James 2:24
What does James 2:24 mean?
A plain-English look at James 2:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What James 2:24 means
James concludes: you see that a person is justified by works and not only by faith. He addresses the kind of faith in view—“only” a claim that lacks deeds. Works do not compete with faith; they demonstrate it. In God’s saving economy, the faith that receives righteousness is living, and therefore it is accompanied by obedience. Justification, in James’s usage here, is the public vindication of a person’s claim to faith by visible fruit. Thus, the church must not content itself with professions that leave lives unchanged, but should look for the obedience that faith inevitably yields.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949You see that a man's righteousness is judged by his works and not by his faith only.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Ye see, then, that out of works is man declared righteous, and not out of faith only;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Do you see that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Ye see that a man is justified on the principle of works, and not on the principle of faith only.
Context
This general statement follows Abraham’s case (vv. 21–23) and prepares to confirm the point by a second witness, Rahab, in verse 25. The flow emphasizes that James argues against “faith alone” understood as barren profession, not against faith as the means of receiving righteousness. The next verse will show the same synergy of faith and action in someone far removed from Abraham in status and story, reinforcing that this is the universal pattern.
v.23and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God.
v.24This passage
v.25And in like manner was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works, in that she received the messengers, and sent them out another way?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- James 2:15
If a brother or sister be naked and in lack of daily food,
- James 2:21
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar?
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