King James Version

What Does James 2:18 Mean?

James 2:18 in the King James Version says “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my fait... — study this verse from James chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. without: some copies read, by

James 2:18 · KJV


Context

16

And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

17

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone . alone: Gr. by itself

18

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. without: some copies read, by

19

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

20

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. James imagines an interlocutor: "You have faith, I have works. Show (deixon, δεῖξον) me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works." Faith is visible through actions; without works, it cannot be demonstrated.

Reformed orthodoxy holds that justification is by faith alone, but faith is proven genuine by works. James challenges any attempt to separate the two experientially.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Early Christian debates pitted Jewish legalists against antinomians. James addresses those claiming faith is purely internal. Paul likewise tells Titus to insist on good works so opponents have nothing evil to say (Titus 2:7-8).

Reflection Questions

  1. What concrete works currently display your trust in Christ?
  2. How can you cultivate habits that make faith tangible?
  3. Who might be watching your works to evaluate your faith?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
Ἀλλ1 of 28

Yea

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ἐρεῖ2 of 28

may say

G2046

an alternate for g2036 in certain tenses; to utter, i.e., speak or say

τις3 of 28

a man

G5100

some or any person or object

Σὺ4 of 28

Thou

G4771

thou

πίστιν5 of 28

faith

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

ἔχω·6 of 28

hast

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

κἀγώ7 of 28

and I

G2504

so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.

ἔργων8 of 28

works

G2041

toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act

ἔχω·9 of 28

hast

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

δείξω10 of 28

shew

G1166

to show (literally or figuratively)

μοι11 of 28

me

G3427

to me

τὴν12 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πίστιν13 of 28

faith

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

σου14 of 28

thy

G4675

of thee, thy

χωρὶς15 of 28
G5565

at a space, i.e., separately or apart from (often as preposition)

τῶν16 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἔργων17 of 28

works

G2041

toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act

σου18 of 28

thy

G4675

of thee, thy

κἀγώ19 of 28

and I

G2504

so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.

δείξω20 of 28

shew

G1166

to show (literally or figuratively)

σοι21 of 28

thee

G4671

to thee

ἐκ22 of 28

by

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τῶν23 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἔργων24 of 28

works

G2041

toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act

μου25 of 28

my

G3450

of me

τὴν26 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πίστιν27 of 28

faith

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

μου28 of 28

my

G3450

of me


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of James. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

James 2:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to James 2:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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