James 2:15

Modern

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

Traditional

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

Literal

Now if a brother or a sister is naked and lacking of daily food,

Latin

Si autem frater et soror nudi sint, et indigeant victu quotidiano,

Greek

English

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

Suppose: In 2:2–4, James gives an example of "faith" that is useless.
without clothes and daily food: In first-century Palestine and the Roman world, many people who were poor lacked basic needs.
stay warm and well-fed: This probably assumes that God will provide for the poor. The speaker might think that believing it will happen is enough. But without action, it is just an empty hope.

James explains why Christians should care about how God will judge their actions (2:12–13): Good deeds must accompany true faith (see 1:22–25).

Theme notes and profiles

Luke 3:11
John replied, “Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.”
Matthew 25:35–40
For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in,
Isaiah 58:7
Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Job 31:16–21
If I have denied the desires of the poor or allowed the widow’s eyes to fail,
Isaiah 58:10
…and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light will go forth in the darkness, and your night will be like noonday.
James 2:5
Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?
Mark 14:7
The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them whenever you want. But you will not always have Me.
Hebrews 11:37
They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were put to death by the sword. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, oppressed, and mistreated.
Ezekiel 18:7
He does not oppress another, but restores the pledge to the debtor. He does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing.