James 2:20
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
James 2:20 in other translations
| BSB | O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is worthless? |
|---|---|
| WEB | But do you want to know, vain man, that faith apart from works is dead? |
| ASV | But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren? |
| YLT | And dost thou wish to know, O vain man, that the faith apart from the works is dead? |
| DARBY | But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? |
| BBE | Do you not see, O foolish man, that faith without works is of no use? |
| Webster | But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? |
What does James 2:20 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
O vain man. The reference by this language is to a man who held an opinion that could not be defended. The word vain here used, (κενος,) means properly empty, as opposed to full--as empty hands, having nothing in them; then fruitless, or without utility or success; then false, fallacious. The meaning here, properly, would be "empty," in the sense of being void of understanding; and this would be a mild and gentle way of saying of one that he was foolish, or that he to maintained an argument that was without sense. James means, doubtless, represent it as a perfectly plain matter, a matter about which no man of sense could have any reasonable doubt. If we must call a man foolish, as is sometimes necessary, let us use as mild and inoffensive a term as possible--a term which, while it will convey our meaning, will not unnecessarily wound and irritate. That faith without works is dead. That the faith which does not produce good works is useless in the matter of salvation, he does not mean to say that it would produce no effect, for in the case of the demons it did produce trembling and alarm; but that it would be valueless in the matter of salvation. The faith of Abraham and of Rahab was entirely different from this.
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on James 2:14-26
Those are wrong who put a mere notional belief of the gospel for the whole of evangelical religion, as many now do. No doubt, true faith alone, whereby men have part in Christ's righteousness, atonement, and grace, saves their souls; but it produces holy fruits, and is shown to be real by its effect on their works; while mere assent to any form of doctrine, or mere historical belief of any facts, wholly differs from…
James 2:20 in the original Greek
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Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for James 2:20
- James 2:17
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
- James 2:26
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
- Proverbs 12:11
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
- Romans 1:21
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
- Psalms 94:8-11
Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see? He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know? The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
- Galatians 6:3
For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
- 1 Timothy 1:6
From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
- James 1:26
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
- Colossians 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
- Jeremiah 2:5
Thus saith the Lord, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?
- Titus 1:10
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
- Job 11:11-12
For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it? For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- James 2:19
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
- James 2:20
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
- James 2:21
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
James 2:20 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | ¿Mas quieres saber, hombre vano, que la fe sin obras es muerta? |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Mais veux-tu savoir, ô homme vain, que la foi sans les œuvres est morte? |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Willst du aber wissen, o eitler Mensch, daß der Glaube ohne die Werke tot ist? |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Vis autem scire, o homo inanis, quoniam fides sine operibus mortua est? |