The Grace Commentary – Your free verse-by-verse Bible commentary James 2

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Santiago 2:1

Mga kapatid, huwag ninyong hawakan ang inyong pananampalataya sa ating maluwalhating Panginoong Jesu-Cristo na may personal na paboritismo.

(a) Mga kapatid; tingnan mo pagpasok for Jas. 1:16.

(b) Panghawakan ang iyong pananampalataya. Binasa ng ilan ang talatang ito bilang, "Kailangan mong hawakan ang iyong pananampalataya kay Jesus," na parang ang lahat ay nakasalalay sa iyong pananampalataya. Hindi iyon ang sinasabi ni James. Isang literal na salin ng kanyang mga salita ang mababasa: “Panghawakan ang pananampalataya sa Panginoong Jesucristo.” Hindi ito tungkol sa iyong pananampalataya kundi sa kanyang pananampalataya. Tayo ay inaring-ganap at ipinahayag na matuwid dahil si Hesus ay tapat.

“You hold fast to my name and did not deny my faith,” said Jesus to the Pergamenes (Rev 2:13). In the new covenant, God takes the lead and we respond. We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19), and we believe in him because Christ first believed in us. He is our supplier of faith, hope, and love.

(d) Panginoong Hesukristo. Tinawag ng mga Hudyo si Hesus Rabbi, ngunit tinatawag siyang Panginoon at Kristo ng mga Kristiyano.

When Jesus walked the earth he was known as Jesus of Nazareth (e.g., Matt. 26:71). But after he ascended to heaven he was given a new name above every name, and that name is Lord (Php. 2:9–11). The original word for Lord (kyrios) means the One who is supreme above all. “You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am” (John 13:13).

James is sometimes accused of being confused about the gospel, but the leader of the Jerusalem church put his reputation and life on the line by proclaiming Jesus as Lord. This is what new covenant preachers do – they reveal Jesus as Lord of all. Jesus is not merely a teacher or historical figure. He is the exalted Son of God and his Name is above all names (Php. 2:9). All of the New Testament epistle writers referred to Jesus as Lord, and James was no exception.

(e) Personal na paboritismo. Huwag hayaang madungisan ng mga pagkakaiba sa lipunan ang iyong Kristiyanong paglalakad. Dahil si Kristo ay namatay para sa lahat, ituring ang lahat bilang mahalaga at pinahahalagahan ng Diyos.

The church is an egalitarian institution. We make no distinctions on the basis of race, gender, or class (see Gal. 3:28). Yet in some assemblies, the rich and powerful were given preferential treatment while the poor were being treated shabbily. James condemns this type of discrimination.

Santiago 2:2–3

Sapagka't kung ang isang tao ay pumasok sa inyong kapulungan na may gintong singsing at nakadamit ng mainam na damit, at may pumasok din na isang dukha na may maruming damit, at iyong binibigyang pansin ang nakasuot ng mainam na damit, at iyong sasabihin, maupo ka rito sa isang magandang lugar,” at sasabihin mo sa dukha, “Tumayo ka diyan, o maupo ka sa tabi ng aking tuntungan.

(a) Assembly. Ang orihinal na salita (sinagoga) ay karaniwang isinasalin na sinagoga. Inaasahan ni James na ang kanyang liham sa labindalawang tribo ay babasahin sa mga sinagoga ng mga Judio (tingnan pagpasok for Jas. 1:1).

When the apostle Paul entered a new city, he typically preached first in the Jewish synagogues (Acts 17:1–2). Similarly, the scattered Jews that carried the gospel message (and James’ letter) from Judea to their home countries, proclaimed the good news in their assemblies. To a large degree, the Christian church was birthed in Jewish synagogues.

(b) Gintong singsing. Ang lalaking may gintong singsing ay isang taong may katayuan at kayamanan, o isang taong nagpapanggap.

(c) Mga magagandang damit. It is the way of the world to give special treatment to those who are well-dressed and have the appearance of success. But in the kingdom we regard no one from a worldly point of view (2 Cor. 5:16). Everyone is precious in God’s eyes.

(d) Ang magandang lugar. Ang upuan ng karangalan. Ang front row.

(e) Ang kawawang tao. In this world the poor and downtrodden get the scraps. They are exploited, oppressed, and they get the worst seats. For this reason the poor receive special attention from the Lord (see Jas. 2:5).

