19 [a]Thou believest that there is one God: thou doest well: the devils also believe it, and tremble.

20 [b]But wilt thou understand, O thou vain man, that the faith which is without works, is dead?

21 Was not Abraham our father [c]justified through works, (A)when he offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

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Footnotes

  1. James 2:19 Another reason taken of an absurdity: If such a faith were the true faith whereby we are justified, the devils should be justified: for they have that, but yet notwithstanding they tremble, and are not justified therefore, neither is that faith a true faith.
  2. James 2:20 The third reason from the example of Abraham, who no doubt had a true faith: but he in offering his son, showed himself to have that faith which was not void of works, and therefore he received a true testimony when it was said, that faith was imputed to him for righteousness.
  3. James 2:21 Was he not by his works known and found to be justified? for he speaketh not here of the causes of justification, but by what effects we may know that a man is justified.

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