James 2:14

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say hee hath faith, and haue not workes? can faith saue him?
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan

What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?
- New American Standard Version (1995)

What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not works? can that faith save him?
- American Standard Version (1901)

What use is it, my brothers, for a man to say that he has faith, if he does nothing? will such a faith give him salvation?
- Basic English Bible

What [is] the profit, my brethren, if any one say he have faith, but have not works? can faith save him?
- Darby Bible

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man sayeth he hath faith, and hath not works? can faith save him?
- Webster's Bible

What good is it, my brethren, if a man professes to have faith, and yet his actions do not correspond? Can such faith save him?
- Weymouth Bible

What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him?
- World English Bible

Mi britheren, what schal it profite, if ony man seie that he hath feith, but he hath not the werkis? whether feith schal mowe saue hym?
- Wycliffe Bible

What [is] the profit, my brethren, if faith, any one may speak of having, and works he may not have? is that faith able to save him?
- Youngs Literal Bible

Wesley's Notes for James 2:14

2:14 From #James 1:22|, the apostle has been enforcing Christian practice. He now applies to those who neglect this, under the pretence of faith. St. Paul had taught that a man is justified by faith without the works of the law. This some began already to wrest to their own destruction. Wherefore St. James, purposely repeating (#Jas 2:21|,23,25) the same phrases, testimonies, and examples, which St. Paul had used, #Rom 4:3|, #Heb 11:17|,31, refutes not the doctrine of St. Paul, but the error of those who abused it. There is, therefore, no contradiction between the apostles: they both delivered the truth of God, but in a different manner, as having to do with different kinds of men. On another occasion St. James himself pleaded the cause of faith, #Acts 15:13 |- 21; and St. Paul himself strenuously pleads for works, particularly in his latter epistles. This verse is a summary of what follows. What profiteth it? is enlarged on, #Jas 2:15-17|; though a man say, #Jas 2:18,19| can that faith save him? #Jas 2:20|. It is not, though he have faith; but, though he say he have faith. Here, therefore, true, living faith is meant: but in other parts of the argument the apostle speaks of a dead, imaginary faith. He does not, therefore, teach that true faith can, but that it cannot, subsist without works: nor does he oppose faith to works; but that empty name of faith, to real faith working by love. Can that faith which is without works save him? No more than it can profit his neighbour.