“Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?”
The full verse · James 2:25 · KJV
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Asked by
James: "a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ" (James 1:1), teaching that faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26)
Asked to
Jewish Christians: the "twelve tribes which are scattered abroad" (James 1:1), whom James has just told, "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified" (James 2:24)
The Scene
After showing Abraham's faith at the altar (James 2:21-23), James concludes, "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (James 2:24), and turns to a second example.
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionJames sets Rahab beside Abraham. He was the honored father of the nation; she was a woman of Jericho with a shameful past. If both had faith that showed itself in action, then the lesson holds for anyone. Barnes is careful here: "We are not to suppose that everything in the life and character of this woman is commended. She is commended for her faith, and for the fair expression of it." Gill calls her "an instance of the grace of God in calling the chief of sinners."
The Response
What Scripture recordsJames answers with his final summary: "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (James 2:26). The Old Testament had already given Rahab's verdict: "Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household... because she hid the messengers" (Joshua 6:25).
Historical Context
The world behind the wordsJoshua sent two spies to Jericho, and they lodged in "an harlot's house, named Rahab" (Joshua 2:1). She hid them from the men the king of Jericho sent to find them (Joshua 2:3-6). She told them, "the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath" (Joshua 2:11). Then she let them down by a cord through her window on the town wall and told them to hide in the mountain (Joshua 2:15-16), the "another way" James mentions. "Sent them out" is ekballo, to send forth. Hebrews 11:31 honors the same act as faith: "By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace."
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyRahab's story shows the reach of God's grace. A woman outside Israel, known by a shameful name, heard what the LORD had done and believed He was God in heaven and on earth (Joshua 2:9-11). Barnes says, "Her act showed that she truly believed God." Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary points to "the wonderful power of faith in changing sinners."
Hebrews says she acted "by faith" (Hebrews 11:31), and James says she was "justified by works." Both describe the same act. Her faith was real, and it showed itself when she hid the messengers and sent them out another way. God saved her and her household (Joshua 6:25).
Look Closer
What did Rahab do that James calls her works?
Carry the question into prayer and conversation.
Lord, You received Rahab and saved her household; what step of faith are You inviting me to take, whatever my past has been?
A prayer to carry into the day.
- Why do you think James chose someone like Rahab to stand next to Abraham?
- Tell about someone whose past might have counted them out, but whose faith you have seen at work.
For you, a small group, a friend, or the dinner table.
Your past does not disqualify you from living faith. Rahab was known by a shameful name, yet she is remembered for trusting God and acting on it. God's grace reached her and her whole household.
Faith often shows itself in courage: protecting someone, taking a risk, siding with God's people when it costs you. When you trust God, look for the practical step that trust is asking of you.
This does not mean everything Rahab did is held up as a model. Barnes reminds readers that "she is commended for her faith, and for the fair expression of it," not for everything in her life.
Built from the biblical text and checked against trusted commentaries and lexicons. References & Sources
Keep questioning
“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?”
“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”
“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?”