James 2:26 (ASV)

Passage

For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead.

Nearby Context

James 2:24 Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith.

James 2:25 And in like manner was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works, in that she received the messengers, and sent them out another way?

James 2:26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "Spirit", "faith", "body", "apart", "dead", "even", and "works". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "Spirit" and "faith", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The prior verse says "And in like manner was not also...", giving immediate footing for "Spirit" and "faith". In James context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "Spirit" and "faith" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.