2:16a

one of you: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as one of you is literally “any of you(plur).” It refers to any person who claimed to be a Christian among those to whom James wrote this letter.

him: The Greek pronoun that the Berean Standard Bible translates as him is literally “them.” It refers to both men and women. Use whatever is natural in your language to refer to the “brother or sister” in Christ of 2:15a.

2:16b

Go in peace: The phrase Go in peace was a common expression among Jews to say “goodbye” to a person who was leaving. It was a blessing of peace on the person who was leaving.

You should translate this phrase with a common expression that is used in your language when someone leaves. If possible, the expression should include words that wish the person well or that send him off with God’s blessing. For example:

God bless you (Good News Translation)
-or-
good-bye and God bless you (New Living Translation, 1996 edition)
-or-
Good-bye and have a good day (New Living Translation (2004 Revision))

2:16c

stay warm and well fed: This clause is a wish (or prayer) that the person may somehow become warm and get enough to eat. It is not a piece of good advice reminding the person to be sensible and look after himself properly.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

I hope you stay warm and get plenty to eat (New Century Version)
-or-
May you be warm enough and have enough food to eat

2:16d

but does not provide for his physical needs: The Greek is literally “but you^(plur) do not give to them the needed things of the body.” Notice that the pronouns “you” and “them” are both plural in Greek. However, in some languages, singular pronouns are more natural. This is what the Berean Standard Bible does. The pronouns you use here should be consistent with those you used in 2:16a.

The phrase his physical needs refers to the food and clothing that the person needs. The believer wishes the person well but does not give the person what he needs to keep warm or to end his hunger.

Some other ways to translate this clause are:

but you do not give what that person needs (New Century Version)
-or-
but does nothing to supply their bodily needs (Revised English Bible)
-or-
but he does not give him clothing to wear and does not give him anything to eat

2:16e

what good is that?: This is a rhetorical question. James used this rhetorical question to emphasize that mere talk and good wishes were no help at all. These same words occur in 2:14a.

Some ways to translate this emphasis are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

…what good does it do? (God’s Word)
-or-
Will that help him?
-or-
That will not help him, right?

• As a statement. For example:

It does no good at all.
-or-
…your words are worth nothing. (New Century Version)
-or-
You will certainly not help that person just by saying those words.

Translate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.

General Comment on 2:16a–e

In some languages, it may be more natural to put 2:16e at the beginning of the verse. For example:

^16eWhat good is it ^16aif one of you tells him, ^16b“Go in peace; ^16cstay warm and well fed,” ^16dbut does not provide for his physical needs?

© 2012 by SIL International®

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.