Faith and deeds

James 2:14-26

Faith and Deeds

¹⁴What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? ¹⁵Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

¹⁸But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

¹⁹You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

²⁰You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless^[d]? ²¹Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? ²²You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. ²³And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,"^[e] and he was called God's friend. ²⁴You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

²⁵In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? ²⁶As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

雅各書2:14-26

2:14 我的弟兄姊妹們，如果有人說他有信心，卻不能用他的行為證明出來，有甚麼用處呢？那信心能救他嗎？2:15 你們當中有弟兄或姊妹沒得穿，沒得吃，2:16 你們卻對他說：「平安！平安！願你們穿得暖，吃得飽！」而不供給他們 所需要的，那有甚麼用呢？2:17 同樣，信心沒有行為就是死的。2:18 但是，有人要說：「這個人有信心，那個人有行為。」 我要回答：「你給我看那沒有行為的信心；我要用行為給你看我的信心。」2:19 你相信上帝只有一位，那很好！邪靈也這樣 相信，而且非常怕他。2:20 愚蠢的人哪，你們要知道沒有行為的信心是無用的嗎？2:21 我們的祖宗亞伯拉罕是怎樣得以跟 上帝有合宜的關係呢？是由於他把兒子以撒獻在祭壇上這一行為。2:22 可見，他的信心跟行為相輔並行，信心是藉著行為而達 到完全的。2:23 聖經上說：「亞伯拉罕信上帝，因他的信，上帝認他為義人。」這話實現了；他稱為上帝的朋友。2:24 所以， 人得以跟上帝有合宜的關係是藉著行為，不僅僅是藉著信心。2:25 妓女喇合的情形也是一樣。她得以跟上帝有合宜的關係是由於行為；她接 待猶太人的使者，又幫助他們從另一條路逃走。2:26 所以，正如身體沒有氣息是死的，信心沒有行為也是死的。

一、中心內容：

內容：
1>信心若沒有行為，那種信心是死的。（v14-17）Faith without deeds is dead. (v14-17)
2>信心與行為無法切割。（v18）Faith and deeds are inseparable. (v18)
3>沒有行為的信心，就是魔鬼式的信心。（v19）Faith without deeds is faith of demons. (v19)
4>信心典範之一：亞伯拉罕。（v20-24）Example of faith: Abraham (v20-24)
5>信心典範之二：妓女剌合。（v25-26）Example of faith: Rahab (v25-26)

主題：
1>信心與行為。Faith and deeds
2>死的，或活的信心？Dead or alive?

二、上帝、耶穌基督、聖靈是誰？

1>獨一的上帝。（v19）The only God. (v19)
2>喜愛與人建立合宜關係（稱人為義）的上帝。（v23）God loves to build harmonious relationships with humanity to call them righteous. (v23)
3>與人為友的上帝。（v23）God befriends humanity. (v23)

三、給我的教訓（命令、應允、榜樣、責備、警告）是什麼？

＊前言：Foreword
保羅強調信心的重要性，即：因信心而稱義，非靠行為稱義。然而，雅各卻 強調行為的重要性。他說：信心要是沒有行為，那樣的信心便是死的，一點益處都沒有。

Paul emphasized on the importance of faith which defines one’s righteousness. It is by faith and not by deeds that one is considered righteous. However, James emphasized on the importance of deeds. He said that faith without deeds is dead and is of no good.
以 上兩者的教導看似衝突，其實是相輔相成的。因為保羅所強調信 心，是針對尚未相信上帝的人說的，就是說明：人蒙恩得救、與上帝復和、罪得著赦免---等，都 不是因為「人的行 為已經達到律法的要求，已經具備得救的資格」，完全不是這麼一回事。人能得救，乃是來自上帝的恩典。既然是上帝的恩典，那麼，人只能 用信 心來回應。

The teachings above seem contradict each other, yet in fact, they complement each other. Paul’s words were for those who had not yet believed. He explained that salvation, reconciliation with God and the forgiveness of sin was through God’s grace. It is not because that one has been qualified through meeting the law’s requirements. Since it is God’s grace, then it could only be received through faith.

