Jam 2:17, 20, 26 | PNT | STEP | Even so faith, if it hath not works . Faith that has no power to bring one to obedience and to sway the life is as worthless as good wishes which end in words. Is dead, being alone . It cannot stand alone and be of any avail. Only when it shows its power in works is it of the slightest value.

James 2:17

Even so faith, if it hath not works. Faith that has no power to bring one to obedience and to sway the life is as worthless as good wishes which end in words.

Is dead, being alone. It cannot stand alone and be of any avail. Only when it shows its power in works is it of the slightest value.

James 2:20

But wilt thou know, O vain man. "I will show by proof that the faith that justifies produces works by the case of Abraham, the great father of the faithful".

Faith without works is dead. It has no power to make alive unless it has power over the life.

James 2:26

For as the body without the spirit is dead. The body is a lifeless, dead thing, without the spirit.

So faith without works is dead also. So lifeless is faith it shows an energy in works. NOTE.--Some have thought, among these Luther, that Paul and James were not in agreement on the subject of faith. Those who thus conclude mistake both these inspired men of God. Paul shows that works without faith will not justify, and hence lays the emphasis on "faith"; James shows that faith without works will not justify. Paul, indeed, shows that faith alone is worthless (1Co 13:2), and in Heb 11:1-40, he emphasizes works as the demonstration of faith. The two writers are in agreement, and all seeming disagreement is due to the fact that they are seeking to correct different errors, and hence look at the matter from different points of view.