James 2:20
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.
19 You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
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?
22 You see that his faith was working with his actions, and his faith was perfected by what he did.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is worthless?
- KJV
- But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
- WEB
- But do you want to know, vain man, that faith apart from works is dead?
- ASV
- But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren?
- DARBY
- But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
- BLB
- But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is idle?
- ÅB
- Og vil du vite det, du dårlige menneske, at troen uten gjerninger er unyttig?
- OTB
- Du tåpelige person, vil du ha bevis på at tro uten gjerninger er ubrukelig?
- B1930
- Og vil du vite det, du dårlige menneske, at troen uten gjerninger er unyttig?
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
James 2:17
So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead.
Read in contextJames 2:26
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Read in contextProverbs 12:11
The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.
Read in contextRomans 1:21
For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.
Read in contextPsalms 94:8–11
Take notice, O senseless among the people! O fools, when will you be wise?
Read in contextGalatians 6:3
If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Read in context1 Timothy 1:6
Some have strayed from these ways and turned aside to empty talk.
Read in contextJames 1:26
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.
Read in context