{What doth it profit?} (	i ophelos;). Rhetorical question,
almost of impatience. Old word from ophell(935c), to increase, in
N.T. only here, verse  16  1Co 15:32 . "Ti ophelos was a common
expression in the vivacious style of a moral diatribe" (Ropes).
{If a man say} (ean leg(8869) tis). Condition of third class with
ean and the present active subjunctive of leg(935c), "if one keep
on saying." {He hath faith} (pistin echein). Infinitive in
indirect assertion after leg(8869). {But have not works} (erga de
m(8820)ech(8869)). Third-class condition continued, "but keeps on not
having (m(885c) and present active subjunctive ech(8869)) works." It
is the spurious claim to faith that James here condemns. {Can
that faith save him?} (m(8820)dunatai h(8820)pistis s(9373)ai auton;).
Negative answer expected (m(885c)). Effective aorist active
infinitive s(9373)ai (from s(937a)(935c)). The article h(885c) here is almost
demonstrative in force as it is in origin, referring to the claim
of faith without works just made.