James 2:14

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

What good is it, my brothers [and sisters], if a person says he has faith but does not have [good] deeds? Can such faith save him?

Cross References

Matthew 5:20

For I say to you people, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven unless what you do that is right excels what the experts in the Law of Moses and the Pharisees [i.e., a strict sect of the Jewish religion] do that is right.

Luke 3:11

And he answered them, “The person who has two coats should give [one of them] to the person who does not have any; and the person who has food should do the same thing.”

Luke 6:49

But the person who hears [my words] and does not obey them is like a man who built a house on the ground, without a foundation. [When] the river pounded against it, immediately it collapsed and the destruction of that house was complete.”

Acts 15:9

And He did not discriminate between us [i.e., Jews] and them [i.e., Gentiles], cleansing their hearts [also] by faith [in Jesus].

Acts 8:13

And [this] Simon also believed [Philip’s message] and was immersed. [After that] he continued [to travel] with Philip and was amazed by the [supernatural] signs and great miracles he saw [him perform].

Acts 8:21

You do not have any share or involvement in this matter because your heart is not right before God.

Romans 2:25

Now the practice of circumcision [i.e., the Jewish rite of identity, signifying the responsibility to observe the Law of Moses] is worthwhile, providing you obey [the rest of] the Law of Moses. But if you disobey the law, you might as well have never been circumcised.

1 Corinthians 15:2

[and] you have been saved by it also, if you hold on to it firmly [i.e., continue believing and practicing it]. For if you do not [hold on to it firmly], you will have believed [it] all for nothing.

1 Corinthians 16:22

If anyone [there] does not love the Lord, he deserves to be cut off from God. O Lord, come [back soon]

Galatians 5:13

For you brothers were called [by God] to enjoy your freedom; but do not use this freedom as an excuse for living a sinful life; instead, use it to render loving service to each other.

Galatians 5:6

For in [our relationship with] Christ neither the practice of circumcision nor refraining from its practice matters in any way; but [all that really matters is having a genuine] faith [in Christ] that causes us to work [for Him] out of a genuine love [for Him and others].

1 Thessalonians 1:3

We continually remember, in the presence of our God and Father, the work produced by your faith, the labor prompted by your love, and your endurance motivated by your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy 1:5

But the goal of this instruction is [to] love [God and people] from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith.

1 Timothy 4:8

For physical training is useful to some extent [or, “for a short time”], but living godly is useful in every way, for it promises benefits [not only] for the present life, but [also] for the life to come.

Titus 1:16

These people claim to know God [as Savior], but they deny Him by their actions, so they are detestable and disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

Titus 3:8

This saying is trustworthy and I want you [in your teaching] to affirm these things with confidence, so that those people who have trusted God will be careful to devote themselves to doing good deeds. These things [i.e., just mentioned] are good and profitable for people [to do].

Hebrews 11:17

By [having] faith, when Abraham was tested [by God], he offered Isaac [as a sacrifice]. [Even though] he had received the promises [of having many descendants], he was ready to offer his only conceived [and eventually born] son,

Hebrews 13:9

Do not continue to be swept off your course by all kinds of strange teachings. For it is good for your hearts to be strengthened by God’s unearned favor [upon you] and not by [keeping regulations about] foods, which do not benefit those who observe them.

James 1:16

[So], do not be deceived, my dearly loved brothers.

James 2:16

and one of you says to him, “Go [and be] at peace; keep warm and eat well,” and yet you do not give him anything for his physical needs, what good is that?

James 2:18

But someone may say, “You have faith and I have [good] deeds.” [I reply], show me your faith without your [good] deeds, and I will show you my faith by my [good] deeds.

James 2:26

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without [good] deeds is dead.

2 Peter 1:5

And for this very reason, you people should make every effort to develop goodness along with your faith, and knowledge along with your goodness,