ACC ~ James 2 v17

LACKING WORKS, FAITH IS DEAD. ORIGEN: If someone dies in his sins he has not truly believed in Christ, even if he has made a profession of faith in him, and if faith is mentioned but it lacks works, such faith is dead, as we have read in the epistle which circulates as the work of James. COMMENTARY ON JOHN 19.152.

KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS. AUGUSTINE: I do not understand why the Lord said, “If you want to enter into eternal life, keep the commandments,” and then mentioned the commandments relating to good behavior, if one is able to enter into eternal life without observing them. ON FAITH AND WORKS 15.25.

THE STRENGTH OF FAITH. LEO THE GREAT: While faith provides the basis for works, the strength of faith comes out only in works. SERMONS 10.3.

WORKS GIVE LIFE TO FAITH. HILARY OF ARLES: Works give life to faith, faith gives life to the soul, and the soul gives life to the body. INTRODUCTORY TRACTATE ON THE LETTER OF JAMES.

ASHAMED TO FOLLOW CHRIST IN SUFFERING. SYMEON THE NEW THEOLOGIAN: If we are ashamed to imitate Christ’s sufferings, which he endured for us, and to suffer as he suffered, it is obvious that we shall not become partakers with him in his glory. If that is true of us, we are believers in words only and not in deeds. DISCOURSES 6.10.

Jas