7 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
King James Version (KJV)
We have to read the bible in context not in letter.
Matt 7:20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
It is impossible good tree bear bad fruit.
It is impossible a man with real faith in Jesus not bear good fruit/work.
If you read in letter, look like James said there is a man with real faith in Jesus but not have good work.
If so than James not agree with Jesus (good tree must bear good fruit)
What Jesus said is similar to what apostle John said; If a man claim to Love the Lord but not Love his brother, he is liar.
Just don't believe what a man said, believe a man do.
It doesn't mean work produce salvation, it mean work is evident of salvation
James is sarcastic, James is only quip to a people claim to have a faith in Jesus but doing evil work.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
King James Version (KJV)
We have to read the bible in context not in letter.
Matt 7:20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
It is impossible good tree bear bad fruit.
It is impossible a man with real faith in Jesus not bear good fruit/work.
If you read in letter, look like James said there is a man with real faith in Jesus but not have good work.
If so than James not agree with Jesus (good tree must bear good fruit)
What Jesus said is similar to what apostle John said; If a man claim to Love the Lord but not Love his brother, he is liar.
Just don't believe what a man said, believe a man do.
It doesn't mean work produce salvation, it mean work is evident of salvation
James is sarcastic, James is only quip to a people claim to have a faith in Jesus but doing evil work.