Ancient Anglican

In this verse, James is telling us that a faith that is not placed into action simply cannot reach its perfect teleological end.

What does it profit, my brother, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him?

James makes the connection between (1) respecting the poor and shunning partiality towards the rich and (2) the commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves.

One of the great titles that James uses for God is the “Father of Lights” in v.17. 

The three necessary and sufficient conditions for committing a sin are: receiving an evil suggestion, taking pleasure in the thought of performing the act suggested, and consenting to perform the act.

The Christian life that James will describe in his letter begins with the recognition that a pervasive and all-encompassing joy is the essential characteristic of the Christian life despite what may come our way. 

James is written to the Christian community at large and it instructs us on how to live as a community.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen. Gal. 6:18

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Gal. 6:1-2

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would. Gal. 5:17

Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another. Gal. 5:26

* For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Gal. 5:14 *