James 2:14

“What doth it profit, my brethren, etc.] The apostle having finished his discourse on respect of persons, and the arguments he used to dissuade from it, by an easy transition passes to treat upon faith and works, showing that faith without works, particularly without works of mercy, is of no profit and advantage: though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? it is clear that the apostle is not speaking of true faith, for that, in persons capable of performing them, is not without works; it is an operative grace; it works by love and kindness, both to Christ, and to his members; but of a profession of faith, a mere historical one, by which a man, at most, assents to the truth of things,…”

“James here, passing from the particular case of "mercy" or "love" violated by "respect of persons," notwithstanding profession of the "faith of our Lord Jesus" (Jam 2:1), combats the Jewish tendency (transplanted into their Christianity) to substitute a lifeless, inoperative acquaintance with the letter of the law, for change of heart to practical holiness, as if justification could be thereby attained (Rom 2:3, Rom 2:13, Rom 2:23). It seems hardly likely but that James had seen Paul's Epistles, considering that he uses the same phrases and examples (compare Jam 2:21, Jam 2:23, Jam 2:25, with Rom 4:3; Heb 11:17, Heb 11:31; and Jam 2:14, Jam 2:24, with Rom 3:28; Gal 2:16). Whether James…”

“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith? - The apostle here returns to the subject adverted to in James 1:22-27, the importance of a practical attention to the duties of religion, and the assurance that men cannot be saved by a mere speculative opinion, or merely by holding correct sentiments. He doubtless had in his eye those who abused the doctrine of justification by faith, by holding that good works are unnecessary to salvation, provided they maintain an orthodox belief. As this abuse probably existed in the time of the apostles, and as the Holy Ghost saw that there would be danger that in later times the great and glorious doctrine of justification by faith…”

“From Jam 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 ( Jam 2:21, Jam 2:23, Jam 2:25) the same phrases, testimonies, and examples, which St. Paul had used, Rom 4:3, Heb 11:17, Heb 11:31, 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.…”

“2:14-26 James explains why Christians need to be concerned about the judgment of their actions (2:12-13): Real faith must be accompanied by good deeds (see 1:22-25). 2:14 if you say you have faith: James writes to Christians who need to be stimulated to produce actions that should arise from genuine faith. Paul makes the same point (see, e.g., Gal 5:6) but often criticizes people for trying to base their relationship with God on what they do (Rom 3:20, 28; 4:3-5; Gal 2:16; 3:1-14).”

“What: Jam 2:16; Jer 7:8; Rom 2:25; Co1 13:3; Ti1 4:8; Heb 13:9 though: Jam 2:18, Jam 2:26, Jam 1:22-25; Mat 5:20, Mat 7:21-23, Mat 7:26, Mat 7:27; Luk 6:49; Act 8:13, Act 8:21, Act 15:9; Co1 13:2, Co1 16:22; Gal 5:6, Gal 5:13; Th1 1:3; Ti1 1:5; Tit 1:16, Tit 3:8; Heb 11:7, Heb 11:8, Heb 11:17; Pe2 1:5; Jo1 5:4, Jo1 5:5 can: Co1 15:2; Eph 2:8-10 James 2:15”