Commentaries on the Catholic Epistles

1My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons on account of reputation.

2For if there enter into your assembly a man wearing gold rings, having on a splendid dress, and there enter in also a poor man in sordid clothing;

3And ye have respect to him who wears a splendid dress, and say to him, “Sit thou here honorably,” and ye say to the poor, “Stand thou there,” or, “Sit here under my foot- stool;”

4Are ye not condemned in yourselves, and become judges of evil thoughts?

5Hear, my beloved brethren, Has not God chosen the poor of this world to berich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them who love Him?

6But ye have despised the poor. Do not the rich domineer over you, and draw you before judgment-seats?

7Do they not blaspheme the good name which is called on you?

8If indeed ye fulfill the royal law, according to Scripture,

9“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,” ye do well: but if ye respect persons, ye commit sin, and are reproved by the law as transgressors.

10For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one thing, becomes guilty of all:

11For he who hath said, “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” hath said also, “Thou shalt not kill.” Now if thou committest no adultery, yet if thou killest, thou becomest a transgressor of the law.

12So speak ye and so do, as those who shall be judged by the law of liberty.

13For judgment will be without mercy to him who hath not shewed mercy; and mercy glorieth against judgment.

14What does it avail, my brethren, if any one say that he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?

15Now, if a brother or a sister be naked and in want of daily bread, and one of you say to them, “Go away in peace, be warmed and be filled;”

16Though ye give them not those things which are necessary for the body, what does it avail?

17Even so faith, if it hath no works, being by itself, is dead.

18Nay, rather, one may say, “Thouhast faith and I have works; shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will by my works shew thee my faith.”

19Then believest that there is one God; thou doest right: the devils also believe and tremble.

20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

21Abraham our father, was he not justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?

22Seest thou that faith co-operated with his works, and faith was by works made perfect?

23And fulfilled was the Scripture which saith, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness:” and he was called the Friend of God

24Ye then see, that by works is man justified, and not by faith only

25In like manner also Rahab the harlot, was not she justified by works, when she received the messengers, and sent them forth another way?

26For as the body without the soul is dead, so also faith without works is dead.