James 2:20

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith without works is useless?

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Θέλεις δὲ γνῶναι, ὦ ἄνθρωπε κενέ, ὅτι ἡ πίστις χωρὶς τῶν ἔργων νεκρά ἐστιν;

Transliteration

Theleis de gnōnai, O anthrōpe kene, that the pistis without the ergōn nekra estin?

Grammar Details

• *Theleis*: present, active, indicative, 2nd person singular - you wish
• *de*: postpositive conjunction - but/and
• *gnōnai*: aorist, active, infinitive - to know
• ὦ: vocative particle - O
• *anthrōpe*: vocative, masculine, singular - man/person
• *kene*: vocative, masculine, singular - empty/foolish
• ὅτι: conjunction - that
• ἡ *pistis*: nominative, feminine, singular - the faith
• χωρὶς: preposition + genitive - without/apart from
• τῶν *ergōn*: genitive, neuter, plural - the works
• *nekra*: nominative, feminine, singular, adjective - dead
• *estin*: present, active, indicative, 3rd person singular - is

Word Meanings

• *Theleis*: you wish/want/desire
• *gnōnai*: to know/understand/learn
• *anthrōpe*: man/person/human
• *kene*: empty/foolish/vain
• *pistis*: faith/belief/trust
• *ergōn*: works/deeds/actions
• *nekra*: dead/lifeless
• *estin*: is/exists

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren?

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  Wilt thou vnderstonde o thou vayne man that fayth with out dedes is deed?

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  Wilt thou vnderstode o thou vayne man that faith with out dedes is deed:

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  But wilt thou vnderstand, O thou vaine man, that the faith which is without workes, is dead?

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  But wylt thou knowe, O thou vayne man, that that fayth which is without workes, is dead?

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  But do you want to know, vain man, that faith apart from works is dead?

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  And dost thou wish to know, O vain man, that the faith apart from the works is dead?

• American Standard Version (1901)

  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren?

• American Standard Version (1901)

  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren?

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  Do you not see, O foolish man, that faith without works is of no use?

• World English Bible (2000)

  But do you want to know, vain man, that faith apart from works is dead?

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  But would you like evidence, you empty fellow, that faith without works is useless?

Referenced Verses

• Prov 12:11 : 11 Those who work their land will have plenty of food, but those who chase fantasies lack sense.
• Gal 5:6 : 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision carries any weight, but faith working through love does.
• Rom 1:21 : 21 For although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
• Jas 2:26 : 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
• Gal 6:3 : 3 For if anyone thinks they are something when they are nothing, they deceive themselves.
• Col 2:8 : 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, based on human tradition and the elemental principles of the world rather than on Christ.
• 1 Tim 1:6 : 6 Some have departed from these and turned aside to meaningless talk.
• Titus 1:10 : 10 For there are many who are rebellious, idle talkers, and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.
• Jas 1:26 : 26 If anyone thinks he is religious but does not bridle his tongue, and deceives his heart, his religion is worthless.
• Jas 2:17 : 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
• Jer 2:5 : 5 This is what the LORD says: ‘What fault did your ancestors find in me that they strayed so far from me? They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves.
• Job 11:11-12 : 11 For He knows worthless men; He sees iniquity, even when He does not consider it. 12 But an empty-headed man will gain understanding when a wild donkey’s colt is born as a human being!
• Ps 94:8-9 : 8 Understand this, you brutish people! Fools, when will you understand? 9 Does He who formed the ear not hear? Does He who formed the eye not see? 10 Does He who disciplines nations not rebuke? Does He who teaches mankind knowledge not know? 11 The LORD knows the thoughts of man; He knows they are but a breath.
• 1 Cor 15:35-36 : 35 But someone will ask, 'How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?' 36 Foolish one, what you sow does not come to life unless it dies.