Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
What doth it profit? (ti ofelos). Rhetorical question, almost of impatience. Old word from ofellw, to increase, in N.T. only here, verse James 2:16; 1 Corinthians 15:32. "Ti ofelov was a common expression in the vivacious style of a moral diatribe" (Ropes).
If a man say (ean legh tiv). Condition of third class with ean and the present active subjunctive of legw, "if one keep on saying."
He hath faith (pistin exein). Infinitive in indirect assertion after legh.
But have not works (erga de mh exh). Third-class condition continued, "but keeps on not having (mh and present active subjunctive exh) works." It is the spurious claim to faith that James here condemns.
Can that faith save him? (mh dunatai h pistiv swsai auton). Negative answer expected (mh). Effective aorist active infinitive swsai (from swzw). The article h here is almost demonstrative in force as it is in origin, referring to the claim of faith without works just made.
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
James 1:21
James 2:1
James 2:16
James 2:24
James 3:4
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