James 2:19

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou {G4771} believest {G4100} that {G3754} there is {G2076} one {G1520} God {G2316}; thou doest {G4160} well {G2573}: the devils {G1140} also {G2532} believe {G4100}, and {G2532} tremble {G5425}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You believe that “God is one”? Good for you! The demons believe it too — the thought makes them shudder with fear!

Berean Standard Bible

You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

American Standard Version

Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and shudder.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
James 2:19 serves as a potent and challenging statement within the apostle James's discourse on the nature of authentic faith, asserting that mere intellectual assent to monotheism, while true, is insufficient for salvation. It starkly illustrates that even demons possess this intellectual belief, yet it only leads them to tremble in fearful recognition of God's power and impending judgment, rather than to repentance or transformative obedience. The verse underscores that genuine, saving faith is not a passive mental acknowledgment but an active, living trust that inevitably manifests itself through works of righteousness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** James 2:19 is a crucial component of James's sustained argument in [James chapter 2](/james/2 "James 2 - Faith and Works"), specifically from [James 2:14](/james/2-14 "James 2:14 - What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?"). Here, James directly confronts the notion of a faith that is professed but not demonstrated by actions. He has already declared that "faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone" ([James 2:17](/james/2-17 "James 2:17 - Faith without works is dead")). Verse 19 acts as a powerful, almost shocking, illustration of this principle, using the chilling example of demonic belief to highlight the emptiness of a purely intellectual faith divorced from transformative action and reverent submission to God. The subsequent verses, such as the examples of Abraham and Rahab ([James 2:21-25](/james/2-21-25 "James 2:21-25 - Examples of Abraham and Rahab")), further elaborate on what true, living faith looks like in practice.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The audience of James's epistle was primarily Jewish Christians, scattered abroad. For this audience, the declaration "there is one God" would resonate deeply with the central tenet of Jewish faith, the Shema, found in [Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema, Hear O Israel"). This foundational declaration of monotheism was a hallmark of their identity, distinguishing them from polytheistic pagan cultures. James is not disputing the truth of monotheism but rather its *sufficiency* when it remains a mere intellectual proposition. In the Greco-Roman world, various philosophical schools and mystery religions also offered intellectual insights or beliefs, but James emphasizes that Christian faith demands more than philosophical agreement; it requires a holistic, life-altering commitment. The concept of "devils" or demons was well-understood in both Jewish and Hellenistic thought as malevolent spiritual beings.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within James and the broader New Testament. Foremost is the theme of **the nature of true faith**, distinguishing it from superficial or intellectual assent. James argues that saving faith is inherently active and living, producing fruit in one's life, rather than being a passive mental acknowledgment. It challenges the idea that correct doctrine alone guarantees salvation, emphasizing the necessary connection between belief and behavior. Another significant theme is **the inadequacy of mere intellectual belief**, highlighted by the comparison to demons. Their "belief" is a compelled recognition of undeniable truth, leading to terror, not salvation. This contrasts sharply with a **faith that produces good works**, which James consistently champions as the evidence of genuine spiritual life, as seen in [James 2:26](/james/2-26 "James 2:26 - For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also"). The verse also touches on the **reality and nature of demonic knowledge and fear**, revealing that even evil spirits acknowledge God's existence and power, albeit with dread.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **God (Greek, _theós'_):** This term refers to a deity, specifically (with the article) the supreme Divinity. In this context, it refers to the singular, sovereign God of Israel, affirming the monotheistic truth that James's audience would have held dear. James acknowledges the correctness of believing in "one God" but immediately pivots to demonstrate that this correct belief alone is insufficient.
* **devils (Greek, _daimónion'_):** This word denotes a demonic being or evil spirit. In the New Testament, these are malevolent spiritual entities often depicted as recognizing Jesus's divine authority and trembling before God's power. Their "belief" is not one of trust or devotion but of forced recognition and fearful apprehension of impending judgment.
* **tremble (Greek, _phríssō'_):** This strong verb means to "bristle" or chill, signifying to shudder with fear or horror. It conveys an intense, visceral reaction of dread and terror. The demons' belief in God is not accompanied by love, repentance, or submission, but by a terrifying awareness of His power and their own inevitable doom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well:"** James begins by affirming a fundamental theological truth: the belief in monotheism. This statement acknowledges the intellectual correctness of the audience's belief in the singular, supreme God. The phrase "thou doest well" is an ironic or rhetorical concession, implying that while this belief is good and true in itself, it is not the *whole* of what is required for genuine faith. It sets up the powerful contrast that follows, suggesting that a correct theological premise, without further action, is ultimately inadequate.
* **"the devils also believe,"** This clause introduces the shocking and illustrative comparison. James asserts that even malevolent spiritual beings, demons, possess this same intellectual belief in the existence of one God. Their knowledge is not theoretical but a terrifying reality for them. This comparison immediately strips away any sense of spiritual superiority or security that might come from mere intellectual assent, demonstrating that such belief is shared even by those utterly opposed to God.
* **"and tremble."** This final clause reveals the profound difference in the *outcome* of this belief. While a true believer's faith leads to trust, love, and obedience, the demons' belief leads only to a visceral, fearful shuddering. Their knowledge of God's existence and power is accompanied by an intense dread of His judgment, highlighting that their "faith" is devoid of saving grace, repentance, or transforming power. It is a belief that brings terror, not salvation.

