Faith must be accompanied by works because genuine faith is never idle or invisible: it produces obedience, action, and fruit. Scripture makes clear that while salvation is by faith alone, true faith is never alone. Works do not earn salvation, but they prove its reality.
James addresses this directly in James 2:17:
“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
A faith that produces no change is lifeless. It is not saving faith, but empty profession. James contrasts mere belief with obedient trust:
“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons/”>demons believe—and tremble!”
(James 2:19)
Demons believe in the existence of God, yet they remain in rebellion. True faith transforms the heart and directs the life.
James continues:
“But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?”
(James 2:20–21)
Abraham was justified before God by faith (Genesis 15:6), but his faith was proven before men by works (Genesis 22). When he offered Isaac, his actions confirmed that his faith was genuine.
James 2:22 states:
“Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?”
The word “perfect” here means “mature” or “complete.” Works do not complete salvation but complete the visible testimony of saving faith.
Likewise, James points to Rahab:
“Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?”
(James 2:25)
Rahab’s belief in Israel’s God (Joshua 2:9–11) led her to act at great personal risk. Her works proved her allegiance.
James summarizes the truth:
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
(James 2:26)
This teaching does not contradict Paul’s teaching that salvation is by faith and not of works (Ephesians 2:8–9). In fact, the very next verse in Ephesians says:
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
(Ephesians 2:10)
Works are not the root of salvation, they are the fruit. They are the inevitable result of a life that has been transformed by grace through faith.
