James 2:14 (GNV)

Passage

What auaileth it, my brethren, though a man saith he hath faith, when he hath no workes? can that faith saue him?

Nearby Context

James 2:12 So speake ye, and so doe, as they that shall be iudged by the Lawe of libertie.

James 2:13 For there shalbe condemnation merciles to him that sheweth not mercie, and mercie reioyceth against condemnation.

James 2:14 What auaileth it, my brethren, though a man saith he hath faith, when he hath no workes? can that faith saue him?

James 2:15 For if a brother or a sister bee naked and destitute of daily foode,

James 2:16 And one of you say vnto them, Depart in peace: warme your selues, and fil your bellies, notwithstading ye giue them not those things which are needefull to the body, what helpeth it?

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "faith", "auaileth", "brethren", "though", "saith", "hath", and "workes". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "faith" and "auaileth", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 13's "For there shalbe condemnation merciles to him..." into verse 15's "For if a brother or a sister...", so "faith" and "auaileth" belong inside that flow. In James context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "faith" and "auaileth" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.