What Does the Bible Say About Words Without Actions?

James 2:14-26 ESV / 23 helpful votes

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. ...

Romans 4:5 ESV / 17 helpful votes

And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,

James 2:17 ESV / 13 helpful votes

So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

James 2:14 ESV / 11 helpful votes

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV / 9 helpful votes

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

James 2:23 ESV / 8 helpful votes

And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.

Ephesians 1:13 ESV / 8 helpful votes

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

John 3:16 ESV / 8 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 6:23 ESV / 7 helpful votes

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

James 2:20 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?

James 2:24 ESV / 5 helpful votes

You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 ESV / 5 helpful votes

But test everything; hold fast what is good.

Galatians 2:16 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

1 John 5:1-21 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? ...

Titus 3:5 ESV / 4 helpful votes

He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Ephesians 2:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

Galatians 2:21 ESV / 4 helpful votes

I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

Romans 12:18 ESV / 4 helpful votes

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Romans 3:28 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

Acts 17:11 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Acts 16:31 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Matthew 7:23 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Revelation 20:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.

James 2:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

Colossians 3:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Philippians 3:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—

Ephesians 5:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

Ephesians 2:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Galatians 3:24 ESV / 3 helpful votes

So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.

Galatians 3:5-6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

Romans 10:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Romans 9:30 ESV / 3 helpful votes

What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith;

Romans 5:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 4:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

Romans 3:28-30 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.

Romans 3:27 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.

John 17:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

John 14:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Luke 9:23 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Matthew 18:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 11:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 5:20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

1 Peter 1:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

James 2:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

James 2:1-26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? ...

2 Timothy 1:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

Galatians 3:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Romans 13:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.

Romans 11:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

Romans 10:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 3:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Romans 1:1-8:39 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, ...

John 19:30 ESV / 2 helpful votes

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

John 14:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Genesis 15:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

60 Bible Verses about Words Without Actions

James 2:14-26 ESV / 23 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 4:5 ESV / 17 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 2:17 ESV / 13 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 2:14 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 2:23 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 1:13 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 6:23 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 2:20 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 2:24 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Thessalonians 5:21 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 2:16 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 5:1-21 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 3:5 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 2:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 2:21 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:18 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 3:28 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 17:11 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 16:31 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:23 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 20:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 2:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 3:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 2:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 3:24 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 3:5-6 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 10:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 9:30 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 5:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 4:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 3:28-30 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 3:27 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 17:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 14:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 9:23 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 11:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:20 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 1:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 2:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 2:1-26 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 1:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 3:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 13:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 11:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 10:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 3:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 1:1-8:39 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 19:30 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 14:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 15:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Suggest a Verse

Enter a Verse Reference (e.g., John 3:16-17)