To Be One in Christ: We Have Treasure in the Jars of Clay(16)-2

To Be One in Christ: We Have Treasure in the Jars of Clay -- the Series of Explanation and Analysis of Scripture (16) - 2

The Explanation and Analysis of the Verses in Chapter 2 of JAMES

It is edited and compiled under the guidance of Holy Spirit. All thanks, praises and glories be to God!

(2) To treat others (2:1-13)

The previous chapter talks about how to show godliness in dealing with others, that is, to look after orphans and widows in their distress. These verses continue to give more examples to show the attitude and principle that the believers should have:

A. Don't show favoritism (2:1)

JAMES 2:1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism.

(NOTES)

“don't show favoritism”:

This verse points out that we should not judge things from the appearance or judge anyone partially. A big difference between the believers and the worldly people is that the believers do not show favoritism. It is because everyone is the child of heavenly Father; and everyone in Christ is brother or sister to each other. In Christ, there is no worldly difference, such as: social position, class, race, nation and so on. In Christ, we are members of one body:

“Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. ” (Col 3:11)

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ” (Gal 3:28)

B. Don't show favoritism to the rich (2:2-3)

JAMES 2:2-3 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet,"

(NOTES)

As to the example given in these two verses, although it is plain and easy to be understood, it includes the very practical truth, and shines and exposes the darkness deep in people’s mind. We should not show favoritism, and should not judge others from the appearance or on their wealth. In the book of Philemon, regardless of the social positions and wealth, to treat the brothers in LORD equally is the positive example that we should follow.

C. Do not treat others partially with discrimination (2:4)

JAMES 2:4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

(NOTES)

“discriminated among yourselves”:

That is to treat others without justice and righteousness, but with selfish thoughts and improper intentions, and to show favoritism on those whom one prefers, and to classify others according to the appearance and selfish thoughts and so on.

In the world, there are differences on wealth and social class; in Christ, there is only one body. Therefore, any idea of “discrimination” is a hindrance in the relationship between the believers. The believers must separate themselves from the sins and evils, and also the world; but must not have any idea to separate anyone according to his wealth and social position.

“judges with evil thoughts”

This is the inevitable result of showing favoritism. Since one has the favoritism, he won’t make the judgment with justice; since one has the discrimination and favoritism on the rich, he will inevitably chose those they like only according to the appearance. We Christians should not judge others, and should not judge others according to the worldly criterion.

D. Should treat others in accordance to the principle of God (2:5-7)

JAMES 2:5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

(NOTES)

“Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world ”:

This verse is complemented with verse (1Co 1:27-29). It is the comfort to those poor believers, and the warning to the rich believers. It is because the richness on the material things often makes one be poor spiritually, drift apart from God, and love and pay attention to the worldly things; the rich received a lot more blessings from God, but on the contrary, they forget giving thanks to God and relying on God, and they have more deficits to God. However, the poverty often makes people more closer to God and rely on God; it eventually will become the blessings and let people inherit the kingdom of God.

(Luk 6:20) “Looking at his disciples, he said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. ”

(Luk 6:24) “"But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.”

“to be rich in faith ”:

To be really “rich”, it is not to obtain the success by crooked method, but is a result that God let them be rich by relying on God. “To be rich” in front of God, it is absolutely not to be rich in money, but indicates to be rich in the spiritual virtues (“to be rich in faith ”; “faith” refers to all kinds of virtues shown from faith.) Some are only rich in materials; there are some others God let them being rich spiritually. From the viewpoint of God, the latter ones are worthy of more honors, and will receive the blessings eventually. In the like manner, we should respect and honor those who are rich spiritually, but not those who are rich materially.

“and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him”:

The principle of God to treat people, is absolutely not according to the wealth of people, but according to how much they “love Him” and “trust in Him”. It is because the spiritual blessings that God promised to people have no difference on people’s wealth. It is obvious the principle of God to treat people is according to people’s attitude to God spiritually. Those who are “rich in faith ” and love God, are whose who please God and will inherit the kingdom of God.

JAMES 2:6-7 But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?