Santiago 2:4

hindi ba kayo gumawa ng pagkakaiba sa inyong sarili, at naging mga hukom na may masamang layunin?

(a) Mga Pagkakaiba. Discrimination based on race, gender, or wealth has no place in the new covenant (Gal. 3:28).

(b) Mga hukom. To judge people based on outward appearances (their looks, clothes, status, social media following, etc.) is to judge with evil or worldly standards. God does not look at people this way. He looks at the heart (1 Sam. 16:7).

Santiago 2:5

Makinig, mga minamahal kong kapatid: hindi ba pinili ng Diyos ang mga dukha sa mundong ito upang yumaman sa pananampalataya at mga tagapagmana ng kaharian na Kanyang ipinangako sa mga umiibig sa Kanya?

(a) Mga minamahal na kapatid; tingnan mo pagpasok for Jas. 1:16.

(b) Ang mahihirap. If the gospel is good news for anyone, it’s good news for the poor and downtrodden (Luke 4:18, 6:20).

Jesus has nothing against the rich and comfortable, but the rich often have trouble receiving from the Lord (Matt. 19:23). Not so the poor. With empty hands and hungry hearts they are more than ready to take what Jesus provides.

(c) Mayaman sa pananampalataya. Those who have nothing are easily persuaded to receive what God offers. In contrast, those who are rich in this world are often reluctant to let go of that which they cannot keep (Matt. 19:23).

(d) Mga tagapagmana ng kaharian. While the rich and powerful often dismissed Christ, the poor received him with joy (Luke 7:22). For this reason Jesus said, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God” (Luke 6:20).

Tingnan mo pagpasok para sa Mana.

Santiago 2:6

Ngunit nilapastangan mo ang dukha. Hindi ba't ang mayayaman ang nang-aapi sa iyo at personal na humihila sa iyo sa korte?

(a) Hindi pinarangalan. Minamaltrato mo ang mga pinili ng Diyos (tingnan ang nakaraang talata).

(b) apihin ka. Ngunit pinararangalan mo ang mga umaapi sa iyo. Ito ay walang kahulugan.

Santiago 2:7

Hindi ba nila nilapastangan ang makatarungang pangalan kung saan ka tinawag?

(a) kalapastanganan. Ang paglapastangan ay paninirang-puri o pagsasalita ng kasinungalingan. Sinasabi ni James, "Bakit mo pinapahalagahan ang mga mayayaman kapag tinutuya at minamaliit nila ang pangalan ng Panginoon?"

(b) Ang makatarungang pangalan. Ang mahalaga, maganda, at pinakamarangal na pangalan ng Panginoong Jesucristo.

(c) Tinawag. God calls all of us to come out of darkness and enter into his wonderful light (1 Cor. 1:24, 1 Pet. 2:9). Not everyone responds to his call, but those who do are known as “the called of Jesus Christ” (Rom. 1:6).

Santiago 2:8

Kung, gayunpaman, kung tinutupad mo ang maharlikang batas ayon sa Banal na Kasulatan, “Iibigin MO ANG IYONG KAPWA GAYA NG IYONG SARILI,” mabuti ang iyong ginagawa.

(a) Kung. Ang conditional kung indicates that this is a law-like statement. James is quoting law to people who had been raised under the law to reinforce his point about not showing partiality (see next verse). He is not suggesting that we should turn to the law to curry favor with God. No one can improve their standing with God by attempting to keep the law (Rom. 3:20).

(b) Ang maharlikang batas is to love your neighbor as yourself. This commandment is the king of laws because loving others fulfills all the other laws (Rom. 13:8–9, Gal. 5:14). In context, it means treat people with dignity, even if they are poor, and don’t show favoritism (Jas. 2:1, 5). The royal law is analogous to the golden rule (do unto others as you would have them do unto you; Luke 6:31), but it should not be confused with the law of liberty (see pagpasok for Jas. 1:25).

Karagdagang pagbabasa: "Ano ang maharlikang batas?”

Karagdagang pagbabasa: "Is ‘love your neighbor’ part of the new covenant?“

(d) Magaling ka. Napakaganda ng mundo kung susundin natin ang batas na mahalin ang ating kapwa. Ngunit ito ay isang imposibleng batas para sa nahulog na sangkatauhan. Paulit-ulit na pinatutunayan ng kasaysayan na hindi natin kayang mahalin ang ating kapwa. Para masunod ang maharlikang batas kailangan natin ang mas mataas na batas ni Kristo: “Magmahalan kayo gaya ng pagmamahal ko sa inyo” (tingnan pagpasok for John 13:34). Only the love of God can empower us to love others.

Santiago 2:9

Ngunit kung ikaw ay nagpapakita ng pagtatangi, ikaw ay gumagawa ng kasalanan at hinahatulan ng kautusan bilang mga lumalabag.

(a) Pagkakampi. If you judge people on external appearances and treat some people better than others (see Jas. 2:1–4).

(b) Gumagawa ka ng kasalanan. You are violating those old covenant laws that forbid showing partiality (e.g., Lev. 19:15, Deu. 16:19).

Kung paanong ang lahat ay pantay sa ilalim ng biyaya, lahat ay pantay sa ilalim ng batas. Ang parehong mga batas na namamahala sa isa ay namamahala sa lahat. Walang sinuman ang mas mataas sa batas at walang sinuman ang maaaring tumanggap ng espesyal na pagtrato nang hindi nilalabag ang batas.

Para sa sinumang itinaas sa ilalim ng batas, ang mga ito ay malakas na malinaw na mga salita. "Mamaltrato sa mahihirap at lumalabag ka sa batas."

Santiago 2:10

Sapagkat ang sinumang tumutupad sa buong kautusan ngunit natitisod sa isang punto, siya ay naging nagkasala sa lahat.

(a) Ang batas Since James is writing to the scattered Jews (Jas. 1:1), the “whole law” is the Law of Moses, namely the commandments, ordinances, punishments, and ceremonial observances given to the nation of Israel through Moses (Jos. 8:31, John 1:17). This law is sometimes referred to as the law of commandments (Eph. 2:15) or the law of the Jews (Acts 25:8).

In the new covenant, we are not under law but grace (Rom. 6:14). So when James preaches law one could get the impression that he was confused about the difference between the covenants. He was not. Like Jesus addressing the crowds, James was capable of preaching to two audiences at the same time. Those who shared his faith in Christ got grace, while the self-righteous and smug got the harsh and unforgiving law.

Tingnan mo pagpasok para sa Batas.

(b) Ngunit natitisod sa isang punto. The standard demanded by the law is flawless perfection. Those who live under it are obligated to keep all of it (Gal. 5:3). This presents an insurmountable problem, for we all stumble in many ways (Jas. 3:2). Imperfect humanity is incapable of delivering a perfect performance.

(c) Guilty sa lahat. Like Jesus before him (John 7:19), James upheld the high standard of the law. He esteemed the law and the purpose for which it was given. The law was given to silence every mouth and hold the whole world accountable (Rom 3:19). James does not preach the law as a guide for you to live by. He preaches the law so that you will become conscious of your sin and see your need for a Savior.

Santiago 2:11

Sapagka't Siya na nagsabi, HUWAG MAGKAISA, ay nagsabi rin, HUWAG MAGPAPATAY. Ngayon kung hindi ka nangalunya, ngunit nakapatay ka, ikaw ay naging isang lumalabag sa batas.

(a) Huwag kang mangalunya is the seventh commandment (Ex. 20:14).

(b) Huwag gagawa ng pagpatay is the sixth commandment (Ex. 20:13). Why does James quote the Ten Commandments? Because he is writing to Jews who were trusting in their observance of the law to make themselves righteous. James is not promoting self-righteousness. He is using the law for its proper purpose – to expose sin (Rom. 7:7). He does not praise his readers for their law-keeping. He accuses them of being law-breakers. “You have become a transgressor of the law.” Later in his epistle, he will accuse some of committing murder (Jas. 4:2, 5:6).

(c) lumabag. Lumalabag sa batas. Labagin ang isang bahagi ng batas at hahatulan kang nagkasala ng paglabag sa lahat ng ito (tingnan ang nakaraang talata).

Some believe that God will accept them if they are mostly good. The law demolishes this deception. A holy God demands perfection. Either you must be perfectly obedient every hour of your life, or you need a high priest who was perfectly obedient on your behalf. Only the sinless Savior can present us to God without fault or blemish (Eph. 5:27, Heb. 4:15, 1 Pet. 1:22).

Santiago 2:12

Kaya't magsalita at kumilos na gaya ng mga hahatulan ng batas ng kalayaan.

