Faith Without Works Is Dead
What is the meaning of James 2:14?
There is perhaps no more controversial scripture in the Bible than this gem from James:
What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? (James 2:14)
Since this seems to contradict what Paul says – “We’re not justified by works, but faith alone” (Gal. 2:16) – people have come up with some strange conclusions:
- Paul and James preached different gospels
- James did not really understand grace
- putting James in the Bible was a mistake
- James is not talking about works for salvation but other kinds of works
Let me suggest that these conclusions are wrong. There is only one gospel, the gospel of grace, and both James and Paul preached it.
And both men preached justification by faith. James does so just a few verses later when he says “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness” (Jas 2:23).
But then James adds:
You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. (James 2:24)
Which kinda sounds like James is changing his mind from verse to verse:
- Abraham believed and was reckoned righteous
- You see? He was justified by works and not faith alone!
Make up your mind, James.
Or maybe, James isn’t flip-flopping but he has a specific definition of works in mind.
Faith without works
When we think of works, we tend to think of the dead works of self-improvement. “I must do this and that to make myself right with God.”
But James is talking about faith works. What are works of faith? He’s just told us: Abraham believed.
James is talking to Jews who believed in God but they weren’t sure about his Son Jesus. To say “faith without works in dead” means “having faith in God without believing in the One he sent means your faith is useless.”
Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ is the action that reveals our faith. It may seem strange to think of believing as a work, but believing in Jesus is the work of God (see John 6:29).
Faith vs believing
The Biblical word for faith is a noun (it means persuasion or conviction), but believing is a verb. If faith is the state of being persuaded that God saves you by grace alone, then believing is the verb or activity that flows from that persuasion.
We do not believe in order to create faith. Rather, believing is the action that reveals our faith. “Having the same spirit of faith… we also believe” (2 Cor. 4:13).
But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. (James 1:22)
To be a doer of the word is to receive, with humility, the word of truth that can save our souls (Jas. 1:21). To receive is to accept, believe, trust, and rely on the promises of God regarding our salvation.
James does not leave us guessing when it comes to works of faith. He says we need to
- submit and draw near to God (Jas. 4:7–8)
- humble ourselves and receive his grace (Jas. 4:6, 10)
- hold onto the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ (Jas. 2:1)
Sadly, many think that James is preaching good works or charitable works as a substitute or complement to faith. As a result, they try to balance the grace of God with their works.
“I am saved by grace, but I have to prove my salvation through good works.”
There is no balancing grace with works (Rom. 11:6). It’s one or the other, not both. Any works done to earn or maintain right standing with God are dead works.
Faith by itself is dead
Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. (James 2:17)
We are all creatures of faith, but unless our faith is in the Savior, ours is a dead or useless faith (Jas. 2:20, 26). Faith in Christ leads to eternal life (John 3:16), but faith in anything else leads to death.
John Calvin famously said that faith alone justifies, and yet the faith which justifies is never alone. In other words, faith in Christ will lead to good works, and those works prove that one has faith in Christ.
While it is true that right living follows right believing (Matt. 5:16, Eph. 2:10), James is not discussing charity or works of service in general. He is talking about salvation (Jas. 2:14), justification (Jas. 2:21, 24–25), and being made right with God (Jas 2:23).
In this context, the work that counts is believing in Jesus Christ.
—–
Extracted and adapted from The Grace Bible: James.
Grace Glossary word of the week: Faith. Read more about works of faith.
Get grace every week by email:
Escape to Reality 
It always seems when I need clarification on something, I can always count on one of your postings for my spirit man to say, yea, that’s right! Thanks again, Paul.
Amen! This is great clarification. You articulate so well what many kind of know but have a hard time putting into words.
I agree with all you have said, that both James and Paul were not in contradiction on Grace. But you have talked about Calvin and you have inferenced: “In other words, faith in Christ will lead to good works, and those works prove that one has faith in Christ.”
I think it is these good works that come out of having faith in Christ that James is talking about. I would also want to believe that works are actionables and they produce fruit. It’s like believing that flipping a switch will produce light, but I don’t wake up to do exactly that. So I stay in darkness. Faith & believing lead to action as evidence. Think of the 4 look lepers.
The charitable works we do are a fruit, not a root, and James list a few examples. However, in chapter 2 he is addressing the unbelieving Jews. He is talking about their useless faith. The Jews believed in God but not the one he sent. The context is saving faith (Jas. 2:14) and justification (Jas. 2:24). More here.
“Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ is the action that reveals our faith. It may seem strange to think of believing as a work, but believing in Jesus is the work of God (see John 6:29).”
Another jaw dropping moment! Thank you
Amazing how simple The Truth is, but seems to take a ‘revelation’ to ‘get it’.
Thank you again!!!
Actually, take a look at the “works” that James cited: Abraham was being asked to sacrifice his son Isaac, and Rahab decided to betray her country to side with the Israelites. Last time I checked, these were NOT works of the Law of Moses.
It would, on the surface, be rather counterintuitive to state that the work to which James is referring is believing in Jesus Christ when Jesus Christ was yet in the future with reference to the examples he cited. However, Abraham said, in regard to negotiating on behalf of the Cities of the Plain, that the Judge of all the Earth would do right, and acted in obedience. And at some level, I I would think that Rahab thought the same thing. Of course, in the future, the Son of that same God became the Man that would be called Jesus Christ. After all, “Before Abraham was, I AM”.
I explain how the faith of Abraham and Rahab was revealed by their actions here.
Hi Bro.
Paul: Thank you! For an outstanding interpretation of an oft misused Scripture.
Sincerely,
Bro. Ford
AMEN and Hal-le-eh-Iu-yah ( done in a sing songy voice) as this just makes my spirit,heart and soul sing !still need constantly reminding by Holy Spirit of John 6 and also why Abraham was righteous in Gods eyes as this “works thingmentality (”doing other than just believing which is the only doing//works that the Lord desires requires) is so sneaky and just creeps in and before I know it I’m out trying to slog my guts out to please the Lord again by some other works apart from just believing. Thanks for explaining and reminding me again Paul needed to hear this AGAIN and again and again ……………..
Hi Paul. I get where your coming from in that right believing equals right living, however you can’t dodge the fact that James taken in context is addressing inequality and bias within the church and a need to put faith into action in caring for the poor. To ignore this is, I believe, a disservice to the Gospel of Grace. I have found those engaged in service and ‘good works’ grow in faith and connection with God where as a passive ‘only believe’ believer will struggle. I do understand having spent half my life in behavioural Christianity the dangers of a works gospel which breeds self righteousness or condemnation however there is a maturity of relationship that produces balance and fruitfulness.
Blessings,
Graham
Hi Graham, I don’t dodge those other passages. I cover them line by line in the Grace Commentary. However, my focus in this article is with those works that James says save us and justify us before God. “A man is justified by works…” (Jas. 2:24).
I am sure you will agree that we are not justified by works of charity or service to the poor. Our good works do nothing to atone for our sin. There is only one work that matters in this regard, and that is the work of believing in the One God sent (John 6:29). Confusion over different works leads to dead works and the very sort of self righteousness you mentioned.
Same as when Paul said “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved”
I am in full agreement with this piece (peace?}. The work that has saved us was completed on the cross. There is nothing more for us to add except to see, accept and be grateful; in other words, embrace Grace. I think the problem lies in our nature. Humans like to be busy and like to have a plan. We like to see the map, and the gospel of Grace is freeing but leaves many wondering, “Now what?” This is where the problems start. We then grab onto works-based salvation with a ferocious “can do”enthusiasm gaining nothing of the blissful peace Jesus has secured for us.
On the other hand, are we to believe that Jesus wants us to proceed as before, Just with the assurance that all our poor choices and unworthy acts will be forgiven? No, I should think not. True belief aka faith is proved by better choices. It is a process, not a project, or at least not our project. Our faith is proved by the changes in our thoughts, words and deeds that true belief has rendered. These are the works that justify us and remarkably, these works are still not our own. They are all His. We must lay our flesh down and cooperate. That’s it.
Blessings to all.
I think this is also a wrong conclusion, Paul. The verses immediately that preceed (v. 14 – 16) demonstrate that James WAS referring to “charitable acts,” or however you want to refer to it. Furthermore, if James is addressing what to “do” with Jesus, hey would he use Abraham as an example?
I think this passage can be summarized this way. If works (charitable acts) don’t accompany faith, the faith is “dead” in the sense that it is void of life, vitality, power. It doesn’t mean that saving faith is absent, but rather it’s useless. Paul refers to Abraham’s act of belief in Genesis 15. James references Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac in Genesis 22. It’s strange that hardly anyone ever point out that the “act” of Abraham is not the same one mentioned in both Paul’s and James’ writings.
James is not providing charity- or service-tests for our faith. He’s not providing any test other than the one Jesus gives in John 6:29. He is saying, “Just as talk without deeds is empty and vain, so, too, faith without deeds is useless.” Faith that is unaccompanied by the work of believing in Jesus is dead and cannot save you.
Like Paul, James quotes Gen 15:6 when he says “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” You can’t get much clearer than that. Having established that Abraham was credited righteous on account of his faith (just like Paul), he discusses the sacrifice of Isaac. I talk about the significance of that deed here.
If James was talking about the “work” of faith in Jesus Christ, he ample opportunity to make that clear, and he failed miserably. Additionally, why is “works” plural?
I don’t want to get into anymore of a debate as it will be fruitless. I appreciate MANY MANY MANY things that you write, I just happen to disagree here.
After rebuking unbelievers for being foolish fellows (Jas. 2:20) and sinners (Jas. 4:8) who lack saving faith (Jas. 2:14) and remain enemies of God (Jas. 4:4), James exhorts them to submit and draw near to God (Jas. 4:7–8), humble themselves and receive his grace (Jas. 4:6, 10). Seems clear to me. Using the same examples and quoting the same scriptures that Paul quotes is the icing on the cake.
I still don’t buy it. He doesn’t even say the name “Jesus” in the passage. But I think the ultimate takeaway we both agree on: don’t look to your works as “proof” of your salvation. Look to Jesus.
James is talking about salvation and justification (Jas. 2:14, 21, 24, 25). If your faith is dead (Jas. 2:17, 26) and useless (Jas. 2:20), that means it is not good for salvation and justification. “Can that faith save him?” (Jas. 2:10). Dead and useless mean dead and useless. It does not mean it is really saving faith but you just can’t see it.
To say we make our faith come alive or prove our faith through acts of charity, is to suggest we save ourselves with our good works. 2 + 2 = 4 James does not say this. As I mentioned in my earlier comment, he spells out what works we have in mind. We don’t need to guess.
As to your other points: (1) the word for works is the same word Jesus uses when discussing the work of God in John 6:29. (2) James does not refer to “Jesus” but to the “Lord Jesus Christ,” and he does it twice. This is really something when you remember he is writing to Jews. He is saying that Jesus is not only their awaited Messiah or Christ, but he is also Lord or supreme above all. James does not mince his words.
I understand what you mean that James is saying the work is to believe on Jesus for salvation. My only issue is then why does James say “justified by WORKS and not faith alone”? If the only work is the believe on Jesus why is James using works as plural mean more than work?
The unbelieving Jews had faith in God (Jas. 2:19) but they did not do the work of God, which is believe in the One he sent. The word for work here in James is the same word used by Jesus in John 6:29.
I understand that, but why didn’t James just say “Even so faith, if it hath not the work, is dead, being alone.”? James 2:17. I know the word work that Jesus and James say are both the same, but Jeus only said one work which is to believe on Him, while James is saying works implying you have to multiple works.
A better question is why the translators sometimes translate the original word as work and other times as works, as you can see here.
The word used in John 6 is the singular nominative in Greek which is ‘ergon’. In James 2, the plural accusative is used which is ‘erga’. James continues to use the plural all throughout when he talks about works. I admire your work on the blog but this interpretation seems like a bit of a stretch. Plus you didn’t actually answer his question or the question you raised as to why the translators translate the same word differently since it seems to me that your implying there’s more it it than a simple translation of the Greek text.
Also, on what basis do you claimed that James is addressing “unbelieving” Jews?
I see that now. Thanks for pointing that out. I did not realize the BLB, eSword and others omitted plurals from their definitions and I take back what I said about translators. However, the larger point stands. Works of faith all stem from the work of faith which is believing in the One God sent. You can’t have the former without the latter, because the work and works of faith are one and the same. Hence James’ rebuke. Those who believed in God the Father but not the Son had a dead and useless faith. Faith in anything other than the Savior can’t save you.
On what basis do I claim James is addressing “unbelieving” Jews? James wrote to the scattered (Jewish) tribes meeting in synagogues and churches. Some were unbelievers; others were not. One letter, two messages. More here.
Thank you for the explanations. It really helps. Please advise me when you have free edition of this James book for your Ethiopian readers. God bless you.
You can read my James commentary free on the Grace Commentary.
Thank you and God bless you!
I think I understand this now dear Pastor Paul…
Just as Jesus told the Jews, “If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham. But now you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing.” John 40. And in John 8 verse 56: “Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see My day. He saw it and was glad.” 57
I live in Israel, and I always hear Orthodox Jews say they believe in YHWH, but they say Jesus is not YHWH and he is not his Son. So that’s what James is talking about in his epistle… saying you believe in YHWH and not believing in his Son is a dead faith.
Just as Jesus said to them back in the day: “On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers'” (Matthew 7:21-23). Meaning just as today Jews scream “Moshiah! Moshiah!” (Messiah! Messiah!) they believed a lot of False Messiahs who came and perished. Unless they believe in Jesus the Messiah their faith is in vain. Which is what James is also speaking of.
I’m I correct? did I get you right dear Paul?
That is exactly what James is saying and it sounds like something James would continue to say today. “Believing in God is not enough – even the demons do that. Believe in the One he sent.” Thanks for the insight into Jewish orthodoxy.
Hi there!
I really enjoyed reading this post. Your explanation of faith and works is both insightful and thought-provoking. The way you clarify the true meaning of this Scripture brings such clarity and encouragement. Thank you for sharing such a powerful and well-articulated message!