James 2 15

James 2:15 kjv

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

James 2:15 nkjv

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

James 2:15 niv

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

James 2:15 esv

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,

James 2:15 nlt

Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing,

James 2 verses

James 2 15 Meaning

James 2:15 presents a hypothetical but common scenario: a fellow believer, referred to as a "brother or sister" within the Christian community, is in dire physical need, specifically lacking adequate clothing and daily sustenance. This verse sets the stage for the crucial argument in James's epistle regarding the nature of true faith. It implies a situation where the observable, tangible needs of a neighbor are evident, thereby introducing a moral imperative for those who profess faith in Christ. The verse highlights the practical aspect of Christian living, indicating that genuine faith is not merely an intellectual assent to doctrine but must be expressed through compassionate action in response to human suffering.

James 2 15 Context

James 2:15 is an integral part of James's overarching argument in chapter 2 concerning the relationship between faith and works. The apostle is addressing a form of "faith" that is merely intellectual assent, lacking any outward manifestation of Christian character or compassion. In this chapter, James directly confronts the idea that one can possess genuine saving faith without demonstrating it through practical deeds, especially towards those in need within the Christian community. The verses immediately preceding and following 2:15, such as James 2:14 ("What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?"), clearly set the polemical context against a barren, unproductive faith. Historically and culturally, charity and care for the poor were deeply embedded in both Jewish tradition (the background of James's audience) and the early Christian community, distinguishing their ethical life. This verse highlights a failure to meet these foundational expectations, critiquing a piety that is verbose but empty.

James 2 15 Word analysis

• If (Ἐὰν - Ean): This Greek conjunction introduces a conditional clause, presenting a hypothetical but common and likely real-life scenario within the community. It sets up an "if-then" statement where the consequence is detailed in the subsequent verse (James 2:16).
• a brother or sister (ἀδελφὸς ἢ ἀδελφὴ - adelphos ē adelphē): This refers specifically to a fellow believer in the Christian community, emphasizing internal community responsibility. It denotes spiritual kinship and mutual obligation among members of the church family, reflecting the early church's communal identity (e.g., Acts 2:44-45).
• is poorly clothed (γυμνητεύοντες - gymneteuontes): This term comes from gymneteuō, meaning "to be poorly clad," "to be thinly dressed," or "to be naked." It doesn't necessarily imply absolute nudity but a lack of sufficient, suitable, or protective clothing. This could mean threadbare garments, insufficient layers for weather, or clothing unfit for dignity and protection, indicating a state of poverty or destitution. It signifies a fundamental deficiency in basic covering.
• and lacking (λειπόμενοι - leipomenoi): From the verb leipō, meaning "to leave behind," "to fall short," "to be lacking," or "to be in want of." This participle emphasizes an ongoing state of deficiency, implying chronic need rather than a temporary inconvenience. It underscores a persistent absence of essential provisions.
• in daily food (τῆς ἐφημέρου τροφῆς - tēs ephēmerou trophēs): This phrase points to basic, essential sustenance needed day by day. Ephēmeros means "for the day," "daily" (from epi "upon" and hēmera "day"), highlighting an immediate, recurring need for survival, rather than a lack of luxuries. Trophē refers to food, nourishment, or sustenance. Together, they signify a foundational need for basic provision required to live.

• "If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food": This phrase paints a vivid picture of extreme vulnerability and poverty within the believing community. It presents a tangible, easily observable state of need that requires more than mere verbal acknowledgment. The specific mention of clothing and food identifies the most fundamental human needs beyond shelter, serving as archetypes for all essential provisions. This forms the premise for James's sharp rebuke against hollow expressions of faith in the following verse, showing that the supposed "faith" is meaningless if it cannot meet such basic, pressing needs of one's fellow believer.

James 2 15 Bonus section

The immediate implication of James 2:15, leading into verse 16, directly confronts the concept of cheap grace or intellectualized faith. James is not contradicting Paul's emphasis on "faith apart from works of the law" (Rom 3:28). Instead, James uses "works" to refer to acts of righteousness that demonstrate true, living faith, while Paul refers to "works of the law" as Mosaic rituals performed in an attempt to earn salvation. For James, true faith cannot exist without outward expressions of love and obedience, particularly towards the marginalized and vulnerable. The vivid description of "poorly clothed and lacking daily food" serves as a benchmark for authentic Christian compassion, reminding believers that the true measure of their faith is not in what they say, but in what they do for "the least of these" (Matt 25:40), especially those within their spiritual household. This responsibility is central to the New Covenant's ethic of love for God and neighbor (Matt 22:37-40).

James 2 15 Commentary

James 2:15 sets forth the practical foundation for understanding active faith. It highlights the direct tension between professed belief and tangible action by presenting a scenario of profound need within the Christian fellowship. The verse underscores that identifying oneself as a believer implies a responsibility towards the suffering, particularly when basic human needs like clothing and food are unmet. This isn't just about general philanthropy; it's about specific communal care for those known as "brother or sister" – those within the family of God. James immediately exposes the hypocrisy or futility of a "faith" that merely offers well-wishes or empty blessings without accompanying practical aid (as explored in James 2:16). The scenario challenges the notion that genuine spiritual conviction can exist independently of compassionate action, arguing that a faith that does not compel one to alleviate physical suffering is, in essence, a dead and useless faith. This is a call to demonstrate love in tangible ways, validating the spiritual reality of one's commitment to Christ through deeds that align with His compassionate nature. For instance, encountering a homeless person outside a church on a cold day, where saying "God bless you, stay warm" without offering a coat or meal is precisely the "faith" James condemns.