” (Psalm 37:25); but either he is speaking about his own experience, or else he is referring to the shameful trade of begging, which among the Jews was a token of God’s curse (see Psalm 59:15). Certainly the Jews had more of the worldly and outward blessing of the covenant than believers did under the Gospel, as this was more appropriate for their dispensation.
Note3. Mere words will not discharge duty. Good words are good in themselves and do become a Christian; but they are not enough. Words show that you know about your duty; mere words show that you lack a heart to carry out your duty.
Note4. More particularly observe that a few charitable words are not enough. Words are cheap; compliments cost nothing. Will you serve God with what costs nothing? Words are but a cold kind of pity. The stomach is not filled with words but meat; nor is the back clothed with good wishes. Words are but a derision; you mock the poor when you bid them, “keepwarmandwellfed” and do not attend to their necessities. This is a kind of mocking of God. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked” (Galatians 6:7). James is speaking about people who want to be thought charitable, but it was mere words.
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