Session 2
Study James: 9 Practical Lessons On Living Out Your Faith
James 2:14-26
Faith Without Works Is Dead
14What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have
works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily
food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you
do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus
also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith
without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is
one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to
know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father
justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith
was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the
Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him
for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is
justified by works, and not by faith only.
25
Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the
messengers and sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Outline:
I. Faith without works is dead (14-20)
II. The examples of Abraham and Rahab (21-26)
Page 1 of 2
I. Faith without works is dead (14-20)
Questions Cross Reference
1. Is faith without works of any use?
2. What is your reaction when people Ephesians 2:8-10 - For it is by grace you have been saved,
need help? through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift
3. How can the phrase, “I will pray for of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we
are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good
you,” sometimes be a cop out?
works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
4. How can you make sure that you do
pray for people that you say you will Luke 3:11 - John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts
pray for? should share with the one who has none, and anyone who
5. What is the main point of verses 15-16? has food should do the same.”
6. What does living faith look like?
7. What kind of works might accompany Proverbs 3:27 - Do not withhold good from those to whom it
living faith? is due, when it is in your power to act.
8. What does dead faith look like? Is dead
faith a real faith?
9. What warning should we take from
this?
10. How can one show his faith without
works? Is it possible?
11. What does verse 19 tell us about real
belief in God?
12. Is it possible to believe in God and not
be saved?
13. What is the difference between saving
faith and non-saving belief like the
demons had?
14. Why do the demons shudder?
15. How can you better put your faith into
practice?
II. The examples of Abraham and Rahab (21-26)
Questions Cross Reference
1. Does verse 21 contradict with the rest of John 15:8 - This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear
the teachings in the Bible of justification much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
by faith alone?
2. Is this passage teaching faith by works? Romans 5:1 - Therefore, since we have been justified
3. Then how can we reconcile the by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord
Scriptural teaching of justification by Jesus Christ.
faith with this passage?
4. What is James’ main point in this Romans 4:1-4 - What then shall we say that Abraham,
passage? our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this
5. Which came first, Rahab’s faith or matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he
works? had something to boast about—but not before
6. How do we know she had faith? God. What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed
7. Would her belief in the God of the God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Now
Hebrews have saved her if she didn’t to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift
act on it? but as an obligation.
Galatians 5:6 - For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision
nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that
counts is faith expressing itself through love.
Page 2 of 2
