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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>James 2:17 So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/james/2-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/59_Jas_02_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="James 2:17 - Faith and Works" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/james/2-17.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/james/2-17.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/james/">James</a> > <a href="/james/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/james/2-16.htm" title="James 2:16">◄</a> James 2:17 <a href="/james/2-18.htm" title="James 2:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/james/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/james/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/james/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/james/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/james/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/james/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />So also, faith by itself if it has not works, is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/james/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/james/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/james/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />In the same way, faith also, if it has no works, is dead, <i>being</i> by itself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/james/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/james/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, <i>being</i> by itself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/james/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead by itself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/james/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So too, faith, if it does not have works [to back it up], is by itself dead [inoperative and ineffective].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/james/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />In the same way faith, if it does not have works, is dead by itself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/james/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />In the same way faith, if it doesn&#8217t have works, is dead by itself. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/james/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/james/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Faith that doesn't lead us to do good deeds is all alone and dead! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/james/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/james/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />In the same way, faith by itself is dead if it doesn't cause you to do any good things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/james/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So it is with faith: if it is alone and includes no actions, then it is dead. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/james/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />In the same way, faith by itself, if it does not prove itself with actions, is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/james/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/james/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So also faith, if it does not have works, is dead being by itself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/james/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/james/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/james/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />So also faith, if it is unaccompanied by obedience, has no life in it--so long as it stands alone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/james/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/james/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />So also faith, if it may not have works, is dead by itself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/james/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />So also, faith by itself if it has not works, is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/james/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> so also the faith, if it may not have works, is dead by itself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/james/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />So also faith, if it have not works, is dead by itself.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/james/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />So faith also, if it have not works, is dead in itself. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/james/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Thus even faith, if it does not have works, is dead, in and of itself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/james/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/james/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/james/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Even so faith, without works, is dead, by itself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/james/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />So also faith alone without works is dead.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/james/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />So, also, faith, if it has not works, is dead, being by itself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/james/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />So indeed faith, if it may not have works, is dead, as to itself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/james/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />So also faith, if it hath not works, is dead itself.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/james/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />just so faith, if it be not operative, is intirely lifeless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/james/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />So also faith, if it is unaccompanied by obedience, has no life in it--so long as it stands alone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/james/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/james/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />so faith, if it have not works, being alone, is dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/james/2-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0xUBCzqsAGw?start=381" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/james/2.htm">Faith and Works</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3779.htm" title="3779: houtōs (Adv) -- Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).">So</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">too,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4102.htm" title="4102: pistis (N-NFS) -- Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. ">faith</a> <a href="/greek/2596.htm" title="2596: kath’ (Prep) -- A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).">by</a> <a href="/greek/1438.htm" title="1438: heautēn (RefPro-AF3S) -- Himself, herself, itself. ">itself,</a> <a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.">if</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echē (V-PSA-3S) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">it does not result</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/2041.htm" title="2041: erga (N-ANP) -- From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.">in action,</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/3498.htm" title="3498: nekra (Adj-NFS) -- (a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead.">dead.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">18</span>But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/2-8.htm">Ephesians 2:8-10</a></span><br />For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, / not by works, so that no one can boast. / For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-21.htm">Matthew 7:21-23</a></span><br />Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. / Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-6.htm">Galatians 5:6</a></span><br />For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. What matters is faith expressing itself through love.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-13.htm">Romans 2:13</a></span><br />For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-17.htm">1 John 3:17-18</a></span><br />If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? / Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/titus/3-8.htm">Titus 3:8</a></span><br />This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-6.htm">Hebrews 11:6</a></span><br />And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/25-31.htm">Matthew 25:31-46</a></span><br />When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. / All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. / He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/13-2.htm">1 Corinthians 13:2</a></span><br />If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/2-12.htm">Philippians 2:12-13</a></span><br />Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. / For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/1-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 1:3</a></span><br />and continually recalling before our God and Father your work of faith, your labor of love, and your enduring hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/1-5.htm">2 Peter 1:5-8</a></span><br />For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; / and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; / and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-46.htm">Luke 6:46-49</a></span><br />Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I say? / I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them: / He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid his foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the torrent crashed against that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-5.htm">John 15:5-8</a></span><br />I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. / If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned. / If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/1-10.htm">Colossians 1:10</a></span><br />so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone.</p><p class="hdg">so.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/james/2-14.htm">James 2:14,19,20,26</a></b></br> What <i>doth it</i> profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/13-3.htm">1 Corinthians 13:3,13</a></b></br> And though I bestow all my goods to feed <i>the poor</i>, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_thessalonians/1-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 1:3</a></b></br> Remembering 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;</p><p class="hdg">alone.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_timothy/6-6.htm">Accompanied</a> <a href="/james/1-20.htm">Action</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-7.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-20.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/james/2-14.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-24.htm">Itself</a> <a href="/james/1-12.htm">Life</a> <a href="/james/2-8.htm">Obedience</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-11.htm">Stands</a> <a href="/james/2-26.htm">Unaccompanied</a> <a href="/james/1-24.htm">Way</a> <a href="/james/2-14.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/50-7.htm">Accompanied</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-13.htm">Action</a> <a href="/james/2-24.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/james/2-20.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/james/2-18.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-7.htm">Itself</a> <a href="/james/3-6.htm">Life</a> <a href="/james/2-20.htm">Obedience</a> <a href="/james/4-16.htm">Stands</a> <a href="/james/2-26.htm">Unaccompanied</a> <a href="/james/2-25.htm">Way</a> <a href="/james/2-18.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">James 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/2-1.htm">Do not regard the rich and despise the poor brothers;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/2-13.htm">rather we are to be loving and merciful;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/2-14.htm">and not to boast of faith without deeds;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/2-17.htm">because faith without deeds is useless;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/2-19.htm">as is the faith of the demons;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/2-21.htm">however, Abraham displayed both faith and actions;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/james/2-25.htm">as did Rahab.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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James is addressing the issue of genuine faith versus mere verbal profession. The "so too" connects this statement to the examples of faith he has previously discussed, such as the faith of Abraham and Rahab, emphasizing that faith must be demonstrated through actions.<p><b>faith by itself,</b><br>The concept of "faith by itself" refers to a belief that is not accompanied by deeds or works. In the Jewish context, faith was understood as a holistic commitment involving trust, loyalty, and obedience. The early Christian community, which included Jewish believers, would have understood faith as something that naturally produces good works. This phrase challenges the notion that intellectual assent or verbal confession alone constitutes true faith.<p><b>if it does not result in action,</b><br>The necessity of action is a central theme in James's epistle. The Greek word for "action" here can also be translated as "works" or "deeds," indicating tangible expressions of faith. This reflects the cultural and historical context of the early church, which faced challenges of poverty, persecution, and social injustice. James emphasizes that true faith must manifest in practical ways, such as caring for the needy and living righteously.<p><b>is dead.</b><br>The declaration that faith without works "is dead" is a strong statement about the nature of genuine faith. In biblical terms, "dead" implies something that is lifeless, ineffective, or useless. This echoes Jesus' teachings in the Gospels, where He often spoke about the importance of bearing fruit as evidence of true discipleship (e.g., <a href="/matthew/7-16.htm">Matthew 7:16-20</a>). Theologically, this underscores the belief that faith and works are inseparable; true faith naturally results in a transformed life that reflects Christ's character and mission.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/james.htm">James</a></b><br>The author of the epistle, traditionally identified as James, the brother of Jesus and a leader in the early Jerusalem church. He is known for his practical approach to Christian living.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/early_christian_communities.htm">Early Christian Communities</a></b><br>The recipients of the letter, likely Jewish Christians scattered outside of Jerusalem, facing trials and needing guidance on living out their faith.