James
King James Version (KJV)
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)
James 2:14 Context
11For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. 13For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. 14What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16And 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? 17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
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Other Translations
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
- 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
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.