Bible Study on James 2:17 ("Faith without works is dead")
James 2:17
“In the same way faith, if it does not have works, is dead by itself.” (CSB)
Welcome to the Bible Study Guide for James 2:17, which leverages questions from the CHARA Bible Study Guide when studying this verse. Below are the questions the Chara team chose to ask, in the order they chose to ask them, but feel free to use other questions or change up the order as you dive into this passage. For ANSWERS from the Chara team on these questions, check out the video below.
This Chara-in-Action study explores a concept that we find repeated in James chapter 2 - faith without works is dead (James 2:17,26). Some may question if James contradicts Paul, who repeatedly states that one is saved by faith and not by works of the law in his letters, such as Ephesians 2:8-9 (Bible study available) and Romans 3:20,29. So what did James mean? What is the relationship between faith and works? Let’s dive in and find out!
RESEARCH
Observations & Questions: What observations or questions do you have when you read James 2:17?
Translations: Does another Bible translation (or version) add perspective or clarity on what the original language was trying to communicate? (Hint: check out how the NIV and NLT translate the word “works” in James 2:17)
CONTEXT
Immediate: What is the theme or main idea found in the surrounding paragraph(s) and how does that help determine what the verse means? First read James 2:14-26 to get the big picture of what James was communicating. Then break this into three sections and look for the point being made in each:
James 2:14-17
How does this help you understand what James meant by “works?” What was James trying to emphasize by repeating the rhetorical question, “what good is it?” in verses 14 and 16?
James 2:18-19
Notice that James 2:18 begins with “But someone will say.” James now introduces a hypothetical opponent that challenges that works are of greater importance than faith. This challenge continues in verse 19 - belief in God isn’t enough, even the demons believe that God exists, but they haven’t placed their trust in Him! What is the point that James is trying to make? What makes faith a trusting faith and not merely a historical or knowing faith?
Hint: This trusting faith “relies upon the death of Jesus Christ on the cross in the place of sinners. There Jesus bore the punishment of sinners upon himself so that now God promises to treat as righteous those who believe in his name… so now all who repent of their sins, abandon hope of being made right with God on the basis of their own good works, and trust only in the mercy of God offered in the death of Jesus Christ in their place, will be saved.” Mark DeVine, CSB Study Bible
James 2:20-26
Verse 22 highlights the relationship between works and faith. Try reading this verse in a couple translations and paraphrasing it into your own words.
Use cross references if you’d like to learn more about Abraham or Rahab (Hint: both are mentioned in Hebrews 11, the chapter that many refer to as the “faith hall of fame.” In Hebrews 11:17-19, notice what Abraham placed his trust in).
CONTEXT
Book: Is the theme repeated throughout the book and how does it fit within the overall purpose of the book? James also spoke about the relationship between faith and works in James 1:22-25. How did James describe the person who is only a hearer of the word and not a doer also?
HISTORY
Who was it written to and how does the Bible describe them? (Hint: see James 1:1-3 and 2:1-7)
AUTHOR
Purpose: What was the author's purpose, why was it written, and what insight does it provide into the passage? How does knowing a bit about who James wrote this letter to, help you better understand his purpose? (Hint: see also the book intro in a Study Bible)
CONTEXT
Bible: Does my interpretation hold true throughout the rest of the Bible? Oftentimes this passage by James is held up against Paul’s teachings to try to prove the Bible contradicts itself. James says faith without works is dead and yet Paul says we are saved by faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:20, Titus 3:5-7). Remember the Key Principle: The Bible cannot contradict itself. Your interpretation of a passage cannot be in conflict with what is clearly taught somewhere else in the Bible. Do they both state that faith is essential for salvation? Yes! But we have to keep in mind the purpose of the author: Paul showed Gentile and Jewish believers that Christ met the demands of the law, bringing salvation and unity to these believers, and James called Jewish believers to maturity in their faith, emphasizing God’s moral standards as fruit of a true saving faith. Norman Gieser adds some clarity when he wrote, “Paul is speaking about justification before God (which is by faith alone), whereas James is referring to justification before men (who cannot see our faith, but only our works).” Add to all of this, that in Galatians 2:1-10 Paul went before the leaders in Jerusalem, which included James, and he presented the message he was sharing on his missionary journeys, and they approved of his message. So James and Paul weren’t contradicting each other - they were just emphasizing two parts of the same story. How does understanding the context around both Paul and James’ messages help us understand the points they were trying to make about faith?
APPLY
Yield: What personal, cultural, or religious bias and assumptions do you bring to the text? What do you need to surrender, if anything, to be in harmony with the Bible?
Ask: What do you learn about God?
Pray: “Lord, what do you want me to learn and how should I apply this to my life?”
Join the Chara Project team as they study James 2:17 and see their ANSWERS to the questions asked from the CHARA Bible Study Guide.