然而，雅各所教導的對象，是已經蒙恩得救的基督徒。他強調：一個蒙恩得救、信靠 上帝的人，應該在各方面力求順服上帝，尤其在日常生活當中，要能夠活出上帝的旨意。
也就是要結出果子來，才能跟悔改的心相稱（馬太福音3:8）。也 如同主耶穌所給「好樹結好果子」的教訓（馬太福音7:16-20）。故，保羅與雅各的教導，階段不同、對象不同、情境不同，不僅互不衝突，反而相輔相成。
James’ words were for those who were saved. He emphasized that one who believes in God and is saved should obey God in every area. Especially to live out God’s will in one’s daily life and to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. (Matt.3:8) It matches Jesus’ teaching of every good tree bears good fruit in Matthew 7:16-20. Therefore, Paul’s and James’ teachings were different from each other in terms of time’s settings and groups of people under different circumstances. They did not contradict but complement each other.
1>毫無意義的信心 Meaningless faith
我 的弟兄姊妹們，如果有人說他有信心，卻不能用他的行為證明出 來，有甚麼用處呢？那信心能救他嗎？你們當中有弟兄或姊妹沒得穿，沒得吃，你們卻對他說：「平 安！平安！願你們 穿得暖，吃得飽！」而不供給他們所需要的，那有甚麼用呢？同樣，信心沒有行為就是死的。（v14-17）

¹⁴What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? ¹⁵Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (v14-17)
雅各表示：口說的信心不算數，應該藉由行為來印證。然而，要藉著什麼樣 的行為來印證呢？其實非常簡單，就是藉由日常生活當中，愛心關懷與分享的舉動來印證。

James said that verbal faith did not count, and it should be proven by deeds. However, with what kind of deeds? As a matter of fact, it is very simple. It is proven through loving care and sharing with others in daily life.
例如：看見弟兄姊妹當中有匱乏（沒得吃、沒得穿）的，如果只會空口說白 話，告訴他們說：平平安安地去吧！願你們穿得暖！吃得飽！而沒有實際幫助的行動，也就是不願付出、不願分享。這樣的信心，一點意義都 沒有。

For instance: When you say to brothers and sisters who are going without daily food and clothes, “Go, I wish you well. Keep warm and well fed.” It only shows your apathy and unwillingness to give or to share. This kind of faith is meaningless.
反省：對於生活周遭鰥寡、孤獨、貧病者，我通常都如何看待？在我的生涯 當中，是否經常參與「扶弱濟貧」的工作？在我的經常開銷當中，有多少這方面的預算？我的信心稱得上「有行為」嗎？根據雅各的教導，我 的信心是活的？還是死的？
Reflection: How do I treat widowers and widows, the lonely and the sick? Do I frequently participate in the work of helping out the weak and the poor? In my general expense, how much budget do I have in this area? Is my faith accompanied with deeds? According to James’ teaching, is my faith alive or dead?

2>信與行無法切割Faith and deeds are inseparable
但是，有人要說：「這個人有信心，那個人有行為。」我要回答：「你給我 看那沒有行為的信心；我要用行為給你看我的信心。」（v18）

¹⁸But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. (v18)
當時有人辯解說「信心」與「行為」是兩回事，所以兩者可以單獨存在。也 就是說：我有信心，你有行為；所以，我信我的，你行你的，兩者並不衝突。
這樣的想法，是對信心極大的誤解。因此，雅各回應說：你給我看的是「沒 有行為」的信心，其實這種信心是空洞的、是虛假的。然而，我卻要藉著我的行為，讓你看見我的信心，這樣的信心才是具體的、真實的。因 此，信心與行為，絕對無法切割，兩者是相輔相成的。

Back then, people were debating over the issue of faith and deeds. Their arguments were that both are independent of each other; faith could be separated from deeds; it was okay for one to claim one’s faith without deeds, and vice versa. You could claim your faith and I could do my own deeds. Therefore faith and deeds are not in conflict with each other.

This was a misconception concerning faith. In responding to such arguments, James said, “Faith without deeds is empty and fake. I will show you my faith through my deeds.” This is a tangible and truthful faith. Thus, faith and deeds are absolutely inseparable and they complement each other.
反省：在日常生活當中，我是否能實踐聖經的教導？我的言行舉止是否有美 好的見證？根據雅各的教導，我的信心是真實的，還是虛幻的？
Reflection: Do I carry out the Bible’s teachings in my daily life? Do my deeds bear good testimony? According to James’ teaching, is my faith real or futile?
3>如同魔鬼的信心 Demon’s faith
你相信上帝只有一位，那很好！邪靈也這樣相信，而且非常怕他。（v19）

¹⁹You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. (v19)
雅各提出一個令人感到十分訝異的比喻，他說：沒有行為的信心，跟「魔鬼 的信心」沒有兩樣。因此，沒有行為的信心，可以稱之為「魔鬼式」的信心。怎麼說呢？因為魔鬼不僅認識上帝，同時相信上帝，且對上帝的 權柄與能力知之甚詳，甚至非常懼怕上帝。

James brought out an astonishing comparison contending that faith without deeds has no difference from the faith of demons. Therefore, we can conclude that faith without deeds is a demonic faith. How so? Demons not only know God, they also believe in Him. Moreover, they are very familiar with God’s power and authority and are even afraid of Him.
但是問題出在：認識歸認識，懼怕歸懼怕，事實上牠並沒有照著上帝的旨意 而行。因此，魔鬼式的信心就是：全然相信，卻未遵行。

