KJV: 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.
YLT: But say may some one, Thou hast faith, and I have works, shew me thy faith out of thy works, and I will shew thee out of my works my faith:
Darby: But some one will say, Thou hast faith and I have works. Shew me thy faith without works, and I from my works will shew thee my faith.
ASV: Yea, a man will say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith apart from thy works, and I by my works will show thee my faith.
ἐρεῖ | will say |
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: λέγω Sense: to utter, speak, say. |
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τις | someone |
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Nominative Masculine Singular Root: τὶς Sense: a certain, a certain one. |
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πίστιν | faith |
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular Root: πίστις Sense: conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it. |
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κἀγὼ | and I |
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Nominative 1st Person Singular Root: κἀγώ Sense: and I. |
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ἔργα | works |
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural Root: ἔργον Sense: business, employment, that which any one is occupied. |
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δεῖξόν | Show |
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Singular Root: δείκνυμι Sense: to show, expose to the eyes. |
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μοι | me |
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 1st Person Singular Root: ἐγώ Sense: I, me, my. |
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σου | of you |
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Singular Root: σύ Sense: you. |
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χωρὶς | without |
Parse: Preposition Root: χωρίς Sense: separate, apart. |
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τῶν | - |
Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Plural Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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ἔργων | works |
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Plural Root: ἔργον Sense: business, employment, that which any one is occupied. |
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κἀγώ | and I |
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Nominative 1st Person Singular Root: κἀγώ Sense: and I. |
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δείξω | will show |
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular Root: δείκνυμι Sense: to show, expose to the eyes. |
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μου | of me |
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Singular Root: ἐγώ Sense: I, me, my. |
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τὴν | - |
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
Greek Commentary for James 2:18
Future active of ειπον eipon But αλλ all' here is almost certainly adversative (But some one will say), not confirmatory. James introduces an imaginary objector who speaks one sentence: “Thou hast faith and I have works” Then James answers this objector. The objector can be regarded as asking a short question: “Hast thou faith?” In that case James replies: “I have works also.” [source]
This is the reply of James to the objector. First aorist active imperative of δεικνυμι deiknumi tense of urgency. The point lies in χωρις chōris which means not “without,” but “apart from,” as in Hebrews 11:6 (with the ablative case), “the works that properly belong to it and should characterise it” (Hort). James challenges the objector to do this.And I by my works will shew thee my faith (καγω σοι δειχω εκ των εργων μου την πιστιν kagō soi deixō ek tōn ergōn mou tēn pistin). It is not faith or works, but proof of real faith (live faith vs. dead faith). The mere profession of faith with no works or profession of faith shown to be alive by works. This is the alternative clearly stated. Note πιστιν pistin (faith) in both cases. James is not here discussing “works” (ceremonial works) as a means of salvation as Paul in Gal 3; Rom 4, but works as proof of faith. [source]
It is not faith or works, but proof of real faith (live faith vs. dead faith). The mere profession of faith with no works or profession of faith shown to be alive by works. This is the alternative clearly stated. Note πιστιν pistin (faith) in both cases. James is not here discussing “works” (ceremonial works) as a means of salvation as Paul in Gal 3; Rom 4, but works as proof of faith. [source]
Rev., more literally, apart from. [source]
The Rev. brings out the antithesis more sharply by keeping more closely to the Greek order: I by my works will shew, etc. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for James 2:18
Present passive indicative of δικαιοω dikaioō here not “is made righteous,” but “is shown to be righteous.” James is discussing the proof of faith, not the initial act of being set right with God (Paul‘s idea in Romans 4:1-10).And not only by faith (και ουκ εκ πιστεως μονον kai ouk ek pisteōs monon). This phrase clears up the meaning of James. Faith (live faith) is what we must all have (James 2:18), only it must shew itself also in deeds as Abraham‘s did. [source]
This phrase clears up the meaning of James. Faith (live faith) is what we must all have (James 2:18), only it must shew itself also in deeds as Abraham‘s did. [source]
Σοπος Sophos is used for the practical teacher (James 3:1), επιστημων epistēmōn (old word from επισταμαι epistamai here only in N.T.) for an expert, a skilled and scientific person with a tone of superiority. In Deuteronomy 1:13, Deuteronomy 1:15; Deuteronomy 4:6, the two terms are practically synonyms.Let him shew (δειχατω deixatō). First aorist active imperative of δεικνυμι deiknumi old verb to show. As about faith in James 2:18. Emphatic position of this verb.By his good life For this literary Koiné word from αναστρεπομαι anastrephomai (walk, conduct) see Galatians 1:13. Actions speak louder than words even in the case of the professional wise man. Cf. 1 Peter 1:15.In meekness of wisdom (εν πραυτητι σοπιας en prautēti sophias). As in James 1:21 of the listener, so here of the teacher. Cf. Matthew 5:5; Matthew 11:29 and Zechariah 9:9 of King Messiah quoted in Matthew 21:5. Startling combination. [source]
First aorist active imperative of δεικνυμι deiknumi old verb to show. As about faith in James 2:18. Emphatic position of this verb. [source]