Faith and Works Together

2:14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters,24 if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can this kind of faith25 save him?26 2:15 If a brother or sister27 is poorly clothed and lacks daily food, 2:16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm and eat well,” but you do not give them what the body needs,28 what good is it? 2:17 So also faith, if it does not have works, is dead being by itself. 2:18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.”29 Show me your faith without works and I will show you faith by30 my works. 2:19 You believe that God is one; well and good.31 Even the demons believe that—and tremble with fear.32

2:20 But would you like evidence,33 you empty fellow,34 that faith without works is useless?35 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 2:22 You see that his faith was working together with his works and his faith was perfected by works. 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Now Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness,”36 and he was called God’s friend.37 2:24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 2:25 And similarly, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another way? 2:26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.