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The central hub of early Christianity and the location where James played a significant leadership role.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_and_works_are_inseparable.htm">Faith and Works are Inseparable</a></b><br>True faith is evidenced by actions. Just as a body without the spirit is dead, so is faith without works. The Greek word for "dead" (nekros) implies something lifeless and inactive.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_living_faith.htm">The Nature of Living Faith</a></b><br>Living faith is dynamic and transformative. It compels believers to act in accordance with God's will, reflecting His love and justice in the world.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/practical_christianity.htm">Practical Christianity</a></b><br>James challenges believers to examine their lives for evidence of their faith. Are we merely professing belief, or are we living it out through acts of kindness, mercy, and justice?<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_as_a_catalyst_for_change.htm">Faith as a Catalyst for Change</a></b><br>Our faith should lead to personal and communal transformation. It should inspire us to address social injustices and meet the needs of those around us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_works_in_salvation.htm">The Role of Works in Salvation</a></b><br>While works do not earn salvation, they are a natural outcome of a genuine faith. They serve as a testimony to the world of the transformative power of the Gospel.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_james_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from James 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_it_fair_for_god_to_judge_by_faith.htm">Is it fair for God to judge people based on faith instead of actions?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/was_hitler_a_christian.htm">Was Adolf Hitler a follower of Christianity?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'faith_without_works'_mean.htm">What does "faith without works is dead" mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_makes_a_church_spiritually_inactive.htm">What defines a church as spiritually inactive?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/james/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) <span class= "bld">Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.</span>--Better, like the margin, <span class= "ital">is dead in its own self.</span> If to be childless among women were a curse in Israel, so to be barren among God's graces is the condemnation of faith in Christendom. And St. Paul, in substantial harmony with this assertion of his brother Apostle, declares (<a href="/romans/2-13.htm" title="(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.">Romans 2:13</a>) "Not the hearers of the Law are just before God, but the doers of the Law shall be justified." There had been no lack of charity under the earlier Jewish teaching; in fact, "righteousness" in many passages of Holy Writ, and in the paraphrases for the unlearned, called the Targums, was explained to be "almsgiving." But the whole system of Rabbinism seems gradually to have destroyed the spiritual life of its scholars; and amongst them now was fast spreading the doctrine of a sterile faith. In the revival of Monotheism under the sword of the prophet of Mecca, the faith of Abraham once more shone in the creed of his descendants; though, alas! the sons of Ishmael, and not Isaac the chosen: and the Muhammedans tell us still that if fasting and prayer bring the believer to the gates of Paradise, alms will let him in.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/james/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Being alone</span> (<span class="greek">καθ ἑαυτήν</span>); R.V., <span class="accented">in itself.</span> But the rendering of the A.V. appears to be justified by the LXX. in <a href="/genesis/43-31.htm">Genesis 43:31</a>, <span class="greek">Παρέθηκαν αὐτῷ μόνῳ καὶ αὐτοῖς</span> <span class="greek">καθ ἑαυτούς κ.τ.λ.</span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/james/2-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">So</span><br /><span class="grk">οὕτως</span> <span class="translit">(houtōs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3779.htm">Strong's 3779: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).</span><br /><br /><span class="word">too,</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">faith</span><br /><span class="grk">πίστις</span> <span class="translit">(pistis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4102.htm">Strong's 4102: </a> </span><span class="str2">Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">by</span><br /><span class="grk">καθ’</span> <span class="translit">(kath’)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2596.htm">Strong's 2596: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).</span><br /><br /><span class="word">itself,</span><br /><span class="grk">ἑαυτήν</span> <span class="translit">(heautēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1438.htm">Strong's 1438: </a> </span><span class="str2">Himself, herself, itself. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">if</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐὰν</span> <span class="translit">(ean)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1437.htm">Strong's 1437: </a> </span><span class="str2">If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it is not complemented</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔχῃ</span> <span class="translit">(echē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> </span><span class="str2">To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by action,</span><br /><span class="grk">ἔργα</span> <span class="translit">(erga)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2041.htm">Strong's 2041: </a> </span><span class="str2">From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐστιν</span> <span class="translit">(estin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">dead.</span><br /><span class="grk">νεκρά</span> <span class="translit">(nekra)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3498.htm">Strong's 3498: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/james/2-17.htm">James 2:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/james/2-17.htm">James 2:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/james/2-17.htm">James 2:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/james/2-17.htm">James 2:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/james/2-17.htm">James 2:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/james/2-17.htm">James 2:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/james/2-17.htm">James 2:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/james/2-17.htm">James 2:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/james/2-17.htm">James 2:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/james/2-17.htm">James 2:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/james/2-17.htm">NT Letters: James 2:17 Even so faith if it has no (Ja Jas. Jam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/james/2-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="James 2:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="James 2:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/james/2-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="James 2:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="James 2:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>