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James 2:14-26

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

14. What [doth it] profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15. If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16. And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be [ye] warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what [doth it] profit? 17. Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18. 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. 19. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21. Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22. Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23. And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent [them] out another way? 26. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

James 2:14-26 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on James 2:14

Theological / Devotional

What doth it profit? Literally, “What the profit?” that is, as to eternal salvation. The apostle here turns to another aspect of the practical duties of “pure religion” (see on James 1:27). Presumably some church members (James 2:1-13) were excusing their deference to the rich on the basis of a perverted use of the law of love. Other church members (vs. 14-26) seemed to excuse themselves from their Christian duty of good works by appealing to their possession of “faith.”

Brethren. See vs. 1, 5; see on James 1:2.

Faith. Gr. pistis, “conviction,” “trust” (see on Heb. 11:1). Apparently, the church member in question asserts that faith can exist without works, whereas James contends that “faith” which does not result in good “works” is worthless. Genuine faith is obvious to others from the “works” it produces; its existence does not rest on mere personal testimony. The man who claims “faith” without “works” may be compared with the man who thinks himself to be religious (cf. James 1:26) but fails to manifest the deeds of “pure religion.”

Works. In chs. 1 and 2 the apostle has stressed the importance of Christian deeds. He now directly confronts those who neglect the duties of “pure religion” (cf. James 1:27) under the pretense of faith. Here, in common with the writings of Paul (see on Rom. 2:6-10), the epistle of James stresses the necessity of both faith and works in a genuine Christian experience. Works become the conduct of a converted life — deeds that spring forth spontaneously because of the motivation of faith.

Can faith. Literally, “can the faith [that is, faith without works].” The Greek makes clear that James expects a negative answer: “No, of course not.” Faith that does not find expression in habitual good deeds will never save any man, but neither will good deeds without genuine faith (see on Rom. 3:28).

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