Bethany Well

Comment from Emanuel
Time October 12, 2009 at 5:26 pm

The general epistle of James poses this question, “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” And the answer to the question is, “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” Now the question has to do with being saved, but the answer to the question has to do with being justified. Therefore the scripture concludes that whatever justifies a man is what saves a man, because justification is justification of life.

Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? The scripture says, “And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.” (Joshua 6:25) You see then how that by works the harlot Rahab was saved, and not by faith only.

Comment from Fitzgerald
Time October 12, 2009 at 9:49 pm

For we say that Abraham was justified by faith. How then was he justified? When Isaac was out of his loins, or in his loins? Not out of his loins, but in his loins. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when he was justified by faith. For the child being not yet born, neither having been offered upon the altar, that the purpose of God grace might stand, not of works, but of him that calls; It was said, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” For he of whom these things are spoken pertain to a time, of which he gave no attendance at the altar. Therefore when the scripture says, “For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.” It is evident that by faith Abraham was justified, and not by works; of which time Isaac was not even born. And it is yet far more evident; that after he was born; “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” You see then how that by works Abraham was justified, and not by faith only.

Comment from Harper
Time October 12, 2009 at 9:55 pm

“For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” What shall we say then that the reward is? For what does the scripture? “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” Now the Lord is that reward; and the Lord is the Spirit, which we receive not by works, but by the hearing of faith. Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Therefore, in order for the reward to be reckoned of debt, and not of grace. A man must be rewarded according to the works which he has done before he was justified by faith; then he would have whereof to glory, that is, he would have something to boast about. But to him that does not work before he is justified by faith, but believes on him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. And boasting is excluded. As it is written, “Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Therefore the scripture concludes that no man is justified by works which are not by faith.

Comment from Immanuel
Time October 12, 2009 at 10:41 pm

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

First he says, “Not of works, lest any man should boast.” And by these works no man is justified. Why not? Because these works are not by faith. Then he says, “Created in Christ Jesus unto good works.” And by these works a man is justified. Why? Because these works are by faith. Therefore whoever reads, let him understand, that there are works that justify a man, and there are works that do not justify a man, and these are contrary one to the other; so you must make a distinction between the two. In the one case, no man is justified by works which are not by faith. But in the other case, a man is justified by works which are by faith; and faith is that spirit of faith, and the good works which are by faith are the works of the Spirit. So again, when the scripture says, “Not of works, lest any man should boast.” We conclude that we are not saved according to the works which we have done in times past, when we were dead in trespasses and sins.

Comment from Immanuel
Time October 12, 2009 at 11:25 pm

Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. Now when the scripture says, “And if by grace, then is it no more of works.” Let those who read understand, that these works are not the same as good works which are by faith. Therefore it is also written, “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” Now when the scripture says, “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works.” Let those who read understand, that these works are not the same as good works which are by faith. So also it is written, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Again, when the scripture says, “Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Let those who read understand, that these works are not the same as good works which are by faith. Or do you not now what the scripture says about Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. Therefore, the works of righteousness which they had done were not by faith. So therefore it is written, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”