(NOTES)

After giving the explanation that God treat people regardless of their wealth, here, he starts to rebuke and warn those who insult the poor and flatter the rich, point out their motives that they do not care about the glory of the name of God at all; as a result of catering the rich, they won’t get anything good; instead, they were exploited by the rich. This is the inevitable result that the church relies on the wealth of people rather than God -- being controlled by the rich, showing partiality to people, without honoring and respecting the authority of God, and without caring even when the noble name of LORD was slandered. These two verses tell us how the money makes people dim-sighted and confused on gratitude and resentment. There are numerous people in the world, who seek to please others for the material benefits. Although they were oppressed and insulted because of flattering the rich before, they still remain the same, and only want to cater the rich, rather than trusting in God who love them.

E. should be in accordance to the principle of love (2:8-13)

JAMES 2:8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right.

(NOTES)

This verse is cited from (Lev 19:18). In the New Testament, it also has been cited for many times (mat 5:44; 19:19; 22:39; Mar 12:31; Luk 10:27; Rom 13:9; Gal 5:14; Jam 2:8 etc.) LORD Jesus says that “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength”, which is the most important one of the commandments; and the second is “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mar 12:29-31). Here, “Love your neighbor as yourself” is the “royal law”, for on dealing with other people, it is the most important one of the commandments.

JAMES 2:9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

(NOTES)

Those who show favoritism are lawbreakers; it is cited from (Deu 1:17; 16:19). It is because these deeds will be against the principle of love. Since all the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments of love, it certainly breaks the law if one’s deeds are against the principle of love.

Thus it can be seen, the conducts of the believers in the New Testament should take love as the criterion, and must not think it is enough as long as one does not disobey the ten commandments. It is because everything which is not in accordance to the principle of love is sin; just as showing favoritism, although it is not within the ten commandments, it is counted as sin.

JAMES 2:10-11 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

(NOTES)

These two verses give the severe criterion of conviction. In front of God, one does not need to break many laws or break the law of God for several times to be convicted; but to break one of the law for only once, one is sinner and is guilty of breaking all of it. The purpose to talk about the truth here, is to remind those who show favoritism that they must not boast because they obey the law on something, in fact, if they mistreat others on this aspect, they “have become a lawbreaker”. It is obvious that not only we should not treat others partially; but also even to the truth on the Bible, we should not lay particular stress on one aspect, but should pay attention to all the truth in the Bible. As to us who are in Christ, if without the love of loving the neighbors as ourselves, it is sin and breaks the law. Therefore, those who are in Christ, not only they must not disobey the regular laws, but also they must make every effort to obey the higher laws -- the laws of heavenly kingdom (Mat 5 -7) by relying on Christ and with the love in Christ to God and to others.

JAMES 2:12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,

(NOTES)

“the law that gives freedom”:

refers to the law of love. Love is the command given by God, and is also the law that the believers of the New Testament obeys. It is not abided one by one as the believers of the Old Testament; but with one principle -- love to sum up all. Thus, it is more active and rigorous to be put into practice so that people can not escape by the fixed written code. The Bible is a book that records the love of God; therefore, the Bible is also “the law that gives freedom”. Therefore, there are two explanations for this verse:

a. Since by the love of Christ we are redeemed from the curse of the law (Gal 3:13), are put under grace (Rom 6:14), and will be judged according to the law of love (Joh 13:34-35; 1Jo 3:11,23), thus, we must speak and act according to the law of love of Christ.

b. Since we will be judged in front of God according to the words on the Bible (Joh 12:48), not by the law of men or the principle of men, we should speak and act according to this judgment, but not only to gain the commendation from people and take the opinion of people as the principle of actions. Since the Christians know Christ, and have the holy new life of Christ in us, we must speak and act according to the teachings of Christ. And the judgment on the Christians are on basis of the higher and more complete law of love. Therefore , the Christians must be watchful.

JAMES 2:13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

(NOTES)

Here, the warning is : God will do to us what we did to others. If we treat others without love and mercy, we won’t expect to receive the mercy from God in the judgment we will face in the future.

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. ” (Mat 7:12)

“"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." ” (Mat 18:35)

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Eph 4:32)

“Mercy triumphs over judgment ”:

We should have the mercy of God to sympathize all people in need, regardless of their social position and wealth. As to those who are weaker than us and need help, we should sympathize them and help them, and must not look down on them; that will be in accordance to the principle of love. “Mercy triumphs over judgment ”; in Christ, only those who treat others with mercy and love instead of the righteousness can triumph in the judgment of righteousness, and can be forgiven by God and receive the blessings of the heavenly kingdom.

