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James 2

James 2:14 KJV (With Strong’s)

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14
What
tis (Greek #5101)
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
KJV usage: every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.
Pronounce: tis
Origin: probably emphatic of 5100
b doth it profit
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
ophelos (Greek #3786)
gain
KJV usage: advantageth, profit.
Pronounce: of'-el-os
Origin: from ὀφέλλω (to heap up, i.e. accumulate or benefit)
, my
mou (Greek #3450)
of me
KJV usage: I, me, mine (own), my.
Pronounce: moo
Origin: the simpler form of 1700
brethren
adephos (Greek #80)
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like 1)
KJV usage: brother.
Pronounce: ad-el-fos'
Origin: from 1 (as a connective particle) and δελφύς (the womb)
, though
ean (Greek #1437)
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
KJV usage: before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-)soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, (who-)so(-ever). See 3361.
Pronounce: eh-an'
Origin: from 1487 and 302
a man
tis (Greek #5100)
some or any person or object
KJV usage: a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever).
Pronounce: tis
Origin: an enclitic indefinite pronoun
say
lego (Greek #3004)
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas 2036 and 5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while 4483 is properly to break silence merely, and 2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean
KJV usage: ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
Pronounce: leg'-o
Origin: a primary verb
he hath
echo (Greek #2192)
(used in certain tenses only) a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition)
KJV usage: be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.
Pronounce: ekh'-o
Origin: σχέω (skheh'-o)
faith
pistis (Greek #4102)
persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself
KJV usage: assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.
Pronounce: pis'-tis
Origin: from 3982
, and
de (Greek #1161)
but, and, etc.
KJV usage: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
Pronounce: deh
Origin: a primary particle (adversative or continuative)
have
echo (Greek #2192)
(used in certain tenses only) a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition)
KJV usage: be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.
Pronounce: ekh'-o
Origin: σχέω (skheh'-o)
not
me (Greek #3361)
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
KJV usage: any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also 3362, 3363, 3364, 3372, 3373, 3375, 3378.
Pronounce: may
Origin: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial)
works
ergon (Greek #2041)
toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
KJV usage: deed, doing, labour, work.
Pronounce: er'-gon
Origin: from a primary (but obsolete) ἔργω (to work)
? can
me (Greek #3361)
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
KJV usage: any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also 3362, 3363, 3364, 3372, 3373, 3375, 3378.
Pronounce: may
Origin: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial)
dunamai (Greek #1410)
to be able or possible
KJV usage: be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.
Pronounce: doo'-nam-ahee
Origin: of uncertain affinity
faith
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
pistis (Greek #4102)
persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself
KJV usage: assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.
Pronounce: pis'-tis
Origin: from 3982
save
sozo (Greek #4982)
to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.
Pronounce: sode'-zo
Origin: from a primary σῶς (contraction for obsolete σάος, "safe")
him
autos (Greek #846)
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
KJV usage: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare 848.
Pronounce: ow-tos'
Origin: from the particle αὖ (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward)
?
b
Matt. 7:26• 26And every one who hears these my words and does not do them, he shall be likened to a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand; (Matt. 7:26)

More on:

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Brethren,
Faith

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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What.
James 2:16• 16and one from amongst you say to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled; but give not to them the needful things for the body, what is the profit? (James 2:16)
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Jer. 7:8• 8Behold, ye confide in words of falsehood that cannot profit. (Jer. 7:8)
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Rom. 2:25• 25For circumcision indeed profits if thou keep the law; but if thou be a law-transgressor, thy circumcision is become uncircumcision. (Rom. 2:25)
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1 Cor. 13:3• 3And if I shall dole out all my goods in food, and if I deliver up my body that I may be burned, but have not love, I profit nothing. (1 Cor. 13:3)
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1 Tim. 4:8• 8for bodily exercise is profitable for a little, but piety is profitable for everything, having promise of life, of the present one, and of that to come. (1 Tim. 4:8)
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Heb. 13:9• 9Be not carried away with various and strange doctrines; for it is good that the heart be confirmed with grace, not meats; those who have walked in which have not been profited by them. (Heb. 13:9)
though.
James 2:18,26• 18But some one will say, *Thou* hast faith and *I* have works. Shew me thy faith without works, and *I* from my works will shew thee my faith.
 26For as the body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. (James 2:18,26)
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James 1:22‑25• 22But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, beguiling yourselves.
 23For if any man be a hearer of the word and not a doer, *he* is like to a man considering his natural face in a mirror:
 24for he has considered himself and is gone away, and straightway he has forgotten what he was like.
 25But *he* that fixes his view on the perfect law, that of liberty, and abides in it, being not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, *he* shall be blessed in his doing. (James 1:22‑25)
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Matt. 5:20• 20For I say unto you, that unless your righteousness surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of the heavens. (Matt. 5:20)
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Matt. 7:21‑23,26‑27• 21Not every one who says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but he that does the will of my Father who is in the heavens.
 22Many shall say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied through *thy* name, and through *thy* name cast out demons, and through *thy* name done many works of power?
 23and then will I avow unto them, I never knew you. Depart from me, workers of lawlessness.
 26And every one who hears these my words and does not do them, he shall be likened to a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand;
 27and the rain came down, and the streams came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, and it fell, and its fall was great. (Matt. 7:21‑23,26‑27)
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Luke 6:49• 49And he that has heard and not done, is like a man who has built a house on the ground without a foundation, on which the stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the breach of that house was great. (Luke 6:49)
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Acts 8:13,21• 13And Simon also himself believed; and, having been baptised, continued constantly with Philip; and, beholding the signs and great works of power which took place, was astonished.
 21Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter, for thy heart is not upright before God. (Acts 8:13,21)
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Acts 15:9• 9and put no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith. (Acts 15:9)
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1 Cor. 13:2• 2And if I have prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. (1 Cor. 13:2)
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1 Cor. 16:22• 22If any one love not the Lord Jesus Christ let him be Anathema Maranatha. (1 Cor. 16:22)
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Gal. 5:6,13• 6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision has any force, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love.
 13For *ye* have been called to liberty, brethren; only do not turn liberty into an opportunity to the flesh, but by love serve one another. (Gal. 5:6,13)
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1 Thess. 1:3• 3remembering unceasingly your work of faith, and labour of love, and enduring constancy of hope, of our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father; (1 Thess. 1:3)
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1 Tim. 1:5• 5But the end of what is enjoined is love out of a pure heart and a good conscience and unfeigned faith; (1 Tim. 1:5)
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Titus 1:16• 16They profess to know God, but in works deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and found worthless as to every good work. (Titus 1:16)
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Titus 3:8• 8The word is faithful, and I desire that thou insist strenuously on these things, that they who have believed God may take care to pay diligent attention to good works. These things are good and profitable to men. (Titus 3:8)
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Heb. 11:7‑8,17• 7By faith, Noah, oracularly warned concerning things not yet seen, moved with fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his house; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
 8By faith Abraham, being called, obeyed to go out into the place which he was to receive for an inheritance, and went out, not knowing where he was going.
 17By faith Abraham, when tried, offered up Isaac, and he who had received to himself the promises offered up his only begotten son, (Heb. 11:7‑8,17)
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2 Peter 1:5• 5But for this very reason also, using therewith all diligence, in your faith have also virtue, in virtue knowledge, (2 Peter 1:5)
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1 John 5:4‑5• 4For all that has been begotten of God gets the victory over the world; and this is the victory which has gotten the victory over the world, our faith.
 5Who is he that gets the victory over the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4‑5)
can.
1 Cor. 15:2• 2by which also ye are saved, (if ye hold fast the word which I announced to you as the glad tidings,) unless indeed ye have believed in vain. (1 Cor. 15:2)
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Eph. 2:8‑10• 8For ye are saved by grace, through faith; and this not of yourselves; it is God's gift:
 9not on the principle of works, that no one might boast.
 10For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has before prepared that we should walk in them. (Eph. 2:8‑10)
• The profession of having faith without this life—the existence of which is proved by works—can profit no one. (“James 2” by J.N. Darby)
• We may profess that we accept the teaching of Christ, but unless that which we believe controls our actions we cannot be said to really have the faith of Christ. (“James 2” by F.B. Hole)
• It must be carefully noted that the works, upon which James so strenuously insists in these verses are the works of faith. Having noted this we shall do well to turn at once to Rom. 3 and 4, and also to Gal. 3, where the Apostle Paul so convincingly demonstrates that our justification is by faith and is not of works. These works however which Paul so completely eliminates are the works of the law. (“James 2” by F.B. Hole)
• The illustrations of verses 14 to 16 are quite conclusive. We may profess faith in God’s care for His people in temporal things, but except our faith in that care leads us to a readiness to be the channel through which it may flow, our faith is of no profit to the needy brother or sister. (“James 2” by F.B. Hole)

J. N. Darby Translation

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14
What is the profit, my brethren, if any one say he have faith, but have not works? can faith save him?

W. Kelly Translation

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14
What [is] the profit, my brethren, if one say he have faitha, but have not works? Can faith save him?

WK Translation Notes

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a
There is no need to give the Greek article "this" or "that" faith, nor yet the more legitimate possessive sense of "his." Faith is entitled to the article in Greek as an ideal object, the thing faith, or as we in English say "faith," as much as if it expressed the different sense of "the faith" required in many scriptures. The context can alone decide in which shade it is employed. Hence also we may observe that in vs. 17 scarce any person thinks of translating the same words, save as faith; and rightly so, for it is still used in the same general sense. This is not at all invalidated by the anarthrous form in vs. 14, where the insertion of the article would be improper.