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

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this really important verse from James 2:20. It’s a powerful message about the importance of doing what we believe. Here's a simple explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse says that faith alone – believing something without actually doing anything – is like a plant that doesn't grow or thrive. It's dead and useless. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “But wilt thou know…” - This is a question, making it feel serious. It’s asking you to really think about this. “…O vain man!” – “Vanity” means being proud or self-centered. This phrase highlights that the person speaking is being overly confident and not truly understanding what faith means. "...that faith without works is dead?” - This is the core of the verse. It means that faith by itself isn’t enough. It needs to be accompanied by action . What does this mean in practice? Think of it like this: You believe you're going to win a race, but you just sit on the sidelines. You haven't actually trained or run! Your belief is there, but it doesn’t translate into actual success. Similarly, faith without effort – without putting your beliefs into practice – is just empty words. It’s about more than just believing: The verse isn't saying that all faith is useless. It means that genuine faith needs to be applied to our lives. It requires us to: Be active in following God’s will. Make good choices based on our belief. Live a life of righteousness and love. In short, James 2:20 is a call to action! It urges us to embrace faith with doing – to truly live out the beliefs we hold. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail? Would you like me to give some examples of how faith and works work together?