(a) Ang mga dapat husgahan. Live knowing that we will all be judged by our response to Jesus (2 Cor. 5:10).

(b) Ang batas ng kalayaan ay ang mapagpalayang tuntunin ng Panginoong Hesus. Tingnan mo pagpasok for Jas. 1:25.

Santiago 2:13

Sapagka't ang paghuhukom ay magiging walang awa sa isa na hindi nagpakita ng awa; ang awa ay nagtatagumpay sa paghatol.

(a) walang awa. Those who live by the merciless law shall receive no mercy, for the law condemns all and justifies no one. (Rom. 3:19–20, Gal. 2:16).

(b) Ang hindi nagpakita ng awa ay ang taong namumuhay ayon sa malamig at hindi mapagpatawad na pamantayan ng batas, at ang buhay ay nananatiling hindi ginagalaw ng biyaya ng Diyos. Hindi nila magawang magpakita ng awa dahil hindi sila nakatanggap ng awa. Ayaw nila. Mas gugustuhin nilang manindigan sa kanilang sariling mga merito kaysa tumanggap ng awa ng isang mahabaging Diyos.

(c) awa is one facet of God’s grace (Heb. 4:16). Just as God is rich in grace (Eph. 1:7, 2:7, Jas. 4:6), he is rich in mercy (Eph. 2:4, Jas. 5:11). He is the God of all grace (1 Pet. 5:10) and the Father of all mercies (2 Cor. 1:3). See pagpasok para kay Mercy.

(d) Ang awa ay nagtatagumpay. Just as God’s grace is greater than our sin (Rom. 5:20), his mercy triumphs over the condemnation of the law. The bad news of the law is that you are a transgressor, for nobody is perfect. But the good news of grace is that God justifies the sinner (Rom. 3:24).

Santiago 2:14

Ano ang pakinabang, mga kapatid, kung sinasabi ng isang tao na siya'y may pananampalataya ngunit wala siyang gawa? Maililigtas ba siya ng pananampalatayang iyon?

(a) Pananampalataya. Ang orihinal na salita (suplado) is a noun that means persuasion or conviction. Faith is being persuaded that God is who he says he is, has done what he said he’s done, and will do what he has promised to do. Abraham was fully persuaded or convinced that God would do what he had promised (see Rom. 4:21).

Tingnan mo pagpasok para sa Pananampalataya.

(b) Gumagana. Ang paniniwala sa Panginoong Jesucristo ay ang pagkilos na nagpapakita ng ating pananampalataya. Maaaring tila kakaibang isipin ang paniniwala bilang isang gawain, ngunit ang paniniwala kay Jesus ay ang gawain ng Diyos (tingnan pagpasok for John 6:29).

We are exhorted to be doers and not merely hearers of the word (Jas. 1:22). To be a doer of the word is to receive, with humility, the word of truth that can save our souls (Jas. 1:21). To receive is to accept, believe, trust, and rely on the promises of God regarding our salvation. If faith is a noun – the state of being persuaded that God saves you by grace alone – then believing is the verb or activity that flows from that persuasion. We do not believe in order to create faith. Rather, believing is the action that reveals our faith. “Having the same spirit of faith… we also believe” (2 Cor. 4:13).

James does not leave us guessing when it comes to works of faith. He says we need to submit and draw near to God (Jas. 4:7–8). We need to humble ourselves and receive his grace (Jas. 4:6, 10). We need to hold onto the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ (Jas. 2:1). As we abide in Christ we receive the grace that empowers us to reign in life (Rom. 5:15).

Sadly, many think that James is preaching good works or charitable works as a substitute or complement to faith. As a result, they try to balance the grace of God with their own works. “I am saved by grace, but I have to prove my salvation through good works.” There is no balancing grace with works (Rom. 11:6). It’s one or the other, not both. Any works done to earn or maintain right standing with God are dead works.

(c) Maililigtas ba siya ng pananampalatayang iyon? We all have faith of one kind or another, but not all faith is saving faith. Faith that is unaccompanied by the “work” of believing in Jesus is dead and useless (Jas. 2:17, 20).

Ang pananampalataya ay kasing ganda lamang ng bagay na pinagkakatiwalaan nito. Ang mga relihiyoso ay may pananampalataya sa kanilang sarili at sa kanilang mga gawa. Sa kabaligtaran, ang mga Kristiyano ay may pananampalataya sa Panginoong Jesucristo at sa kanyang natapos na gawain.

