Bible Chapter Summary
James 2 Summary
Faith Without Works Is Dead
James condemns showing partiality to the rich over the poor, charging that God chose the poor to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom. He teaches that fulfilling the law of love toward one's neighbor is right, but showing favoritism breaks that law. He declares that faith without works is dead, using examples of Abraham and Rahab to show that true faith is made perfect through deeds: as a body without spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.
Key themes
Key verses
James 2:8-9
“If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.”
James 2:14
“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?”
James 2:21-22
“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?”
James 2:26
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
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