James 2:16

And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be [ye] warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what [doth it] profit?

And {G1161} one {G5100} of {G1537} you {G5216} say {G2036} unto them {G846}, Depart {G5217} in {G1722} peace {G1515}, be ye warmed {G2328} and {G2532} filled {G5526}; notwithstanding {G1161} ye give {G1325} them {G846} not {G3361} those things which are needful {G2006} to the body {G4983}; what {G5101} doth it profit {G3786}?

and someone says to him, “Shalom! Keep warm and eat hearty!” without giving him what he needs, what good does it do?

If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?

and one of you say unto them, Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; and yet ye give them not the things needful to the body; what doth it profit?

James 2:16, from the King James Version, serves as a powerful illustration within the Apostle James's discourse on the relationship between faith and works. This verse presents a rhetorical question that exposes the futility of expressing well-wishes without accompanying them with tangible aid for someone in need.

Context

This verse is part of a larger argument in James chapter 2, where James directly confronts the notion that intellectual belief (faith) alone is sufficient for salvation or genuine righteousness. He argues passionately that true faith is always demonstrated through actions. Leading up to this verse, James discusses the sin of partiality (showing favoritism to the rich over the poor) and then transitions to the core idea that faith without works is dead. Verse 16 provides a vivid, relatable example of this principle: someone offering empty blessings to the destitute.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Authentic Faith Requires Action: The primary message is that genuine Christian faith is not merely intellectual assent or verbal affirmation but is evidenced by practical deeds of compassion and charity. Empty words of comfort, no matter how well-intentioned, are worthless if they do not lead to addressing real needs.
  • Practical Compassion: The verse highlights the importance of active, tangible love. It challenges believers to move beyond superficial sympathy to provide material support for those who are "warmed and filled" (i.e., clothed and fed). This echoes the teachings of Jesus regarding serving "the least of these".
  • Warning Against Hypocrisy: James exposes the hypocrisy of those who claim to be spiritual or compassionate yet fail to act on their supposed beliefs. Such behavior profits nothing, neither the needy person nor the one offering the empty words.
  • The Nature of Christian Love: This passage defines Christian love not as a feeling or a phrase, but as a commitment to meet the practical needs of others, especially the vulnerable. Paul similarly emphasizes that love is more than just words or knowledge in 1 Corinthians 13, stating that even giving away all one's goods profits nothing without love.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Depart in peace" is a common greeting or farewell in the Greek, hypagete en eirene (ὑπάγετε ἐν εἰρήνῃ), akin to the Hebrew shalom. However, in this context, James uses it ironically to underscore its emptiness when devoid of genuine action. The KJV's "be [ye] warmed and filled" directly refers to the basic human necessities of clothing and food, making the lack of provision starkly clear. The rhetorical question, "what [doth it] profit?", emphasizes the utter uselessness and moral bankruptcy of such an approach.

Practical Application

James 2:16 serves as a timeless challenge for believers today. It calls us to examine our own lives: Do our expressions of faith and compassion translate into concrete actions? It encourages Christians to be doers of the Word, not hearers only (James 1:22). This verse reminds us that true Christian charity involves more than just words; it requires tangible support, whether through financial giving, volunteering time, or sharing resources with those who lack basic necessities. It's a call to active, compassionate living that reflects the heart of God.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Proverbs 3:27

    ¶ Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do [it].

  • Proverbs 3:28

    Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

  • 1 John 3:16

    Hereby perceive we the love [of God], because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren.

  • 1 John 3:18

    My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

  • Matthew 25:42

    For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

  • Matthew 25:45

    Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did [it] not to one of the least of these, ye did [it] not to me.

  • Romans 12:9

    [Let] love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

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