Meaning, commentary and cross references
James 2:17
“So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
NIV · New International Version
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
WEB · World English Bible
Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself.
What does James 2:17 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on James 2:17
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. It is like a lifeless carcass, a body without a soul, James 2:26 for as works, without faith, are dead works, so faith, without works, is a dead faith, and not like the lively hope and faith of regenerated persons: and indeed, such who have no other faith than this are dead in trespasses and sins; not that works are the life of faith, or that the life of faith lies in, and flows from works; but, as Dr. Ames observes (b), good works are second acts, necessarily flowing from the life of faith; to which may be added, and by these faith appears to be living, lively and active, or such who perform them appear to be true and living…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on James 2:14–26
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being along," Jam 2:17. We are too apt to rest in a bare profession of faith, and to think that this will save us; it is a cheap and easy religion to say, "We believe the articles of the Christian faith;" but it is a great delusion to imagine that this is enough to bring us to heaven. Those who argue thus wrong God, and put a cheat upon their own souls; a mock-faith is as hateful as mock-charity, and both show a heart dead to all real godliness. You may as soon take pleasure in a dead body, void of soul, or sense, or action, as God take pleasure in a dead faith, where there are no works. 3.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on James 2:14–17
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 17 Sic et fides, si opera non habuerit, mortua est per se. 14 What doth it profit. He proceeds to commend mercy. And as he had threatened that God would be a severe Judge to us, and at the same time very dreadful, except we be kind and merciful towards our neighbors, and as on the other hand hypocrites objected and said, that faith is sufficient to us, in which the salvation of men consists, he now condemns this vain boasting. The sum, then, of what is said is, that faith without love avails nothing, and that it is therefore wholly dead.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: James 2:14–20 (WEB)
14What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him? 15And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food, 16and one of you tells them, “Go in peace. Be warmed and filled;” yet you didn’t give them the things the body needs, what good is it? 17Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself. 18Yes, a man will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19You believe that God is one. You do well. The demons also believe—and shudder. 20But do you want to know, vain man, that faith apart from works is dead?
Cross references
- James 2:26
For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead.
- 2 Peter 1:5–9
Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge;
- James 2:19–20
You believe that God is one. You do well. The demons also believe—and shudder.
- James 2:14
What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him?
- 1 Corinthians 13:13
But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love.
- 1 Timothy 1:5
But the goal of this command is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith,
- 1 Thessalonians 1:3
remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father.
- 1 Corinthians 13:3
If I give away all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing.