Devine Scripture

James 2:18

What does James 2:18 mean?

A plain-English look at James 2:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What James 2:18 means

James anticipates an objector who tries to divide the gifts: “You have faith, and I have works.” He answers that faith cannot be shown apart from works, while works demonstrate faith. The issue is visibility and verification. Real faith is not a private sentiment locked inside; it becomes public through obedience and love. James does not pit works against faith; he binds them, insisting that works are faith’s evidence. If someone claims faith yet refuses the path of action, there is nothing to see—no proof that trust in God has taken root. By contrast, faithful deeds let others behold faith embodied.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Yea, a man will say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith apart from thy works, and I by my works will show thee my faith.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Yea, a man will say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith apart from thy works, and I by my works will show thee my faith.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But a man may say, You have faith and I have works; let me see your faith without your works, and I will make my faith clear to you by my works.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

But say may some one, Thou hast faith, and I have works, shew me thy faith out of thy works, and I will shew thee out of my works my faith:

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But some man will say: Thou hast faith, and I have works. Shew me thy faith without works; and I will shew thee, by works, my faith.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But some one will say, Thou hast faith and I have works. Shew me thy faith without works, and I from my works will shew thee my faith.

Context

This exchange follows the declaration that faith without works is dead (v. 17) and sets up the critique of bare belief in verse 19. It advances the argument from principle to demonstration: faith must be seen. The flow then turns to rebuke in verse 20 and to scriptural examples (vv. 21–25) where faith’s genuineness is displayed by costly obedience. Verse 18 thus bridges the general claim and the concrete illustrations that follow.

v.17Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself.

v.18This passage

v.19Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and shudder.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • James 2:14

    What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not works? can that faith save him?

  • 2 Corinthians 5:17

    Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.

  • 1 Thessalonians 1:3

    remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father;

  • James 2:22

    Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect;

  • James 3:13

    Who is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom.

  • 1 Timothy 1:5

    But the end of the charge is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith unfeigned:

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore James 2

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on James 2.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to James 2:18.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary