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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/james/2-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/59_Jas_02_14.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="James 2:14 - Faith and Works" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? 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Can such faith save them? <a href="/nlt/james/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? <a href="/esv/james/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? <a href="/bsb/james/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? <a href="/blb/james/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> What is the profit, my brothers, if anyone says to have faith, but has no works? Is the faith able to save him? <a href="/kjv/james/2.htm">King James Bible</a> What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? <a href="/nkjv/james/2.htm">New King James Version</a> What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? <a href="/nasb_/james/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> What use is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? <a href="/nasb/james/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? <a href="/nasb77/james/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? <a href="/lsb/james/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> What use is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? <a href="/amp/james/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> What is the benefit, my fellow believers, if someone claims to have faith but has no [good] works [as evidence]? Can that [kind of] faith save him? [No, a mere claim of faith is not sufficient—genuine faith produces good works.] <a href="/csb/james/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can such faith save him? <a href="/hcsb/james/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can his faith save him? <a href="/asv/james/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not works? can that faith save him? <a href="/cev/james/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> My friends, what good is it to say you have faith, when you don't do anything to show you really do have faith? Can this kind of faith save you? <a href="/erv/james/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not works? can that faith save him? <a href="/gwt/james/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> My brothers and sisters, what good does it do if someone claims to have faith but doesn't do any good things? Can this kind of faith save him? <a href="/gnt/james/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> My friends, what good is it for one of you to say that you have faith if your actions do not prove it? Can that faith save you? <a href="/isv/james/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> What good does it do, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith but does not prove it with actions? This kind of faith cannot save him, can it? <a href="/msb/james/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? <a href="/net/james/2.htm">NET Bible</a> What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can this kind of faith save him? <a href="/nheb/james/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him? <a href="/wbt/james/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man sayeth he hath faith, and hath not works? can faith save him? <a href="/wey/james/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> 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? <a href="/web/james/2.htm">World English Bible</a> What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/james/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> What [is] the profit, my brothers, if anyone may speak of having faith, but he may not have works? Is that faith able to save him? <a href="/blb/james/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> What is the profit, my brothers, if anyone says to have faith, but has no works? Is the faith able to save him? <a href="/ylt/james/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 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? <a href="/slt/james/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And what profit, my brethren, if any say he has faith, and should not have works? can faith save him?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/james/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> What shall it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but hath not works? Shall faith be able to save him? <a href="/cpdv/james/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> My brothers, what benefit is there if someone claims to have faith, but he does not have works? How would faith be able to save him? <a href="/nabre/james/2.htm">New American Bible</a> What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? <a href="/nrsvce/james/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/james/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Though a man say he has faith, what profit is it, my brethren, if he does not have works? Can faith save him? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/james/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> What good is it my brethren, if a man says, 'I have faith', and he does not have deeds? Can his faith save him?<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/james/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> What profit is there, my brethren, if any one say he has faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? <a href="/godbey/james/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> But what is it profitable, my brethren, if one may say he has faith, but has not works? whether is faith able to save him? <a href="/haweis/james/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> What is the advantage, my brethren, if a man profess to have faith, but hath not works; can faith save him? <a href="/mace/james/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a> What advantage is it, my brethren, for a man to say he has faith, if he has no beneficence? can such a faith save him? <a href="/wey/james/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> 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? <a href="/worrell/james/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> What profit is it, my brethren, if anyone says he has faith, but has not works; can such faith save him? <a href="/worsley/james/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> What is the advantage, my brethren, if any one say that he has faith, and he hath not works, can faith alone save him? <a href="/parallel/james/2-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0xUBCzqsAGw?start=357" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/james/2.htm">Faith and Works</a> 13For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. 14<a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: Ti (IPro-NNS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">What</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3786.htm" title="3786: ophelos (N-NNS) -- Advantage, gain, profit, help. From ophello; gain.">good is it,</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">my</a> <a href="/greek/80.htm" title="80: adelphoi (N-VMP) -- A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.">brothers,</a> <a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.">if</a> <a href="/greek/5100.htm" title="5100: tis (IPro-NMS) -- Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.">someone</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legē (V-PSA-3S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">claims</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echein (V-PNA) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">to have</a> <a href="/greek/4102.htm" title="4102: pistin (N-AFS) -- Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. ">faith,</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">but</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echē (V-PSA-3S) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">has</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.">no</a> <a href="/greek/2041.htm" title="2041: erga (N-ANP) -- From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.">deeds?</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/1410.htm" title="1410: dynatai (V-PIM/P-3S) -- (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.">Can</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">such</a> <a href="/greek/4102.htm" title="4102: pistis (N-NFS) -- Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. ">faith</a> <a href="/greek/4982.htm" title="4982: sōsai (V-ANA) -- To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect.">save</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">him?</a> 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/7-21.htm">Matthew 7:21-23</a> Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. / Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’ <a href="/ephesians/2-8.htm">Ephesians 2:8-10</a> For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, / not by works, so that no one can boast. / For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life. <a href="/galatians/5-6.htm">Galatians 5:6</a> For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. What matters is faith expressing itself through love. <a href="/1_john/3-17.htm">1 John 3:17-18</a> If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? / Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth. <a href="/romans/2-13.htm">Romans 2:13</a> For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous. <a href="/matthew/25-31.htm">Matthew 25:31-46</a> When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. / All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. / He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. ... <a href="/1_corinthians/13-2.htm">1 Corinthians 13:2</a> If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. <a href="/hebrews/11-17.htm">Hebrews 11:17-19</a> By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son, / even though God had said to him, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a sense, he did receive Isaac back from death. <a href="/luke/6-46.htm">Luke 6:46-49</a> Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I say? / I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them: / He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid his foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the torrent crashed against that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. ... <a href="/titus/1-16.htm">Titus 1:16</a> They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed. <a href="/1_john/2-4.htm">1 John 2:4</a> If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. <a href="/philippians/2-12.htm">Philippians 2:12-13</a> Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. / For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose. <a href="/2_peter/1-5.htm">2 Peter 1:5-8</a> For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; / and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; / and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. ... <a href="/john/15-1.htm">John 15:1-8</a> “I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. / He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful. / You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ... <a href="/romans/3-28.htm">Romans 3:28</a> For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>What does it profit, my brothers, though a man say he has faith, and have not works? can faith save him?What.<a href="/james/2-16.htm">James 2:16</a> 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?<a href="/jeremiah/7-8.htm">Jeremiah 7:8</a> Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.<a href="/romans/2-25.htm">Romans 2:25</a> For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.though.<a href="/james/2-18.htm">James 2:18,26</a> 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… <a href="/james/1-22.htm">James 1:22-25</a> But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves… <a href="/matthew/5-20.htm">Matthew 5:20</a> For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.can.<a href="/1_corinthians/15-2.htm">1 Corinthians 15:2</a> By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.<a href="/ephesians/2-8.htm">Ephesians 2:8-10</a> For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/titus/3-8.htm">Actions</a> <a href="/1_timothy/3-16.htm">Claims</a> <a href="/galatians/4-25.htm">Correspond</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-24.htm">Deeds</a> <a href="/james/2-5.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/james/2-7.htm">Good</a> <a href="/1_john/2-9.htm">Professes</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-22.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/james/1-21.htm">Salvation</a> <a href="/james/1-21.htm">Save</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-16.htm">Someone</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-8.htm">Use</a> <a href="/james/1-3.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/james/2-18.htm">Actions</a> <a href="/1_john/2-6.htm">Claims</a> <a href="/exodus/6-3.htm">Correspond</a> <a href="/james/2-18.htm">Deeds</a> <a href="/james/2-17.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/james/2-16.htm">Good</a> <a href="/1_john/2-4.htm">Professes</a> <a href="/james/2-16.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/james/4-12.htm">Salvation</a> <a href="/james/4-12.htm">Save</a> <a href="/james/2-18.htm">Someone</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-16.htm">Use</a> <a href="/james/2-17.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">James 2</div>1. <a href="/james/2-1.htm">Do not regard the rich and despise the poor brothers;</a> 13. <a href="/james/2-13.htm">rather we are to be loving and merciful;</a> 14. <a href="/james/2-14.htm">and not to boast of faith without deeds;</a> 17. <a href="/james/2-17.htm">because faith without deeds is useless;</a> 19. <a href="/james/2-19.htm">as is the faith of the demons;</a> 21. <a href="/james/2-21.htm">however, Abraham displayed both faith and actions;</a> 25. <a href="/james/2-25.htm">as did Rahab.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/james/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/james/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/james/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>What good is it, my brothers, This phrase addresses the audience as "my brothers," indicating a familial relationship among believers, emphasizing unity and shared faith. The rhetorical question "What good is it" challenges the reader to consider the practical value of faith. In the context of the early church, this reflects the communal nature of Christian life, where faith was expected to manifest in actions that benefit the community.if someone claims to have faith, The emphasis here is on the claim of faith, suggesting a verbal profession without accompanying evidence. In the Greco-Roman world, where rhetoric and public declarations were common, this highlights the distinction between mere words and genuine belief. The early church faced challenges from those who professed faith but did not live it out, prompting James to address this issue.but has no deeds? Deeds, or works, are presented as the evidence of genuine faith. This reflects the Jewish understanding of faith as inherently linked to action, as seen in the lives of the patriarchs and prophets. The cultural context of the time valued practical expressions of belief, aligning with the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized love and service to others as key components of discipleship.Can such faith save him? This question challenges the notion of faith without works as being sufficient for salvation. It echoes the teachings of Jesus, who warned against empty professions of faith (<a href="/matthew/7-21.htm">Matthew 7:21-23</a>). The early church grappled with understanding the relationship between faith and works, and this passage underscores the necessity of a living faith that produces fruit, aligning with the broader biblical narrative that true faith results in transformation and obedience.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/james.htm">James</a> The author of the epistle, traditionally identified as James, the brother of Jesus and a leader in the early Jerusalem church. He is known for his practical approach to Christian living. 2. <a href="/topical/e/early_christian_communities.htm">Early Christian Communities</a> The audience of the letter, likely Jewish Christians scattered outside of Jerusalem, facing trials and needing guidance on living out their faith. 3. <a href="/topical/f/faith_and_works.htm">Faith and Works</a> Central themes in this passage, where James addresses the relationship between belief and action in the life of a believer.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/f/faith_without_works_is_dead.htm">Faith Without Works is Dead</a> Genuine faith is evidenced by actions. A claim to faith without corresponding deeds is empty and ineffective. <a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_saving_faith.htm">The Nature of Saving Faith</a> True saving faith is transformative, leading to a life characterized by good works. It is not mere intellectual assent but involves the whole person. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_works_in_the_christian_life.htm">The Role of Works in the Christian Life</a> Works are not the basis of salvation but the fruit of it. They are the natural outcome of a living faith and a relationship with Christ. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_accountability.htm">Community and Accountability</a> Believers are called to live out their faith in community, encouraging and holding one another accountable to live lives that reflect their beliefs. <a href="/topical/p/practical_christianity.htm">Practical Christianity</a> Christianity is not just a set of beliefs but a way of life. Our faith should be visible in how we treat others and respond to their needs.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_james_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from James 2</a> <a href="/q/does_james_2_14-17_contradict_romans_3_28.htm">(James 2:14–17) Doesn’t insisting on works contradict passages elsewhere that claim faith alone is sufficient for salvation (e.g., Romans 3:28)? </a> <a href="/q/what_is_willow_creek_community_church.htm">What is Willow Creek Community Church?