05_Biblica_Aletti_Layout 1 01/04/14 12:04 Pagina 94 94 JEAN-NOËL ALETTI the conclusion/thesis in the form of a So faith by itself, if it has no works, is maxim (v. 17) dead. (B) the development in the form of a But someone will say, “You have faith diatribe (a developed ratio) and I have works”. an objection raised = v. 18a a response in the form of a thesis = v. Show me your faith apart from your 18bc announcing examples that illus- works, and I by my works will show trate the thesis: you my faith. (i) the first one, negative (cf. v. 19), (ii) the following ones, positive (cf. vv. 21-25) (1) a negative example of faith without You believe that God is one; you do works (v. 19) illustrating the position in well. opposition to the thesis Even the demons believe — and shudder. (2) positive examples of faith with Do you want to be shown, you shal- works (v. 20) low man, that faith apart from works = proofs from authority in support of is barren? the thesis: Abraham (vv. 21-23) Was not Abraham our father justified by allusion to Genesis 22 works, when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by works 23, and the citation of Genesis 15,6 scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness”; and he was called the friend of God. the conclusion of the example = the You see that a man is justified by works repetition of the thesis with another for- and not by faith alone. mulation (v. 24) Rahab (v. 25) And in the same way was not also = Jos 2,1-24 Rahab the harlot justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? Final summary in the form of a com- For as the body apart from the spirit is parison in accordance with the thesis dead, so faith apart from works is dead. (v. 26)