James 2:14,James 2:18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - James 2:14-26

In this latter part of the chapter, the apostle shows the error of those who rested in a bare profession of the Christian faith, as if that would save them, while the temper of their minds and the tenour of their lives were altogether disagreeable to that holy religion which they professed. To let them see, therefore, what a wretched foundation they built their hopes upon, it is here proved at large that a man is justified, not by faith only, but by works. Now, I. Upon this arises a very great... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - James 2:14-26

2:14-26 My brothers, what use is it if a man claims to have faith and has no deeds to show? Are you going to claim that his faith is able to save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear, and if they have not enough for their daily food, and if one of you says to them, "Go in peace! Be warmed and fed!" and yet does not give them the essentials of bodily existence, what use is that? So, if faith too has no deeds to show, by itself it is dead. But someone may well say, "Have you... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 2:14

What doth it profit, my brethren ,.... The apostle having finished his discourse on respect of persons, and the arguments he used to dissuade from it, by an easy transition passes to treat upon faith and works, showing that faith without works, particularly without works of mercy, is of no profit and advantage: though a man say he hath faith, and have not works ? it is clear that the apostle is not speaking of true faith, for that, in persons capable of performing them, is not without... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:14

What doth it profit - though a man say he hath faith - We now come to a part of this epistle which has appeared to some eminent men to contradict other portions of the Divine records. In short, it has been thought that James teaches the doctrine of justification by the merit of good works, while Paul asserts this to be insufficient, and that man is justified by faith. Luther, supposing that James did actually teach the doctrine of justification by works, which his good sense showed him to be... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:14

Verse 14 14What doth it profit. He proceeds to commend mercy. And as he had threatened that God would be a severe Judge to us, and at the same time very dreadful, except we be kind and merciful towards our neighbors, and as on the other hand hypocrites objected and said, that faith is sufficient to us, in which the salvation of men consists, he now condemns this vain boasting. The sum, then, of what is said is, that faith without love avails nothing, and that it is therefore wholly dead. But... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:14

Omit the article (with B, C 1 ), and read τί ὀφελος : so also in James 2:16 . Can faith save him! rather, with R.V., that faith ( ἡ πίστις ); the faith in question. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:14-17

(1) First point : Faith without works is equivalent to profession without practice, and is therefore dead. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:14-19

Works the test of faith. God has joined faith and works together; but perverse human nature will insist upon putting them asunder. In the apostolic age, Paul met with many people who made works everything, to the neglect of faith; and James met with others who made faith everything, to the neglect of works.. In our time, too, multitudes outside the Church are saying that good conduct is the one thing needful, while orthodoxy of creed is comparatively unimportant. "For modes of faith let... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:14-26

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: St. James refers to her as an example of justification by works (verse 25). The opposition, however, is only apparent; for: (a) That the object of the much-vaunted faith of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:14-26

Faith and works. I. THE HOLLOWNESS OF PROFESSION WITHOUT PRACTICE ; of a mere orthodox creed without the deeds of love, which are as the fruits by which the tree is known. There is no reason to think that the Pharisee of the one parable was unorthodox, or that Dives in another was a heretic; but the faith of each of these was worthless, because not a "faith which worketh by love." The good Samaritan was a stranger and an alien, but did by nature the deeds of the Law; and thus... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - James 2:14-26

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - James 2:14-26

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 2:14

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:14

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:14

The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:14

The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:14-17

The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:14-19

The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:14-26

The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:14-26

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