James 2:14

What doth it profit? (ti opelo;). Rhetorical question, almost of impatience. Old word from opellw, to increase, in N.T. only here, verse Matthew 16 ; 1 Corinthians 15:32 . "Ti opelo was a common expression in the vivacious style of a moral diatribe" (Ropes). If a man say (ean legh ti). Condition of third class with ean and the present active subjunctive of legw, "if one keep on saying." He hath faith (pistin ecein). Infinitive in indirect assertion after legh. But have not works (erga de mh ech). Third-class condition continued, "but keeps on not having (mh and present active subjunctive ech) works." It is the spurious claim to faith that James here condemns. Can that faith save him? (mh dunatai h pisti 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.