"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
— James 2:17 (NIV)
James 2:17 is the "faith without works is dead" verse, the center of James's teaching that real faith shows up in what a person does. This page gives the verse, what the key words mean, where it sits in James 2, and a plain reading. For more on the theme, see Bible verses about faith, Ephesians 2:8-9, and Love and faith.
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The verse
The King James reads: "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."
"Faith" is pistis (G4102), trust or confidence. "Action" (KJV "works") is ergon (G2041), deeds or work done. "Dead" is nekros (G3498), lifeless.
Where it sits in James 2
James opens the section with a question: "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).
He gives an example. "Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?" (James 2:15-16). Verse 17 draws the conclusion. Verse 18 follows: "Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds." The section closes, "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead" (James 2:26).
What the verse is saying
James is not adding works to faith as a second way to earn God's favor. He is describing what living faith looks like. A faith that never moves toward a hungry neighbor is like a body with no breath in it.
Paul and James fit together here. Paul writes that "it is by grace you have been saved, through faith... not by works" (Ephesians 2:8-9), and the next verse says we are "created in Christ Jesus to do good works" (Ephesians 2:10). Paul also says what counts is "faith expressing itself through love" (Galatians 5:6). James is talking about the same faith from the outside: you can see it in what it does.
Questions people ask
What does James 2:17 say?
In the NIV it says, "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." The KJV reads, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."
What does "faith without works is dead" mean?
It means a faith that never shows up in action is not living faith. James uses the example of someone who wishes a hungry person well but gives them nothing.
Does James 2:17 contradict Paul?
No. Paul says salvation is by grace through faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9), and then says believers are created to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). James describes the same faith by its fruit: real faith acts.
Where is "faith without works is dead" in the Bible?
The idea appears in James 2:17, 2:20, and 2:26. Verse 26 says, "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."
What verses go with James 2:17?
Ephesians 2:8-9 (saved by grace through faith), Hebrews 11:6 (without faith it is impossible to please God), and Galatians 2:20 (I live by faith in the Son of God) are close companions.