The problem is that despite of their knowledge about God and fear of Him, they do not act according to God’s will. Therefore, demonic faith is belief without obedience.
所以，若有人自稱有信心，卻沒有行為（遵行），便跟魔鬼的信心無異。

Thus, if anyone claims that he has faith yet he is without deeds, then his faith is the same as demonic faith.
反省：我是否只聽道、只信道，卻不行道？我的信心，是什麼樣的信心？是 否比較像「魔鬼式」（信而不行）的信心？
Refection: Do I only hear and believe the word but do not follow it? What kind of faith is mine? Is it like that of demons?
4>亞伯拉罕的信心 Abraham’s faith
愚 蠢的人哪，你們要知道沒有行為的信心是無用的嗎？我 們的祖宗亞伯拉罕是怎樣得以跟上帝有合宜的關係呢？是由於他把兒子以撒獻在祭壇上這一行為。可見，他的 信心跟行為相輔並 行，信心是藉著行為而達到完全的。聖經上說：「亞伯拉罕信上帝，因他的信，上帝認他為義人。」這話實現了；他稱為上帝的朋友。所以， 人得 以跟上帝有合宜的關係是藉著行為，不僅僅是藉著信心。（v20-24）

²⁰You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless^[d]? ²¹Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? ²²You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. ²³And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,"^[e] and he was called God's friend. ²⁴You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. (v20-24)
雅各接著不厭其煩的叮嚀說：愚蠢的人哪，你們要知道，沒有行為的信心是 無用 的！然後引用兩個信心典範人物為例，來作進一步的說明。首先以亞伯拉罕為例，談到亞伯拉罕的信心，不是空口無憑的信心，而 是經過行為驗證的信心。也就是以 「在摩利亞山上，預備將愛子以撒，當作祭物獻給上帝」這個舉動（行為）作為信心的驗證（創世記廿二 章）。

James followed with, “You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” He gave two examples for further explanation. The first was Abraham’s faith, which was not empty faith but proven by his deeds. As recorded in Genesis 22, he offered his beloved son Isaac to God as a burnt offering on the Mount of Moriah. This act proved his faith toward God.
由此可知，信心與行為缺一不可，兩者應該並存。而且，信心甚至需要藉著行為，才能達到完全的地步。所以，人被稱為義（得以跟上帝有合 宜的關係）不僅憑著信心，也要藉著行為。因為惟有藉著行為的驗證，才能證明他的信心是真實無偽的。

Thus, we know that faith and deeds are co-existent, they do not stand alone. Faith is perfected through deeds. A man is called righteous not only by his faith, but also through his deeds. Only through deeds could one’s faith can be proven true.
反省：想想看，在我的生命當中，有哪些行為可以驗證我對上帝的信心？
Reflection: Is there any deed in my life which can prove my faith toward God?
5>妓女喇合的信心 Rahab’s faith
妓女喇合的情形也是一樣。她得以跟上帝有合宜的關係是由於行為；她接待 猶太人的使者，又幫助他們從另一條路逃走。所以，正如身體沒有氣息是死的，信心沒有行為也是死的。（v25-26）

²⁵In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? ²⁶As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (v25-26)
接 著，雅各以妓女喇合為例，來談論「信心與行為」的問題。妓 女喇合的情況，跟亞伯拉罕是一樣的。就是她得以被稱為義（跟上帝有合宜的關係）是由於她的行為； 也就是當約書亞差派 兩個探子去窺視耶利哥城時，當時在城裏的妓女喇合，接待約書亞所差派這兩個探子，又幫助他們從另一條路逃走（約書亞記二章）。藉著這 樣的作為（冒險的行為），證明她對以色列人所事奉這位上帝，充滿著無比的信心。這樣的信心才是真實的。

James continued with the prostitute Rahab’s faith to discuss more on this issue. Like Abraham, she was considered righteous through her deeds. We read in Joshua 2, she received into her house two spies sent by Joshua and helped them to escape. By risking her life, she proved her total faith toward the God of Israel, and faith like hers is real.
最後，雅各再度針對「信心與行為」的問題，下了一個結論。他說：正如身體 沒有氣息是死的，信心沒有行為也是死的。

Finally, James concluded that as a body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
反省：連一個外邦的女子----妓女喇合，都能夠藉著實際行動，來 證明她對以色列人所事奉的上帝，有這麼大的信心。而我的信心到底如何？我對上帝的信心，是否比得上這外邦的女子----妓 女喇合？
Reflection: As a gentile and a prostitute, Rahab proved her total faith toward the God of Israel through her deeds, such faith is so great. How is my faith? Am I on the same level of faith like that of the prostitute Rahab?
四、我的禱告 / 實際應用