The Greek adjective anileos (ἀνίλεως) means without mercy, merciless — the opposite of hileos (merciful, gracious). It appears once in the New Testament in James 2:13, in a statement of profound moral gravity regarding mercy and judgment.
James 2:13 contains one of the most arresting theological declarations in the New Testament: "Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment." The word anileos — merciless — characterizes those who treat the poor with favoritism-driven contempt (James 2:1–12). The principle operates on the same logic as the Lord's Prayer ("forgive us as we forgive") and the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18). Those who have received God's infinite mercy but refuse to extend mercy to others reveal they have not truly received it. The receipts of grace become the channels of grace — or else judgment awaits.