Faith and Works: Living Faith
James 2:14-26
Jas.2.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Τι: PRON,nom,sg,neut
- οφελος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- αδελφοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- εαν: CONJ
- πιστιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- λεγη: VERB,pres,act,subj,3,sg
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- εχειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- εργα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- δε: CONJ
- μη: PART
- εχη: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- μη: PART
- δυναται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- πιστις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- σωσαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- James 2:17 (verbal): Direct continuation of the same argument: asserts that faith without works is dead, reinforcing the claim that mere professed faith cannot save.
- James 2:18 (structural): Immediate rejoinder anticipating an objection ('Someone will say...') and clarifies by offering exemplars showing that genuine faith is demonstrated by works.
- Matthew 7:21 (thematic): Jesus warns that verbal profession alone is insufficient ('Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom')—parallel emphasis on the necessity of doing the Father's will, not mere claim.
- Romans 3:28 (thematic): Paul's declaration that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law provides the doctrinal background against which James emphasizes that authentic faith is evidenced by works; the two passages are often read together in a debate over faith and works.
- 1 John 3:18 (thematic): Calls for love to be shown 'in deed and in truth,' echoing James's insistence that genuine faith must be accompanied by concrete actions.
Alternative generated candidates
- My brothers, what does it profit if someone says he has faith but has no works? Can that faith save him?
- What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but has no works? Can that faith save him?
Jas.2.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εαν: CONJ
- αδελφος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- αδελφη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- γυμνοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- υπαρχωσιν: VERB,pres,act,subj,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- λειπομενοι: PART,pres,mp,nom,pl,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- εφημερου: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- τροφης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Matthew 25:35-36 (thematic): Jesus identifies feeding the hungry and clothing the naked as concrete acts of mercy by which people minister to him—parallels James' concern for brothers and sisters lacking food and clothing.
- 1 John 3:17 (thematic): Explicitly links genuine love with providing for a believer's material need—if one has resources and sees a brother in need but withholds help, love is absent, echoing James' practical ethic.
- Luke 3:11 (verbal): John the Baptist's instruction to share clothing and food with those in need closely mirrors James' example of what brothers and sisters lacking essentials should be given.
- Deuteronomy 15:11 (allusion): Old Testament injunction to open one's hand to the poor because the needy will not cease provides the covenantal background for New Testament exhortations like James to care for the impoverished.
Alternative generated candidates
- If a brother or sister are naked and lack the food of the day,
- If a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food,
Jas.2.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ειπη: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- εξ: PREP
- υμων·Υπαγετε: PRON,gen,pl,m+VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- εν: PREP
- ειρηνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- θερμαινεσθε: VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- χορταζεσθε: VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,2,pl
- μη: PART
- δωτε: VERB,pres,act,subj,2,pl
- δε: CONJ
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- επιτηδεια: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- σωματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- οφελος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 John 3:17-18 (verbal): Expresses the same practical moral test—if one has material resources and sees a brother in need but withholds help, love does not abide—closely parallels James' argument against offering only words instead of provisions.
- Matthew 25:35-40 (thematic): Emphasizes concrete acts of mercy (feeding/clothing the needy) as decisive ethical deeds; connects to James' criticism of giving mere words instead of meeting bodily needs.
- Luke 3:11 (verbal): John the Baptist's injunction—'Whoever has two tunics, let him share with him who has none'—is a concise verbal parallel urging immediate provision to those lacking.
- James 1:27 (structural): Within the same letter, 'pure and undefiled religion' is defined by caring for orphans and widows—reinforces the epistolary theme that true faith is demonstrated by meeting bodily needs.
- Galatians 6:2 (thematic): Calls believers to 'bear one another's burdens,' highlighting responsibility for others' practical needs and resonating with James' critique of empty expressions of concern.
Alternative generated candidates
- and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' yet you do not give them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
- and one of you says to them, "Go in peace; be warmed and filled," yet you do not give them the things the body needs, what good is that?
Jas.2.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουτως: ADV
- και: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- πιστις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εαν: CONJ
- μη: PART
- εχη: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εργα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- νεκρα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- καθ᾽εαυτην: PREP+PRON,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- James 2:18 (structural): Immediate follow-up in the same argument — anticipates an objector and insists that faith must be shown by works, reinforcing 2:17's claim that faith without works is dead.
- James 2:24 (verbal): Restates the point in legal/forensic terms: a person is justified by works and not by faith alone, echoing the juxtaposition of faith and works in 2:17.
- Galatians 5:6 (thematic): Affirms that what truly matters is 'faith working through love,' paralleling James's insistence that genuine faith is active and expressed in deeds.
- Ephesians 2:8-10 (thematic): Contrasts sola fide language (salvation by grace through faith) with the claim that believers are created for good works — complements James by framing works as the evidence or outcome of faith.
- 1 John 3:17-18 (thematic): Urges that love (and by extension faith) must be shown 'not in word or talk but in deed and in truth,' paralleling James's emphasis that faith without works is dead.
Alternative generated candidates
- So also faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself.
- So also faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself.
Jas.2.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Αλλ᾽ερει: CONJ+VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
- τις·Συ: PRON,nom,sg,m+PRON,nom,sg,2
- πιστιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εχεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- καγω: CONJ+PRON,nom,sg,1
- εργα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- εχω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- δειξον: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- μοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- πιστιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- χωρις: PREP,gen
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- εργων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- καγω: CONJ+PRON,nom,sg,1
- σοι: PRON,dat,sg,2
- δειξω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- εκ: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- εργων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- πιστιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Jas.2.17 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same argument: 'Faith apart from works is dead' directly supports the challenge to show faith apart from works.
- Jas.2.24 (verbal): Closely related conclusion in the chapter: 'a person is justified by works and not by faith alone,' echoing the claim that genuine faith is demonstrated by works.
- Jas.2.26 (verbal): Restates the core point: 'faith without works is dead,' summarizing the connection between living faith and corresponding action.
- 1 John 3:18 (thematic): Similar practical emphasis: love/faith must be shown 'not in word or talk but in deed and truth,' arguing that genuine commitment is proved by actions.
- Rom.4:5 (thematic): Paulic contrast: 'to the one who does not work but believes...his faith is counted as righteousness'—raises the theological tension with James by focusing on faith's role apart from works, making the two texts complementary/contrasting on faith and works.
Alternative generated candidates
- But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
- But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
Jas.2.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- συ: PRON,nom,sg,2
- πιστευεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- οτι: CONJ
- εις: PREP
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος;καλως: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ποιεις·και: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- δαιμονια: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- πιστευουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- φρισσουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Mark 5:7 (verbal): A demon addresses Jesus as 'Son of the Most High God'—an instance of demonic recognition/faithlike assent similar to James' claim that demons 'believe'.
- Luke 8:28 (verbal): In the Gerasene demoniac episode the demons cry out to Jesus, acknowledging his identity—paralleling James' point that demons know and fear God.
- Matthew 8:29 (verbal): Demons ask 'What have you to do with us, Son of God?' showing supernatural assent to divine reality, echoing James' observation that demons believe and tremble.
- Jas.2:24 (structural): Later in the same argument James concludes 'a person is justified by works and not by faith alone,' which explains why mere intellectual assent (as demons have) is insufficient.
- Rom.10:9 (thematic): Emphasizes that true saving faith involves confession and allegiance, contrasting the mere belief of demons (intellectual assent) with the saving faith Paul describes.
Alternative generated candidates
- You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and they tremble.
- You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and they tremble.
Jas.2.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- θελεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- δε: CONJ
- γνωναι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- ω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ανθρωπε: NOUN,voc,sg,m
- κενε: ADJ,voc,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- πιστις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- χωρις: PREP,gen
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- εργων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- αργη: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Jas.2.17 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same chapter: explicitly states 'faith without works is dead,' repeating the key assertion of 2:20.
- Jas.2.26 (verbal): Reiterates the point with an analogy: 'as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead,' reinforcing the verbal claim.
- Gen.15.6 (quotation): Cited later in James (2:23) — 'Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness' — used to discuss the relation of faith and righteous status.
- Gen.22.1-18 (structural): The narrative of Abraham's willingness to offer Isaac is invoked by James (2:21–24) as the concrete example of faith demonstrated and completed by works.
- Rom.4.3 (thematic): Paul cites Genesis 15:6 to argue justification by faith apart from works; James engages the same tradition but emphasizes that true faith is evidenced by works (a theological contrast).
Alternative generated candidates
- But do you want to know, foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?
- You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith apart from works is useless?
Jas.2.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Αβρααμ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- πατηρ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εξ: PREP
- εργων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- εδικαιωθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- ανενεγκας: PTCP,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- Ισαακ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- υιον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- επι: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- θυσιαστηριον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- Genesis 22:1-12 (allusion): James alludes to the Akedah (Abraham's offering of Isaac) as the concrete episode showing Abraham's obedient action.
- Genesis 15:6 (verbal): The declaration that Abraham's faith was 'counted to him as righteousness' is the foundational text James engages and contrasts with the significance of Abraham's deeds.
- Romans 4:1-5 (thematic): Paul treats Abraham's righteousness as grounded in faith, not works; James' use of the Isaac episode creates a theological contrast with Paul's emphasis on justification by faith.
- Hebrews 11:17-19 (allusion): Hebrews cites Abraham's readiness to sacrifice Isaac as proof of faith; both Hebrews and James use the same event to illustrate the nexus of faith and obedient action.
- James 2:24 (structural): The immediate conclusion of James' argument: the Abraham example is used to argue that 'a person is justified by works, and not by faith only,' making this verse the structural corollary to 2:21.
Alternative generated candidates
- Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar?
- Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
Jas.2.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- βλεπεις: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- οτι: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- πιστις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- συνηργει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- εργοις: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εκ: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- εργων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- πιστις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ετελειωθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- James 2:21-24 (structural): Immediate context: James cites Abraham’s offering of Isaac as the concrete example showing that faith worked together with his works, and thus faith was completed by works.
- Romans 4:3 (verbal): Paul appeals to the same Abraham tradition (Gen 15:6) — 'Abraham believed, and it was counted to him as righteousness' — a verbal/theological touchpoint underlying debates about faith and righteousness.
- Romans 3:28 (thematic): Paul’s claim that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law contrasts with James’ emphasis that genuine faith is demonstrated and perfected by works.
- Galatians 2:16 (thematic): Paul’s assertion that a person is not justified by works of the law but by faith highlights the tension with James’ argument that faith without works is dead and faith is completed by works.
- 1 John 3:18 (thematic): Calls for faith/love to be shown 'in deed and truth,' echoing James’ insistence that authentic faith must be manifested in concrete actions.
Alternative generated candidates
- You see that faith was working together with his works, and by the works faith was completed.
- You see that faith was active together with his works, and faith was completed by the works.
Jas.2.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- επληρωθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- γραφη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- λεγουσα·Επιστευσεν: PTCP,pres,act,nom,f,sg+VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- Αβρααμ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- θεω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ελογισθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- δικαιοσυνην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- φιλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εκληθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 15:6 (quotation): Direct source of the clause 'Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness' quoted in James.
- Romans 4:3 (quotation): Paul cites the same Genesis text ('Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness') to argue justification by faith.
- Galatians 3:6 (quotation): Paul again appeals to Genesis 15:6 to show Abraham as the prototype of the believer justified by faith.
- 2 Chronicles 20:7 (allusion): In Jehoshaphat's prayer Abraham is called 'your friend,' paralleling James' phrase that Abraham 'was called the friend of God.'
Alternative generated candidates
- And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness'—and he was called God's friend.
- And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness," and he was called the friend of God.
