James teaches that faith without works is dead (James 2:17, 20, 26): living faith shows itself in deeds, not empty words. Jesus likewise warns that saying "Lord, Lord" is not enough without doing the Father's will (Matthew 7:21), and John urges love in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18).
"Faith without works is dead" is one of Scripture's clearest calls to a lived-out trust in God. These twelve King James passages center on James 2 and related texts about doing, not merely hearing—distinct from a general faith page that emphasizes trusting God for salvation and daily reliance.
James: faith that works
1. James 2:14
"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?"
What does it profit if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? James presses the gap between claim and life.
2. James 2:17
"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Faith that never acts is not living faith.
3. James 2:18
"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."
Someone may say, "Thou hast faith, and I have works": show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.
4. James 2:20
"But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"
Wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? James calls empty profession vanity.
Faith made perfect
5. James 2:22
"Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?"
Abraham's faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect—obedience completed what trust began.
6. James 2:24
"Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only."
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. James speaks of a demonstrated, visible righteousness of life.
7. James 2:26
"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Works are to faith what breath is to a body.
8. Galatians 5:6
"For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love."
In Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails, but faith which worketh by love. Living faith expresses itself through love.
Doers, not hearers only
9. Matthew 7:21
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom, but he that doeth the will of my Father. Words without obedience do not suffice.
10. Matthew 7:24-25
"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock."
Whoever hears Jesus' sayings and does them is like a wise man who built on rock. Hearing plus doing withstands the storm.
11. 1 John 3:18
"My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth."
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. Love proves itself in action.
12. Ephesians 2:10
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Grace produces a path of good works.
A short prayer
Father, save me from a faith that is words only. By Your Spirit, let my trust in Christ work by love—hearing and doing Your will. Make my faith alive in deed and in truth. In Jesus' name, amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
Download our free SOAP study page · Get the SOAP Bible Study Journal
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Bible say faith without works is dead?
James 2:17, James 2:20, and James 2:26. James 2:26 compares it to a body without the spirit.
Does James contradict Paul on justification?
Paul stresses we are justified by faith apart from works of the law (e.g. Romans 3–4); James insists living faith is evidenced by works. Together they oppose both legalism and empty profession.
What does "faith which worketh by love" mean?
Galatians 5:6: the faith that counts in Christ is not empty ritual but trust that expresses itself through love.
How do I know if my faith is alive?
James asks whether faith shows in mercy, obedience, and deeds (James 2). 1 John 3:18 points to love in deed and truth, not tongue alone.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about faith · Bible verses about love · Bible verses about humility · Bible verses about forgiveness · Bible verses about the fruit of the Spirit
Explore more: All Bible verses by topic · KJV Bible verses · Verse of the day · Prayers · Bible study · Bible reading plans
