Summary: What good is faith without works? What good is doctrine without deeds? What good is Christian belief without Christian behavior? None at all, says James, none at all. He isn't just questioning the usefulness of faith without works; he's questioning the validity of it. "Can this sort of faith save you?" he asks. The implied answer is no. James strikingly suggests that faith without works is not saving faith. In case we wonder exactly what he means by the term "works," James offers a concrete example. If a brother or sister is in need of clothing or daily food, and we say, "Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill," and yet do not supply their physical needs, what is the good of that? A kind word is not enough; an act of love is necessary. Likewise, faith is not just something we say, but also something we do. Faith is not just something we think, but also something we enact. Faith is not just a property of the mind, but also a property of the hands. Years ago, a Christian friend explained to me that once we have faith, good deeds will follow. But that's not quite accurate, according to James. In James' view, if we have saving faith, there's no sequence of faith first and works second. They exist simultaneously. Faith and works are intertwined. Faith and works are integrated. Works are not an addendum to faith, or a supplement for faith, or a product of faith. Works are a constituent element of faith. Works are part of what makes faith, faith. Faith without works is like chocolate pie without chocolate. Faith without works is like vegetable soup without veggies. Faith without works is like a turkey sandwich without turkey. It's something else entirely. Faith that does not work just doesn't work. Saving faith is working faith.
