Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
was.
Joshua 2:1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.
Matthew 1:5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
Rachab.
Matthew 21:31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
justified.
James 2:18,22 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works…
when.
Joshua 2:19-21 And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him…
Joshua 6:17,22-25 And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent…
Hebrews 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
was not even Rahab the prostitute
Rahab is introduced with her occupation, highlighting her status as a marginalized individual in society. Her story is found in Joshua 2, where she is a Canaanite living in Jericho. Despite her background, she is included in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:5), demonstrating God's grace and the inclusion of Gentiles in His redemptive plan. Her faith is commended in Hebrews 11:31, showing that her actions were a result of her belief in the God of Israel.
justified by her actions
The term "justified" here refers to being shown righteous or vindicated. Rahab's actions in hiding the spies and aiding their escape were evidence of her faith. This aligns with the broader biblical theme that true faith results in action, as seen in the lives of other biblical figures. Her works were a demonstration of her faith, not the means of her salvation.
when she welcomed the spies
Rahab's welcoming of the spies is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Joshua 2. Her hospitality and protection of the Israelite spies were acts of faith, acknowledging the power and sovereignty of the God of Israel. This act of welcoming is significant in the cultural context of the ancient Near East, where hospitality was a highly valued virtue.
and sent them off on another route?
Rahab's strategic decision to send the spies off on a different route ensured their safety and the success of their mission. This action demonstrated her wisdom and courage, as well as her commitment to the God of Israel. It also fulfilled the spies' promise to spare her and her family, as recounted in Joshua 6:22-25. Her actions contributed to the Israelites' victory over Jericho, further illustrating the impact of her faith-driven decisions.
James has just highlighted Abraham’s obedience (James 2:21-24). Now he says, “Here’s another example built on the same principle.” The phrase links Rahab’s story to the ongoing point that genuine faith reveals itself through tangible deeds. Just as a shadow proves the presence of light, works prove the presence of living faith (cf. Matthew 7:20; Ephesians 2:10).
Rahab’s label reminds us God’s grace reaches people others overlook.
• She was a Gentile and a prostitute, yet God chose her (Joshua 2; Hebrews 11:31).
• Her inclusion in Jesus’ genealogy (Matthew 1:5) displays how the Lord delights in redeeming unlikely candidates (1 Corinthians 1:27).
If Rahab could live out authentic faith, no one is beyond hope.
“Justified” here speaks of outward vindication—proof that her faith was real. James earlier said, “You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24). Rahab’s deeds did not earn salvation; they showcased it. True faith moves the believer to act (Titus 3:8; 1 John 3:18). Abraham believed God and then offered Isaac; Rahab believed God and then protected the spies. The pattern holds: belief births behavior.
Rahab opened her home and her heart to God’s people, risking everything.
• Welcoming strangers is a hallmark of faith (Hebrews 13:2).
• Her confession—“the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on earth below” (Joshua 2:11)—preceded her hospitality. Faith spoke, then acted.
Her faith did not stall at initial kindness; it followed through with courageous strategy. By directing the spies safely away (Joshua 2:15-21), she:
• Protected God’s messengers at personal cost.
• Aligned herself fully with Israel’s mission (Proverbs 3:6; Luke 3:8).
The second action completed the first, illustrating how works “perfect” or bring faith to maturity (James 2:22).
James 2:25 teaches that living faith proves itself in concrete obedience. Rahab, an unlikely heroine, trusted the God of Israel. Her trust showed up in risky hospitality and decisive protection of the spies. Scripture holds her up alongside Abraham to affirm that:
• Faith alone saves, yet the faith that saves never stays alone.
• God delights in using ordinary, even morally compromised people who place wholehearted trust in Him.
• Works are the visible evidence that the invisible root of faith is alive and well.
(25) Likewise also . . .--The second example, brought forward in strange and complete contrast to Abraham, "the father of many nations," is that of Rahab, the harlot, who received and sheltered in her house at Jericho the two spies sent out from the camp of Israel (Joshua 2). The evil name of the poor woman's unhappy trade cannot truthfully be softened down to "innkeeper," nor even "idolater."Sent them out.--Literally, hastened, or thrust them forth, showing her haste and fear.
It may not be out of place to notice that Clement, Bishop of Rome, one of the Apostolic Fathers, in his first letter to the Corinthians, sees in the scarlet thread which Rahab bound in her window a type of our Redeemer's blood. And it is most remarkable, as showing the mercy of God, that this outcast of society was not only saved alive and brought into the fold of Israel, but became a direct ancestress of her Saviour, by marriage with Salmon, the great-great-grandfather of David (Matthew 1:5).
Verse 25. -(4) Fourth point: Proof from the case of Rahab the harlot of justification by works (cf. Joshua 2; Joshua 6:25). Rahab is mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament in Hebrews 11:31, where she also appears as Ῥαὰβ ἡ πόρνη, and is spoken of as having "received the spies," δεξαμένη τοὺς κατασκόπους cf. ὑποδεξαμένη τοὺς ἀγγέλους here. There, however, she is regarded as an instance of faith (see above in preliminary note). The only other place where her name occurs is in the genealogy of our Lord, in Matthew 1:5, "Salmon begat Booz of Rachab (ἐκ τῆς Ραχάβ)."
Parallel Commentaries ...