James 2:14

KJV

¶ What [doth it] profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

KJV (with Strong's)

What {G5101} doth it profit {G3786}, my {G3450} brethren {G80}, though {G1437} a man {G5100} say {G3004} he hath {G2192} faith {G4102}, and {G1161} have {G2192} not {G3361} works {G2041}? can {G1410}{G3361} faith {G4102} save {G4982} him {G846}?

Complete Jewish Bible

What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith but has no actions to prove it? Is such “faith” able to save him?

Berean Standard Bible

What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

American Standard Version

What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not works? can that faith save him?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
James 2:14 presents a profound rhetorical question that challenges the authenticity of a faith devoid of corresponding actions, asking what benefit or salvation can come from a mere verbal profession of belief that lacks tangible deeds. This verse serves as the foundational inquiry for James's robust argument throughout the remainder of the chapter, asserting that genuine, saving faith is inherently active and demonstrated through works, not merely intellectual assent or a claim.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** James 2:14 initiates a critical theological discussion within the epistle, immediately following James's strong rebuke of favoritism and discrimination against the poor within the Christian community ([James 2:1-13](/james/2-1-13 "James 2:1-13 - Warning Against Favoritism")). Having established that true faith expresses itself in impartial love and mercy, James now extends this principle to the very nature of faith itself. The rhetorical question of verse 14 sets the stage for a detailed exposition on the relationship between faith and works, which culminates in the examples of Abraham and Rahab ([James 2:21-25](/james/2-21-25 "James 2:21-25 - Examples of Faith and Works")) and the definitive statement that "faith without works is dead" ([James 2:26](/james/2-26 "James 2:26 - Faith Without Works Is Dead")). The flow of argument is logical: if favoritism is antithetical to genuine faith, then a lack of good works is equally so.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The audience of James's epistle was likely Jewish Christians scattered among the nations, facing various trials and temptations ([James 1:1-2](/james/1-1-2 "James 1:1-2 - Greeting and Endurance in Trials")). Within this context, there may have been a tendency to intellectualize faith, perhaps influenced by a misinterpretation of Pauline theology regarding justification by faith, or by a form of Judaism that emphasized ritual observance over true righteousness. James, as a leader in the Jerusalem church and likely Jesus's half-brother, would have been acutely aware of the practical implications of Christian belief for daily living. His emphasis on "works" (ἔργα) would resonate with Jewish ethical traditions, but he redefines these works not as a means to earn salvation, but as the inevitable fruit of a transformed heart, demonstrating a living relationship with God. The socio-economic disparities highlighted earlier in the chapter ([James 2:1-7](/james/2-1-7 "James 2:1-7 - Warning Against Favoritism")) underscore the practical outworking of faith in caring for the vulnerable, which is a key "work" James has in mind.
* **Key Themes:** This verse is central to the epistle's overarching theme of **practical Christianity** and the **demonstration of genuine faith**. James consistently argues that true faith is not a passive intellectual assent but an active, transformative force that impacts one's behavior. It contributes significantly to the theme of **holistic salvation**, where belief in Christ is inseparable from a life of obedience and love. The question "can faith save him?" directly addresses the **nature of saving faith**, asserting that a faith that does not produce good works is fundamentally deficient and cannot be the kind of faith that leads to eternal life. This theme is further developed by contrasting "dead faith" with "living faith" ([James 2:17](/james/2-17 "James 2:17 - Faith Without Works Is Dead")), and by illustrating how both Abraham's justification ([James 2:21](/james/2-21 "James 2:21 - Abraham Justified by Works")) and Rahab's salvation ([James 2:25](/james/2-25 "James 2:25 - Rahab Justified by Works")) were evidenced by their actions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Profit (Greek, _óphelos'_):** This word signifies "gain," "advantage," or "usefulness." James's opening question, "What doth it profit...?" is not merely rhetorical but deeply practical. He is asking about the spiritual efficacy and ultimate benefit of a faith that remains inert. Is such a faith truly advantageous for salvation, or is it ultimately useless in God's eyes? The implication is that without works, there is no true spiritual gain or benefit.
* **Faith (Greek, _pístis'_):** In this context, _pístis_ refers to "persuasion, credence, moral conviction," or "reliance upon Christ for salvation." James is not questioning the *concept* of faith but its *quality* and *authenticity*. He distinguishes between a superficial, verbal declaration of faith ("though a man say he hath faith") and a genuine, transformative faith that manifests itself in deeds. For James, true _pístis_ is always active and dynamic, leading to obedience and righteous living.
* **Works (Greek, _érgon'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to toil," _érgon_ denotes "an act," "deed," or "labor." These are the tangible expressions of one's inner belief. James emphasizes that these "works" are not merely external rituals or legalistic observances, but ethical actions that flow from a heart transformed by faith. They are the visible evidence that one's faith is alive and active, proving the reality of the internal conviction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"What doth it profit, my brethren,"**: James begins with a direct, probing question addressed to his fellow believers, indicating a pastoral concern for their spiritual well-being and understanding. He challenges them to consider the practical value or spiritual advantage of a certain kind of faith. The question implies that if there is no profit, then such a faith is worthless.
* **"though a man say he hath faith, and have not works?"**: This clause presents the problematic scenario: a person who verbally claims to possess faith ("say he hath faith") but whose life lacks the corresponding actions or deeds ("and have not works"). James highlights the disparity between profession and practice, suggesting that a mere verbal declaration is insufficient. The "works" here are not a means to earn salvation but the natural, observable outflow of a genuine, living faith.
* **"can faith save him?"**: This climactic rhetorical question underscores the central point. James is not asking if works save, but if a *certain kind of faith*—a faith that exists only in word and not in deed—is capable of bringing salvation. The implied answer is a resounding "No." Such a faith is exposed as barren and ineffective, unable to deliver the spiritual preservation or wholeness that true salvation entails.

