Table of Contents
James 2 KJV
1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
James 2 (New Testament)
7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
James 2 (New Testament)
13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 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.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
| Greek Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning (Hebrew Equivalent) | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| προσωπολημψία — prosōpolēmpsia | Verse 1 — “…with respect of persons.” | מַשּׂוֹא פָּנִים — massa panim (partiality) | Prosōpolēmpsia means unfair favoritism (“partiality”). James condemns distinctions based on appearance. The Hebrew term conveys judicial injustice. — Richard Trench, Synonyms (1896) |
| πτωχός — ptōchos | Verse 2 — “…poor man in vile raiment…” | עָנִי — ani (poor, afflicted) | Ptōchos emphasizes desperate poverty (“poor”). James elevates the lowly. The Hebrew term links poverty with God’s compassion. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary (1884) |
| κληρονόμος — klēronomos | Verse 5 — “…heirs of the kingdom…” | יוֹרֵשׁ — yoresh (heir) | Klēronomos denotes rightful inheritance (“heir”). James highlights eschatological hope. The Hebrew term connects inheriting with covenant. — Joseph Thayer, Lexicon (1889) |
| νόμος βασιλικός — nomos basilikos | Verse 8 — “…royal law…” | תּוֹרָה — torah (law/instruction) | Royal law signifies supreme ethical command (“law”). James roots it in Leviticus’ love command. The term fuses OT authority with Christian ethics. — Philip Schaff, Commentary (1882) |
| ἐλεός — eleos | Verse 13 — “…mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” | חֶסֶד — ḥesed (mercy/steadfast love) | Eleos denotes covenant compassion (“mercy”). James roots mercy in God’s character. The Hebrew equivalent expresses loyal love. — James Hastings, Dictionary of the Bible (1898) |
| πίστις — pistis | Verse 14 — “…if a man say he hath faith…” | אֱמוּנָה — emunah (faith/faithfulness) | Pistis expresses trustful reliance (“faith”). James distinguishes dead faith from living faith. The Hebrew term includes faithfulness in action. — Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon (1889) |
| ἔργα — erga | Verse 17 — “…faith without works…” | מַעֲשִׂים — ma’asim (works/deeds) | Erga emphasizes visible obedience (“works”). James insists that real faith produces action. The Hebrew counterpart is central in wisdom literature. — B. F. Westcott, Revelation of the Risen Lord (1898) |
| δικαιόω — dikaioō | Verse 24 — “…a man is justified by works…” | צָדַק — tsadaq (declare righteous) | Dikaioō means vindication by evidence (“justify”). James highlights the practical demonstration of faith. The Hebrew term emphasizes covenant fidelity. — Richard Trench, Synonyms (1896) |
| τελειόω — teleioō | Verse 22 — “…by works was faith made perfect…” | תָּמִים — tamim (complete/whole) | Teleioō signifies bringing to full maturity (“perfect”). James shows faith reaching completion through obedience. Hebrew parallels emphasize integrity. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary (1884) |
| πνεῦμα — pneuma | Verse 26 — “…the body without the spirit is dead…” | רוּחַ — ruach (spirit/wind) | Pneuma expresses life-breath (“spirit”). James uses anatomical analogy for living faith. The Hebrew word deepens the life-force imagery. — Joseph Henry Thayer, Lexicon (1889) |
Chapter 2
Verse: "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?" (James 2:14)
Lesson: This verse reminds us that faith is not just a matter of belief or confession, but it is also shown through our actions. Our faith should inspire us to love and serve others, and to live out what we believe.
Conclusion: We must not just claim to have faith, but we must also live it out in our daily lives. Our actions should reflect our beliefs and our love for God and others.
What's Next? Read Our Bible Verses About Life With Purpose and Encouragement
Prayer Points: Let us pray for the courage and strength to live out our faith in practical ways. Let us ask God to show us how we can love and serve those around us. Let us also pray for those who struggle to reconcile their beliefs with their actions, that they would find unity between the two.
What's Next? See our Inspirational Motivational Bible Quotes Today
