James 2:19
New International Version
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

New Living Translation
You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.

English Standard Version
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

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

Berean Literal Bible
You believe that God is one. You are doing well! Even the demons believe that, and shudder!

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

New King James Version
You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!

New American Standard Bible
You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.

NASB 1995
You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.

NASB 1977
You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.

Legacy Standard Bible
You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.

Amplified Bible
You believe that God is one; you do well [to believe that]. The demons also believe [that], and shudder and bristle [in awe-filled terror—they have seen His wrath]!

Christian Standard Bible
You believe that God is one. Good! Even the demons believe—and they shudder.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe—and they shudder.

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

Contemporary English Version
You surely believe there is only one God. That's fine. Even demons believe this, and it makes them shake with fear.

English Revised Version
Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and shudder.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You believe that there is one God. That's fine! The demons also believe that, and they tremble with fear.

Good News Translation
Do you believe that there is only one God? Good! The demons also believe--and tremble with fear.

International Standard Version
You believe that there is one God. That's fine! Even the demons believe that and tremble with fear.

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

NET Bible
You believe that God is one; well and good. Even the demons believe that--and tremble with fear.

New Heart English Bible
You believe that God is one. You do well. The demons also believe, and shudder.

Webster's Bible Translation
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and tremble.

Weymouth New Testament
You believe that God is one, and you are quite right: evil spirits also believe this, and shudder."

World English Bible
You believe that God is one. You do well. The demons also believe—and shudder.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
You believe that God is one; you do well! The demons also believe—and shudder!

Berean Literal Bible
You believe that God is one. You are doing well! Even the demons believe that, and shudder!

Young's Literal Translation
thou -- thou dost believe that God is one; thou dost well, and the demons believe, and they shudder!

Smith's Literal Translation
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: and the evil spirits believe, and shudder.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou believest that there is one God. Thou dost well: the devils also believe and tremble.

Catholic Public Domain Version
You believe that there is one God. You do well. But the demons also believe, and they tremble greatly.

New American Bible
You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe that and tremble.

New Revised Standard Version
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
You believe that there is one God; you do well. The devils also believe, and they tremble.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
You believe that God is One; you do well; the demons also believe and tremble.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
You believe that there is one God; you do well: the demons also believe, and tremble.

Godbey New Testament
Do you believe that there is one God? you do well: the demons also believe and tremble.

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

Mace New Testament
you believe there is but one God, very well: the demons believe as much, and tremble."

Weymouth New Testament
You believe that God is one, and you are quite right: evil spirits also believe this, and shudder."

Worrell New Testament
You believe that God is one. You do well. The demons also believe, and shudder!

Worsley New Testament
Thou believest that there is one God; thou dost well: the devils also believe and tremble.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Faith and Works
18But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that— and shudder. 20O foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is worthless?…

Cross References
Mark 1:24
“What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”

Matthew 8:29
“What do You want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have You come here to torture us before the appointed time?”

Acts 16:17
This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!”

Luke 4:34
“Ha! What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”

1 John 4:15
If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

1 Corinthians 8:4-6
So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. / For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), / yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.

Romans 10:9
that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 17:3
Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.

Philippians 2:10-11
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, / and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

Deuteronomy 6:4
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One.

Isaiah 45:5-6
I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God but Me. I will equip you for battle, though you have not known Me, / so that all may know, from where the sun rises to where it sets, that there is none but Me; I am the LORD, and there is no other.

Psalm 86:10
For You are great and perform wonders; You alone are God.


Treasury of Scripture

You believe that there is one God; you do well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

Deuteronomy 6:4
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

Isaiah 43:10
Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

Isaiah 44:6,8
Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God…

thou doest.

James 2:8
If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

Jonah 4:4,9
Then said the LORD, Doest thou well to be angry? …

Mark 7:9
And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

the.

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?

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.

Mark 5:7
And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.

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Belief Believe Believest Demons Devils Evil Fear Good Quite Right Shaking Shudder Spirits Thou Tremble
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Belief Believe Believest Demons Devils Evil Fear Good Quite Right Shaking Shudder Spirits Thou Tremble
James 2
1. Do not regard the rich and despise the poor brothers;
13. rather we are to be loving and merciful;
14. and not to boast of faith without deeds;
17. because faith without deeds is useless;
19. as is the faith of the demons;
21. however, Abraham displayed both faith and actions;
25. as did Rahab.