#### Literary Devices
James masterfully employs a **Rhetorical Question** ("What doth it profit...?", "can faith save him?") to engage his audience directly and to powerfully convey his argument. These questions are not posed for information but to provoke thought and highlight an obvious truth: a faith without works is useless. He also uses **Antithesis**, juxtaposing "say he hath faith" with "have not works" to draw a sharp contrast between a superficial profession and genuine spiritual reality. This creates a tension that he resolves by asserting the necessity of works as evidence of true faith. Furthermore, there is an element of **Hypophora**, where James asks a question and then implicitly or explicitly answers it throughout the subsequent verses, building his case for the inseparable nature of faith and works.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
James 2:14 serves as a crucial bridge in understanding the New Testament's teaching on salvation. It challenges a truncated view of faith that divorces belief from behavior, asserting that genuine faith is inherently active and evidenced by righteous living. While often perceived as being in tension with Paul's emphasis on justification by faith alone ([Romans 3:28](/romans/3-28 "Romans 3:28 - Justification by Faith")), James is addressing a different aspect: Paul speaks of the *root* of salvation (faith as the sole instrument of justification), while James speaks of the *fruit* (works as the necessary evidence and validation of that justifying faith). For James, works do not earn salvation, but they demonstrate that a person's faith is authentic and "living," rather than "dead" ([James 2:17](/james/2-17 "James 2:17 - Faith Without Works Is Dead")). This verse thus connects to the broader biblical theme of the **integrity of faith**, where internal conviction must be matched by external conduct.

* [Matthew 7:21](/matthew/7-21 "Matthew 7:21 - Not Everyone Who Says 'Lord, Lord'")
* [Ephesians 2:10](/ephesians/2-10 "Ephesians 2:10 - Created for Good Works")
* [Titus 2:14](/titus/2-14 "Titus 2:14 - Eager for Good Works")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
James 2:14 serves as a powerful mirror for self-examination, urging believers to move beyond mere intellectual assent or verbal profession to a faith that is vibrant, active, and demonstrably real. It challenges the comfort of a passive Christianity, reminding us that true faith is not a static declaration but a dynamic force that transforms our character and compels us to action. This verse calls us to introspection: are our lives marked by the "works" of love, justice, mercy, and obedience that flow from a genuine relationship with Christ? It's a call to integrity, ensuring that what we claim to believe inwardly is consistent with how we live outwardly. Our works do not earn our salvation, but they are the undeniable, necessary evidence that we have truly been saved and that our faith is alive and genuine, making our faith profitable not just to ourselves, but to God and to the world around us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what practical ways does my faith manifest itself in my daily life?**
* **Are there areas where my verbal profession of faith is inconsistent with my actions?**
* **How can I cultivate a more active, "working" faith that demonstrates God's love to those around me?**

### FAQ
**Does James contradict Paul's teaching on salvation by faith alone?**

Answer: No, James does not contradict Paul; rather, they complement each other, addressing different facets of the same truth. Paul emphasizes that justification (being declared righteous by God) is by grace through faith *apart from works of the law* ([Romans 3:28](/romans/3-28 "Romans 3:28 - Justification by Faith"); [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")). He is concerned with the *ground* of salvation—that it is God's free gift received by faith in Christ's atoning work, not earned by human effort. James, on the other hand, is concerned with the *evidence* of salvation. He argues that genuine, living faith will inevitably produce good works as its fruit ([James 2:17](/james/2-17 "James 2:17 - Faith Without Works Is Dead")). For James, works are not the *root* of salvation but the *proof* of it. A faith that claims to exist but produces no good works is, by James's definition, a "dead" faith, which cannot save. Both apostles agree that true faith is never alone; it always results in a changed life.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
James 2:14, with its insistent demand for a faith that produces works, finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect illustration in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus consistently demonstrated a "working faith" in His Father, perfectly embodying the principle that true belief is never passive. His entire life was a testament to active obedience and selfless service, from His submission to the Father's will in the wilderness temptations to His compassionate healing of the sick and His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. He taught His disciples that a good tree produces good fruit ([Matthew 7:17](/matthew/7-17 "Matthew 7:17 - A Tree Is Known by Its Fruit")), a direct parallel to James's argument that genuine faith produces good works. Furthermore, it is through Christ's perfect "work" of redemption—His atoning death and resurrection—that humanity is offered the saving faith James speaks of. This faith, given by God, then empowers believers to live lives of good works, not to earn salvation, but as a grateful response to the One who "gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good" ([Titus 2:14](/titus/2-14 "Titus 2:14 - Eager for Good Works")). Thus, Christ is both the object of our saving faith and the supreme example of the working faith that validates it.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 7:26

And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

Matthew 7:27

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Matthew 7:21

¶ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 7:23

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

James 1:22

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

James 1:25

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Luke 6:49

But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.