Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. New Living Translation Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works. English Standard Version For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. Berean Standard Bible As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. Berean Literal Bible For just as the body apart from spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. King James Bible For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. New King James Version For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. New American Standard Bible For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. NASB 1995 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. NASB 1977 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. Legacy Standard Bible For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. Amplified Bible For just as the [human] body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works [of obedience] is also dead. Christian Standard Bible For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. Holman Christian Standard Bible For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. American Standard Version For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead. Contemporary English Version Anyone who doesn't breathe is dead, and faith that doesn't do anything is just as dead! English Revised Version For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead. GOD'S WORD® Translation A body that doesn't breathe is dead. In the same way faith that does nothing is dead. Good News Translation So then, as the body without the spirit is dead, also faith without actions is dead. International Standard Version For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without actions is also dead. Majority Standard Bible As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. NET Bible For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. New Heart English Bible For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead. Webster's Bible Translation For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Weymouth New Testament For just as a human body without a spirit is lifeless, so also faith is lifeless if it is unaccompanied by obedience. World English Bible For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionFor as the body apart from [the] spirit is dead, so also the faith apart from works is dead. Berean Literal Bible For just as the body apart from spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. Young's Literal Translation for as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also the faith apart from the works is dead. Smith's Literal Translation For as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor even as the body without the spirit is dead; so also faith without works is dead. Catholic Public Domain Version For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. New American Bible For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. New Revised Standard Version For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. Aramaic Bible in Plain English Just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentFor as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Godbey New Testament For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith also apart from works is dead. Haweis New Testament For as the body without breath is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Mace New Testament as the body then without the soul is a meer carcase, so faith without its effects is lifeless. Weymouth New Testament For just as a human body without a spirit is lifeless, so also faith is lifeless if it is unaccompanied by obedience. Worrell New Testament For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead. Worsley New Testament For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Faith and Works…25In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies and sent them off on another route? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. Cross References Hebrews 11:6 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. Galatians 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. What matters is faith expressing itself through love. Matthew 7:21-23 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!’ Romans 2:13 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. Ephesians 2:8-10 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. 1 John 3:17-18 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. Matthew 25:31-46 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. ... Philippians 2:12-13 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. 1 Corinthians 13:2 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. Titus 3:8 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. 1 Thessalonians 1:3 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. John 15:5 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. 2 Peter 1:5-8 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. ... Luke 6:46-49 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. ... Romans 6:4 We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. Treasury of Scripture For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. as. Job 34:14,15 If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; … Psalm 104:29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. Psalm 146:4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. spirit. James 2:14,17,20 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? … Jump to Previous Apart Body Dead Deeds Faith Human Lifeless Obedience Spirit Unaccompanied WorksJump to Next Apart Body Dead Deeds Faith Human Lifeless Obedience Spirit Unaccompanied WorksJames 2 1. Do not regard the rich and despise the poor brothers;13. rather we are to be loving and merciful; 14. and not to boast of faith without deeds; 17. because faith without deeds is useless; 19. as is the faith of the demons; 21. however, Abraham displayed both faith and actions; 25. as did Rahab. As the body without the spirit is dead This phrase draws a parallel between physical life and spiritual life. In biblical anthropology, the body (Greek: "soma") is considered lifeless without the spirit (Greek: "pneuma"), which is the breath of life given by God (Genesis 2:7). The imagery here is vivid, emphasizing that just as a body cannot function without the spirit, faith cannot be alive without works. This reflects the Hebrew understanding of life, where the spirit is essential for vitality. Theologically, it underscores the belief that true faith must manifest in action, aligning with the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized the importance of bearing fruit (John 15:5-8). so faith without deeds is dead Persons / Places / Events 1. JamesThe 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 faith and emphasis on living out one's beliefs. 2. Early Christian Communities The recipients of the letter, likely Jewish Christians scattered outside of Palestine, facing trials and needing guidance on living out their faith authentically. 3. Faith and Works Central themes in this passage, representing the belief in Christ (faith) and the actions that demonstrate that belief (works). Teaching Points The Necessity of Works in FaithGenuine faith is evidenced by actions. Just as a body without the spirit is lifeless, faith without works is ineffective and dead. The Interdependence of Faith and Works Faith and works are not mutually exclusive but are interdependent. Works are the fruit of faith, demonstrating its authenticity and vitality. Living Faith in Daily Life Believers are called to live out their faith in practical ways, serving others and reflecting Christ's love in their actions. The Role of the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit empowers believers to perform good works, transforming their faith into tangible expressions of God's love and grace. Evaluating Personal Faith Christians should regularly assess whether their lives reflect their professed beliefs, ensuring that their faith is active and alive.(26) As the body without the spirit . . .--A closing simile of much force, As the body without the spirit, so faith without works. But the term "without" is hardly strong enough to represent the Greek "apart from." Of our own human wisdom we had been rather inclined to say that works were likest to the body, and faith to the breath or animation thereof. "The Apostle's view," says Alford, "seems to be this, Faith is the body, the sum and substance of the Christian life; works (= obedience) the moving and quickening of that body, just as the spirit is the moving and quickening principle of the natural body. So that 'as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.' "Verse 26. - Conclusion of the whole matter: "As the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead."
Greek Asὥσπερ (hōsper) Adverb Strong's 5618: Just as, as, even as. From hos and per; just as, i.e. Exactly like. the τὸ (to) Article - Nominative Neuter Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. body σῶμα (sōma) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular Strong's 4983: Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively. without χωρὶς (chōris) Preposition Strong's 5565: Apart from, separately from; without. Adverb from chora; at a space, i.e. Separately or apart from. [the] spirit πνεύματος (pneumatos) Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. dead, νεκρόν (nekron) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular Strong's 3498: (a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead. so οὕτως (houtōs) Adverb Strong's 3779: Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows). faith πίστις (pistis) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 4102: Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. without χωρὶς (chōris) Preposition Strong's 5565: Apart from, separately from; without. Adverb from chora; at a space, i.e. Separately or apart from. deeds ἔργων (ergōn) Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural Strong's 2041: From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. dead. νεκρά (nekra) Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 3498: (a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead. Links James 2:26 NIVJames 2:26 NLT James 2:26 ESV James 2:26 NASB James 2:26 KJV James 2:26 BibleApps.com James 2:26 Biblia Paralela James 2:26 Chinese Bible James 2:26 French Bible James 2:26 Catholic Bible NT Letters: James 2:26 For as the body apart (Ja Jas. Jam) |
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