4. Faith and deeds (2:14-26)

Here, it can be seen that many believers at that time, just as most of the disbelievers nowadays and even many pastors, misunderstand the difference between doing good deeds and relying on good deeds. They think that since the believers are not reborn to be saved by the deeds, they do not need good deeds either afterwards; in fact, although the believers are not reborn by the deeds, they must do good deeds after the rebirth. The good deeds are not the merits of the believers to give them the rebirth, but are the duties of the believers after the rebirth. The believers in Christ should have good deeds in accordance to the teachings of Christ and far above the worldly laws. The doctrine of “faith alone” which ignores to do good and what is righteous in Christ is the complete misunderstanding on “righteousness through faith”; it is the result of ignorance on the relationship between faith and deeds. This paragraph illustrates that the truth faith and true deeds are two of one, and one becomes two.

(1) Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (2:14-17)

A. Faith without deeds can not save people (2:14)

JAMES 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

(NOTES)

This verse declares that faith without deeds can achieve nothing. Whether one has faith or not, is not up to what he says in his mouth; but is up to whether his deeds display the faith that he thinks he has or not. That is the way to prove his faith. Faith without deeds is dead and fake, can not save people into the heavenly kingdom.

Nowadays, in the church, there is very dangerous mistake on understanding the relationship between faith and deeds, that is:

“have faith but has no deeds”:

Faith without deeds is the fake faith. This kind of people think they have faith, but actually do not know what is the true faith. True faith is faith with deeds. For example, if someone ran into the room and said that: the back room is on fire. If you really believed his words you would run right away; but if you heard the words without making any action, and still sat quietly, it proves that you do not believe the words of that person, for true faith must have true deeds. There is another scenario that is easy to make us think that we have the faith, which actually does not meet the requirements of the Bible. For example, you heard someone is telling a story to describe the situation of the fire on the back room. Although you believe it is a true story, you won’t escape because that is the room in the story which is on fire and has nothing to do with you. This kind of faith is objective, but not subjective. This kind of faith is not the faith to be saved required by the Bible, but only a kind of “knowledge”. Although many people theoretically believe that it is right that Jesus came to earth to die to redeem people from sins, they never from their own experience believe that He died to save themselves from the sins and evils, but they take this “knowledge” as faith. Just as one believes that it is true that the back room is on fire in that story, and he also admits that it is right to escape from the front room; however, he himself never has the experience to escape from the room on fire, because he never feels that he is in the dangers of sins, which is approaching like the fire. Such a faith, is the faith without deeds mentioned in the Bible. Those who live in sins, but do not truly admit their sins and repent, do not rely on Christ to do good and what is righteous and lead others to LORD, and do not try their best to be away from the sins and evils and make every effort to be holy, are the believers without true faith.

“Can such faith save him? ”

There are some people hold the basic truth of “righteousness through faith”, but they do not have true “faith”; such a “faith” can not save them into the heavenly kingdom, and is the fake “faith” which is self-deceiving. Faith without deeds is not the true faith; the fake faith can not save people.

B. Faith without deeds is hypocritical and has no good (2:15-16)

JAMES 2:15-16 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?

(NOTES)

Here, it gives an example to show that faith without deeds is hypocritical. True faith is displayed from the practical actions to help others with honest love and mercy. Is it possible for one to wish the brothers to keep warm and well fed, yet without taking any practical action to help? And without giving out any money, one could do good? This is self-deceiving and hypocritical. Using such a “faith” to substitute the good deeds and the faith they should have, not only can not save people, but also will stumble others.

“Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. ” (Jam 4:17)

Note that this hypocritical and merciless performance will be convicted.

See also (1Jo 3:18): “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. ” Those who have faith in God and love God, should love neighbors as oneself. To love neighbors as oneself, one should in Christ do good and what is righteous and lead others to LORD. This is the expression of the “faith”. It is not apparent that the faith not only refers to the faith in Christ to be reborn, but also refers to the virtue of faith that the believers should show after the rebirth. It is because whoever has the true faith is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves his child as well (1Jo 5:1). Such a love is one of the outward evidence of the faith.

C. Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (2:17)

JAMES 2:17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

(NOTES)

“dead”, that is, without life, can not show in life. This verse tells that the true faith is the faith that has life; just as those who have life will express life in all kinds of ways. How the dead person can not show the behavior of life and do no good to others, so does the dead faith. Faith without deeds is meaningless, fake, and self-deceiving.