#### Literary Devices
James employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey his message. The most prominent is **Juxtaposition**, specifically a stark contrast between the "well-doing" of human belief in one God and the terrifying "belief" of demons. This contrast highlights the inadequacy of mere intellectual assent. The phrase "thou doest well" functions as **Irony**, as James immediately undermines this commendation by showing that such a belief, if unaccompanied by works, is no better than that of demons. The comparison to "devils" serves as a potent **Analogy** or **Illustrative Parallel**, using a universally understood concept of evil entities to underscore the emptiness of a faith that lacks transformative power. The strong verb "tremble" (phríssō) provides vivid **Imagery**, evoking a physical shudder of fear and horror, emphasizing the profound dread that accompanies the demons' recognition of God's power, a dread that is entirely different from the reverent fear and trust of a true believer.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
James 2:19 profoundly shapes our understanding of the nature of saving faith, distinguishing it from intellectual assent or mere doctrinal correctness. It asserts that true faith is not a passive mental exercise but a dynamic, living trust in God that inevitably expresses itself through righteous actions. This verse serves as a crucial corrective against any form of antinomianism or cheap grace, emphasizing that while salvation is by grace through faith, that faith is never alone; it is always accompanied by works, which are the natural outflow and evidence of a transformed heart. The demons' "belief" is a recognition of inescapable truth, leading to terror, whereas genuine faith leads to a loving, obedient relationship with God.

* [Matthew 7:21](/matthew/7-21 "Matthew 7:21 - Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven")
* [Luke 8:28](/luke/8-28 "Luke 8:28 - Demons recognizing Jesus's authority")
* [Philippians 2:12](/philippians/2-12 "Philippians 2:12 - Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
James 2:19 is a piercing challenge to every individual to examine the quality and authenticity of their faith. It forces us to move beyond a superficial understanding of belief as merely intellectual agreement with theological propositions. True faith, as demonstrated by James, is a holistic engagement of the mind, heart, and will that results in a transformed life. It is a faith that trusts God so deeply that it compels obedience and love, not out of a desire to earn salvation, but as an overflow of a new nature. We are called to ask ourselves: Does my belief in God merely reside in my head, or does it permeate every aspect of my being, shaping my decisions, my relationships, and my actions? Is my faith a living, active force, or is it a dead, barren assent, akin to that of the demons? This verse encourages us to cultivate a vibrant, active faith that is evident in our daily lives, demonstrating the reality of our relationship with Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What is the difference between believing *about* God and truly believing *in* God?**
* **How does my daily life demonstrate that my faith is active and alive, rather than merely intellectual?**
* **In what areas of my life might my "belief" be more akin to the demons' trembling than to a trusting, obedient relationship with God?**
* **How can I cultivate a faith that consistently produces good works as evidence of its authenticity?**

### FAQ
**Does James 2:19 contradict the idea of salvation by grace through faith alone?**

Answer: No, James 2:19 does not contradict the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith alone, but rather clarifies the *nature* of saving faith. Paul, in epistles like [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by grace through faith"), emphasizes that salvation is a gift of God, not a result of works, "so that no one may boast." James, however, is addressing a different problem: a *dead* faith that claims belief but produces no evidence of transformation. He argues that genuine, saving faith is never alone; it is always accompanied by works, which are the natural and inevitable fruit of that faith. The "faith" of the demons in [James 2:19](/james/2-19 "James 2:19 - Even demons believe and tremble") is intellectual assent, devoid of trust, love, or obedience, and therefore it cannot save. True faith, according to James, is a living, active trust that expresses itself through good works, not as a means to earn salvation, but as an authentic demonstration of it. Thus, James and Paul are complementary, with Paul explaining *how* one is saved (by grace through faith) and James explaining *what genuine faith looks like* (it produces works).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
James 2:19, by highlighting the insufficiency of mere intellectual assent, points us directly to the transformative power of a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. The demons' belief in "one God" leads only to trembling because their knowledge is of God as a fearsome judge, not as a loving Redeemer. In contrast, true faith, as revealed in the New Testament, is faith *in* Jesus Christ, not just *about* Him. It is a faith that embraces His atoning sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of sins ([Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith")) and His resurrection as the promise of new life ([Romans 10:9](/romans/10-9 "Romans 10:9 - Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead")). This faith in Christ is not passive; it unites us to Him, leading to a spiritual rebirth ([John 3:3](/john/3-3 "John 3:3 - Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God")) and empowering us by the Holy Spirit to live a life of obedience and good works, which God prepared beforehand for us to walk in ([Ephesians 2:10](/ephesians/2-10 "Ephesians 2:10 - For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works")). Thus, the "trembling" of demons underscores the profound difference between a compelled recognition of God's power and the joyful, transformative surrender to God's grace found only through faith in Christ, who delivers us from the fear of judgment into the freedom of His love ([Romans 8:1-2](/romans/8-1-2 "Romans 8:1-2 - No condemnation for those in Christ Jesus")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 4:34

Saying, Let [us] alone; what have we to do with thee, [thou] Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.

Mark 1:24

Saying, Let [us] alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

Matthew 8:29

And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

Acts 16:17

The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.

Deuteronomy 6:4

¶ Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God [is] one LORD:

Galatians 3:20

Now a mediator is not [a mediator] of one, but God is one.

Isaiah 44:8

Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared [it]? ye [are] even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, [there is] no God; I know not [any].