James 2:15

15 If a brother or a sister is poorly clothed and lacking food for the day,

James 2:15 Meaning and Commentary

James 2:15

If a brother or sister
A Christian man or woman, a fellow member of a church of Christ; for this relation is to be understood in a spiritual sense, though it does not exclude such who are in this relation in a natural sense:

be naked;
or clothed in rags, or in very mean and sordid apparel, such as will neither keep them warm, nor clean and decent; for they must not be supposed to be entirely naked, but to be in a very uncomfortable and indecent garb:

and destitute of daily food;
have not food sufficient for the day; or aught to support nature with, and yield them proper refreshment and nourishment.

James 2:15 In-Context

13 For judgment [is] merciless to the one who has not practiced mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

14 What [is] the benefit, my brothers, if someone says [that he] has faith but does not have works? That faith [is] not able to save him, [is it]?

15 If a brother or a sister is poorly clothed and lacking food for the day,

16 and one of you should say to them, "Go in peace, keep warm and {eat well}," but does not give them what is necessary for the body, what [is] the benefit?

17 Thus also faith, if it does not have works, is dead by itself.