James 2:26 (YLT)

Passage

for as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also the faith apart from the works is dead.

Nearby Context

James 2:24 Ye see, then, that out of works is man declared righteous, and not out of faith only;

James 2:25 and in like manner also Rahab the harlot--was she not out of works declared righteous, having received the messengers, and by another way having sent forth?

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

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "Spirit", "faith", "body", "apart", "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.