The Whole Law (9/14/2025)

“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?” (James 2:14).

Through these two rhetorical questions, James approaches the subjects of faith and works, thus implying his answers. “Profit” means “benefit,” and James speaks of spiritual benefit.

James teaches that declaration alone is not enough to satisfy God: it takes both a declaration of faith as well as a performance of action for us to be “save(d).” He even says a little later that “faith, if it does not have works, is dead.”

Not once does James imply that the actions (works) are the means of salvation: rather, he speaks of works of obedience to the law of God and not works of merit. Our performing the works God has commanded shows our submission to Him, and it does not cause us to earn forgiveness nor the privilege of going to Heaven.

As we reach an understanding of God’s requirements of us, let us consider carefully the entirety of the law of Christ, contained in the New Testament, and not miss our spiritual goal because we have stopped short of fulfilling the “whole” law.