(2) Faith and deeds can not be separated (2:18-20)

A. Faith and deeds are closely related and can not be separated (2:18)

JAMES 2:18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

(NOTES)

This verse illuminates that the faith and the deeds can not be separated. We absolutely can not say that this one has faith, that one has deeds, and they have advantages respectively; as if these are two different and separated things, like the spiritual gifts are different and each one might have one of them; this is the complete misunderstanding on the relationship of faith and deeds. At the same time, we can not take the deeds as the faith, and think that since we have the deeds, it proves that we must have faith already; it is because “deeds” might not all come from faith. However, the true faith must has good deeds; the true deeds must come from the true faith; they can be the outside and inside mutually to each other; the two are one, and one can become two; they are closely related and can not be separated

B. The faith with inconsistent faith and deeds is the faith of the demons (2:19)

JAMES 2:19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder.

(NOTES)

“the demons” are not “the devil”, and include the devil and the evil spirits belong to the devil. Although the demons believe that there is one God, they do not repent. This kind of faith is actually equal to unbelief, and it is only a knowledge. Although it knows there is one God, which is the undeniable fact, it never trust and obey Him. It even tries all kinds of cunning schemes and feints to lure people to believe in the false gods. Thus, the deeds of the demons are inconsistent with their faith -- on one hand, they believe that God is one; on the other hand, they tried to make people to believe there are many gods. Such a faith is a faith that makes one “shudder” and a “faith” of destruction. It is because what they believe make them know more that they can not escape from the judgment of the only One God. Therefore, faith without deeds is the faith of the demons, and is the faith that can not save.

JAMES 2:20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless ?

(NOTES)

“foolish man” is also translated as “vain man” (K.J.V.), or “foolish (unproductive, spiritually deficient) fellow” (A.M.P.).

Here, the Bible calls those who only has the dead faith -- faith without deeds, are “vain” men and “foolish” men. Their life is just as their “faith” which is in vain and useless.

(3) The examples of some whose faith and deeds work together (2:21-26)

A. The example that Abraham offered Isaac (2:21-24)

JAMES 2:21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?

(NOTES)

Why this verse says that Abraham is considered righteous for deeds, while in other places (Gen 15:6; Rom 4; Heb 11:17), he is considered righteous for faith? Note that: the citation of verse (2:21) is about the incident that Abraham offered Isaac. As to the experience of Abraham, it is recorded clearly in (Gen 15:6) “Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness. ” After he is credited as righteousness for more than ten years, God gave him the covenant of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness (Gen 17:9-14). (Rom 4:9-11) further explains clearly the relationship and significance of these two experiences of him: “Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness. Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. ” This is to explain that Abraham was considered to be righteous before the circumcision, as to offering Isaac, it was more than ten years after the circumcision (Gen 22:6), and about tens of years after he was considered to be righteous.

In (Gen 22:1): “Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, ” This shows that the purpose that God asked Abraham to offer Isaac, is not to let him be righteousness through offering Isaac, but to test his faith which was credited to be righteous already. In (Heb 11:17), it is also said: “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son,” He obeyed the request of God completely and offered Isaac. Such deeds prove that his faith that was credited to be righteous before is complete faithful, and his experience to be credited to be righteous was also real indeed. The faith and deeds that he showed in the highest test of faith, completely prove his initial faith in God is authentic. Therefore, here it says that Abraham was considered righteous for what he did. It is absolutely not saying that only when he offered Isaac, he started to be considered righteous; but it is saying that since Abraham can show his true deeds in the highest test of faith, his faith which has been credited by God was more shown to be authentic through the deeds of offering Isaac. In fact, God tested Abraham was not because God did not know Abraham, but was for the sake of Abraham himself. If God did not test him, his faith was only known by God; after God tested him, his faith is shown in front of people, and people will know clearly his faith is authentic. God disclosed his faith in this way; this not only benefits Abraham, but also is for the good of all the believers nowadays.

On the other hand, since Abraham has the true faith, and true faith must have true deeds; both work together and can not be separated; thus, since Abraham is considered righteousness though faith, from the other viewpoint, Abraham is considered righteousness though deeds. In verse 15,16, it has been mentioned that the faith that is talked about in the book of James not only refers to the faith in Christ to be reborn, but also includes the virtue of faith shown after become righteousness through faith. Here, it cites the example that Abraham offered Isaac, which can also be as the example to explain the previous verses.

JAMES 2:22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.

