James 2:15

If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

If {G1437}{G1161} a brother {G80} or {G2228} sister {G79} be {G5225} naked {G1131}, and {G2532} destitute {G3007}{G5600} of daily {G2184} food {G5160},

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food,

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.

If a brother or sister be naked and in lack of daily food,

Commentary

Context of James 2:15

James chapter 2 is a pivotal passage that directly addresses the relationship between faith and works, arguing against a passive or intellectual faith that lacks outward expression. The apostle James asserts that true faith is not merely an assent to doctrine but is actively demonstrated through one's deeds. Leading up to verse 15, James has already declared that faith without works is dead (James 2:14). He then introduces a vivid, hypothetical scenario to illustrate this principle, setting the stage for the crucial point he makes in the following verse.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Recognition of Material Need: Verse 15 immediately presents a scenario of profound material deprivation: a fellow believer who is "naked" (lacking adequate clothing) and "destitute of daily food." This highlights the importance of being aware of and sensitive to the physical needs of others within the Christian community.
  • The Call to Practical Compassion: This verse serves as the setup for James's argument that genuine faith demands a practical response to suffering. It lays the groundwork for challenging the idea that mere words of goodwill are sufficient when confronted with tangible human need.
  • Foundation for Demonstrating True Faith: By outlining such a clear and desperate situation, James prepares the reader to understand that true, saving faith is not abstract or theoretical. It is a faith that manifests itself in deeds of mercy and charity, reflecting the love of God through tangible acts.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "naked, and destitute of daily food" uses strong terms to convey extreme poverty. "Naked" (Greek: gymnos) implies not necessarily complete nudity, but rather being poorly clothed or without sufficient covering for protection and dignity. "Destitute of daily food" (Greek: leipomenoi tes ephemerou trophes) vividly describes a lack of basic, everyday sustenance. James deliberately paints a picture of severe need to emphasize the stark contrast with an unhelpful, verbal-only response that he will describe in the next verse.

Related Scriptures

  • This verse is inextricably linked with James 2:16, where James provides the example of a person offering empty words rather than practical help.
  • The principle of caring for the poor and needy is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, notably in Jesus' teaching about serving "the least of these" in Matthew 25:35-40, where feeding the hungry and clothing the naked are presented as acts done to Christ Himself.
  • The apostle John echoes this sentiment in 1 John 3:17-18: "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"

Practical Application

James 2:15 compels believers to move beyond mere sympathy or good intentions when confronted with the genuine needs of others. It forces us to examine whether our faith is truly alive and active, or if it remains purely theoretical. For contemporary Christians, this verse serves as a powerful call to action, urging us to identify and address practical needs within our communities and beyond. It reminds us that our faith is authenticated not just by what we believe or say, but by the tangible ways we demonstrate Christ's love through service, charity, and compassion.

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Cross-References

  • Luke 3:11 (11 votes)

    He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

  • Matthew 25:35 (9 votes)

    For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

  • Matthew 25:40 (9 votes)

    And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.

  • Isaiah 58:7 (6 votes)

    [Is it] not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

  • Job 31:16 (4 votes)

    ¶ If I have withheld the poor from [their] desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;

  • Job 31:21 (4 votes)

    If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate:

  • James 2:5 (3 votes)

    Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?