Revised Webster's Bible
James 2:17
James 2:17 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
- New International Version (NIV)In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
- English Standard Version (ESV)So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Context of James 2:17
15If a brother or sister is naked, and destitute of daily food, 16And one of you saith to them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; but ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18But, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. 19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and tremble.
Read all of James 2James 2:17 word by word
οὕτως καὶ ἡ πίστις, ἐὰν μὴ ἔχῃ ἔργα, νεκρά ἐστιν καθ᾽ ἑαυτήν.¶Read the interlinear
Cross-references for James 2:17
- James 2:14Whatdoth itprofit, my brethren, though a man saith he hath faith, and hath not works? can faith save him?
- 1 Corinthians 13:3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:3Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
- 1 Timothy 1:5Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of a sincere faith:
- 2 Peter 1:5And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
Commentaries on James 2:17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17If it hath not works, is dead - The faith that does not produce works of charity and mercy is without the living principle which animates all true faith, that is, love to God and love to man. They had faith, such as a man has who credits a well-circumstanced relation because it has all the appearance of truth; but they had nothing of that faith that a sinner, convinced of his sinfulness, God's purity, and the strictness of the Divine laws, is obliged to…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15-17Verses 15-17 If a brother or sister be naked - The comparison in these verses is very obvious and striking. The sense is, that faith in itself, without the acts that correspond to it, and to which it would prompt, is as cold, and heartless, and unmeaning, and useless, as it would be to say to one who was destitute of the necessaries of life, depart in peace.” In itself considered, it might seem to have something that was good; but it would answer none…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. 14-26James explains why Christians should care about how God will judge their actions (2:12–13): Good deeds must accompany true faith (see 1:22–25).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. faith ... being alone--Alford joins "is dead in itself." So Bengel, "If the works which living faith produces have no existence, it is a proof that faith itself (literally, 'in respect to itself') has no existence; that is, that what one boasts of as faith, is dead." "Faith" is said to be "dead in itself," because when it has works it is alive, and it is discerned to be so, not in respect to its works, but in respect to itself. English Version, if…Read the comment
Topics related to James 2:17
In the dictionaries
Notes
- 1. James 2:17 alone: Gr. by itself ↩
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
Revised Webster's Bible — 1833 — Public Domain
Commentaries