"But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" — James 2:20

James 2:20 · KJV

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

— James 2:20

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

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

James 2 — Context

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}

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

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

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? {Seest...: or, Thou seest}

Cross References

James 2:17

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

James 2:26

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. {spirit: or, breath}

Proverbs 12:11

He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain {persons is} void of understanding.

Romans 1:21

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified {him} not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Psalms 94:8-11

Understand, ye brutish among the people: and {ye} fools, when will ye be wise?

Galatians 6:3

For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

1 Timothy 1:6

From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; {having...: or, not aiming at}

Colossians 2:8

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. {rudiments: or, elements} {make a prey: or, seduce you, or, lead you astray}