James 2:26 (DBY)

Passage

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

Nearby Context

James 2:24 Ye see that a man is justified on the principle of works, and not on the principle of faith only.

James 2:25 But was not in like manner also Rahab the harlot justified on the principle of works, when she had received the messengers and put [them] forth by another way?

James 2:26 For as the body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "Spirit", "faith", "body", "without", "dead", 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 "But was not in like manner 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.