(NOTES)

“You see”, it shows the above example is to prove that the faith and deeds work together, and make each other complete. Here, “faith” is in the singular; “actions” is in plural. The faith to be saved is one: “one Lord, one faith, one baptism”; however, the actions shown from the faith to be saved are many and continual. The deeds shown from the true faith absolutely can not be in singular, but must be in plural; as to the action of Abraham to offer Isaac, among a series of good actions shown from his true faith, it is pleasing to God most and is the representative of all his good actions.

JAMES 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend.

(NOTES)

“was fulfilled”: that is, was completed, and proved the truthfulness of the words of God.

Therefore, this verse means that: On the incident that Abraham offered Isaac, it proves completely that it is true and unmistaken that God considered him as righteousness because of his faith. It is because his faith is true faith, and is faith with deeds. Thus, this verse also explains verse 21, the meaning of being “considered righteous for what he did”; that is, his action to offer Isaac was to “fulfill” that Cod consider him as righteousness is true and unmistaken.

“and he was called God's friend.”

He has the faith with deeds; not only he was considered to be righteousness by God, but also his faith with deeds make him God's friend, and make him exalted in front of God, and make his relationship with God go deeper. In the Old Testament (2Ch 20:7; Isa 41:8), it also mentioned that, Abraham is God's “friend” ; In the New Testament, Christ also called those who have faith in Him as friends (Joh 11:11; 15:15).

JAMES 2:24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

(NOTES)

This is the direct refute and answer to those who advocate “faith alone”. “Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. ” (1Jo 3:7). There are many people who are purposely or unintentionally led by sins, selfish and sinful desires to abuse the grace of “righteousness through faith”. Therefore, here, the Holy Spirit clearly gives the revelation and make clear the misunderstanding of people: being justified by what one does and not by faith alone. He who does what is right is righteous. Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God (1Jo 3:10).

B. the example that Rahab was saved (2:24-25)

JAMES 2:25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?

(NOTES)

It is known from (Heb 11:31), that Rahab was saved through faith, while here through deeds. The incident that Rahab received the spies were recorded in (Jos 2:1-21; 6:23). At that time, the Israelites sent out the spies to spy out Jericho. If Rahab did not have such a great faith to God, and believes that the will of God can not be thwarted, and must be fulfilled, she would not have the deeds to help them. On the contrary, if she did not have the true faith, only said that she would trust in the God of the Israelites, but did not help the spies sent out by God though Joshua, she would have gone to the destruction together with the people of Jericho. Therefore, Rahab has the faith with deeds. Thus, since her faith has deeds, no matter she was saved through faith or through deeds, are the same thing, for her faith and deeds work together can not be separated.

In the like manner, now we are reborn in Christ; we should not only admit that Jesus died to redeem people from sins is a historical fact, but also we should practically accept the merits that Jesus died for us, truly admit one’s sins and repent, keep away from the sins and evils, let Christ be in charge in our life, rely on Christ, live the life of Christ in doing what is good and righteous and also leading people to LORD, so that we can be truly saved.

As to the incident that Rahab received the spies, from the viewpoint of men, it seems to be a rebellious act; why it is considered righteousness by God? It is because all the nations on earth belong to God; and it is God who give the authority of ruling the nation to people. People received the land and authority from God, but turned away from God, this is the sin of rebellions. Such a sin is greater than the sin to betray a nation.

Since the nation of Rahab was a nation that God would destroy completely. In this situation, Rahab can only make a choice between rebelling God to love the nation, or relying on God not to love that nation, she chose the latter one. As a result, she not only is considered righteous by God, but also her name is listed in the collection of the great men of faith (Heb 11). Therefore, the testimony of Rahab tells us how to make the choice when there is a conflict in loving the nation and holding the faith.

C. the example of the relationship between spirit and body (2:26)

JAMES 2:26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

(NOTES)

The relationship between faith and deeds, just as the relationship between spirit and body, are the inside and the outside to each other mutually and can not be separated. The spirit without the body can not show the life in the material world; the body without the spirit, also can not live a life, but only getting decayed and rotten. In the like manner, faith without deeds can not prove its existence; deeds without faith, just as a dead body without the spirit, can only keep the outer form temporarily, and it will decay after a little while. It is obvious that how mankind exist by the unity of the spirit and the body, so are faith and deeds a unity to work together.

Reference:

1. Zhongdao Chen: “The Lectures on the Bible Studying of the Letters in New Testament”.