James 2:26 (DRB)

Passage

For even as the body without the spirit is dead: so also faith without works is dead.

Nearby Context

James 2:24 Do you see that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only?

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

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

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "Spirit", "faith", "even", "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 "And in like manner also Rahab the...", 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.