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Yes, a man will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I by my works will show you my faith.
Verse Takeaways
1
An Impossible Challenge
Scholars explain that James is issuing a rhetorical challenge: "Show me your faith without works." The point is that this is impossible. Faith is an internal reality, and the only way to demonstrate its existence to others is through the external evidence of good works. A claim to faith without any corresponding action is an empty, unprovable boast.
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James
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7
18th Century
Presbyterian
Yea, a man may say, etc. The word that is translated "yea," (alla), would be better translated as "but." The apostle int…
Yea, a man will say (αλλ' ερε τις). Future active of ειπον. But αλλ' here is almost certainly adversative (But some one will say),…
19th Century
Anglican
Indeed, a man may say . . .—The meaning of this verse is commonly misunderstood. Its words are those of scorn, likely uttered by a…
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James next proceeds to develop the argument in support of his proposition. His first point is that deeds are necessary to prove that a person has f…
16th Century
Protestant
Yea, a man may say. Erasmus introduces here two persons as speakers: one of whom boasts of faith without works, and the other of works wit…
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
Yea, a man may say, you have faith, and I have works That is, a true believer in Christ may very justly call upon a vain …
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Those who substitute a mere intellectual belief in the gospel for the entirety of evangelical religion, as many do today, are mistaken. Undoubtedly…