You believe that God is one
This phrase acknowledges the foundational Jewish and Christian belief in monotheism, the belief in one God. The Greek word for "believe" here is "πιστεύεις" (pisteueis), which implies a mental assent or acknowledgment of a truth. This belief is rooted in the Shema, a central declaration of faith in Judaism found in Deuteronomy 6:4, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one." This statement is not just a theological assertion but a call to exclusive devotion and love for God. In the historical context, this belief set the Jewish and early Christian communities apart from the polytheistic cultures surrounding them. For Christians, this belief in one God is further understood through the revelation of the Trinity, where God is one in essence but three in persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Good for you!
This phrase, while seemingly affirming, carries a tone of irony or sarcasm in the context of the passage. The Greek phrase "καλῶς ποιεῖς" (kalōs poieis) translates to "you do well" or "good for you," suggesting that while acknowledging God's oneness is commendable, it is insufficient on its own. James is emphasizing that mere intellectual assent to a doctrine is not the fullness of faith. In the historical context of the early church, there was a need to distinguish between genuine faith, which produces works, and mere acknowledgment of doctrine without transformation.

Even the demons believe that—and shudder
This part of the verse introduces a powerful contrast. The Greek word for "demons" is "δαιμόνια" (daimonia), referring to evil spirits or fallen angels who are in rebellion against God. The word "believe" here is the same as earlier, "πιστεύουσιν" (pisteuousin), indicating that even demons have an intellectual acknowledgment of God's existence and oneness. However, their belief does not lead to salvation or transformation; instead, it causes them to "shudder" or "tremble" (φρίσσουσιν, phrissousin), a word that conveys a visceral, fearful reaction. This highlights the inadequacy of mere belief without a corresponding change in heart and action. Historically, this serves as a warning to the early Christians and to us today that true faith is more than knowledge; it is a living, active trust in God that results in obedience and love.

(19) Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well.--Better thus, Thou believest that God is One; thou doest well. He is the formal object of faith derived from knowledge, whether by sense, intuition, or demonstration; you are theologically correct, and may even declare your internal faith by external confession--well, indeed.

The devils also believe, and tremble.--They shudder in the belief which only assures them of their utter misery; literally, their hair stands on end with terror of the God they own. Assent, opinion, knowledge--all are thus shared by demons of the pit; call not your joint possession by the holier name of Faith. "I believe in God," "I believe in one God"--such is the voice of the Christian; and this is said in the full sense "only by those who love God, and who are not only Christians in name, but in deed and in life."

Verse 19. -

(1) "Thou believest that God is one," R.V., reading Ὅτι εῖς ὁ Θεός ἐστιν: or

(2) "Thou believest that there is one God," A.V. and R.V. margin, reading Ὅτι εῖς Θεὸς ἐστὶν. The reading, and by consequence the translation, must be considered somewhat doubtful, as scarcely any two uncials read the words in precisely the same order. The illustration is taken from the central command of the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 6:4), indicating that the case of Jews is under consideration. The following quotations from the Talmud will show the importance attached by the Jews to this command (Farrar, 'Early Days,' etc., p. 83). It is said ('Berachoth,' fol. 13, 6) that whoever in repeating it "prolongs the utterance of the word 'One,' shall have his days and years prolonged to him." Again we are told that when Rabbi Akibah was martyred he died uttering this word "One;" and then came a Bath Kol, which said, "Blessed art thou, Rabbi Akibah, for thy soul and the word 'One' left thy body together."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
You
σὺ (sy)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

believe
πιστεύεις (pisteueis)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4100: From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

God
Θεός (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

one.
εἷς (heis)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

Good
καλῶς (kalōs)
Adverb
Strong's 2573: Well, nobly, honorably, rightly. Adverb from kalos; well.

for you!
ποιεῖς (poieis)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

Even
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
τὰ (ta)
Article - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

demons
δαιμόνια (daimonia)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1140: An evil-spirit, demon; a heathen deity. Neuter of a derivative of daimon; a d?Monic being; by extension a deity.

believe [that]—
πιστεύουσιν (pisteuousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4100: From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

shudder.
φρίσσουσιν (phrissousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 5425: To shudder, shiver, tremble. Apparently a primary verb; to 'bristle' or chill, i.e. Shudder.


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NT Letters: James 2:19 You believe that God is one (Ja Jas. Jam)
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