The Skeptics Annotated Bible (976 page)

14 What doth it profit, my brethren,
though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

(2.14)
“Though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?”
304 Is Salvation by faith alone?

(2.15-16) Help others that are in need; don’t just wish them well. This is good advice, though it’s unfortunate that James restricted this help to “brothers”. Did he mean by this that you only need to help fellow believers?

15
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

(2.15)
“If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,”

16
And 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?

(2.16)
“And 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?”

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, 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.

19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well:
the devils also believe
, and tremble.

(2.19)
“The devils also believe.”
James ridicules those who say salvation is by faith alone. He says the devils believe in God. Will their faith save them?
417 Are those who believe Jesus is the Christ of God?

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

21
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

(2.21)
“Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?”
James says Abraham was justified by works (for being willing to kill his son for God); Paul (Rom 4.2-3) says he was justified by faith (for believing that god ordered him to do such an evil act). They were both wrong: Abraham wasn’t justified by anything. Only an evil god would ask a father to do such a thing; only an evil father would be willing to do it.
456 Was Abraham justified by faith or by works?

22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

25 Likewise also
was not Rahab the harlot justified by works
, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

(2.25)
“Was not Rahab the harlot justified by works?”
(By her works as a prostitute or by lying?)
471 Was Rahab saved by faith or works?
86 Is it wrong to lie?

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

3
My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

2 For in many things we offend all.
If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man
, and able also to bridle the whole body.

(3.2) “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man.” There are many smooth talking crooks out there—especially politicians!