Santiago 2:15–16

Kung ang isang kapatid na lalaki o babae ay walang damit at nangangailangan ng pang-araw-araw na pagkain, at ang isa sa inyo ay magsabi sa kanila, “Humayo kayong payapa, magpainit kayo at mabusog,” ngunit hindi ninyo ibinibigay sa kanila ang kinakailangan para sa kanilang katawan, ano gamit ba yan?

(a) Pang-araw-araw na pagkain. Upang ilagay ito sa ilang kontekstong pangkasaysayan, sumusulat si James sa panahon ng taggutom. Ang mga Hudyo ng Judea ay nagugutom, at ang kanilang mga nakakalat na kapatid ay nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na tumulong (tingnan ang pagpasok for Jas. 1:27).

(b) Anong gamit niyan? Just as talk without deeds is empty and vain, so, too, faith without deeds is useless. Faith that is unaccompanied by the work of believing in Jesus is dead and cannot save you. (The context is salvation (see Jas. 2:14). Although God’s grace empowers us to do good works (1 Cor. 15:10), we are not saved by our charitable deeds but by faith in Christ.)

Santiago 2:17

Gayon din naman ang pananampalataya, kung walang mga gawa, ay patay, na nag-iisa.

(a) Pananampalataya; tingnan mo pagpasok for Jas. 2:14.

(b) Gumagana. John Calvin famously said that faith alone justifies, and yet the faith which justifies is never alone. In other words, faith in Christ will lead to good works and those works prove that one has faith in Christ. While it is true that right living follows right believing (Matt. 5:16, Eph. 2:10), James is not discussing charity or works of service in general. He is talking about salvation (Jas. 2:14), justification (Jas. 2:21, 24–25), and being made right with God (Jas 2:23). In this context, the only work that matters is believing in Jesus (John 6:29).

(c) Patay. We are all creatures of faith, but unless our faith is in the Savior, ours is a dead or useless faith (Jas. 2:20, 26). Faith in Christ leads to eternal life (John 3:16), but faith in anything else leads to death.

Santiago 2:18

Ngunit maaaring may magsabi, “Ikaw ay may pananampalataya at ako ay may mga gawa; ipakita mo sa akin ang iyong pananampalataya na walang mga gawa, at ipapakita ko sa iyo ang aking pananampalataya sa pamamagitan ng aking mga gawa."

(a) Ang iyong pananampalataya, ang aking pananampalataya. There are different kinds of faith but only one kind is a saving faith (Jas. 2:14).

(b) Kung wala ang mga gawa... ang aking mga gawa. There are different kinds of work, but only one kind is the work of God (John 6:29).

Religious people like to make a great show of their works. “I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I have” (Luke 18:12). Their resumés and list of accomplishments may be impressive. Yet their works count for nothing if they have failed to do the one thing that counts. See pagpasok for James 2:14.

Santiago 2:19

Naniniwala ka na ang Diyos ay iisa. Magaling ka; naniniwala rin ang mga demonyo, at nanginginig.

(a) iisa lang ang Diyos. The Jews were monotheists (Deut. 6:4).

(b) Magaling ka. Sa panahon na ang mga bansa ay sumasamba sa maraming diyos at diyus-diyosan, ang paniniwala sa isang Diyos higit sa lahat ay kapuri-puri.

(c) Ang mga demonyo naniniwala sa iisang Diyos pero demonyo pa rin sila. Ang paniniwala sa iisang Diyos ay hindi magliligtas sa iyo kung ang iyong pananampalataya ay sa iyong sarili sa halip na sa kanyang Anak.

(d) At kinilig. Demons are terrified of God and his wrath (Matt. 8:29, Mark 5:7).

Santiago 2:20

Ngunit handa ka bang kilalanin, ikaw na taong hangal, na ang pananampalataya na walang gawa ay walang kabuluhan?

(a) Ang tanga mo. Ang taas ng kahangalan na isipin na ikaw ay ligtas kung tatanggihan mo ang Tagapagligtas na ipinadala ng Diyos.

James is not speaking about Christians who hold to the faith of Christ (Jas. 2:1), but those who are relying on their own righteousness. He is addressing God-fearing Jews who are trusting in their ability to keep the law (Jas. 2:10–12, 19). They are foolish because they have heard the word of truth but have not received it into their hearts (Jas. 1:21). They are hearers but not doers of the word (Jas. 1:22). They have an earthly form of wisdom which is demonic in origin (Jas. 3:15), but have not received the wisdom from above that God gives to all who ask (Jas. 1:5).

