James 2:14

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

King James Version (KJV)

Other Translations for James 2:14

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say hee hath faith, and haue not workes? can faith saue him?
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan

What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?
- New American Standard Version (1995)

What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not works? can that faith save him?
- American Standard Version (1901)

What use is it, my brothers, for a man to say that he has faith, if he does nothing? will such a faith give him salvation?
- Basic English Bible

What [is] the profit, my brethren, if any one say he have faith, but have not works? can faith save him?
- Darby Bible

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man sayeth he hath faith, and hath not works? can faith save him?
- Webster's Bible

What good is it, my brethren, if a man professes to have faith, and yet his actions do not correspond? Can such faith save him?
- Weymouth Bible

What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him?
- World English Bible

Mi britheren, what schal it profite, if ony man seie that he hath feith, but he hath not the werkis? whether feith schal mowe saue hym?
- Wycliffe Bible

What [is] the profit, my brethren, if faith, any one may speak of having, and works he may not have? is that faith able to save him?
- Youngs Literal Bible

Bible Commentary for James 2:14

Wesley's Notes for James 2:14


2:14 From #James 1:22|, the apostle has been enforcing Christian practice. He now applies to those who neglect this, under the pretence of faith. St. Paul had taught that a man is justified by faith without the works of the law. This some began already to wrest to their own destruction. Wherefore St. James, purposely repeating (#Jas 2:21|,23,25) the same phrases, testimonies, and examples, which St. Paul had used, #Rom 4:3|, #Heb 11:17|,31, refutes not the doctrine of St. Paul, but the error of those who abused it. There is, therefore, no contradiction between the apostles: they both delivered the truth of God, but in a different manner, as having to do with different kinds of men. On another occasion St. James himself pleaded the cause of faith, #Acts 15:13 |- 21; and St. Paul himself strenuously pleads for works, particularly in his latter epistles. This verse is a summary of what follows. What profiteth it? is enlarged on, #Jas 2:15-17|; though a man say, #Jas 2:18,19| can that faith save him? #Jas 2:20|. It is not, though he have faith; but, though he say he have faith. Here, therefore, true, living faith is meant: but in other parts of the argument the apostle speaks of a dead, imaginary faith. He does not, therefore, teach that true faith can, but that it cannot, subsist without works: nor does he oppose faith to works; but that empty name of faith, to real faith working by love. Can that faith which is without works save him? No more than it can profit his neighbour.



People's Bible Notes for James 2:14


Jas 2:14 What [doth it] profit? Professions are nothing unless their fruit is deeds. Even faith is of no avail unless it demonstrates its life by works.

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