James 2:24

James 2:24 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
• New International Version (NIV)You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
• English Standard Version (ESV)You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
• New King James Version (NKJV)You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

Context of James 2:24

22You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. 23And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone. 25Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. 26Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.

James 2:24 word by word

ὁρᾶτε ὅτι ἐξ ἔργων δικαιοῦται ἄνθρωπος καὶ οὐκ ἐκ πίστεως μόνον.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Ye seeὁράωhoraō · to see: seeG3708
• thenτοίνυνtoinun · thenG5106
• how thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• byἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• worksἔργονergon · workG2041
• a manἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
• is justifiedδικαιόωdikaioō · to justifyG1344
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• notοὐou · noG3756
• faithπίστιςpistis · faithG4102
• onlyμόνονmonon · onlyG3440

Cross-references for James 2:24

• James 2:15Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing,
• Psalms 60:12With God’s help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes.

Commentaries on James 2:24

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 24Ye see then how - It is evident from this example that Abraham's faith was not merely believing that there is a God; but a principle that led him to credit God's promises relative to the future Redeemer, and to implore God's mercy: this he received, and was justified by faith. His faith now began to work by love, and therefore he was found ever obedient to the will of his Maker. He brought forth the fruits of righteousness; and his works justified…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 24Ye see then - From the course of reasoning pursued, and the example referred to. How that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only - Not by a cold, abstract, inoperative faith. It must be by a faith that shall produce good works, and whose existence will be shown to men by good works. As justification takes place in the sight of God, it is by faith, for he sees that the faith is genuine, and that it will produce good works if the individual who…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. 24Not by faith alone: This means that true faith is not like demons who simply believe something is true (2:19). But it is through a belief that leads to generous actions like God himself does (1:17). Some think this teaching contradicts Paul, but it does not. Paul does not oppose good deeds, but he warns against seeking forgiveness of sins through them (Romans 3:28; Galatians 2:16). Paul understands that it is necessary for true faith to leads to love and…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2424. justified and, not by faith only--that is, by "faith without (separated from: severed from) works," its proper fruits (see on Jas 2:20). Faith to justify must, from the first, include obedience in germ (to be developed subsequently), though the former alone is the ground of justification. The scion must be grafted on the stock that it may live; it must bring forth fruit to prove that it does live.Read the comment

Topics related to James 2:24

• Abraham
• Faith
• Hypocrisy
• Religion
• Righteousness

In the dictionaries

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

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