(b) Gumagana. Ang paniniwala kay Hesus; tingnan mo pagpasok for James 2:14.

(c) Walang kwenta. Ang pananampalataya na hindi sinamahan ng gawain o pagkilos ng paniniwala kay Jesus ay walang naabot na pangmatagalang kahalagahan. Ito ay tiyak na hindi magliligtas sa iyo.

Santiago 2:21

Hindi ba si Abraham na ating ama ay inaring-ganap sa pamamagitan ng mga gawa nang ihandog niya si Isaac na kaniyang anak sa dambana?

(a) Abraham na aming ama. The Jews considered Abraham their great patriarch and father (Matt. 3:9, John 8:39). Since James was writing to a Jewish audience (see pagpasok for Jas. 1:1), Abraham was the ideal example for showing how faith works.

(b) Nabibigyang-katwiran ng mga gawa. Abraham was justified or counted righteous because he believed God (Jas. 2:23). He was not justified because he maintained a perfect track record of good works (Abraham sinned from time to time), but the things he did revealed his faith in God the Savior.

Much confusion has come from misunderstanding the relationship between faith and works. Since Paul said we are justified apart from works (Gal. 2:16, Eph. 2:8–9), some have concluded that he and James preached different gospels. Nothing could be further from the truth. Both apostles preached the gospel of grace (Eph. 2:8, Jas. 4:6), and both men challenged people to turn to God in faith (Acts 26:20; Jas. 4:7–8).

Others say that James is talking about justification before men rather than God. “Through a lifetime of good deeds, we reveal our Christian faith to others.” But the context is salvation (Jas. 2:14) and being made right with God (Jas. 2:23). The way to reconcile Paul and James is to recognize that both preached justification by faith and saving faith is evidenced by the work of believing in Jesus. (see pagpasok for Jas. 2:14).

(c) Inihandog niya si Isaac na kanyang anak. Ang pag-aalay ng kanyang anak ay isa sa mga paraan na ginamit ni Abraham ang kanyang pananampalataya sa Diyos.

The faith that justifies is always a response to something God has said or done. God initiates and faith responds. God told him to go and he went (Gen. 12:1). God told him to count the stars and he counted (Gen 15:5). God told him to offer his son and he did (Gen. 22:2). If Abraham had turned a deaf ear to God and done none of these things, his faith would have been dead and useless.

Sa teknikal na paraan, si Abraham ay hindi nabigyang-katwiran sa harap ng Diyos dahil inialay niya ang kanyang anak. (Siya ay itinuring na matuwid bago pa ito; kita n'yo pagpasok for Jas. 2:23). Why does James highlight Abraham’s offering of Isaac? Because this deed foreshadowed the offering of God’s own Son. The former event illuminates the latter.

Santiago 2:22

Nakikita mo na ang pananampalataya ay gumagawang kasama ng kanyang mga gawa, at bilang resulta ng mga gawa, ang pananampalataya ay naging sakdal;

(a) Pananampalataya; tingnan mo pagpasok for Jas. 2:14.

(b) Nagtatrabaho sa kanyang mga gawa. Our faith and deeds are like two oxen pulling a cart. When they are aligned, we go forward. But if they pull in different directions, we become unstable (Jas. 1:8). Every time you say yes to the Lord, your understanding of God’s goodness and grace is enlarged, and your faith grows stronger.

Abraham is known as the father of the faith (Rom. 4:11). When Abraham first heard the call of God, he responded in faith. At different times in his life, he heard God’s voice and most of the time he obeyed (Heb. 11:8–9). But not always. There were a few hiccups along the way (e.g., Egypt, Hagar). But by the end of his life, Abraham had learned to trust the Lord fully, and his faith was perfected or made complete.

Santiago 2:23

at natupad ang Kasulatan na nagsasabi, “AT SI ABRAHAM AY NANINIWALA SA DIYOS, AT ITO AY IBILANG SA KANYA NA KATWIRAN,” at siya ay tinawag na kaibigan ng Diyos.

(a) Ang Banal na Kasulatan is Genesis 15:6. Like Paul in Romans 4:3, James quotes this scripture to establish that Abraham was justified and made right with God on account of his faith and not on the basis of anything he had done. Naniwala si Abraham sa Diyos and was reckoned righteous. The one deed James mentions – the offering of his son (Jas. 2:21) – came after Abraham was counted righteous.

(b) Naniwala si Abraham sa Diyos at ang kanyang pananampalataya ay kitang-kita sa paraan ng kanyang pamumuhay.

Abraham believed God and looked forward to the Son he would send (John 8:56), but his descendants rejected God’s Son. For this Jesus rebuked them. “If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham” (John 8:39). James echoes Christ’s rebuke (Jas. 2:19–20).

(c) Itinuring sa kanya bilang katuwiran. Bago ang krus, walang maaaring maging ginawa matuwid ngunit maaari silang maging binibilang matuwid o kinikilala sa katuwiran dahil sa kanilang pananampalataya sa Diyos. Noong unang panahon, ang katuwiran ay ibinilang sa mga nagsisampalataya; ngayon ang katuwiran ay nilikha sa mananampalataya. Noon, ibinilang ang katuwiran; ngayon ito ay ibinibigay (tingnan pagpasok for Rom. 4:3).

(d) Ang kaibigan ng Diyos. Abraham was known as God’s friend (Is. 41:8), but some of his descendants set themselves up as God’s enemies (Jas. 4:4).

Santiago 2:24

Nakikita mo na ang isang tao ay inaaring-ganap sa pamamagitan ng mga gawa at hindi sa pamamagitan lamang ng pananampalataya.

(a) Nabibigyang-katwiran ng mga gawa. In the previous verse, we read that Abraham was reckoned righteous because he believed God. Here we read that we are justified by works. There is no inconsistency. The work that makes us right with God is the work or action of believing in the One he sent (see entry for James 2:14). There are no other works that make us righteous (Rom. 3:20, Gal. 2:16, 3:11).

(b) Hindi sa pananampalataya lamang. Many people have faith and some people have faith in God. But a faith in God that does not lead to the corresponding action of believing in the One he sent is a dead and useless faith (Jas. 2:17, 20, 26).

Santiago 2:25

Sa gayunding paraan, hindi ba't si Rahab na patutot ay inaring-ganap din sa pamamagitan ng mga gawa nang tanggapin niya ang mga sugo at ipadala sila sa ibang daan?

(a) Sa parehong paraan that Abraham believed God, Rahab believed God (Jos. 2:1–21).

Ang pagpapares ni Abraham kay Rahab ay nagtatampok sa walang pinipiling pag-ibig ng Diyos. Ang isa ay patriyarka ng mga Hudyo, habang ang isa ay isang patutot na Canaanita, gayunpaman pareho silang nabigyang-katwiran dahil sa kanilang pananampalataya sa Diyos. Ang kanilang mga gawa, mabuti man o masama, ay hindi pumasok dito.

(b) Nabibigyang-katwiran ng mga gawa. Lumabas si Abraham sa isang pinto, habang si Rahab ay nagbukas ng pinto, at ang kanilang mga aksyon ay nagpahayag na silang dalawa ay nagtitiwala sa Panginoon.

(c) Natanggap. Rahab’s behavior revealed her belief that the God of Israel was the true God of heaven and earth (Jos. 2:11).

Rahab risked her life in receiving the spies, and she did it to save those she loved (Jos. 2:12–13). Her actions foreshadowed the sacrificial love of the One who gave his life to save the world.

Santiago 2:26

Sapagka't kung paanong ang katawan na walang espiritu ay patay, gayon din ang pananampalataya na walang mga gawa ay patay.

(a) Ang espiritu nagbibigay buhay sa ating mga katawan. Sa parehong paraan, ang paniniwala sa Panginoong Hesukristo ay kung paano natin binibigyang buhay ang ating pananampalataya. Ang pananampalataya ay nabubuhay kapag tayo ay naniniwala sa Salita ng Buhay. Habang hinahayaan nating mag-ugat ang salita sa ating mga puso, tinatanggap natin ang buhay ni Kristo at isinilang muli sa bago at buhay na walang hanggan.

(b) Patay. You can hear the good news of Jesus Christ a hundred times, but unless you receive the life-giving message in your heart, your faith is dead (Jas. 2:17). This is why James exhorts us to humbly receive the word that can save our souls (Jas. 1:21). Faith in Christ leads to eternal life (John 6:47), and whoever believes in him will never die (John 11:26).

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James 2