James 2:20

James 2:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
• New International Version (NIV)You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?
• English Standard Version (ESV)Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?
• New King James Version (NKJV)But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

Context of James 2:20

18But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith without works and I will show you faith by my works. 19You believe that God is one; well and good. Even the demons believe that – and tremble with fear. But would you like evidence, you empty fellow, that faith without works is useless? 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22You see that his faith was working together with his works and his faith was perfected by works.

James 2:20 word by word

θέλεις δὲ γνῶναι, ὦ ἄνθρωπε κενέ, ὅτι ἡ πίστις χωρὶς τῶν ἔργων ἀργή ἐστιν;Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Butδέde · thenG1161
• wilt thouθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
• knowγινώσκωginōskō · to knowG1097
• Oὦō · oh!G5599
• vainκενόςkenos · emptyG2756
• manἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• faithὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• faithπίστιςpistis · faithG4102
• withoutχωρίςchōris · withoutG5565
• worksἔργονergon · workG2041
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• deadνεκρόςnekros · deadG3498

Cross-references for James 2:20

• James 1:26If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile.
• Job 11:11For he knows deceitful men; when he sees evil, will he not consider it?
• Psalms 94:8Take notice of this, you ignorant people! You fools, when will you ever understand?
• Proverbs 12:11The one who works his field will have plenty of food, but whoever chases daydreams lacks wisdom.
• Jeremiah 2:5This is what the Lord says: “What fault could your ancestors have possibly found in me that they strayed so far from me? They paid allegiance to worthless idols, and so became worthless to me.
• Romans 1:21For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts and their senseless hearts were darkened.
• 1 Corinthians 15:35But someone will say, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?”
• Galatians 6:3For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
• Colossians 2:8Be careful not to allow anyone to captivate you through an empty, deceitful philosophy that is according to human traditions and the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
• 1 Timothy 1:6Some have strayed from these and turned away to empty discussion.
• James 2:14What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can this kind of faith save him?

Commentaries on James 2:20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20But wilt thou know - Art thou willing to be instructed in the nature of true saving faith? Then attend to the following examples.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20But wilt thou know - Will you have a full demonstration of it; will you have the clearest proof in the case. The apostle evidently felt that the instances to which he was about to refer, those of Abraham and Rahab, were decisive. O vain man - The reference by this language is to a man who held an opinion that could not be defended. The word “vain” here used ( kene) means properly “empty,” as opposed to “full” - as empty hands, having nothing in them; then…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-26Verses 14-26 Those are wrong who put a mere notional belief of the gospel for the whole of evangelical religion, as many now do. No doubt, true faith alone, whereby men have part in Christ's righteousness, atonement, and grace, saves their souls; but it produces holy fruits, and is shown to be real by its effect on their works; while mere assent to any form of doctrine, or mere historical belief of any facts, wholly differs from this saving faith. A bare…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20-26James shows through Scripture that true faith is shown through actions.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2020. wilt thou know--"Vain" men are not willing to know, since they have no wish to "do" the will of God. James beseeches such a one to lay aside his perverse unwillingness to know what is palpable to all who are willing to do. vain--who deceivest thyself with a delusive hope, resting on an unreal faith. without works--The Greek, implies separate from the works [Alford] which ought to flow from it if it were real. is dead--Some of the best manuscripts…Read the comment

Topics related to James 2:20

• Faith
• Hypocrisy
• Justification
• Religion
• Righteousness
• Works

In the dictionaries

• Convince
• Dead
• Draw
• Justify
• Offend
• Respect
• Rich
• Sister
• Faith
• Justification

Commentaries on James 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings