Faith and Works

(Galatians 3:1–9)

What good [is it], my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? vvv Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 [If] one of you tells him,“Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but {does} not provide for [his] physical needs, what good [ is that ]? 17 So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action,[fn] is dead.

18 

But someone will say,“You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith [apart] from your deeds,[fn] and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that God is one.[fn] Good for you! Even the demons believe [that] — and shudder.

20 

O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is dead?[fn] 21 {Was} not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that [his] faith was working with his actions, and [his] faith was perfected by what he did. 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[fn] and he was called a friend of God.[fn] 24 As you can see, then a man is justified by [his] deeds and not by faith alone.

25 

vvv In the same way, {was} not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies[fn] and sent [them] off on another route? 26 For as[fn] the body without [the] spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. 3