Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary James 2:26

"For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead." — James 2:26 (ASV)

The argument of vv.18–25 concludes with a statement that cites the human body as an illustration. “The body without the spirit” is nothing but a corpse. “Faith without deeds” is as dead as a corpse and equally useless. James does not imply that deeds are the actual life principle that gives life to faith, but only that faith and deeds are inseparable.