James 2:16

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 2:16

And one of you say unto them ,.... That is, one of the same faith, and in the same communion and church fellowship. Depart in peace ; wishing them all prosperity and happiness, inward and outward: be ye warmed and filled ; clothed and fed; signifying, that they wished them all the accommodations of life: notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful for the body ; neither clothes to wear, nor food to eat; nothing to warm their bodies, or fill their bellies: ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 2:16

Be ye warmed and filled - Your saying so to them, while you give them nothing, will just profit them as much as your professed faith, without those works which are the genuine fruits of true faith, will profit you in the day when God comes to sit in judgment upon your soul. 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:14-26

Faith and works. The supposed antagonism between Paul and James. Misapprehension. Paul's great argument is that, not by seeking to fulfill an impossible righteousness do we make ourselves just before God, but by acknowledging our sin and accepting his salvation. James's argument is, that the very faith which saves us is a faith which brings forth after-fruits, or it is not true faith at all. So, then, the "works" to which the one refers are works done with a view to salvation, that God's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 2:15-16

Observe the practical character of the illustration chosen, from works of mercy (cf. James 1:27 ). ωσι in James 2:15 should be deleted (omitted by B, C, K); also the disjunctive particle δὲ at the commencement of the verse (with א , B). read more

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