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James 2:19
They know God's awesome power, and they, unlike man, tremble! Maybe a better English word would be shudder. They recognize His power and are terrified at the thought of God. They are thoroughly convicted that God is!
This verse helps us to understand that saving faith is not the intellectual acceptance of a theological proposition, that is, that God is, but rather a belief that expresses itself outwardly in a changed life. The demons believe. They tremble in fear, but they will not obey God. We, too, can believe that God is—we can give intellectual assent to a theological proposition: "Yes I believe that God is." But we may not even shudder, and most assuredly, most of mankind will not submit.
The faith that saves is one that not only believes that God is, but also changes a person's life according to that belief. That is saving faith. If we believe that God is, that puts us only on the same level as the demons.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Satan (Part 1)Related Topics: Assent and Belief | Belief | Belief and Assent | Belief in Christ | Believing | Demons | Faith, Saving
James 2:19
Though many would argue that a large majority of Americans believe in God, such a fact is not an indicator of how these "believers" live! James writes, "Even the demons believe—and tremble!," but their behavior remains demonic. True belief in God, as the apostle explains, is accompanied by works that demonstrate our belief. These works are behaviors, words, and thoughts that conform to the revealed will of God. In other words, true believers try to live as God lives!
Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Kid Kid-KillersRelated Topics: Assent and Belief | Behavior | Belief | Belief and Assent | Belief in Christ | Believing | Believing in Christ | Demons | Godly Behavior | Godly Character | Godly Living | Living as Christ Lives | Living as God Lives
James 2:17-26
Obedience and keeping the law are prerequisites to true, living faith. Without obedience, faith is dead, worthless. By these few scriptures alone, we know that anyone who says the law is done away has not yet made contact with the true God and has no basis for faith toward Him!
Martin G. Collins
Basic Doctrines: Faith Toward God
James 2:18-20
Since Christ questions whether even the elect will have the kind of faith He requires, it should be obvious we must grow in faith. Our initial faith toward God has to expand from a tender trust to full-blown conviction. Though we begin by being faithful in little things, we begin to develop the absolute trust required to submit our lives to our Sovereign and Provider without question, equivocation, or wavering.
Martin G. Collins
Basic Doctrines: Faith Toward GodOther Forerunner Commentary entries containing James 2:19:
Genesis 3:6
Matthew 9:8
Matthew 13:45-46
Matthew 23:23
Mark 2:12
Luke 5:26
Luke 18:8
John 2:7-8
Romans 2:13
Romans 14:11-12
Galatians 2:16
Galatians 3:7
Galatians 3:19
2 Thessalonians 2:13
2 Thessalonians 3:2
James 2:14
2 Peter 1:2-8
Revelation 3:2
Revelation 20:12-13
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What Does James 2:19 Mean?
Demons know God's awesome power and shudder, recognizing His power with terror. They are convinced God exists yet refuse to obey Him. Intellectual acceptance that God exists matches only the demons' belief, which fails to transform behavior. Saving faith believes God exists and alters a person's life accordingly through works demonstrating that belief. These works include behaviors, words, and thoughts conforming to God's revealed will. True believers strive to live as God lives, unlike demons whose actions remain unchanged.