James 2:19
17 So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20 O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is worthless?
21 Was not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
- KJV
- Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
- WEB
- You believe that God is one. You do well. The demons also believe—and shudder.
- ASV
- Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and shudder.
- DARBY
- *Thou* believest that God is one. Thou doest well. The demons even believe, and tremble.
- BLB
- You believe that God is one. You do well! Even the demons believe [that], and shudder!
- ÅB
- Du tror at Gud er én; du gjør vel; djevlene tror det også og skjelver.
- OTB
- Du erkjenner at det er én Gud. Bra gjort! Selv demonene erkjenner det—og skjelver.
- B1930
- Du tror at Gud er én; du gjør vel; djevlene tror det også og skjelver.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Luke 4:34
“Ha! What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
Read in contextMark 1:24
“What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
Read in contextMatthew 8:29
“What do You want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have You come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
Read in contextActs 16:17
This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!”
Read in contextDeuteronomy 6:4
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One.
Read in contextActs 19:15
Eventually, one of the evil spirits answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?”
Read in contextGalatians 3:20
A mediator is unnecessary, however, for only one party; but God is one.
Read in contextMark 5:7
And he shouted in a loud voice, “What do You want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You before God not to torture me!”
Read in context