</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_knights_of_columbus'_purpose.htm">What is the purpose of the Knights of Columbus?</a> <a href="/q/who_was_saint_martin_of_tours.htm">Who was Saint Martin of Tours?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/james/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(14-26) FAITH AND WORKS.--We now enter on the most debatable ground of the Epistle; a battle-field strewn with the bones and weapons of countless adversaries. It is an easy thing to shoot "arrows, even bitter words"; and without doubt, for what seemed to be the vindication of the right, many a hard blow has been dealt on either side--so many, indeed, that quiet Christian folk have no desire to hear of more. The plain assertions of holy Scripture on this matter are enough for them; and they experience of themselves no difficulty in their interpretation.The old story of the Knights who smote each other to the death upon the question of the gold and silver shield, each looking at it only from his own point of view, may well apply to combatants who cried so lustily for "Paul" or "James." But, now the dust of conflict has somewhat blown aside, it would be hard to prove that the Apostles themselves were ever at variance, or needed such doughty champions at all.Truth is, they regarded the same object with a different motive, and aimed at a dissimilar result: just as in medicine, very opposite treatments are required by various sicknesses, and in the several stages of disease. The besetting error of the Jewish Christians to whom St. James appealed was that which we have traced (see Introduction, p. 353) to a foreign source; and, as it wandered but slowly from the furthest East, it had not yet reached the churches of Europe, at least sufficiently to constitute a danger in the mind of St. Paul. No better tonic for the enervating effect of this perverted doctrine of Faith could be found than a consideration of the nobler life of Abraham; and what example could be upheld more likely to win back the hearts of his proud descendants? And, if to point his lesson, the Apostle urged a great and stainless name, even that of the Friend of God, so with it would he join the lowly and, perhaps, aforetime dishonoured one of Rahab, that he might, as it were, plead well with all men of every degree or kind.Dean Alford, quoting with entire approbation the opinion of the German commentator De Wette, found it "impossible to say" that the ideas of Faith, Works, and Justification in the two Apostles were the same. The summary of his remarks is fairly this:--According to St. James, Faith was moral conviction, trust, and truth; and yet such a theoretical belief only that it might be held by devils. Works are not those of the Law, but an active life of practical morality and well-doing; Justification is used in a proper or moral sense, but not the higher or "forensic," as we now call it. On the other hand, St. Paul's idea of Faith presupposes self-abasement, and "consists in trust on the grace of God, revealed in the atoning death of Christ"; Works with him referred chiefly to a dependence on legal observances; Justification assumed a far wider significance, especially in his view "of the inadequacy of a good conscience to give peace and blessedness to men" (<a href="/1_corinthians/4-4.htm" title="For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judges me is the Lord.">1Corinthians 4:4</a>), such being only to be found by faith in God, who justifies of His free grace, and looks on the accepted penitent as if he were righteous. But even this divergence, small as it is compared with that discerned by some divines, is really overstrained; for in the present Epistle the Church of every age is warned "against the delusive notion that it is enough for men to have religious emotions, to talk religious language, to have religious knowledge, and to profess religious belief, without the habitual practice of religious duties and the daily devotion of a religious life": while the letters of St. Paul do not, in this way, combat hypocrisy so much as heterodoxy. There is always the double danger, dwelt upon by Augustine somewhat after this manner:--One man will say, "I believe in God, and it will be counted to me for righteousness, therefore I will live as I like." St. James answers him by showing that "Abraham was justified by Works" (<a href="/james/2-21.htm" title="Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son on the altar?">James 2:21</a>). Another says, "I will lead a good life, and keep the commandments; how can it matter precisely what I believe!" St. Paul replies that "Abraham was justified by faith" (Romans 4). But, if the Apostle of the Gentiles be inquired of further, he will say that, although works go not before faith, they certainly come after. (Witness his discourse on Charity, 1 Corinthians 13) And, therefore, concludes Bishop Wordsworth, "the faith described by St. Paul is not any sort of faith by which we believe in God; but it is that healthful evangelical faith whose works spring from love."Thus the divine lesson stands forth, clearly written; and he who runs may read. Faith must be embodied in acts: "faith, without acts of faith, is but a dream." "The two cannot be separated, for they are given in one by God to man, and from him go back in one to God. As by faith we behold the greatness of God, and of His eternal grace, His ineffable holiness, majesty, glory, goodness, love; so we shall know and feel the nothingness of all in ourselves--whether faith or works--save as they are the gift of God. As we probe ourselves, we learn the depth of our own evil; but, as we confess our own evil and God's good, He will take away from us the evil, and crown us with His goodness: as we own ourselves to be, of ourselves, unprofitable servants, He, owning us in His works, will say, 'Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord'" (<a href="/matthew/25-21.htm" title="His lord said to him, Well done, you good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter you into the joy of your lord.">Matthew 25:21</a>).A deeply learned and interesting excursus on Faith, in its active and passive meanings, and on its Hebrew, Greek, and Latin synonyms, may be read in Bishop Lightfoot's Notes on the Galatians, pp. 152-162. Admitting that "so long as our range of view is confined to the apostolic writings, it seems scarcely possible to resist the impression that St. James is attacking the teaching, if not of St. Paul himself, at least of those who exaggerated and perverted it," our profoundest theologian assures us that the passage in Genesis (<a href="/genesis/15-6.htm" title="And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.">Genesis 15:6</a>) was a common thesis in the Rabbinical schools, the meaning of faith being variously explained by the disputants, and diverse lessons drawn from it. The supremacy of faith, as the means of salvation, might be maintained by Gentile Apostle and Pharisaic Rabbi: but faith with the former was a very different thing from faith with the latter. With one its prominent idea was a spiritual life, with the other an orthodox creed; with the one the guiding principle was the individual conscience, with the other an external rule of ordinances; with the one faith was allied to liberty, with the other to bondage. "Thus," he says in conclusion, "it becomes a question whether St. James's protest against reliance on faith alone has any reference, direct or indirect, to St. Paul's language and teaching; whether, in fact, it is not aimed against an entirely different type of religious feeling, against the Pharisaic spirit which rested satisfied with a barren orthodoxy, fruitless in works of charity." . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/james/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 14-26. - WARNING AGAINST RESTING CONTENT WITH A MERE BARREN ORTHODOXY. Preliminary note: This is the famous passage which led to Luther's depreciation of the whole Epistle, which he termed a "right strawy" one. At first sight it appears, indeed, diametrically opposed to the teaching of St. Paul; for: (1) St. Paul says (<a href="/romans/3-28.htm">Romans 3:28</a>)," We conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from (χωρίς) works of Law," whereas St. James asserts (ver. 26) that "faith without (χωρίς) works is dead," and that man is "justified by works and not by faith only" (ver. 24). (2) St. Paul speaks of Abraham as justified by faith (<a href="/romans/4.htm">Romans 4</a>; cf. <a href="/galatians/3-6.htm">Galatians 3:6</a>, etc.); St. James says that he was justified by works (ver. 21). (3) St. Paul, or the Pauline author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, appeals to the case of Rahab as an instance of faith (<a href="/hebrews/11-31.htm">Hebrews 11:31</a>); St. James refers to her as an example of justification by works (ver. 25). The opposition, however, is only apparent; for: . . . <a href="/commentaries/james/2-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>What Τί (Ti) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. good [is it], ὄφελος (ophelos) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3786.htm">Strong's 3786: </a> Advantage, gain, profit, help. From ophello; gain. my μου (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. brothers, ἀδελφοί (adelphoi) Noun - Vocative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_80.htm">Strong's 80: </a> A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote. if ἐὰν (ean) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1437.htm">Strong's 1437: </a> If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc. someone τις (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5100.htm">Strong's 5100: </a> Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. claims λέγῃ (legē) Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. to have ἔχειν (echein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. faith, πίστιν (pistin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4102.htm">Strong's 4102: </a> Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. but δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. has ἔχῃ (echē) Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. no μὴ (mē) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3361.htm">Strong's 3361: </a> Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. deeds? ἔργα (erga) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2041.htm">Strong's 2041: </a> From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act. Can δύναται (dynatai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1410.htm">Strong's 1410: </a> (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible. such ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. faith πίστις (pistis) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4102.htm">Strong's 4102: </a> Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. save σῶσαι (sōsai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_4982.htm">Strong's 4982: </a> To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect. him? αὐτόν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/james/2-14.htm">James 2:14 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/james/2-14.htm">James 2:14 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/james/2-14.htm">James 2:14 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/james/2-14.htm">James 2:14 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/james/2-14.htm">James 2:14 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/james/2-14.htm">James 2:14 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/james/2-14.htm">James 2:14 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/james/2-14.htm">James 2:14 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/james/2-14.htm">James 2:14 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/james/2-14.htm">James 2:14 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/james/2-14.htm">NT Letters: James 2:14 What good is it my brothers if (Ja Jas. Jam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/james/2-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="James 2:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="James 2:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/james/2-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="James 2:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="James 2:15" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>