Jas.2.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ορατε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- εξ: PREP
- εργων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- δικαιουται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- ανθρωπος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εκ: PREP
- πιστεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- μονον: ADV
Parallels
- Romans 3:28 (thematic): Paul's assertion that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law presents a theological contrast to James' statement 'not by faith only,' highlighting the debate over faith and works in justification.
- Romans 4:3 (verbal): Paul cites 'Abraham believed, and it was counted to him as righteousness' to argue justification by faith; James engages the same tradition but emphasizes that Abraham's faith was demonstrated by his works.
- Genesis 15:6 (quotation): The Old Testament declaration 'Abraham believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness' is the foundational citation both Paul and James interpret—James uses it to discuss how faith and works relate to justification.
- James 2:21-23 (structural): The immediate example in James—Abraham offering Isaac—is the narrative proof James adduces to show that Abraham was 'justified by works,' grounding 2:24 in the epistle's own argument.
- Galatians 5:6 (thematic): Paul's phrase 'faith working through love' echoes the idea that genuine faith expresses itself in action, a complementary perspective to James' claim that justification is evidenced by works.
Alternative generated candidates
- You see then that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
- You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Jas.2.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ομοιως: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- Ρααβ: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- πορνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εξ: PREP
- εργων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- εδικαιωθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- υποδεξαμενη: VERB,aor,mid,part,nom,f,sg
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αγγελους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- ετερα: ADJ,dat,sg,f
- οδω: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- εκβαλουσα: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,f,sg
Parallels
- Joshua 2:1-21 (thematic): The narrative account of Rahab receiving the Israelite spies and sending them away by another route — the historical episode James summarizes to illustrate faith in action.
- Joshua 6:22-25 (thematic): The outcome of Rahab’s protection of the spies: her and her family are spared and live among Israel, showing the tangible consequences of her allegiance.
- Hebrews 11:31 (allusion): Uses Rahab as an example in the ‘hall of faith,’ stressing that she acted in faith — a parallel theological reading of her deed as salvific faith.
- James 2:21-24 (structural): Immediate context in James where Abraham’s willingness to offer Isaac is used as the other primary example demonstrating that faith is shown and completed by works.
- Matthew 1:5 (verbal): Genealogical mention of ‘Rahab the prostitute’ in the lineage of Jesus — echoes her identification and inclusion among God’s people noted in James.
Alternative generated candidates
- And in the same way was not Rahab the prostitute justified by works, when she received the messengers and sent them out by another road?
- And likewise Rahab the prostitute was not she also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another way?
Jas.2.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ωσπερ: ADV
- γαρ: PART
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- σωμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- χωρις: PREP,gen
- πνευματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- νεκρον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ουτως: ADV
- και: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- πιστις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- χωρις: PREP,gen
- εργων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- νεκρα: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Jas.2.17 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same chapter: 'faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead'—repeat of the same teaching and language about dead faith.
- Gen.2.7 (verbal): Uses the same life-from-breath imagery: God 'breathed into his nostrils the breath of life' so that the body became living—background for 'body without spirit is dead.'
- Ezek.37:5-6 (allusion): Valley of Dry Bones motif: 'I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live'—uses breath/spirit giving life as a metaphor for revival that parallels James' analogy.
- Rom.4:5 (thematic): Paul speaks of God counting righteousness to the one who believes apart from works of the law; thematically relates to James' discussion by addressing the relationship and tension between faith, works, and justification.
- 1 Cor.15:45 (verbal): Contrasts 'the first man Adam became a living being' and 'the last Adam became a life-giving spirit'—resonates with James' coupling of body, spirit, and life to illustrate faith's vitality.
Alternative generated candidates
- For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
- For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead.
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
If a brother or sister is naked and lacking in daily food,
and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” yet you do not give them the things needed for the body, what good is it? So faith, if it has no works, is dead by itself. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and they tremble.
Do you want to be shown, you foolish one, that faith apart from works is useless?
Was not our father Abraham justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
You see that faith was active along with his works, and by his works faith was perfected. And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.
You see then that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Likewise, was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them away by another route?
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.