Not by faith alone: This means that true faith is not like demons who simply believe something is true (2:19). But it is through a belief that leads to generous actions like God himself does (1:17). Some think this teaching contradicts Paul, but it does not. Paul does not oppose good deeds, but he warns against seeking forgiveness of sins through them (Romans 3:28; Galatians 2:16). Paul understands that it is necessary for true faith to leads to love and generosity (Galatians 5:6). In a similar way, James knows that a commitment to God comes from true faith and good deeds come only from true faith (James 2:18, 26).