James 2: Both Protestants and Catholics Mangle “Faith Without Works is Dead”

Catholics and Protestants argue a lot over these verses. The Protestants are wrong because they do not accept that the verses mean what they say. The Catholics are wrong in their definition of works and also inconsistent due to how they blatantly disregard the Bible in so many other places.

James 2:14-17: “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”

There are silly preachers who say that a dead faith is profitable for salvation, though it is unprofitable otherwise. They are foolish. If they are right, then James would be teaching that even the devils are saved by what he goes on to say in verse 19. The devils are obviously going to hell.

James 2:18: “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.”

This is referring to works that show you’ve embraced the entire package of Biblical Christianity so that it molds your mind and your conduct accordingly. James is not dealing with works by the sacramental system of the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, or another church. Those aren’t spoken of here nor does the whole counsel of the Bible warrant any of these.

James 2:19: “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”

That is surely not a faith which is good for salvation. Those who defend their ungodly character and unrighteous behavior with “Hey, I believe in God” or “I believe in Jesus Christ” are being rebuked and told their faith is utterly unprofitable.