James 2:20

King James Version with Strong's Numbers

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

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

ℹ️

About this Translation

King James Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: King James VersionBest for: Original-language word studies

🎯 Translation Approach

Classic King James Version text presented with Strong's numbering to link English words to their underlying Hebrew and Greek terms. Prioritizes literal/formal correspondence while enabling original-language word study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Each English term is keyed to a Strong's number, enabling direct lookup of the underlying Hebrew or Greek word.
KJV text basis: Employs the classic King James Version wording known for formal equivalence and literary style.
Study-focused layout: Optimized for research and analysis, prioritizing lexical access over uninterrupted readability.
Concordance compatibility: Strong's numbers map to widely available concordances and lexicons for deeper study.

✅ Strengths

Strong linkage to original Hebrew/Greek via Strong's numbers
High concordance with source wording
Well-suited for in-depth word studies and exegesis
Widely recognized and referenced KJV text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language can be difficult for modern readers
Reference numbers can disrupt continuous reading
Less suitable for public or devotional reading compared to modern translations

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Students of biblical languages
Pastors and teachers
Serious Bible students
Researchers needing lexical linkage
Readers preferring KJV tradition

Consider alternatives for

New believers
Casual devotional reading
Children and young readers
English language learners

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Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

Prov 12:11 : 11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
Gal 5:6 : 6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Rom 1:21 : 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Jas 2:26 : 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Gal 6:3 : 3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Col 2:8 : 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
1 Tim 1:6 : 6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
Titus 1:10 : 10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
Jas 1:26 : 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
Jas 2:17 : 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jer 2:5 : 5 Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?
Job 11:11-12 : 11 For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it? 12 For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt.
Ps 94:8-9 : 8 Understand{H8798)}, ye brutish{H8802)} among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise{H8686)}? 9 He that planted{H8802)} the ear, shall he not hear{H8799)}? he that formed{H8802)} the eye, shall he not see{H8686)}? 10 He that chastiseth{H8802)} the heathen, shall not he correct{H8686)}? he that teacheth{H8764)} man knowledge, shall not he know? 11 The LORD knoweth{H8802)} the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
1 Cor 15:35-36 : 35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

Jas 2:14-19
6 verses
89%
14What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16And 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?
17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18Yea, 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.
19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Jas 2:24-26
3 verses
87%
24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Jas 2:21-22
2 verses
80%
21Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Rom 4:2-6
5 verses
73%
2For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
3For what saith the scripture ? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
4Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
6Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
Rom 3:27-28
2 verses
72%
27Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
28Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Eph 2:8-9
2 verses
72%
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Jas 1:22-23
2 verses
71%
22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
Gal 2:16
70%
16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Titus 1:16
70%
16They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Gal 3:4-6
3 verses
69%
4Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.
5He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
6Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
Heb 11:6
69%
6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Gal 3:11-12
2 verses
69%
11But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
12And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
Titus 3:8
68%
8This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable{(G5624)} unto men.
Jas 1:26
68%
26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
John 6:28-29
2 verses
68%
28Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Jas 1:7
68%
7For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
1 Cor 15:36
68%
36Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
Jas 1:3
67%
3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Hab 2:4
67%
4Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Jas 1:20
67%
20For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
Gal 5:6
67%
6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Gal 6:3
67%
3For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Rom 1:17
67%
17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written , The just shall live by faith.
Rom 2:13
67%
13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
Eph 2:1
66%
1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Rom 11:6
66%
6And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Rom 2:6
66%
6Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
Titus 3:14
66%
14And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
Rom 2:3
66%
3And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
Heb 10:38
66%
38Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Rom 3:3
66%
3For what if some did not believe ? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?