NOTES for Иак 2:14-26
When discussing whether a person is justified by faith or by works, we must clarify what we mean by faith. There is a temptation to define faith as a set of theoretical ideas detached from practice and to leave it at that. This understanding of faith appears to have become widespread, but it does not correspond to the Bible; James calls such faith dead.
Faith is not an abstract theory. It gives an impulse to action and is expressed in action; therefore, there is and can be no contradiction between faith and works. Works flow from faith and reveal it, while works in turn confirm the presence and authenticity of faith.