Matthew Poole and continuators on James 2:16

16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace , be ye warmed , and be ye filled , nothwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body : what doth it profit ?

An usual form of Salutation, wherein, under the name of peace, they wished all Prosperity and Happiness to them they greeted, Mark 5.34. Luke 7.50. and 8.48.

i. e. Be ye clothed; the Warmth here mentioned being such as is procured by Cloathes, Iob 31.20.

Or, satisfied with Food; a Metaphor from the fatting of Cattel with Grass or Hay. The same Wor[illegible: 1 letter] is used, Matth. 14.20. Mark 6.42. Phil. 4.12. These two good Wishes answer the two former great Wants.

Understand, when yet ye are able to relieve them; for he speaks to the Rich, or such as were in a capacity of being helpful to others.

Either what do your good Words, and charitable Wishes profit them, without charitable Deeds? Or, what do they profit your selves? or both may be included: As your fair Speeches convey no real Good to them, so they bring in no Reward to you from God.

Marginal references: 1 Joh. 3.18.