James 2:19

Believest. James concedes that a “dead” faith may accompany a correct theology.

One God. This doctrine underlies all Christian thinking. Belief in one God, omnipotent, personal, distinguished the Jews and early Christians from the followers of other religions.

Thou doest well. Compare James’s irony with that of Christ in Mark 7:9. Theological correctness is essential, but it is only a means to the more important end of a symmetrical Christian life.

Devils. Gr. daimonia, “demons” (see on Mark 1:23). Concerning the origin of demons see 2 Peter 2:4. No one doubts that demons believe in the existence of God (see on Mark 3:11; 5:7). Their belief may be intellectually correct, but they remain demons nevertheless. No one would say now that theological correctness is faith enough. The faith that saves transforms the life.

Tremble. Gr. phrissō, “to bristle,” “to be horrified,” “to shudder.” The demons are so convinced of the existence of God that they shudder at the thought of their punishment in judgment (see on Matt. 25:41; 2 Peter 2:4).