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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

James 2:20–26

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

33 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 20

  1. James 2:17Rank 1 from verse 20
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    17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

  2. James 2:26Rank 2 from verse 20
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    26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

  3. Proverbs 12:11Rank 3 from verse 20
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    11He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

  4. Romans 1:21Rank 4 from verse 20
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    21Because 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.

  5. Galatians 6:3Rank 5 from verse 20
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    3For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

From verse 21

  1. Genesis 22:16–18Rank 1 from verse 21
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    16And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:

    17That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

    18And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

  2. Genesis 22:9–12Rank 2 from verse 21
    Open

    9And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.

    10And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.

    11And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.

    12And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

  3. John 8:39Rank 3 from verse 21
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    39They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

  4. Matthew 12:37Rank 4 from verse 21
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    37For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

  5. Romans 4:16Rank 5 from verse 21
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    16Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

From verse 22

  1. 1 Thessalonians 1:3Rank 1 from verse 22
    Open

    3Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

  2. Hebrews 11:17–19Rank 2 from verse 22
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    17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

    18Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

    19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

  3. 1 John 2:5Rank 3 from verse 22
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    5But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

  4. Galatians 5:6Rank 4 from verse 22
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    6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

  5. 1 John 4:17–18Rank 5 from verse 22
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    17Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

    18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

From verse 23

  1. Genesis 15:6Rank 1 from verse 23
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    6And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

  2. Isaiah 41:8Rank 2 from verse 23
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    8But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.

  3. 2 Chronicles 20:7Rank 3 from verse 23
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    7Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?

  4. Galatians 3:6Rank 4 from verse 23
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    6Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

  5. Romans 4:22–24Rank 5 from verse 23
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    22And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

    23Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

    24But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

From verse 24

  1. James 2:15–18Rank 1 from verse 24
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    15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

    16And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

    17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

    18Yea, 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.

  2. James 2:21–22Rank 2 from verse 24
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    21Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

    22Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

  3. Psalms 60:12Rank 3 from verse 24
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    12Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

From verse 25

  1. Hebrews 11:31Rank 1 from verse 25
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    31By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

  2. Joshua 6:22–25Rank 2 from verse 25
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    22But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot’s house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her.

    23And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel.

    24And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord.

    25And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.

  3. Joshua 2:19–21Rank 3 from verse 25
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    19And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.

    20And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.

    21And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.

  4. Joshua 2:15Rank 4 from verse 25
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    15Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.

  5. Joshua 2:4Rank 5 from verse 25
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    4And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were:

From verse 26

  1. James 2:20Rank 1 from verse 26
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    20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

  2. James 2:17Rank 2 from verse 26
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    17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

  3. James 2:14Rank 3 from verse 26
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    14What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

  4. Ecclesiastes 12:7Rank 4 from verse 26
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    7Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

  5. Psalms 104:29Rank 5 from verse 26
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    29Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

James 2:20

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

wilt

↗

Sense 1: Second-person singular present form of will: choosest, intendest, or art disposed to. Sense 2: As an auxiliary, marks future action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

know

↗

To perceive, understand, recognize, experience, or be assured of something.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

vain

↗

Empty, fruitless, ineffective, unprofitable, worthless, false, unsubstantial, or conceited.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

faith

↗

Sense 1: The substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen; trust, confidence, belief, persuasion, or reliance. Sense 2: Faithfulness, fidelity, or trustworthiness. Sense 3: The revealed truth or gospel believed and kept.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

without

↗

Outside or on the exterior; beyond a boundary; lacking, absent, free from, not accompanied by, or apart from the person, thing, condition, means, or relation named.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

works

↗

Plural of work: acts, deeds, labours, operations, products, or things made.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

dead

↗

Sense 1: Without life; deprived of life. Sense 2: Lifeless, inactive, insensible, or separated from a former state by figure.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

James 2:21

COMBINED MEANING

Abraham

↗

The patriarch formerly named Abram, whom God appointed to be a father of many nations.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

father

↗

Sense 1: A male parent or begetter. Sense 2: An ancestor, forefather, founder, source, originator, chief, elder, or one bearing paternal authority and care. Sense 3: God as Father, including the Father of Jesus Christ and of those described as his children.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

justified

↗

1. Declared righteous or acquitted. 2. Shown or proved to be right. 3. Comparatively shown to be more righteous.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

works

↗

Plural of work: acts, deeds, labours, operations, products, or things made.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

offered

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of offer, meaning to present, bring, give, propose, or attempt.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

son

↗

1. A male child or descendant. 2. One belonging to, related to, or characterized by the person, people, place, condition, or quality named.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

upon

↗

1. Marks the person, place, thing, or basis to which something is related: on or onto; above or over; toward or against as the target of action, speech, thought, attention, or force; resting on, assigned to, or affecting as a state, gift, burden, duty, guilt, or judgment; supported by or based on; or one placed, added, or repeated on or after another. 2. With a stated time or occasion, or a preceding event, at that time or point, or at or after that event: on, at, when, then, or following it.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

James 2:22

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

faith

↗

Sense 1: The substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen; trust, confidence, belief, persuasion, or reliance. Sense 2: Faithfulness, fidelity, or trustworthiness. Sense 3: The revealed truth or gospel believed and kept.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

wrought

↗

Worked, laboured, acted, made, formed, fashioned, performed, produced, or brought about.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

works

↗

Plural of work: acts, deeds, labours, operations, products, or things made.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

made

↗

Formed, caused, prepared, appointed, or brought into a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

perfect

↗

Complete, whole, sound, mature, upright, fully fitted, finished, exact, or lacking nothing required for the person, work, knowledge, state, purpose, or standard in view; to perfect is to bring to that intended completion or maturity.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

James 2:23

COMBINED MEANING

scripture

↗

The sacred writing or writings given by inspiration of God, whether taken collectively or as a particular passage.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

fulfilled

↗

Filled up, completed, accomplished, performed, satisfied, expired, or brought fully to the appointed result, measure, time, or realization.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Abraham

↗

The patriarch formerly named Abram, whom God appointed to be a father of many nations.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

believed

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of believe. Sense 1: To accept as true on testimony or evidence; to be persuaded. Sense 2: To trust or place confidence in.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

imputed

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of impute, meaning to reckon, attribute, or place to someone's account.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

called

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of call. Sense 1: To name. Sense 2: To summon or invite. Sense 3: To proclaim or address. Sense 4: To request.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

friend

↗

One joined to another by affection, goodwill, or alliance; to support or befriend.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

James 2:24

COMBINED MEANING

ye

↗

The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

see

↗

Sense 1: To perceive or behold with the eyes or in a vision. Sense 2: To observe, examine, discover, ascertain, consider, understand, know, or recognize. Sense 3: To visit, meet, converse with, or be in the presence of. Sense 4: To experience, undergo, endure, or enjoy. Sense 5: To attend to, take care, ensure, or beware.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

works

↗

Plural of work: acts, deeds, labours, operations, products, or things made.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

justified

↗

1. Declared righteous or acquitted. 2. Shown or proved to be right. 3. Comparatively shown to be more righteous.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

faith

↗

Sense 1: The substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen; trust, confidence, belief, persuasion, or reliance. Sense 2: Faithfulness, fidelity, or trustworthiness. Sense 3: The revealed truth or gospel believed and kept.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

James 2:25

COMBINED MEANING

likewise

↗

Sense 1: In the same, similar, or corresponding manner. Sense 2: In a matching case.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

harlot

↗

Sense 1: A woman who practises prostitution or sexual unfaithfulness. Sense 2: Figuratively, a person, city, or nation portrayed as unfaithful.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

justified

↗

1. Declared righteous or acquitted. 2. Shown or proved to be right. 3. Comparatively shown to be more righteous.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

works

↗

Plural of work: acts, deeds, labours, operations, products, or things made.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

received

↗

Past-tense or past-participial form of receive (to take, accept, admit, welcome, or obtain).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

messengers

↗

Persons who bear messages or errands; bearers of spoken or written communications or dispatches.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

out

↗

Outside, away from within, forth, absent, or no longer in a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

another

↗

1. In "one another" and like reciprocal or distributive constructions, each the other, or one in relation to the other or others. 2. One other, one more, or a different or additional person or thing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

James 2:26

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

body

↗

Sense 1: The material frame of a person or creature. Sense 2: A visible form, mass, or main substance. Sense 3: A unified whole or company composed of members. Sense 4: Substantial reality distinguished from a shadow.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

without

↗

Outside or on the exterior; beyond a boundary; lacking, absent, free from, not accompanied by, or apart from the person, thing, condition, means, or relation named.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

spirit

↗

Sense 1: An immaterial living or personal being distinct from a body. Sense 2: The inward life, disposition, mind, or courage of a person. Sense 3: The Holy Spirit, the divine Spirit of God.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

dead

↗

Sense 1: Without life; deprived of life. Sense 2: Lifeless, inactive, insensible, or separated from a former state by figure.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

faith

↗

Sense 1: The substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen; trust, confidence, belief, persuasion, or reliance. Sense 2: Faithfulness, fidelity, or trustworthiness. Sense 3: The revealed truth or gospel believed and kept.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

works

↗

Plural of work: acts, deeds, labours, operations, products, or things made.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

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21Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

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22Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

Selected passage

23And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Selected passage

24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Selected passage

25Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

Selected passage

26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

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